Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday the church remembers the last evening Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room before his arrest and crucifixion. Maundy Thursday marks three key events in Jesus’ last week: his washing of his disciples’ feet, his institution of the Lord’s Supper, and his new commandment to love one another. WS2
Antiphon1
Ant. Unto you, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; *
O my God, I trust in you, let me not be put to shame;
do not allow my enemies to laugh at me;
for none of those who are awaiting you will be disappointed.
V. Guide me in your truth, and teach me; †
for you are the God of my salvation. *
I have hoped in you all day long.
We have seen and do testify
that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.
God abides in those who confess
that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.
So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God,
and God abides in them.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
the Jesus we remember tonight is the Savior of the world.
In Christ we are forgiven.
And through him God abides with even us.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! cf. 1 John 4:14-16
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ufxekitx
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
HYMN: Henry Williams Baker
Tune: Southwell https://tinyurl.com/2s4b8rhm
1 O perfect life of love!
All, all, is finished now,
all that he left his throne above
to do for us below.
2 No work is left undone
of all the Father willed;
his toil, his sorrows, one by one,
the Scriptures have fulfilled.
3 No pain that we can share
but he has felt its smart;
all forms of human grief and care
have pierced that tender heart.
4 And on his thorn-crowned head
and on his sinless soul
our sins in all their guilt were laid
that he might make us whole.
5 In perfect love he dies;
for me he dies, for me!
O all-atoning Sacrifice,
you died to make me free!
6 In ev’ry time of need,
before the judgment throne,
your works, O Lamb of God, I’ll plead,
your merits, not my own
PSALMS
Psalm 32 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/twtffy5)
1 Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven *
and whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin *
and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 For while I held my tongue *
my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.
4 For thy hand is heavy upon me day and night *
and my moisture is like the drought in summer.
5 I will acknowledge my sin unto thee *
and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.
6 I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord *
and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.
7 For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee,
in a time when thou mayest be found *
but in the great water-floods they shall not come nigh him.
8 Thou art a place to hide me in, thou shalt preserve me from trouble *
thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
9 I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go *
and I will guide thee with mine eye.
10 Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding *
whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, lest they fall upon thee.
11 Great plagues remain for the ungodly *
but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord,
mercy embraceth him on every side.
12 Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord *
and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 33 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qsa6l3x)
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous *
for it becometh well the just to be thankful.
2 Praise the Lord with harp *
sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto the Lord a new song *
sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.
4 For the word of the Lord is true *
and all his works are faithful.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgement *
the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made *
and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap *
and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord *
stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.
9 For he spake, and it was done *
he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought *
and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect,
and casteth out the counsels of princes.
11 The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever *
and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.
12 Blessed are the people, whose God is the Lord Jehovah *
and blessed are the folk, that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance.
13 The Lord looked down from heaven,
and beheld all the children of men *
from the habitation of his dwelling
he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
14 He fashioneth all the hearts of them *
and understandeth all their works.
15 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host *
neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
16 A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man *
neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
17 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him *
and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
18 To deliver their soul from death *
and to feed them in the time of dearth.
19 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord *
for he is our help, and our shield.
20 For our heart shall rejoice in him *
because we have hoped in his holy Name.
21 Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us *
like as we do put our trust in thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 32 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-32.mp3)
1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6 I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you
in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8 You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.”
11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
Psalm 33 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-33.mp3)
1 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp; *
play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3 Sing for him a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4 For the word of the LORD is right, *
and all his works are sure.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, *
by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7 He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
and stores up the depths of the sea.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; *
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to pass; *
he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; *
he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
11 But the LORD’S will stands fast for ever, *
and the designs of his heart from age to age.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! *
happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven, *
and beholds all the people in the world.
14 From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *
on all who dwell on the earth.
15 He fashions all the hearts of them *
and understands all their works.
16 There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; *
a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
for all its strength it cannot save.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, *
on those who wait upon his love,
19 To pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; *
he is our help and our shield.
21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22 Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, *
as we have put our trust in you.
PRAYER
God our strength,
you give honor to the pure in heart
and uphold all who trust in you.
Deliver us from chasing after this world’s illusions
that we may follow instead
the imperishable truth of your Word
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Jeremiah 15:10-21
I wish I had never been born! I have become a source of conflict and dissension in my own country. Even though I haven’t lent or borrowed, still everyone curses me.
The Lord said:
Haven’t I taken care of you?
Haven’t I helped you with your enemies
in time of trouble and distress?
Can a person shatter iron,
iron from the north, or bronze?
Your wealth and belongings
I will deliver as plunder,
without a fee,
because of all your sins
throughout your territory.
I will make you serve your enemies
in a land you don’t know,
for my anger blazes like a fire
that won’t go out.
You understand, Lord!
Remember me and act on my behalf.
Bring judgment on those who torment me.
In your mercy, spare my life.
Consider how I’m insulted on your account.
When your words turned up, I feasted on them;
and they became my joy, the delight of my heart,
because I belong to you,
Lord God of heavenly forces.
I didn’t join the festive occasions;
I took no delight in them.
I sat alone
because your hand was upon me
and you had filled me with curses.
Why am I always in pain?
Why is my wound incurable,
so far beyond healing?
You have become for me as unreliable
as a spring gone dry!
Therefore, the Lord proclaims:
If you return to me, I will take you back
and let you stand before me.
If you utter what is worthwhile,
not what is worthless,
you will be my spokesman.
They will turn to you,
not you to them!
I will make you a sturdy bronze wall
against these people.
They will attack you,
but they won’t triumph,
because I am with you
to protect and rescue you,
declares the Lord.
I will rescue you from the hand of the wicked;
I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent.
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Martyrdom
1 Alas! And did my Savior bleed,
and did my Sov’reign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
for such a worm as I?
2 Was it for crimes that I had done
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
and love beyond degree!
3 Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in
when God, the mighty maker, died
for his own creatures’ sin.
4 Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears,
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt mine eyes to tears.
5 But drops of grief can ne’er repay
the debt of love I owe;
here, Lord, I give myself away —
’tis all that I can do.
Reading: 1 Peter 1:10-21
The prophets, who long ago foretold the grace that you’ve received, searched and explored, inquiring carefully about this salvation. They wondered what the Spirit of Christ within them was saying when he bore witness beforehand about the suffering that would happen to Christ and the glory that would follow. They wondered what sort of person or what sort of time they were speaking about. It was revealed to them that in their search they were not serving themselves but you. These things, which even angels long to examine, have now been proclaimed to you by those who brought you the good news. They did this in the power of the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven.
Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Don’t be conformed to your former desires, those that shaped you when you were ignorant. But, as obedient children, you must be holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy. It is written, You will be holy, because I am holy. Since you call upon a Father who judges all people according to their actions without favoritism, you should conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your dwelling in a strange land. Live in this way, knowing that you were not liberated by perishable things like silver or gold from the empty lifestyle you inherited from your ancestors. Instead, you were liberated by the precious blood of Christ, like that of a flawless, spotless lamb. Christ was chosen before the creation of the world, but was only revealed at the end of time. This was done for you, who through Christ are faithful to the God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory. So now, your faith and hope should rest in God.
HYMN: Italian, 18th century; trans. Edward Caswall
Tune: Wem in Leidenstagen https://tinyurl.com/mtkssz26
1 Glory be to Jesus,
who in bitter pains
poured for me the lifeblood
from his sacred veins.
2 Grace and life eternal
in that blood I find;
blest be his compassion,
infinitely kind.
3 Blest through endless ages
be the precious stream
which from endless torment
did the world redeem.
4 Abel’s blood for vengeance
pleaded to the skies,
but the blood of Jesus
for our pardon cries.
5 Oft as earth exulting
lifts its praise on high,
angel hosts rejoicing
make their glad reply.
6 Lift we, then, our voices,
swell the mighty flood;
louder still and louder
praise the precious blood!
Reading: John 18:28-40
The Jewish leaders led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s palace. It was early in the morning. So that they could eat the Passover, the Jewish leaders wouldn’t enter the palace; entering the palace would have made them ritually impure.
So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If he had done nothing wrong, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”
Pilate responded, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your Law.” The Jewish leaders replied, “The Law doesn’t allow us to kill anyone.” (This was so that Jesus’ word might be fulfilled when he indicated how he was going to die.)
Pilate went back into the palace. He summoned Jesus and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others spoken to you about me?”
Pilate responded, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your nation and its chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus replied, “My kingdom doesn’t originate from this world. If it did, my guards would fight so that I wouldn’t have been arrested by the Jewish leaders. My kingdom isn’t from here.”
“So you are a king?” Pilate said. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Whoever accepts the truth listens to my voice.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked.
After Pilate said this, he returned to the Jewish leaders and said, “I find no grounds for any charge against him. You have a custom that I release one prisoner for you at Passover. Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” They shouted, “Not this man! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas was an outlaw.)
CANTICLE 1 Corinthians 13 (The Porter’s Gate)
(https://tinyurl.com/6xud2ure)
Love is patient, love is kind
It has no arrogance or pride
It seeks the good of others first
It keeps no record of wrong or hurt
It finds no joy in wickedness
But rejoices in the truth
Through it all, it will endure
Love will never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail
Though all prophecy will cease
Though all knowledge, it will fade
Oh, an end will come to speech
Even death will pass away
We will see You face to face
And Your mercy will prevail
Faith and hope they will remain, oh-oh
Love will never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never failLove, love, will never fail
Love, love, will never fail
Never, never, love will never fail (Love, love, will never fail)
Never, never, oh, love will never fail (Love, love, will never fail)
Never, never, love will never fail (Love, love, will never fail)
Never, never, love will never fail (Love, love, will never fail)
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail
THE PRAYERS WS2
God of love,
it is because of your immense love for us that
you stooped to be our servant and willingly suffered to give us life.
For that love we give you thanks.
We also praise you for the way that love is evidenced
in creation . . .
in our community . . .
in our church . . .
in our lives . . .
in the events of this Holy Week . . .
God of love,
you have given us a new command to love each other.
Help us to show that love
in our care of creation . . .
to the nations of the world . . .
to our nation and its leaders . . .
in this community . . .
through the church universal . . .
through this local church in its ministry . . .
to persons with particular needs . . .
In all our thoughts and actions
may we be your servants and reflect your love.
We pray this in the name of your servant Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you forever. Amen.
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
Book of Common Prayer (1979), The Episcopal Church.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional version of the psalms is from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2023 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
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