April 2, 2026 - Maundy Thursday
Prelude
Grace Notes
Welcome
Opening Hymn
“Lord Have Mercy”
Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor: In the days that have been, O God, we have walked along crooked paths strewn with selfishness, greed, prejudice, and apathy. We come to you in confession, first in silence and reflection.
On this night, Oh, Lord...
Cong: We confess that we have hidden from the light which exposes all things. Today we admit to you our failings, where we have wandered and when we have not listened. We confess to you our sin. In the days to come, remind us of your love and grace.
Pastor: The former things have passed away, and new things God now declares: Like a spring of water that never fails, God covers you in the righteousness of Christ, and forgives your sin in Jesus’ name. May the Spirit give you strength to live for others, and bless you with the gift of peace.
Cong: Amen.
Hymn of Praise
“Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land” #333
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Cong: And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
Pastor: Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment on our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. And all God’s children said loudly...Amen!
Gospel: John 13:1, 4-10, 12-17, 34-35
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. Jesus 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.
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. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
This is the word of the Lord...Thanks be to God!
Sermon
Song
“Come to Me, O Weary Traveler” ACS #1017
Prayer
Pastor: Let us pray: God, source of all goodness, we are called by the Holy Spirit to serve and love one another. As children of God, we have been marked by the sign of the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world. Lord we ask for your blessings upon us that our hands will be about your work and spread love and compassion in your world.
Cong: Amen.
Pastor: As we live in community with God and one another
Cong: May our hands touch the lives of our neighbors
Pastor: When a stranger is in our midst
Cong: May our hands be extended in welcome
Pastor: When our brother or sister is lost, distraught, or troubled,
Cong: May our hands be used to point to the cross of hope and salvation
Pastor: Where there is injustice in the world and in our communities
Cong: May our hands be instruments of healing, justice, and hope.
Pastor: In times of sorrow, sickness, and great suffering
Cong: May our hands embrace the broken and offer prayers of consolation
Pastor: In times of disaster and tragedy
Cong: May our hands bring help and comfort.
Pastor: Sisters and Brothers in Christ, God is at work. God is working through you and in you. May you look to Jesus, who frees you from sin and death, to be your example in freely serving others with love, compassion and humility.
Cong: Amen.
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymn
“Abide With Me” #629
Communion Blessing
Reading: John 18:1-12
After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these people go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.
Stripping of the Altar