Date: April 2, 2026
April 2: Two Divine Services offered - 11:30am and 7:00pm.
Maundy Thursday is the end of Lent and beginning of Jesus' Passion in which He was arrested, tried, beaten, and crucified. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil service form one service that is celebrated over three days. Our focus will be on the commandment our Lord gives to his disciples, taking upon Him the place of a servant and washing their feet: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." Another commandment that our Lord gives on Maundy Thursday ("Mandatum" is Latin for commandment) is to "Take and eat... Take and drink," as He speaks of the bread which is His body and the cup, which is the new testament in His blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt 26:28; Mark 14:22--24; Luke 24:19--20; 1 Corinthians 11:24--24).
We learn through the appointed readings for the day, the events that took place in the upper room were the fulfillment of the Passover of the Jews. In the "new and better covenant" of Christ's blood prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31--34; cf., Hebrews 8:6--13, 9:15--17), Jesus delivers us from sin, death and hell, once and for all.
Upon celebrating the Sacrament our Lord instituted on this night, the altar is stripped for the somber celebration of Good Friday, as Psalm 22 is chanted. The service recesses until Good Friday, where the service picks up at the collect appointed for Good Friday. The congregation will not hear the Aaronic benediction until the Easter Vigil taking place on Saturday evening.
