Celebrating Maundy Thursday – Safe @ Home

What is This?

This resource is being provided in order to help you and your family celebrate Maundy Thursday Safe @ Home. It is an expression of the church’s love for you and a recognition that we are all connected through God’s love even when we are apart. Anyone may use and/or amend this resource without attribution. 

While it was written for the use of the members of First Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, LA, it is intended to include all who might join us through God's spirit in their homes. It is also intended to be used with items already in your home, as additional trips to the store may be counterproductive to the idea of staying "safe at home." Those who use it are encouraged to post pictures of your table set up on social media and tag us with #fpclaffymaundythurs.

This resource includes some background information, set up tips, and then a plan for celebrating Maundy Thursday safe at home.  You are encouraged to read through the whole thing and make revisions based on your family's needs/abilities/allergies, etc.

What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy comes from a Latin word meaning Command. As followers of the way of Jesus, Maundy Thursday is a day that we remember his command to love others the way that he loves us. It is also the day that we remember his last Passover Meal with his disciples and his command to remember him and his love for us.

This Maundy Thursday service is not:

• a Seder Supper (Jewish observance of Passover).
• a private service of communion.
• a symbolic representation of God’s grace.

This Maundy Thursday service is:

• an actual experience of God’s grace.
• a worshipful meal shared in all of our homes.
• a remembrance of the Lord’s final Passover Meal with his disciples.
• an act of the church to commemorate the saving actions of God through Jesus Christ.
• a sign and seal of our inclusion by God in the covenant of grace.

Does this service include communion? Yes! It will be a little different than you normally experience, but in this service the Session has authorized our Pastor to preside through liturgical instruction. We will then participate in sharing the elements (typically bread and juice) each in our own homes as a part of the same saving act done for all through Jesus Christ.

In Luke 22:17, Jesus tells the disciples to “take the cup and divide it” amongst themselves. Likewise, in 1 Peter 2:9 we are called “a Royal Priesthood.” Martin Luther would later say that we are a “Priesthood of believers.” As Presbyterians, even as we minister to one another, we recognize that we still need oversight. The Session is the body we elect to approve how and when and where we observe the sacrament of communion. In this case, we are recognizing each table as a part of the whole, and God as the "host" who has prepared this specific meal for us and with us.

How do I prepare, and what do I do if I don’t have the right stuff?
Given the need to stay safe at home, we encourage you to use items that are already in your kitchen or pantry. Some items may take time to prepare, and you can talk with one another about them while preparing, especially if children are involved. The meal should be a simple meal and may include other items, but it should include the following:

• Bitter Herbs – These are used to remind the people of the bitterness of slavery. Take some dried herbs from your spice rack. put them in a small ramekin with some water and microwave them for 30 seconds. Add some olive oil to make it something you can dip bread or root vegetables in. Try to make it bitter rather than savory. You could also use Pesto.
• Vegetables – Root vegetables or leafy greens can also connect to the difficulty of life and the providence of God.
• Protein – A Seder (Passover) Supper would include lamb, but any meat will suffice. We rarely acknowledge that animals die for us to eat. Dinner conversation could include our connection to those animals that God has provided for us.
• Bread – in the Seder (Passover) Supper, the bread is unleavened to remind them of the haste in which they left Egypt. Consider using flatbread, tortillas, or crackers, but any bread is acceptable.
• Beverage – While wine or grape juice is most appropriate, water may also be used to remind us of redemption and the cleansing of sin.
• Snacks – A lot happens before you actually eat. You might want to have some snacks like pretzels or cheese or something salty to nibble on.
• Setting the table – You can set the table with plates ahead of time, but the food is brought to the table as a part of the service.
• Making Adjustments – parents of young children should read through the service and make adjustments based on the ages of your children. Use a children’s Bible. Give them parts of the meal to be responsible for. This is all being done as a faithful attempt, so just do your best to be faithful, model faithfulness, and encourage faith.
• You will either need a Bible or access to a site like biblegateway.com on your phone.

Maundy Thursday Meal – Safe @ Home

OPENING PRAYER – Good and Gracious God, we bless you and give thanks for this time to remember your promises, your commandments, and the hope they bring. Amen.

READING – Exodus 12:1-14

SETTING THE TABLE – As you set the table, talk about the items and how they connect with the Passover story. Remind everyone that, just like the blood from the lamb helped save the Israelites, following Jesus saves us from slavery to sin and selfishness. We might still do bad things, but God’s love allows us to choose another way.

READING – John 13:3-5, 12-15

HAND WASHING – In the Bible, they wash each other’s feet. In this case, it’s probably more appropriate to wash each other’s hands. Go to a sink, maybe in the kitchen, and let those who are able to wash each other’s hands. While you are doing it, talk about the way this is an act of care to keep each other safe and healthy.

READING – Matthew 26:17-30

LORD’S PRAYER – Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

BREAK BREAD – Take the bread and break a piece in two. Take a piece and pass it, saying, “This is the bread of heaven. Take some in remembrance of Jesus.” Be sure to explain that this isn’t a “private communion,” even though it is a communion service. It is a part of the communion service that we are all having together, even if we aren’t in the same place. We are all held together by God’s love, and because of that, God is present in the bread, in the drink, and in the love we share.

TABLE FELLOWSHIP – Enjoy your meal! Dip bread and other things in the bitter herbs. If you have not already, talk about the meaning behind each food item and how they connect to our experience of being forgiven by God today. Make sure everyone has something to drink, but wait until after the meal to formally bless the cup.

BLESSING THE CUP – Make sure that everyone has a cup that you can either fill or refill with water, juice, or wine. Then explain the following while you fill everyone’s cup.

• During a Seder (pronounced SAY-Der) meal there are four cups of wine enjoyed at different points. The last one is the one scripture claims that Jesus blessed, and it is the cup of the promise that God will receive God’s chosen ones.
• Have everyone lift their cup and say, “We drink this in memory of the saving death of Jesus.”

DOXOLOGY – Scripture says the disciples left singing. Sing the Doxology or any familiar song of praise to end your time of remembrance.