Maundy Thursday
Worship Service with Holy Communion at 7:00 pm
This is the Thursday in Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). The day is a time for remembering The Last Supper. The name comes from the Latin word “Mandatum” for “commandment” as Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment; that you love one another.” At the conclusion of this service, altars are stripped of any ornamentation and crosses are removed or veiled to mark the solemnness of the occasion. In the German it is known as “Grundonnerstag” or Green Thursday.
Holy (MAUNDY) Thursday
Betrayed by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Betrayed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver. Betrayed by Judas with a kiss—image that, a kiss! Betrayed by Judas in a garden east of Jerusalem called Gethsemane. Betrayed! Jesus was betrayed for us. After betraying Jesus, Judas plunges into the depths of despair. He does not return to Jesus to seek forgiveness. But this Thursday, the night Jesus is betrayed, reminds us of the forgiveness, life, and salvation that Jesus provides for us in the Lord’s Supper. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we journey ever closer to the cross.
Witnesses to Christ: People from His Passion
This year’s Lent 2022 series paints a stunning portrait of Jesus through the eyes of those whose interactions with Jesus lead us to meditate on His Passion as recorded by St. John in his Gospel. Our overall theme is “Witnesses to Christ: People From His Passion.”
John tells us why he wrote his Gospel:
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
John 20:30–31
Life! When we believe that Jesus is the Christ, God gives us life—abundant life, forgiven life, and eternal life.
Historically, the Fourth Gospel is likened to an eagle—an image that suggests John soars to heights of glory and grandeur. That’s because the evangelist paints a stunning portrait of Jesus, who is the bread of life, the resurrection and the life, and the way, the truth, and the life. Life in Jesus. That’s God’s gift to you!
During Lent 2022, our life in Christ will be strengthened as we hear the witness of those in John’s Gospel who journeyed to the cross. Along the way, we’ll meet villains, such as Barabbas and Pontius Pilate, as well as sinners, such as Peter (who denied Jesus three times), Mary Magdalene (who was possessed by seven demons), and Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver).
Please join us for worship at each Lenten Service as we hear the witness of these people in John’s Gospel:
- Ash Wednesday, March 2: John the Baptist, John 1:29–34
- Midweek of Lent 1, March 9: Mary, the Sister of Lazarus and Martha, John 12:1–11
- Midweek of Lent 2, March 16: Malchus, John 18:1–11
- Midweek of Lent 3, March 23: Peter, John 18:12–27
- Midweek of Lent 4, March 30: Barabbas, John 18:33–40
- Midweek of Lent 5, April 6: Pontius Pilate, John 19:1–16
- Palm Sunday, April 10: The Disciples, John 12:12–19
- Maundy (Holy) Thursday, April 14: Judas Iscariot, John 13:21–30
- Good Friday, April 15: John, the Gospel Writer, John 19:25–37
- The Vigil of Easter, April 16: Nicodemus, John 19:38–42
- The Resurrection of Our Lord, April 17: Mary Magdalene, John 20:1–18