This is one of the holiest days of the year. This is the day where we remember the betrayal of our Lord and His giving to us of the gift of Holy Communion. Mark 14: 22-24 tells it this way:
22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
Now, I’m a United Methodist and I’ll let you in on a little secret. We love us some communion. We hold it to be a sacrament – a means by which God gives us grace. We believe that in the blessing and in the giving and receiving of the elements, God pours out His Amazing Grace upon us, and draws us closer to Him, and brings us into a closer walk with Him.
We believe it’s God’s gift to us. A means by which He shows us His love. 
No matter what tradition of the church you are part of, it behoves us each to remember that it was on this night Christ was given for our sake. He was betrayed, He was broken. For you, and for me.
For the sake of the world, He laid down His life. So we may live.
If your church celebrates this Holy or “Maundy” Thursday today or tonight, take time to go and be with the people of God. My church, Ripley First United Methodist Church, will worship tonight. If you are in Ripley and want to experience a powerful service come be with us.
If you are unable to worship today or tonight, or you church does not focus on this day, then pause and remember. Remember if was for us He died, it was for us He was betrayed, and it was for us that He gave this meal of Holy Communion.
Today, take time to remember all He has done for us.
Thanks for this, Andy. I’ve been reading Robert Webber’s Ancient-Future Worship, who has been giving me all sorts of wonderful insights into communion (what Webber calls “Table Worship”). I didn’t grow up in a tradition that recognized Maundy Thursday. Can you tell me more about what the service looks like?
I work for LifeWayWorship.com, which sells music material for worship leaders. I’m especially interested in what specific songs / hymns are sung at your service.
Thanks,
Jonathan
Jonathan,
It’s a very visual service. The focus is on light and darkness. Also holy communion is celebrated. The focus, after communion, is on the service of Tenebrae. In that, candles that are lit in the beginning of the service are extinguished as the story of betrayal of Christ is read out of John’s Gospel. The service ends in darkness as the Christ Candle is extinguished. Everyone leaves in complete silence. It’s just very cool.
The hymns we are singing are: Jesus Keep Me near the Cross and were you there. Our choir will perform “On the Night Which He Was Betrayed” by Benjamin Harlanand we will have a soloist sing He Never Said a Mublin’ Word