Maundy Thursday
by Malcolm Guite
Here is the source of every sacrament,
The all-transforming presence of the Lord,
Replenishing our every element
Remaking us in his creative Word.
For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,
The air delights to bear his Spirit’s speech,
The fire dances where the candles shine,
The waters cleanse us with His gentle touch.
And here He shows the full extent of love
To us whose love is always incomplete,
In vain we search the heavens high above,
The God of love is kneeling at our feet.
Though we betray Him, though it is the night.
He meets us here and loves us into light.
Jan Richardson writes, “A blessing is not finished until we let it do its work within us and then pass it along, an offering grounded in the love that Jesus goes on to speak of this night.” Maundy Thursday beckons us to the table with Jesus and the disciples as he gives his final commandment, offers his blessing and new covenant, and instructs his disciples to continue on in this way of love. This is where the word Maundy comes from, the Latin word mandatum, referring to Jesus’s final mandate or commandment to love one another, just as I have loved you.
As we enter into the upper room with Jesus, we witness his example of self-giving love once again, as he washes feet and breaks bread with disciples and we are invited into the story. Before the garden, the cross, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, Jesus leaves his friends with words they couldn’t yet wrap their minds around, speaking of a new covenant, of his impending death, seeming to say to these dear ones, “keep going, let God’s love abound even after all that is to come.” It is a benediction wrapped up in a direction. A blessing and affirmation that after all Jesus has said, and done, and taught, it is love that is the key at the very center of all of this– the love of God and neighbor, given and received, through which we are returned to the light of Easter ahead.
We meet Jesus at the table this evening and begin the descent into the darkness of the weekend, holding onto hope for Easter resurrection to meet us again on Sunday morning. We hope you will join us for these special services that offer us space to experience an embodied faith, our grief and doubt, our despair and confusion, and our joy and celebration at the resurrection transformation of Jesus, our crucified and resurrected God who reorients us always, back to love.
April 2 | Maundy Thursday, 7:00 pm
We gather in the Sanctuary to practice the “new commandment” from Jesus through the earthy, tangible symbols of communion & handwashing.
April 3 | Stations of the Cross, 6:30pm
Take time for reflection by walking the stations of the Cross prior to our Good Friday service. We will offer an extended, meditative prelude during this time featuring guest musicians.
April 3 | Good Friday Tenebrae Worship, 7pm
The shadows of the cross beckon us to the scriptures and stories from Jesus’ final hours with music by the Sanctuary Choir.
April 5 | Easter Sunday
Easter joy reminds us: death is never the end of the story! Bring flowers from your garden and join us for breakfast goodies by the flower cross at 9:45. Worship at 11am will feature music by our Sanctuary Choir and the Appalachian State University Graduate Brass Quintet. Our media contractor, Ryan Jones, will be available to take family pictures by the flower cross following worship.
With love and hope for the road ahead,
Lena
