Maundy Thursday

Here is a short service which you may wish to do yourself this Maundy Thursday. There are links to short YouTube videos, Bible readings, and some prayers for you to say. You could do this alone, or with others if there are others in your house, or you could video call friends from church and do it together with them.

Reading 1 – Matthew 26:20-35

Reading 2 – Mark 14:32-41

Reading 3 – Luke 22:47-62

God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there.

Here in Christ we gather, love of Christ our calling;

Christ, our love, is with us, gladness be his greeting;

let us all revere and love him, God eternal.

Loving him, let each love Christ in all his brothers.

God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there.

When we Christians gather, members of one Body,

let there be in us no discord, but one spirit;

banished now be anger, strife and every quarrel.

Christ our God be present always here among us.

God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there.

Grant us love’s fulfilment, joy with all the blessed

when we see your face, O Saviour, in its glory;

shine on us, O purest Light of all creation,

be our bliss while endless ages sing your praises.

God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there.

Reading 4 – John 18:33-38a

Reading 5 – Matthew 27:20-26

Reading 6 – Mark 15:16-20

In the power of the Spirit let us pray to the Father

through Christ the saviour of the world.

Father, on this, the night he was betrayed,

your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet.

We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.

Lord, hear us and humble us.

On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one.

We pray for the unity of your Church.

Lord, hear us and unite us.

On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe

through his disciples’ message.

We pray for the mission of your Church.

Lord, hear us and renew our zeal.

On this night, he commanded his disciples to love,

but suffered rejection himself.

We pray for the rejected and unloved.

Lord, hear us and fill us with your love.

On this night, he reminded his disciples

that if the world hated them it hated him first.

We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith.

Lord, hear us and give us your peace.

On this night, he accepted the cup of death

and looked forward to the new wine of the kingdom.

We remember those who have died in the peace of Christ.

Lord, hear us and welcome all your children into paradise.

Materials in this booklet are drawn from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, Common Worship: Pastoral Services, and Common Worship: Daily Prayer, all of which are copyright © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England.