Maundy Thursday Worship Resources
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday as we often call it is the beginning of the trio of services that burst into the resurrection celebration of Easter. This gathering of items to assist you in a family/home worship is an adaptation of materials from Ministry Matters. The Holy Communion liturgy online from Palm Sunday can be used for this service if you desire Communion. If you desire, have a bowl of water and towel in front of each family member. And please enjoy the music and scripture lessons online this week to help us all journey through Holy Week.
Opening Prayer:
Jesus gave us a new commandment,
to love one another as he loves us.
Write this commandment in our hearts,
and give us the will to serve others as he was servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Then read the following: FIRST READING: Exodus 12:1-14
PSALM 116
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
GOSPEL: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
If you have the United Methodist Hymnal, you might now read or sing Hymn # 432 “Jesu, Jesu” Or see: https://hymnary.org/text/kneels_at_the_feet_of_his_friends
Hymn # 292 “What Wondrous Love Is This” Or see: https://hymnary.org/text/what_wondrous_love_is_this_o_my_soul_o_m
Here each person may wash their own hands, using the water in the bowl in front of them, recalling Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Or if there are several worshiping together and it is safe to do so, each person may pour water on another’s hands, thinking of the love of Jesus poured out on each of us in this difficult time. Please note, that this action may be entirely omitted, especially if someone in your house has tested positive for the coronavirus. Then you may pray these intercessions for our church and world:
A Prayer for Home Worship on Maundy Thursday
United with Christians around the globe on this Maundy Thursday, let us pray for the church, the earth, our troubled world, and all in need, responding to each petition with the words, Your mercy is great.
(A brief silence.)
Blessed are you, holy God, for the church. Gather all the baptized around your presence in the Word. Strengthen the body of your people even when we cannot assemble for worship. Grant our pastors and church leaders faithfulness and creativity for their ministry in this time, and accompany those preparing for baptism.
(A brief silence.)
Hear us, holy God. Your mercy is great.
Blessed are you, bountiful God, for this good earth and for the flowering of springtime. Save dry lands from destructive droughts. Protect the waters from pollution. Allow in this time the planting of fields for food. Make us into caregivers of your plants and animals.
(A brief silence.)
Hear us, bountiful God. Your mercy is great.
Blessed are you, sovereign God, for our nation. Inspire all people to live in peace and concord. Grant wisdom and courage to heads of state and to legislators as they face the coronavirus. Lead our elected officials to champion the cause of the needy.
(A brief silence.)
Hear us, sovereign God. Your mercy is great.
Blessed are you, faithful God, for you accompany suffering humanity with love. Abide wherever the coronavirus has struck. Visit all who mourn their dead; all who have contracted the virus; those who are quarantined or stranded away from home; those who are dying without loved ones able to be with them; those who have lost their employment; those who fear the present and the future. Support physicians, nurses, and home health aides; chaplains and medical researchers; and the World Health Organization.
(A brief silence.)
Hear us, faithful God. Your mercy is great.
Blessed are you, gracious God, for you care for the needy. We beg you to feed the hungry, protect the refugee, embrace the distressed, house the homeless, nurse the sick, and comfort the dying. Especially we pray for those we name before you now.
(A brief silence.)
Hear us, gracious God. Your mercy is great.
Blessed are you, loving God, that your Son knelt before us, your unworthy servants. Preserve our lives, comfort our anxiety, and receive now the petitions of our hearts.
(A longer period of silence.)
Hear us, loving God. Your mercy is great.
Blessed are you, eternal God, for all who have died in the faith, those whom we name before you here.
(A brief silence.)
At the end, bring us with them into your everlasting glory.
Hear us, eternal God. Your mercy is great.
Receive, merciful God, our prayers, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the host of our meal of life, who died and rose that we might live with you, now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN # 549 “Where Charity and Love Prevail”
Or see: https://hymnary.org/text/where_charity_and_love_prevail
Finally, remembering Jesus going to his arrest and his death, the events from which all the mercy that fills this night flows, read John 18:1-26. Keep in mind as you journey into tomorrow the crow of the rooster. Amen.
These resources for worship at home on the Three Days were developed by Gordon Lathrop and Gail Ramshaw for Resurrection Lutheran Church, Arlington, Virginia, and are offered for ecumenical use. They have been slightly adapted for United Methodist use. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26914. Common English Bible, copyright 2011. Used by permission.