Maundy Thursday Liturgy, Songs, and Prayers
April 2, 2026 Maundy Thursday
Instrumental prelude -Tonight we take a few moments for silent prayer and reflection during the instrumental prelude. We invite you to join us in quiet prayer; to enter this place with quietness and trust before the Lord.
THE ACCLAMATION(standing together)
Blessed be our God.
Now and for ever.
Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Celebrant: (please be seated)
This is the night that Christ the Son of Man gathered with his disciples in the upper room.
This is the night that Christ our Lord and Master took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, calling us to love one another as he has loved us.
This is the night that Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his perfect sacrifice.
This is the night that Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him.
Silence is kept (instrumental)
THE GOSPEL (standing together)
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John ( John 13: 1-15, 34-35)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’
Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’
Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’
Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’
Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER:
(kneeling or seated as you’re able)
silence is kept
THE FOOT–WASHING (please be seated)
Fellow servants of our Lord Jesus Christ: On the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the kingdom of God come not by worldly power and authority, but by such lowly service.
Therefore, I invite those who have been appointed as representatives of the Congregation and who share in the royal priesthood of Christ to come forward, that we may recall whose servants we are by following the example of our Master. Come now remembering his admonition that what will be done for you is also to be done by you to others. Engrave on your hearts and mirror in your actions Jesus’ words: “A servant is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
We welcome any of you who would like to come forward to have your feet washed by a member of the clergy.
(Instrumental)
The washing of feet may end with this prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do also for you: give us the will to be the servant of others as you were the servant of all, and gave up your life and died for us, but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(kneeling as you’re able, or seated)
Celebrant:
In the power of the Spirit let us pray to the Father through Christ the Savior of the world.
Intercessor:
Father, on this, the night he was betrayed, your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet. We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.
Lord, hear us,
and humble us.
On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one. We pray for the unity of your Church.
Lord, hear us,
and unite us.
On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe through his disciples’ message. We pray for the mission of your Church.
Lord, hear us,
and renew our zeal.
On this night, he commanded his disciples to love, but suffered rejection himself. We pray for the rejected and unloved.
Lord, hear us,
and fill us with your love.
On this night, he reminded his disciples that if the world hated them it hated him first. We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith.
Lord, hear us,
and give us your peace.
On this night, he accepted the cup of death and looked forward to the new wine of the kingdom. We remember those who have died in the peace of Christ.
Lord, hear us,
and welcome all your children into paradise.
CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION OF SIN
(kneeling as you’re able, or seated)
Let’s confess our sins and those things that prevent our being filled with love for God and our neighbors:
My soul is like a house
small for you to enter
but I pray you would enlarge it.
It is in ruins
but I pray you would remake it.
It contains much that you will not be pleased to see;
this I know and do not hide.
Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE PEACE (please be seated)
Is omitted on this night, given that Jesus was betrayed by one of his Twelve Disciples.
Announcements and Upcoming Events -
more details on our Events Page
Eucharist, by Nicolas Poussin
Holy Week Schedule
Good Friday, Two services
Good Friday Kids/Family - 5:30 pm
Good Friday Main - 7 pm
Easter Sunday - 10 am
At Crowell Chapel
3 Rosedale, Manchester by the Sea
Table Setting
silence is kept - instrumental
THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
All things come from you, O Lord,
And of your own have we given you.
THE SURSUM CORDA (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; and on the night before he suffered, he instituted these holy mysteries; that we, receiving the benefits of his passion and resurrection, might be made partakers of his divine nature. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name saying together:
THE SANCTUS
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
(kneeling as you’re able or sitting)
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace.
On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Word and Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Sanctify us also, that we may worthily receive this holy Sacrament, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us with all your saints into the joy of your heavenly kingdom, where we shall see our Lord face to face.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: by him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
your Name be hallowed,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
as in heaven, also on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9–13)
THE FRACTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast
THE MINISTRATION OF COMMUNION
The gifts of God for the people of God.
A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(for those with us online)
Lord Jesus, truly present in the Holy Sacrament: come spiritually into my heart and give me yourself, for I love you above all else, and I desire to be united with you within my soul.
Amen.
SUNG WORSHIP
To the Lamb, To the King
Verse 1
To the Lamb, to the King,
To the love that carries me
Through the days and the nights,
And the sadness they may bring
When the storms of life are raging,
With a broken heart I sing
To the Lamb, To the King,
To the love that carries me
Chorus/Bridge:
I spend my life on you
I spend my life on you
I give it all for you
I give it all for you
I spend my life on you...
Verse 2
To the Lamb, to the King,
To the love that carries me
Through the days and the nights,
And it's brought me to my knees
Through these storms I sing this song of hope,
Until I'm gathered safely in
To the Lamb,
To the King,
To the love that carries me
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER (standing together)
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament you have given us the memorial of your passion: grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries of your body and blood that we may know within ourselves and show forth in our lives the fruit of your redemption, for you are alive and reign, now and for ever.
Amen.
(please be seated)
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane-Paolo Veronese 1584
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, Ivanka Demchuk
THE FINAL GOSPEL (please be seated)
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to according to Mark. (Mark 14:32-50)
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’
The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ All of them deserted him and fled.
THE STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR (kneeling or seated as you’re able)
Silence is kept - Instrumental
Note: The final blessing and dismissal are omitted.
The Congregation departs in silence to remind us that Jesus has been left all alone.
Cn Tim Clayton, lead pastor
Mtr Wendy Dixon, clergy
Mtr Jen Keifer, clergy
Michael Pritzl, sung worship leader
Ian Clayton, guitar
Jennifer Mahnke, vocals, intercessor
Juniper Mahnke, vocals
To the Lamb, to the King, written by Michael Pritzl
”Trinity” artwork by Ukrainian Icon Artist Ivanka Demchuk
“Eucharist” artwork, by Nicolas Poussin
”The Taking of Christ” by Carravagio
”Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane” artwork by Paolo Veronese 1584
Today’s liturgy is based on the Book of Common Prayer, 2019, the Renewed Ancient Eucharistic Rite, p. 123-138, with additions from A Celtic Eucharist, and the Church of England’s Times and Seasons liturgical supplement for Lent.
mer·cy
/ˈmərsē/
noun: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
