Maundy Thursday

In the Shadow of the Upper Room

Setting

This service could be held in a traditional setting or with chairs in a semi-circle facing the Communion table. Consider having a basin and a small towel, a small loaf or round of bread, and a goblet on the table. The sanctuary lighting should be dimmed.

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship: II Corinthians 11:24–25

*Invocation

*Response

Prayer of Confession

Leader:	God’s love for the world has been revealed in Jesus Christ, who certainly loved us to the uttermost; Jesus, Savior and Lord, at his last meal with his disciples gave them—and us—the new commandment: "Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
People:	Merciful God, we confess that so often our discipleship has been weak when we have failed to serve as Jesus served. Forgive us.
Leader:	When we have failed to love one another as Jesus loves us,
People:	Forgive us.
Leader:	When we have been happy to proclaim our devotion to Jesus with our lips and then denied him by our actions,
People:	Forgive us.
Leader:	Merciful God, empower us by your Spirit to be steady and true to you in every time of trial, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People:	In Jesus Christ, we are loved and we are forgiven.
All:	Thanks be to God!

Washing of the Hands (or Feet)

In a small group include everyone, but in a larger group, use four or five people who represent various groups (children, youth, young adults, middle adults, older adults), to participate. This could be the washing of hands or feet. If more than four or five are going to participate, several basins should be used. Those participating should go to the designated areas by the basins.

Presider:

Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come, and having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. At supper with them, he washed the disciples’ feet and gave them the new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you."

As participants come to the basin(s), pour water over their hands (or feet), then dry them with the towel. Participants return to their seats.

Statement of Preparation

He took a loaf of bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat, this is my body that is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." After supper, he took the cup and, again giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying, "Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant that is poured out for you and for all the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

—Mark 14:22–25 adapted

Blessing and Serving of the Bread

Blessing and Serving of the Wine

Pastoral Prayer

Shadows of the Upper Room

The worship setting should include seven small white candles and one large white candle. They should not be lit prior to the service. During the hymn, light all the candles. Seven readers are needed for the scriptures listed below. After each scripture is read, one small candle is blown out by the reader.

Betrayal: Matthew 26:20–25
Inner Agony: Luke 22:40–44
Loneliness: Matthew 26:40–45
Desertion: Matthew 26:47–50, 55, 56
Accusation: Matthew 26:59–67
Mockery: Mark 15:12–20
Death: Luke 23:33–46

Scripture: John 1:1–5

Following this reading, the large candle is blown out by an eighth person.

Sung as a solo from the back in the dark

Postlude