Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year C Maundy Thursday Scripture: John 13:1 17, 34 35 NRSV Gathering Welcome The word Maundy has its roots in the Latin word mandatum, which has many meanings including mandate, instruction, decree, and order. The name for Thursday in Holy Week is based on the new commandment Jesus shared during the Passover meal. Maundy Thursday commemorates the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples before he was crucified. At this meal he broke bread with them and washed their feet. These are examples of humble service and love for one another. Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. We gather together as disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of you. Just as you washed the feet of the disciples as an act of servanthood, may we find ways to wash bigotry, hate, greed, fear, and abuse from our world. Help us be awake and find the courage to act. In the name of the one who showed us how to live in peace. Amen. Spiritual Practice Prayer of Repetition and Reduction Today we will repeat a passage from the Gospel of John as a Prayer of Repetition and Reduction. This passage is from John s account of the Last Supper. I invite you to rest into a relaxed posture that will allow you to focus on the words as they are spoken. After each phrase, I will pause and allow time for you to rest in the words for two or three breaths before I read the next phrase from John 13:34 NRSV:
Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love. Love one another as I have loved you. Love one another as I. Love one another. Love one. Love. Love one. Love one another. Love one another as I. Love one another as I have loved you. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Amen. Sharing Around the Table John 13:1 17, 34 35 NRSV Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus answered, You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand. Peter said to him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no share with me. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head! Jesus said to him, One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you. For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, Not all of you are clean. After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. This scripture is a favorite on the topic of humility and service. The act of Jesus washing the disciples feet exemplifies how he lived daily in service to others, giving self, and meeting the needs of others. This is the gospel in action. Recognizing that God invites us to do likewise in
the context of our daily lives is an important message. When we explore this passage further we find additional dimensions of understanding. In its original Greek language the phrase took off his outer robe (v. 4) in Greek also can mean to lay down one s life. The word wiped also can mean anoint, which in this context could refer to the sacred act of using oil, a symbol of God s presence and act of consecration. For those who understand the multiple connotations in the words, other images and meanings play out in the scene. In addition to the image of Jesus getting up, taking off his robe, washing the disciples feet and then drying them with a towel, we might see Jesus laying down his life for the disciples, washing and anointing their feet consecrating these precious friends and bringing them into God s presence. As we receive both images our understanding of servant ministry deepens. The simple act of humbly washing feet becomes an act of love and grace: an action of gospel living. Jesus clearly states the mutuality of relationship in the context of the path he invites the disciples to follow, you also ought to wash one another s feet. (v. 14) This instruction echoes in the commandment he shares in the last portion of today s scripture. I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. This is the core of our scripture reading today. Jesus identity, mission, and message are lived in tangible acts of servant ministry followed by a poignant invitation to love one another in the same way. When we do this, we become a living witness and light to the world of God s love and grace. Jesus leaves this evening of table fellowship and continues to travel the way of selfgiving love, which leads to the cross and God s proclamation of love and grace for all. Questions 1. How do our actions invite others to recognize the Christ in us, the one whom we follow? 2. How might we wash the feet of another in the context of our world today? 3. How can sharing a common meal with others around the table become an awareness of God s presence making the common and ordinary sacred? Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint (Doctrine and Covenants 163:9). The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: God of servant ministry, We share from hearts of service in response to the presence of your Son. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen. Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn CCS 550, We Are Pilgrims on a Journey Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children
Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. We gather together as disciples to eat and drink in remembrance of you. Just as you washed the feet of the disciples as an act of servanthood, may we find ways to wash bigotry, hate, greed, fear, and abuse from our world. Help us be awake and find the courage to act. In the name of the one who showed us how to live in peace. Amen.
Spiritual Practice Prayer of Repetition and Reduction Today we will repeat a passage from the Gospel of John as a Prayer of Repetition and Reduction. This passage is from John s account of the Last Supper. I invite you to rest into a relaxed posture that will allow you to focus on the words as they are spoken. After each phrase, I will pause and allow time for you to rest in the words for two or three breaths before I read the next phrase from John 13:34 NRSV: Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love. Love one another as I have loved you. Love one another as I. Love one another. Love one. Love. Love one. Love one another. Love one another as I. Love one another as I have loved you. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love. Love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Amen.
Sharing Around the Table John 13:1 17, 34 35 NRSV Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus answered, You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand. Peter said to him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no share with me. Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head! Jesus said to him, One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you. For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, Not all of you are clean. After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. This scripture is a favorite on the topic of humility and service. The act of Jesus washing the disciples feet exemplifies how he lived daily in service to others, giving self, and meeting the needs of others. This is the gospel in action. Recognizing that God invites us to do likewise in the context of our daily lives is an important message. When we explore this passage further we find additional dimensions of understanding. In its original Greek language the phrase took off his outer robe (v. 4) in Greek also can mean to lay down one s life. The word wiped also can mean anoint, which in this context could refer to the sacred act of using oil, a symbol of God s presence and act of consecration. For those who understand the multiple connotations in the words, other images and meanings play out in the scene. In addition to the image of Jesus getting up, taking off his robe, washing the disciples feet and then drying them with a towel, we might see Jesus laying down his life for the disciples, washing and anointing their feet consecrating these precious friends and bringing them into God s presence. As we receive both images our understanding of servant ministry deepens. The simple act of humbly washing feet becomes an act of love and grace: an action of gospel living. Jesus clearly states the mutuality of relationship in the context of the path he invites the disciples to follow, you also ought to wash one another s feet. (v. 14) This instruction echoes in the commandment he shares in the last portion of today s scripture.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. This is the core of our scripture reading today. Jesus identity, mission, and message are lived in tangible acts of servant ministry followed by a poignant invitation to love one another in the same way. When we do this, we become a living witness and light to the world of God s love and grace. Jesus leaves this evening of table fellowship and continues to travel the way of selfgiving love, which leads to the cross and God s proclamation of love and grace for all. Questions 1. How do our actions invite others to recognize the Christ in us, the one whom we follow? 2. How might we wash the feet of another in the context of our world today? 3. How can sharing a common meal with others around the table become an awareness of God s presence making the common and ordinary sacred?
Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint (Doctrine and Covenants 163:9). The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: God of servant ministry, We share from hearts of service in response to the presence of your Son. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen.
Communion Statement Lent We come together to share in the Lord s Supper as a visible witness of loving Christian fellowship and shared remembrance of Jesus Christ s death and resurrection (Doctrine and Covenants 164:4a). All committed followers of Christ are invited to partake, but no one should feel pressured to receive the emblems. During this Lenten season let us share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let s sing from Community of Christ Sings 527, Bread of the World.
Thoughts for Children Materials: wet washcloth or wet wipes Have you ever played outside and had really dirty feet? How dirty were they? Encourage the children to share about their dirty feet. Who would you ask to wash your feet? A policeman? Your teacher? Probably not. You would ask someone who loved you and cared for you, like your grandmother or your parent. Jesus really loved his disciples, his friends. Jesus washed his disciples feet and told them that caring for others and serving others are ways we show our love for them. On Maundy Thursday we remember that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to show them how to love and serve each other. Sometimes we practice serving others by washing their hands or feet. I have a wet washcloth. I can wash your hand to show I care for you, and you can use the cloth to wash my hand to show you care for me. If children are comfortable holding out a hand, gently wipe it with the wet cloth. Allow them to wipe your hand with the cloth. We can find more ways to serve others, too. What are some ways you can serve others and show you care for them? Encourage the children to suggest a few ideas. Today when you go home, think of kind things you can do to show others you care for them. Thank the children for participating.