April 17, 2025 – Maundy Thursday

Lectionary Readings

Exodus 12:1–4 (5–10), 11–14
Before the exodus, the Lord gives instructions for the Passover.

Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19
What shall I return to the Lord? I will lift the cup of salvation.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Paul recounts and interprets the tradition of the Lord’s Supper.

John 13:1–17, 31b–35
Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and gives a new commandment.

— Gathering —

Opening Sentences

The Lord hears our cries for mercy.
Because God listens to our cries,
we will call on God as long as we live.
What can we give back to God
for God’s faithfulness?
We lift up the cup of salvation.
We call on God’s name.
We make promises to God
in the presence of all God’s people.
Let us worship God!

Prayer of the Day

Humble God,
you are the creator of the universe, and yet,
in Christ you became a servant to all.
You offered yourself to us, washed our feet,
and called us to follow you.
In our effort to heed your call,
we ask that you wash us clean
and grant us the courage to give ourselves to others
just as you have done for us,
that your love might be known
and your story of sacrifice told. Amen.

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Thanksgiving for Baptism

At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God of ancient covenants,
who never breaks trust,
we thank you for baptismal waters
that pour out your steadfast love
for all creation.
Thank you for the salvation promise
you have kept.
In the name of Jesus,
the Living Water, we pray. Amen.

Confession and Pardon

At the baptismal font:
With extravagant love and generous hospitality,
Jesus Christ invites us to confess our sins
and set down our burdens,
so that we may receive the fullness
of all he seeks to give.

O God,
in the breaking of the bread
and the pouring of the wine,
we become aware of the depth
of your self-giving love;
we see our own failures
to live as people fed by you.
In a world hungry for food
and thirsty for compassion,
we are often stingy and hard-hearted.
We make our tables exclusive
and share only with those we like.
Forgive our selfishness
and have mercy upon us.
Give us glad and generous hearts,
so that we may give freely,
following the example of Jesus.

Lifting water from the font:
In word, in deed, in love that never quits,
Jesus Christ has done for us
what we could never do for ourselves.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

— Word —

Prayer for Illumination

At the lectern or pulpit:
O Lord of light and salvation,
let these words of Scripture
live not only in our mouths,
but in our hearts,
that we will embody your truth
and confess with our lives
that Jesus is Lord. Amen.

Scripture

Before the readings:
The Word is near to us, 
on our lips and in our hearts. 
Romans 10:8

After the readings:
This is the Word of faith 
that we proclaim. 
Thanks be to God.
Romans 10:8

Sermon

Ascription of Praise

After the sermon:
Let every tongue confess 
that Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.
Philippians 2:11

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Affirmation of Faith

To be reconciled to God
is to be sent into the world
as God’s reconciling community.
This community, the church universal,
is entrusted with God’s message of reconciliation
and shares God’s labor of healing the enmities
which separate people from God
and from each other.
Christ has called the church to this mission
and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The church maintains continuity
with the apostles and with Israel
by faithful obedience to his call.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.31

NOTE: The washing of feet may be included here.