Maundy Thursday
A Household Liturgy
adapted from materials at practicingfamilies.com
adapted from materials at practicingfamilies.com
Use this liturgy as a household of one, or a household of many.
If in a household of one, make the adaptation to offer care for and service to yourself and in serving yourself, receive the care that Jesus offers.
If in a household of one, make the adaptation to offer care for and service to yourself and in serving yourself, receive the care that Jesus offers.
With our Voices:
Choose one leader and invite the other(s) to repeat the last three lines after the leader.
God of dirty feet and germy fingers,
Of messy-broken and squeaky-clean,
With our voices, Help us bless.
With our feet, Help us follow you.
With our hands, Help us heal. Amen.
Read John 13:1-20; 33-35
OR
Read The story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in a child-friend story Bible
(106-107 Children of God Storybook Bible, 260-261 in Shine On: A Story Bible)
AND/OR
Reflect on or talk about the story and the image below.
With Our Feet:
It’s easy to keep our feet clean since we mostly wear shoes and socks - especially at this time of year. In Jesus’ community sandals were much more common and the landscape was much more dusty. Feet got dirty!
If you can, walk outside barefoot. Feel the ground under your feet. Or if you really don’t want to get your feet dirty, use your hands to feel the ground. Grass or sand, soil or concrete, notice the textures and the temperature. Invite anyone with you to do the same.
With our Hands:
Return inside to prepare a basin with warm water, soap, a cloth if needed and a dry towel. Or have these prepared to use outside.
You could ask: Will you let me serve you? And allow your companion to nod or say yes in response.
In the basin wash feet or hands - whatever got dirty outside. Take turns serving each other. While you are washing sing a blessing (music below or listen and watch here):
May God bless and keep you; may God be gracious to you.
May God's face shine onto you and give you peace.
When you have finished, offer the benediction:
May I use my voice and feet and hands
in service to God and others. Amen.
Choose one leader and invite the other(s) to repeat the last three lines after the leader.
God of dirty feet and germy fingers,
Of messy-broken and squeaky-clean,
With our voices, Help us bless.
With our feet, Help us follow you.
With our hands, Help us heal. Amen.
Read John 13:1-20; 33-35
OR
Read The story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in a child-friend story Bible
(106-107 Children of God Storybook Bible, 260-261 in Shine On: A Story Bible)
AND/OR
Reflect on or talk about the story and the image below.
- What do you notice?
- What do you wonder?
- What is Jesus showing his disciples by his actions?
- How does Peter, whose feet Jesus is washing, feel about it?
- What are acts of service - helping each other - that we show each other in our families and in the community?
With Our Feet:
It’s easy to keep our feet clean since we mostly wear shoes and socks - especially at this time of year. In Jesus’ community sandals were much more common and the landscape was much more dusty. Feet got dirty!
If you can, walk outside barefoot. Feel the ground under your feet. Or if you really don’t want to get your feet dirty, use your hands to feel the ground. Grass or sand, soil or concrete, notice the textures and the temperature. Invite anyone with you to do the same.
With our Hands:
Return inside to prepare a basin with warm water, soap, a cloth if needed and a dry towel. Or have these prepared to use outside.
You could ask: Will you let me serve you? And allow your companion to nod or say yes in response.
In the basin wash feet or hands - whatever got dirty outside. Take turns serving each other. While you are washing sing a blessing (music below or listen and watch here):
May God bless and keep you; may God be gracious to you.
May God's face shine onto you and give you peace.
When you have finished, offer the benediction:
May I use my voice and feet and hands
in service to God and others. Amen.
Image for Reflection
Image from Shine On: A Story Bible
Blessing Song
Text from Numbers 6; Music by Amy Epp