The Gethsemane Watch: A Maundy Thursday Vigil
What is Maundy Thursday? Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday,” is the Thursday of Holy Week (Palm Sunday April 10 thru Easter Sunday April 17) one day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday. First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion. The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another. Should we observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It is a good thing to remember the Lord’s example of humility. What is the Watch? A period of “staying awake” for spiritual reasons. Traditionally, watches have been kept before the Blessed Sacrament on the night of Maundy Thursday at the “Altar of Repose.” Watches may also be kept to provide prayer and comfort for the sick or the dying. The term derives in part from Christ’s question to his disciples at Gethsemane, “Could you not watch with me for an hour?” (Mt 26:40). In the seventeenth century, Deacon Nicholas Ferrar instituted a “Night Watch” at Little Gidding in Huntingdonshire, England. During these watches, one or more members of the extended Ferrar family recited the whole Psalter while kneeling. Sunday Morning Worship Schedule
8:00 AM Rite I: Traditional Worship (in-person only)
Spoken Word with Communion 10:00 AM Rite 2: Blended Worship (in-person and live streaming) Traditional & Contemporary Music with Communion
Wednesday Morning service 10:00 With Communion (This service is not currently being held.) |
Hours available to volunteer:
3 people and 2 alternates needed each hour. Thursday April 14 7pm-8pm 8pm-9pm 9pm-10pm 10pm-11pm 11pm-12am Friday April 15 12am-1am 1am-2am 3am-4am 5am-6am 6am-7am |
