The services of the Holy Week form a single great liturgy. Their meaning and power is cumulative, bringing participants deep into contemplation of the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. That said, even if it only possible to attend one of these services, each highlights a particular aspect of the great Christian drama of redemption.
Maundy Thursday: April 17, 7 p.m. This service begins the Great Three Days, the Church’s Passover feast of liberation from the powers of sin and death. Tonight we commemorate Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and his new commandment to love as he loves. We celebrate the signs he gave them to confirm this teaching: washing one another’s feet as he washed theirs; blessing and sharing the bread and wine that he told them would be his body and blood. Participation in the foot washing is optional. If you wish to receive washing of feet, please remember to wear shoes and socks that are easy to remove. Those who participate will have the opportunity to wash another’s feet after their own have been, but if you are unable to kneel to perform this service, or prefer not to, ministers will be standing by to do it for you. This was also the night in which one of Jesus’ disciples betrayed him, and so we conclude this service with the solemn stripping of the altar, and by reserving bread and wine for our communion on Good Friday. We will depart the church in darkness and silence. Some will return throughout the night to keep quiet vigil with the reserved sacrament, as Jesus waited and watched in the Garden of Gethsemane. You can sign up for an hour or more of the vigil on the sheet in the narthex.
