Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday…What is That?

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday”, is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. 

The night before Jesus was crucified, he had supper with his disciples.  Jesus realized that this last meal would be his final opportunity to guide his disciples before his crucifixion. Before the meal, he washed his disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17).  During supper he spoke at length about his purposes, what his followers should do, and the promise of the Holy Spirit to come.  He broke bread into pieces, giving it his disciples saying “This is my body, given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me”.  He then took the cup of wine, shared it with his disciples and said, “This wine is the token of God’s new covenant to save you, an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you” (Luke 22:19-20).  This is the biblical basis for the practice of Communion.

Maundy Thursday is observed on the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday.  Once again, we will holding a special service that evening (April 2^{nd –} 7:00).  A reenactment of the Last Supper while reading the Passion Story will take place, including a special communion.  We hope you can join us in observing Maundy Thursday in a way that truly honors what happened at the Last Supper.

Carol Robbins

Worship Committee Chairperson

View our 2015 Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service.