Maundy Thursday at Trinity

Maundy Thursday is one of the three holiest days of the church year. Chronologically it is, at least according to the synoptic gospels, the Jewish Passover, when Jesus and his disciples gather in an upper room and share, what is known to Christians, as the Last Supper. This is the night when Jesus gives his great commandment, the Mandatum, to love one another, as Jesus loves us. It is the night when he washes his disciples’ feet, as a symbol of his servant ministry born out of this love. It is the night when Jesus instructs his disciples to break bread and share the cup “in remembrance of me,” thus instituting the Holy Eucharist. After all this, Jesus goes to Gethsemane and tells the disciples to keep watch while he goes off to pray. They fall asleep. Soon the Roman Guard comes to arrest Jesus, and thus the long night of his betrayal, trial, and persecution begins. At Trinity, we will gather for Word and Sacrament. We will have a symbolic washing of the feet with a volunteer coming forward. It is, as you will hear in the invitation, important for your priest to participate in this simple form of servant leadership. The congregation participates in silent prayer. But if the Spirit moves you and you will to have your feet washed, simply remove your shoes and socks and come forward. Probably the most dramatic moment in this liturgy is the stripping of the Altar and the removal of the Body and Blood of Christ to the chapel for use on Good Friday. The congregation is invited to participate in the procession and sit in silent prayer for a time.

Bulletin

 Walk with Jesus

We have the opportunity to gather for two different services on Good Friday. At 6 pm we will walk The Way of the Cross using the lovely stations hanging on our church walls. It is a simple service of about 30 minutes – but one that serves to remind us again what Jesus endured for our sakes at the end of his life.

Lay your burdens at the foot of His cross

The Proper Liturgy for Good Friday will be held at noon and 7 pm. We gather in silence, read the Passion according to John, pray the Solemn Collects, partake of Holy Communion from the elements reserved on Maundy Thursday. This year we will have the opportunity to come before the cross, kneel and pray. All are invited to lay their burdens at the foot of the cross. Paper and pencils will be available in the pews. Simply come forward – write or draw what you wish to leave at the cross – and when it is your turn kneel before the cross and place your folded paper in the basket. These slips of paper are completely anonymous and will be burned on Holy Saturday – your prayers sent up to heaven. 

Bulletin