Read from one or more of the following texts.

Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14

Psalm 116:1, 10-17 (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 [NRSV]

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34

Maundy Thursday got its name from the Latin translation of Jesus' words in John 13:34. "Mandatum novum do vobis" means that Jesus was giving his disciples a new commandment.

People remember that Jesus washed his disciples' feet to show them how they should serve each other. Sometimes the washing of feet is a ceremonial part of the service on Maundy Thursday. This ceremony symbolizes that we love one another when we take the role of servant and help one another.

Maundy Thursday is also the day when we remember how Jesus ate his last Passover meal with his disciples. At that meal he instituted the Lord's Supper or Eucharist. He commanded us to also celebrate the Eucharist in remembrance of what he did for us.

In some European countries this day was named Green Thursday. Penitents who had made a confession of their sins with ashes of burned palms on Ash Wednesday were welcomed back into the church on Green Thursday by giving them green branches.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for washing the disciples' feet and showing us that we need to serve each other. Thank you for giving your body and blood as a sacrifice for our sins. As we come to the communion table, help us to be truly sorry for our sins and then go and joyfully share the great message of your forgiveness.

In your name we pray,

Amen

Gethsemane

Jesus knew his time was near.

He asked his friends to stay.

He said to some, "Sit here."

His closest went with him.

Three closest with him went.

He shared his deepest thoughts.

He knew why he'd been sent.

Would they stay with him now?

He talked to them and sighed.

He said, "I'm deeply grieved."

Would they with him abide

In dark Gethsemane?

Alone he prayed in grief.

"... Father, if ... possible... "

He begged for some relief.

"Let this cup pass from me."

Weary disciples slept,

But Jesus went to pray.

God's promise must be kept.

He said, "Your will be done."

Obediently he cried,

Said, "Yet not what I want,"

He would not run or hide.

"Your will be done," he sighed.

Friends slept but Jesus prayed.

He talked to them again.

He soon would be betrayed

And taken to be tried.

For others and for me,

He lived and prayed and died.

Gave hope and set us free.

Think of Gethsemane.

 Pastor Loretta Kuse

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Bible verses taken from the New Revised Standard Version