Maundy Thursday, from the Latin maundatum meaning commandment, takes us through three stages in the last moments of Jesus’ life. First he welcomes his friends to celebrate the Holy Meal of Passover with him by washing our feet saying, “A New Commandment I give to you”. He then celebrates the first Eucharist showing us how to remain part of his body though he is leaving. The liturgy ends with a form of the Tenebrae (Latin for darkness) Service lamenting the arrival of the hour of darkness when the Son of God would soon be betrayed and abandoned. During the reading of Psalm 22, we remember the stripping of Christ's body and the desolation which becomes part of the passion narrative.
Immediately following this service, we begin the "Watch", recalling that first watch of the disciples with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. You are invited to sign-up for an one-hour slot to watch with Christ between 8 pm - 8 am. Here at the Garden, Jesus models to us his self-emptying by surrendering himself to be in union with the will and the deep love of his Abba.
The Rev. Clarence Li will be presiding and the Rev. Jeanne Forte will be preaching.