Maundy Thursday Resource Index

In this index, you’ll find worship resources for Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday), the Thursday before Good Friday.  The suggested scripture readings for worship on this day are:
    Exodus 12:1-14 (instructions for the Passover)
    Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19            
    1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (words of institution at the Lord’s supper)
    John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (Jesus washes the disciples’ feet)

For other worship resources for Holy Week and Easter, see these resource indexes:
Palm Sunday Worship Resource Index
Good Friday Resource Index
Easter Resource Index


Hymns and Songs
New Hymn for Maundy Thursday
New Song for Maundy Thursday

Calls to Worship
A Call to Worship: Maundy Thursday
A Maundy Thursday Call to Worship

Call to Worship for Holy Thursday
Call to Worship for Maundy Thursday
Call to Worship: Maundy Thursday

Call to Worship: Maundy Thursday
Call to Worship: Maundy Thursday (Psalm 116)
Call to Worship: Psalm 116
Litany for Celebrating the Passover

Maundy Thursday: Call to Worship
Maundy Thursday Call to Worship
Opening Litany: Psalm 115, 116

Prayers
A Closing Prayer: Footwashing
Closing Prayer: Footwashing
Congregational Prayer: Holy Week

Footwashing Litany
Footwashing Prayer

Footwashing Prayer
Footwashing Prayer: Origen
Gospel Reflection: Jesus’ Arrest
Holy Thursday Prayer Litany (thanksgiving, petition)
Holy Week Prayer: We are all betrayers
Maundy Thursday: As Christ Has Washed Us

Maundy Thursday Intercessions
Pastoral Prayer for Holy Week

Pastoral Prayer: Maundy Thursday
Pastoral Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Prayer at the Table
Prayer: Between Light and Shadow
Prayer for Holy Week 
Prayer for Holy Week
Prayer for Holy Week
Prayer for Maundy Thursday (petition) 
Prayer of Adoration: O Come, Let Us Adore Him
Prayer: Surely Not I?

Prayer: The Love of Jesus
Prayer: The God Who Saves
Prayer of Adoration: Holy Week
Prayers of the People: Maundy Thursday

Prayers of the People: Maundy Thursday

Confession & Assurance

Holy Week Confession

Pastoral Prayer: Maundy Thursday (confession)
Prayer: Surely Not I?
Prayer of Confession: Maundy Thursday (confession & assurance)

Benediction
Benediction for Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Sending
Sending: Maundy Thursday

Miscellaneous
Invitation to the Table
Invitation: if nothing else
Invitation to the Table
Invitation to the Table
Invitation to the Table
Invitation to the Table: Bread and Wine of Remembrance
Affirmation of Faith for Holy Week
Affirmation: Sharing the Bread and Wine
Last Supper Table Blessing
Litany for Celebrating the Passover
Maundy Thursday Litany 
Reflection: Thirty Pieces of Silver
Prayer at the Table: Last Supper
Footwashing Invitation

Gospel Reflection: Jesus' Arrest

Here’s a reflection on John 18.  It was written by Pat Pierce, and posted on the CAFOD website.

Holding our lives before God

Jesus arrested, judged, found guilty
and condemned to die is held captive overnight.

If I were arrested and held this night
what would I be found guilty of?

That I made friends with people
      irrespective of their colour, creed or class…
That I shared my bread with the poor…
That my words… and actions… brought healing and forgiveness…
That I made justice and didn’t count the cost…
That I sought the truth and then spoke of it…
That I recognised my neighbour
      and loved them as my very self…
That I met God along the way
      in the healing and forgiveness I received…
That I accepted hospitality at many different tables…
That I was changed by the lives of others…
   …and often repented my arrogance and foolishness
      in encountering their wisdom …
That friends and strangers sometimes paid the price for me…
That I never sought out suffering…
    …but journeyed with it to the best of my ability…
That the love of those about me
      taught me to love myself before God…

You call us out of brokenness
to mend and remake your creation.
Grant us the courage to stay
with all those who are held captive this night.
In the name of Jesus who is good news. Amen.

— written by Pat Pierce, and posted on the CAFOD website. http://www.cafod.org.uk/

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Maundy Thursday Call to Worship

Here is a call to worship for Maundy Thursday, written by David Beswick.

Call to Worship for Maundy Thursday

We are gathered to recall the night when Jesus was betrayed.
Are you ready to come to the feet of Christ,
whose Life was poured out for you?
By the grace of God, we are.

Can you watch while Jesus prays in the garden?
By the grace of God, we can.

Will you follow Jesus, even into the night of betrayal?
By the grace of God, we will.

Then let us praise God, even in the hours of darkness.
God of all grace and steadfast love,
greatly is your name to be praised in all the earth!

— written by David Beswick, and posted on David Beswick’s Home Page. http://www.beswick.info/

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Footwashing Litany

Here is a litany for a service of footwashing (on Maundy Thursday or another occasion).  It was written by Reggie M. Kidd, and included in A Footwashing Liturgy. To see the entire liturgy, click on the link below.

Footwashing Litany
(inspired by John 13: 1-20)

O Prince of Peace, O Friend of Sinners,
we praise you and give you thanks,
because you laid aside your power as a garment
and took upon yourself the form of a slave.

You became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
You allowed yourself to be born to die in our place,
You allowed your own feet to be anointed for death.
You allowed a sinner to wash your feet with her tears.
For God chose what is low and despised in the world
to bring to nothing things that are.
Therefore, with the woman who gave you birth,
with the woman who anointed you for death,
with the woman who worshiped you with her tears,
and with all our fellow sinners
who have loved and served you from that time till now,
we praise you, Lord Jesus.

O Eternal Father, blessed is our brother Jesus,
who on that night before Passover,
rose from the Supper, laid aside his garments
took a towel and poured water,
and washed his disciples’ feet, saying to them:
“If I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
If you know these things,
blessed are you if you do them.”

Come now, mighty Spirit of God,
wash us and make us one body in Christ,
that, as we are bound together
in this act of love,
we may no longer be in bondage
to the principalities and powers that enslave creation,
but may know your liberating peace
such as the world cannot give. Amen.

— from A Footwashing Liturgy by Reggie M. Kidd.  

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Call to Worship for Maundy Thursday

Here’s a thoughtful call to worship for Maundy Thursday (April 5, 2012).  It was written by Rev. Kelly Burd.

Maundy Thursday Call to Worship
(John 13: 1-20)

Come and remember the love of Jesus,
gathered at table with his friends.
We come to receive from Christ the bread of life,
the cup of blessing;

Come, receive the tender service Christ offers each of us;
We come to receive the challenge of the new commandment:
“Love one another.”

Come and contemplate the many temptations
of a world that would entice us, like Judas,
to betray the trust of a suffering God.

We come to travel with Jesus the way of the Cross,
so that our Easter “alleluia” will take on new meaning.
Let us worship together and reflect upon the life of Christ,
that we might remember
what discipleship may cost,
and what it may reap.

— from Come and Remember, Prayers for Maundy Thursday, written by the Rev. Kelly Burd, Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Prayer of Confession: Maundy Thursday

Here’s a prayer of confession / words of assurance for Maundy (or Holy) Thursday.  They were written by Moira Laidlaw.

Prayer of Confession (based on John 13:34-35)

God's love for the world has been revealed in Jesus Christ, who certainly loved us to the uttermost; Jesus – Saviour and Lord – who at his last meal with his disciples gave them – and us – that new commandment: “…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."

Merciful God,
we confess that so often our discipleship has been weak ...
when we have failed to serve as Jesus served;
forgive us.
                                     
When we have failed to love one another as Jesus loves us;
forgive us.
                                       
When we have been happy to proclaim our devotion to Jesus with
our lips and then denied him by our actions;
forgive us.                                     
                                        
Merciful God, empower us by your Spirit to be steady and true
to you in every time of trial; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
                     
Assurance of Forgiveness (based on John 12:47; 13:1)

Jesus said: "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" 
 and "having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end"  

The good news therefore is this: In Jesus Christ, we are loved and we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!

— written by Moira Laidlaw,  and posted on the Liturgies Online website. 

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


New Song for Maundy Thursday

David Gambrell has written a beautiful chorus based on John 13:34-35, one of the suggested scripture texts for Maundy Thursday worship.  It’s simple enough that the congregation would be able to learn and sing it quickly.

Love One Another
(based on John 13:34-35)

Solo:
Love one another as I have loved you,
love one another as I have loved you,
love one another as I have loved you:
this is my new commandment.

Congregation:
Love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us:
this is my new commandment.

— written by David Gambrell

A full score, including flute accompaniment, is available in a collection of Resources for Maundy Thursday from the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA).  Scroll down to the last page of the PDF.

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Holy Week Prayer: We are all betrayers

Here’s a beautiful Holy Week prayer by Luci Shaw.  

We are all Betrayers

because we are all
betrayers, taking
silver and eating
body and blood and asking
(guilty) is it I and hearing
him say yes
it would be simple for us all
to rush out
and hang ourselves
but if we find grace
to cry and wait
after the voice of morning
has crowed in our ears
clearly enough
to break our hearts
he will be there
to ask each again
do you love me?

— written by Luci Shaw in A Widening Light: Poems of the Incarnation (Regent College Publishing, 1997). 

Maundy Thursday: Sending

Here’s a benediction for Maundy Thursday.  It comes from the last paragraph of Benediction, a Maundy Thursday meditation by Rev. Shelli Williams.

A Sending for Maundy Thursday

This night is our calling to go into the world,
scattered to the ends of the earth
to love as Christ loved
and serve in the name of Christ.
It is our calling to remember,
even in our darkest hour,
who we are.
We remember that Christ is always with us.
And we remember that on this night,
we were taught how to love.
On this night, eternity begins
and the fullness of God’s Reign begins to spill into our lives.
So go into the world to give yourself for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Go into the world and love
in the name of the One who loved you until the end.
It all begins and ends and begins again with Love.
That IS the story. Amen.
 
— written by Rev. Shelli Williams, in Benediction.  Posted on the website of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. http://www.stpaulshouston.org/
 
For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Closing Prayer: Footwashing

Here is a closing prayer for Maundy Thursday worship, or any other service where footwashing is included.  It comes from a larger liturgy written by Reggie M. Kidd. (See below for the link.)

Unison Closing Prayer
(inspired by John 13: 1-20)

Blessed are you, Lord God.
The basin and the towel are signs to us of your Son’s servanthood.
You have made us partakers of Christ and of one another.
As we go forth, give us grace
to count others more important than ourselves,
to love our enemies,
to make peace.

Send the Spirit of truth to keep alive in us
what Jesus taught and did,
that our words may carry his good news, and
that our lives may bear the shape of the cross
of the One who lives and reigns with You
and with the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.

— from A Footwashing Liturgy by Reggie M. Kidd.  

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Call to Worship: Psalm 116

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 116.

Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 116)

Come, people of God,
let us offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and lift up his name in the presence of his people.
For God is gracious and merciful,
full of compassion and love.
While we were still helpless, he came to save us.


For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

Prayer of Adoration: Holy Week

Here’s a prayer of adoration based on the events of Holy Week.  It was written by David Beswick, and posted on David Beswick’s Home Page.

Prayer of Adoration for Holy Week

Our Lord Jesus, you went faithfully to Jerusalem, speaking with your disciples of your death, they welcomed you with the branches of celebration for the coming of a Saviour, and only you understood that it was through the sacrifice of your death that the promise of salvation would be fulfilled. 

Like the patriots of old you cleansed the temple, they tried to trap you with questions as you taught, and you were betrayed on the night when you gave the symbols of your life with which to remember you at the table. 

You washed their feet as an example of service to one another before you submitted to ultimate humiliation and cruel death. 

Faithful servant of God and of your human brothers and sisters, we worship and adore you as our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

— written by David Beswick, and posted on David Beswick’s Home Page. http://www.beswick.info/

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


A Closing Prayer: Footwashing

Here’s a closing prayer for an intergenerational service of footwashing.  It was written by Lutie O. Lee.

Closing Prayer
(John 13: 1-20)

O Jesus, in this Holy Week you prayed
that we would love one another
as you have loved us.
Tonight we have tried to practice what you have taught us!
Let the love, joy and humility
we have known here with our families
continue to bless us,
and let us share that blessing with world
you love and gave your life for.
May the peace we feel together in this place
Point us toward the hope of Easter.

Amen.

— from With Humility and Joy: Footwashing Service for Families, written by Lutie O. Lee, Minister for Children and Families, Worship and Education Ministry Team, Local Church Ministries. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. 

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Holy Thursday Prayer Litany

Here’s a prayer litany for Holy (or Maundy) Thursday worship.  It was written by Nolan Williams, Jr., and posted on The African American Lectionary website.

Prayer Litany for Maundy Thursday
(John 13: 1-20)

You knew your hour had come.
You knew your betrayer.
You knew your enemies.
You knew that the straw vote would not be in your favor.
But you loved unto the end.
Thank you for loving us, even unto death.
Teach us to love like you love.
Teach us to love each other, to love even our enemies,
like you loved us.

You took on the form of a servant,
washing the feet of those whom you discipled.
You defined humility and servanthood.
You are he who was surely sent from God.
Thank you for serving for us.
Teach us to be servants without fail;
to make humility our constant companion
and to seek no glory for ourselves.
Remind us when we forget.

On that solemn evening,
you surrounded yourself with friends and enemies,
persons of faith and persons of ill-will.
Help us to be able to always emulate you
when we are surrounded by our friends
and especially when we are surrounded by our enemies.

You have established a “new commandment;”
help us to live it out in every moment,
in every aspect of our lives,
in our families, in our churches, in our communities,
and throughout the world.
On this Holy Day, we gather to remember again
the miracle that you performed in our lives.
You have brought us into the marvelous light.
At great cost to you,
you have given us new life and life eternal. Amen.

— written by Nolan Williams, Jr., and posted on The African American Lectionary website. 

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Prayers of the People: Maundy Thursday


Here’s a prayer of intercession based on the scripture readings for Maundy Thursday.  It comes from the Presbyterian Church USA.

Prayer of Intercession
(based on John 17)

Loving, listening God,
ever-attentive to the voices of those in need,
we call on your name so that we might live.
Now hear our prayer:

For the church that bears Christ’s name,
that the world may know we are his disciples
by the love that we have for one another.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For leaders of nations and all persons in positions of authority,
that their lives may be marked by Christ-like service and love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who are oppressed and living in captivity,
that they may escape from evil and death
to find the land of freedom you have promised.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who are hungry and thirsty this day
and for those who have too much,
that we may learn to share your generous gifts, O God.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those who are dealing with loss or facing death,
that the presence of Christ may bless and keep them.

Other petitions may be included,
or worshipers may be invited to offer their own prayers,
silently or aloud.

Answer us in the day of trouble, O God,
so that we may lift up the cup of salvation
in the presence of your people,
giving thanks for all your goodness to us;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

— posted on the Worship Resources for Maundy Thursday page of the Presbyterian Church USA. https://www.pcusa.org/

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

Call to Worship: Maundy Thursday

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 116: 12-19, the suggested Psalm reading for Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday).

Maundy Thursday Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 116: 12-19 Common English Bible)

What can we give back to God
for all the good things He has done for us?

We will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on his name!
We will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
We will keep the promises we’ve made to God
in the presence of all his people!

Come, let us worship!


For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Pastoral Prayer: Maundy Thursday

Here is a pastoral prayer written for Maundy Thursday worship.  It comes from Come and Remember: Prayers for Maundy Thursday by Rev. Kelly Burd.

Pastoral Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Gracious God,
As those who strive to follow Jesus in our living
and to trust your power in our dying,
we gather to reflect upon the life that ended on a cross.

We recognize in ourselves the strengths and weaknesses of Jesus’ disciples:
although they loved him, they disappointed and failed him.

And yet, gathering with these imperfect friends at this last meal
Jesus washed their feet in service, and then
extended the bread and cup to each.
Jesus called them to love one another, and invited them to share in his very life
and in his acceptance of the road ahead.

We are humbled, honored and inspired
by the deep love Christ extended to the world,
and we take seriously the calling to be the body of Christ today.

Forgive us when we disappoint and fail you,
and guide us back to a place of trust and faithful living.

Grant us the vision to see the world as you see it,
with love and compassion for each creature and all of your creation.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray to you. . .
Our Father….

— from Come and Remember: Prayers for Maundy Thursday, written by Rev. Kelly Burd. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.  For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of "Labels" at the lower right side of the page. 

A Maundy Thursday Call to Worship

Here’s a call to worship for Maundy (Holy) Thursday worship from the Seekers Church website.

Call to Worship Litany: Maundy Thursday

Welcome to you who call upon the name of Christ. 
We gather tonight to recall the story
of the night Jesus was betrayed. 
Are you prepared
to come to the feast of Jesus, the Christ,
whose life was poured out for you?
By the grace of God, we are.

Are you able to watch with Jesus
at prayer in the garden --
indeed, to struggle yourselves to be in unity
with God's will for you?
By the grace of God, we are.

Then let us praise God, even in this hour of darkness!

God of all grace and steadfast love,
greatly is your name to be praised in all the earth. 
Bring us to this feast of remembrance
with open hearts!

— from Maundy Thursday Worship 2002, on the Seekers Church website. http://www.seekerschurch.org/

For more worship resources for Maundy Thursday, click on Maundy Thursday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.