Maundy Thursday is a service commemorating the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist and washed his disciples’ feet. On April 9, we at Resurrection both celebrated the gift of Holy Communion and tried to take seriously Christ’s command in John 13:14 to wash one another’s feet.
Before partaking in the breaking of bread, the congregation was invited to come down to basins of water and wash each other’s feet. It was beautiful to watch parents and children, husbands and wives, and brother and sisters in Christ kneel down and serve each other.
After the Eucharist was ministered to the congregation, members of the church came to strip and scourge the altar and place a black shroud on the Cross to symbolize Christ’s humiliation and coming death. At the end of the service there was a silent procession led by the cross to the church Ministry Center. This began an all-night prayer vigil, where members of the Church prayed through the night as Christ did in Gethsemane before his arrest.

Remembering this night in Christ’s life is a moving experience, especially when you find yourself trying to stay awake and in prayer in the early hours of the morning with other Resurrection members. The progression from celebrating the Eucharist to contemplating Christ’s arrest and death is a striking one, and the liturgy and focus on prayer has wonderfully enriched my understanding of the importance of celebrating Maundy Thursday.

Story by Meghan Anderson
Photos by Taryn Bullis

Click here to listen to the sermon from Maundy Thursday