On Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples. We encourage you to gather with your existing small group, friends, and/or family to celebrate the Last Supper In-Person or Virtually in your own homes using the WRITTEN GUIDE below:
In-Person in your own homes with family/roommates, using the WRITTEN GUIDE available below with the accompanying Family Video Guide with Pastor Melinda Manus
Virtually with your existing small group, friends, family. You can use the Virtual Liturgy Guide for your online gathering.
Maundy Thursday Gathering In-Person Instructions:
- Please read and pray through this template before you begin.
- Encourage everyone to either read or take part in the discussions that follow.
- Make sure to have a Bible on hand, as well as a candle, a lighter, and Communion elements. And again, please don't feel pressure to have bread and grape juice for communion, we trust God can use ANYTHING (crackers and any beverage!) to help us remember the LORD's Supper.
- Take pictures of your time together! Post them and tag or hashtag Lake Avenue Church, so that we, as one church family, can all be blessed by what the LORD is doing in and through one another. (You may also e-mail photos to [email protected])
- Here is your link to the Family Video Guide done by a former staff member.
Last Supper In-Home Gathering Guide:
If virtual, invite everyone to have a candle/lighter and communion elements on hand before you begin.
Call to Worship
Candle Lighting: Gather together around a table in your home. Light a candle in the middle to signify the beginning of your time together. As you light the candle, say these words: “Today, in this weary yet hopeful season, we remember that Jesus is the light of the world who entered into the darkness on our behalf. John 1:4-5 says of Jesus, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”
Worship Through Singing: Sing "Amazing Grace" or another song you are familiar with.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come.
Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun.
Prayer: Have someone thank God for the evening and invite Him to speak through the words of the Scripture and through one another.
Movement 1 — Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
Read: John 13:1-17
Discussion: Jesus, the humble King of Kings, defied expectations for a king in order to serve His disciples. Why do you think Jesus washed the disciples’ feet? What acts of service have you observed or experienced in this last year of the pandemic that have communicated this deep and surprising love?
Optional Footwashing: If you are comfortable, take some time to wash each others’ feet. There is much freedom here; it can be as simple as using a wipe! Just take some time to find yourself in the story of Jesus.
If virtual, ask one or all of the following questions:
- Why do you think Jesus washed the disciples’ feet?
- What did this communicate about God’s love?
- What acts of service have you observed or experienced in this last year that have communicated this deep and surprising love? How have you seen Christians serve others in humility and vulnerability?
Movement 2—Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
Read: John 13:33-38
Silent Confession: In this passage, we see that Jesus knows. He knows what Peter will do, that he will betray Jesus and disown Him three times. In the same way, Jesus knows our sin, our fears, our shortcomings—and loves us anyway. Therefore, it is safe to confess to the One who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally. Spend some time in silent confession, laying yourselves before the LORD.
Movement 3—Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
Read: John 14: 25-31
Prayer: Move now to a time of prayer, knowing that the Holy Spirit is with you, drawing you to the Father and bringing you peace. In what ways do you need His presence? Share your prayer requests and pray for one another.
Movement 4—Jesus Commands Us to Love One Another
Read: John 15:9-17
Discussion: Jesus commands love, plain and simple. How can we love each other better in our homes during this season? How can we love our neighbors better?
Movement 5—Jesus' High Priestly Prayer and Communion
Just a note: At Lake Avenue Church, we do not require an ordained pastor to be present to administer communion. We believe that we are called, as the priesthood of all believers, to administer God’s grace to one another in love.
Read: John 17:20-26
Introduce the Eucharist: Jesus prays for unity in this passage, that we would be connected and bound together as one. One of the ways we tangibly experience this unity is through Communion. This is a practice that Christians have performed for centuries all across the world, and through it we remember that we are bound to one another in the death of Christ.
Prayer: Give thanks to God for his precious gift, Jesus Christ, and ask him to "set apart these ordinary elements for their extraordinary use."
Read the Words of Institution: Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 11:23-26— "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.'"
Take the Elements: Invite the people in your home to take the bread, saying, “This is the body of Christ, that was broken for you. Take and eat.” Then invite them to do the same with the cup: “This is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Take and drink.”
Prayer: Thank Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross which set us free from sin and shame, bringing us together as the Body of Christ.
Closing
Benediction: May the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you as you journey with Jesus this week. Amen.
Extinguish Candle: Invite someone to blow out the candle to close.
Video Guide by former staff member