Thursday of Holy Week

Holy/Maundy ThursdayMarch 28, 2013

Our tour through Holy Week takes a somber turn on Thursday.

From Bethany Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make the preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how they were to love one another. Today, many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as a part of their Maundy Thursday services.

Then Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples saying, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." (Luke 22:15-16, NLT)

As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of the Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. During thisLast Supper, Jesus established the Lord's Supper, or Communion, instructing his followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine:

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.' " (Luke 22:19-20, ESV)

Later Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to God the Father. Luke's Gospel says "his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44, ESV)

Late that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Meanwhile, in the early morning hours as Jesus' trial was getting underway, Peter denied knowing his Master three times before the rooster crowed.

Read More:

• Passover Feast
• Bible Story - The Last Supper
• What is Maundy Thursday?
• Thursday's events are recorded in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.

Holy/Maundy ThursdayMarch 28, 2013
Footwashing and shoes were given to
almost 400 homeless children, women, and men
at First United Methodist Church of Miami last year.
20th anniversary of this event will be held on March 24, 2012. 

Image:
"In the Cup of the New Covenant,"
Jan Richardson, 2012.

Click on Scripture

Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14Roman Catholic reading: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18Episcopal reading (RCL): Psalm 116:1, 10-17United Methodist reading: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35Roman Catholic reading: John 13:1-15

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Year A, Year B, Year C.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'sThe Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • American Baptist Churches Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
  • PCUSA - Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals Scripture Reference.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Washing the Disciples' Feet
    • Last Supper
    • Denial/Betrayal
    • Judas
    • Plagues of Egypt
    • Moses
    • Exodus
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Eucharist/Communion/Feeding
    • Possession by Evil
    • Judas
    • Moses/Exodus
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Preaching This Week commentary, Maundy Thursday, WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2013 . 2012. 2011. 2010. 2009.
  • Preaching Helps (Holy Thursday). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2013.
  • Commentary, Cultural Resource, Worship Resource, Maundy Thursday, African American Lectionary, 2013.
  • Foot Washing, Robert Stuhlmann, Stories from a Priestly Life, 2013.
  • The Worship Closet, Amy Loving, 2013.
  • Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
  • Sermon Brainwave, Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org. 2013.
  • "A Real Meal," Rick Morley, 2012.
  • "The Fractal Mystery," Michael Coffey, 2012.
  • "Cup of the New Covenant," Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2012. Use of images.
  • "Wash My Hands," Ann Fontaine, What the Tide Brings In, 2012.
  • Lectionary Notes, Maundy Thursday, Beth Quick, 2012.
  • Sermon Notes for Holy Week, Michael Rich, In-Formatio, 2012.
  • "On Meals and Memories," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
  • The Worship Closet, Maundy Thursday, Amy Loving, 2012.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Clean Feet: A Maundy Thursday Meditation," Alyce M. McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
  • Dark before the Dawn, Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2011.
  • "Maundy Thursday is for April Fools," Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections, 2010.
  • "The Art of Dying Well, with Jesus," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2010.
  • John Shearman's Lectionary Resource, Maundy Thursday, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Maundy Thursday," Craig A. Satterlee, The Alban Institute, 2009.
  • "Maundy Thursday," Nathan Kirkpatrick, Duke Divinity School, Faith & Leadership, 2009.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Maundy Thursday, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Maundy Thursday, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2011.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Maundy Thursday, 2007. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
  • Lectionary Notes, Maundy Thursday A, Maundy Thursday B, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • Jesus Now, Maundy Thursday. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "Christ Our Passover: A Meal on the Run," Mark Harris, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
  • "Taking Jesus' Death Personally," Leon Spencer, Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Holy Thursday, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • Bible Study - Holy Thursday - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
• Sermons:
  • "'The journey from head to heart,'" the Rev. Anjel Scarborough, Sermons that Work, Episcopal Digital Network, 2013.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Maundy Thursday, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2012.
  • "Just Love Them," Lee Koontz, Reflectious, 2010.
  • "Confession and the Lord's Supper," Martin Luther, c. 1525.
• Special Day Resources:
  • Maundy Thursday, wikipedia.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• Resources and Images on The Text This Week's Holy Week Resources page.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Holy Thursday): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2013.
  • Commentary, Cultural Resource, Worship Resource, Maundy Thursday, African American Lectionary, 2013.
  • Mustard Seeds, Maundy Thursday, 2013. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Maundy Thursday A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2011.
  • Maundy Thursday Liturgy, The Night of the Beloved Community, Nancy Rockwell, Bite in the Apple, 2013.
  • Maundy Thursday Liturgy, The Fat Pastor, 2011.
  • Maundy Thursday Simple Tenebrae Service, Rev. Mindi, Rev-o-lution, 2011.
  • LCA Worship Planning Page, Maundy Thursday, 2012, "Everything lay-readers need to prepare worship."
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Holy Thursday, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Maundy Thursday liturgy from The Church of England in An Anglican Liturgical Library.
  • "The Pedalavium (The Foot Washing): A Re-enactment," Pastor Edward f. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
  • Maundy Thursday Service, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Maundy Thursday: You Are With Us, Lord: with Confession, Footwashing, and Holy Communion using "Table Prayer: The Winter Name of God" by Michael Joncas, Worship Resources by Lisa Frenz, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, OR.
  • Liturgies Online, Maundy Thursday, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Maundy Thursday Service, Theresa P. Coleman, reverend mommy's random thoughts.
  • The Triduum: Maundy Thursday (with footwashing) and The Triduum: Maundy Thursday (without footwashing) Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Maundy Thursday Liturgy, Seekers Church, Washington D.C.
  • A Short Communion Liturgy for Maundy Thursday, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Holy Thursday, CanticaNovaPublications.
  • Lector's Notes, Holy Thursday, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Prayers of the People, Maundy Thursday, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • An Invocation for Maundy Thursday, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's random thoughts.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayers and liturgy for Maundy Thursday, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Music & Worship Resources, Nolan Williams, Jr., Cultural Resources, Stephen G. Ray, Jr., The African American Lectionary, 2009. 2008 Music & Worship Resources. 2008 Cultural Resources.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Year A, Year B, Year C, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • 21st Century Worship Resources, UMC GBOD, 2013.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 117:1-2, 12-19, Joan Stott, prayers and meditationsbased on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • The Worship Closet, Maundy Thursday, Creative Worship Ideas, 2012.
  • Gethsemane Suzanne Guthrie, Soulwork toward Sunday: At the Edge of the Enclosure, 2012.
  • "Service Prayers for Maundy Thursday," Worship Ways, UCC, 2013.
• Graphics and Bulletin Materials:
  • Good Thursday, Holy Week and Easter Clip Art, Hermanoleon Clip Art.
  • HermanoLeón Clipart, Holy Week. Free clipart, backgrounds, slides, etc.
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Year A, Year B, Year C, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Mustard Seeds, Maundy Thursday, 2013. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Holy Thursday at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Year B, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Holy Week Thursday, 2010, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012.
• Hymns and Music:
  • You Call That Church Music? alternative music planning blog for church musicians following the RCL (with videos), Ann Strickland, 2013.
  • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Maundy Thursday, 2012, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
  • Hymnary.org: Thursday of Holy Week, Year A, Year B, Year C, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Shepherd Sounds, Maundy Thursday. Background information for hymns and choral music following the lectionary from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas, by Eric Mellenbruch and David Zersen.
  • Lectionary Hymns, Maundy Thursday, UMC GBOD, 2013.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Holy Thursday, CanticaNovaPublications.
  • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
  • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Maundy Thursday, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Classical Music playlist for Holy Week & Easter, Revgalblogpals.
  • Lectionary Hymns, Mass of the Lord's Supper, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
  • Music & Worship Resources, Nolan Williams, Jr., The African American Lectionary, 2009. 2008.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Holy or Maundy Thursday, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
  • Childrens Sermon, Maundy Thursday, Faith Formation Journeys, 2012.
  • Remembering Something Important, Teresa L. Major SermonSuite.
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Holy Week Thursday. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • Gathering, Maundy Thursday, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2011. (Terms of Use)
• Drama:
  • Maundy Thursday Testimonies -- Dramatic readings to be used as part of a service  by David H. Covington from SermonStudio.
  • "The Pedalavium (The Foot Washing): A Re-enactment," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.