A MAUNDY THURSDAY Act of Worship “At Home”
This is designed to be an act of worship used at home, on your own or with family. You may allocate bits of the reading to different people or designate someone to ‘lead’. If you are incorporating children, there are some elements in italics you may wish to use in addition, or instead of what is there. If you are on your own, you are encouraged to still read this aloud.
The full Act of Worship is able to be followed by scrolling through this webpage, but if you would like to download a PDF to use along with the videos featured on this page, that can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
It requires just a little preparation:
- If you have one, you may wish to have a candle and something to light it with.
- The recordings of the suggested music are embedded within this page. However if you would prefer, please feel free to use silence, or your own music as appropriate.
- Whilst we will not be participating in the sacrament of communion, you are encouraged to share food during this worship, be it a meal, dessert or snacks. It may be meaningful for you to share in food reminiscent of the evening we are remembering.
How about baking some bread earlier in the day to eat? - You will need a bible to read from Luke 22 – it is indicated where this takes place.
A MAUNDY THURSDAY Act of Worship “At Home”
Gathering
They gathered in an upper room to share a meal.
And the names of the apostles were these:
(Can anyone name any of the disciples?)
Simon, called Peter, his brother Andrew; James and his brother John – the sons of Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus; Simon the patriot, and Judas Iscariot. (Matthew 10:2-4)
Although they are not listed as present, we also name the three women, who, according to Luke’s account, also accompanied Jesus: Mary, called Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna.
Seeing that we are surrounded with such a great cloud of witnesses to faith – those who ran their races before us and have entered into their rests – we join with them now to praise your name.
For the first apostles, and for all those who have kept the light of the gospel burning down the centuries, we give thanks.
For those who went before us and passed the light on to us, especially those whom we remember now we give thanks.
(Recall and give thanks for those who have taught us about Jesus)
Come, Lord Jesus,
take your rightful place as host at this, your table.
Light a candle…
Song: Be still and know
Confession
Hold a short time of silence as you confess before God the things for which you need to ask forgiveness.
(Maybe there are things you need to say sorry for to members of your family. Parents modelling confession is a powerful thing, adults, take the lead here but don’t force it from others.)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
This is Christ’s gracious word: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Thanksgiving
THIS IS THE TIME TO SHARE IN FOOD. WHILST EATING, SHARE THOSE THINGS WHICH YOU MOST WISH TO GIVE THANKS FOR TODAY. SPEND AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE TIME WITH THIS AS YOU WISH.
Remembering the story
Reading: Luke 22:7-14 (you may wish to choose a ‘family friendly’ translation)
Then…
Listen: The Last Supper (3rd Day) (video below – audio only)
or read: Luke 22:15-23
or watch: The Last Supper (Saddleback Kids) (2nd video below)
Prayers for others
Share in prayers aloud or in silence for the needs of the world and ourselves.
(As Maundy Thursday is about remembering, one way we ‘remember’ is to tie a knot in something. Find some wool, ribbon or similar and tie a piece to a cross or something you will see for each thing you remember before God in prayer.)
Listen/Sing: The Table of the Lord
Ending
Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus told them, “This very night you will all turn away because of me. It is written that the Lord said, “‘I will strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Matthew 26:30-31 (NIRV)
Listen: Gethsemane (3rd Day) (video below – audio only)
Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. He was arrested and they all forsook him and fled.
In silence, carry the candle symbolising Jesus out of the room, still alight.
