Good morning folks!

God is good?

All the time.

Prayer

Lord, as we prepare to enter the mystery of these three most holy days,
we ask you to illumine our minds and hearts with the hope
and promise of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.
Give us eyes to see him in the breaking of the bread
and hearts that reach out to him in service to one another.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Today is Maundy Thursday! Just three days before Easter.
This day is incredibly significant in the Christian tradition and history.

Some background

The word Maundy comes from an old Latin word maundatum, which means commandment. It was the word in the Latin Vulgate translation of the New Testament which recorded Jesus’ words: A new command I give you: Love one another in John 13: 34.

Over time, the church has associated the washing of feet
with Jesus’ command to love each other,
in that his words were part of the comments he made
to the disciples in the upper room
immediately after he took off his outer garments
and washed the feet of the disciples.
It so sad, looking at our modern societies, and seeing how we have forgotten
both what it means to really love each other,
and how to serve one another without a hidden agenda –
read (wash one another’s feet).

In Palestine of the first century, most roads were not tarmacked or paved, and were dusty paths.
In such a hot climate, by the time you reached your destination, your feet needed a good cleaning.
And so, upon arrival, as a gesture of hospitality, your host would instruct servants to take a basin and wash your feet, drying them with a towel.

For a long while the kings of European countries would set the example, washing the feet of the faithful on Maundy Thursday.
In England, servants known as yeomen of the laundry washed the feet of the poor,
while the king and queen watched, but this has now been relegated to history.
Jesus’ commandment too to love one another has been largely ignored by most people.

Jesus said: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13: 14–17 NIV®

Prayer

Gracious God, you put all power and authority into the hands of Christ – Christ, who washes our feet in humble service.
Teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that everyone will know that we are his disciples; through him who was without sin.

Amen

Intercessions

Remembering that in the past God has always been active
in seeking the salvation of his people,
let us bring to him now our prayers for ourselves and for others.

Lord we thank you for the fellowship we share
with your people throughout the world
as we remember the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples.
Let your church follow his example of love and service
so that his message of salvation might reach those around us.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who today, like your people in Egypt long ago,
are oppressed and treated unjustly by those in power who abuse their authority.
We pray that arrogance and cruelty may give way to humility
and a kindness that seeks not to crush
but to serve and nurture the weak and vulnerable.
We pray for our families and friends
and for the communities in which we live and work.
We thank you for the celebrations and festivals which we share together.
Help us also to look outwards
and to care for those who are on the fringes of our society
and excluded from our communities.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are suffering today
and carrying the burdens of sickness, grief, anxiety or guilt.
We pray that you will guide them towards freedom,
wholeness, and faith in you as a loving God
who seeks to serve us and save us if only, we will let you.
Especially at this time we pause and remember those families
in our communities and far afield
who have lost loved ones because of the pandemic.
Minister to them by the kindness and love of your Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God, you have always been active in seeking the salvation of your people.
Hear our prayers today and use them and us in your saving work
both in our lives and in the lives of those for whom we pray
and guide us this Holy Week as we walk with Christ
in his moments of suffering as he fights for our salvation.

Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen

Closing Payer

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ,
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory,
for he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Have a lovely day, and see you in the evening @ HC Service. ?))

Revd George