Worship Bulletin
Thursday, April 2, 2026
MAUNDY THURSDAY CANDLELIGHT WALK
Introduction
This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
GATHERING
(Lodge)
Pastor:
Tonight we remember the night our Lord, Jesus Christ, gathered with his friends,
loved them, served them, and gave them a commandment:
to love one another.
Let’s not begin with what we do for God,
but with what God does for us.
Let’s walk together.
WATER: GOD’S MERCY POURED OUT
(1st Shelter)
Pastor:
Tonight we pour out the water over our hands as a community.
A sign of mercy that does not run dry.
A sign of grace that we cannot earn.
A sign of forgiveness that washes us clean.
Tonight, we remember:
Christ washes us…
not as a master over servants,
but as a servant among us.
As this water is poured,
remember that you are forgiven,
you are cleansed,
you are loved.
(Pause)
And as he has served us,
so we are sent to serve one another.
Pastor:
How can we stay awake, watch love and pray for this community?
Meditation
Prayer
Merciful God,
you have poured out your grace upon us
more abundantly than we can ever deserve.
As this water has washed over our hands,
wash also our hearts with your mercy,
our minds with your truth,
and our lives with your forgiving love.
By the humble service of your Son, Jesus Christ,
teach us to be servants in the world—
quick to love, ready to forgive,
and willing to kneel beside those in need.
As you have cleansed us,
send us forth to bear your compassion
into every darkness and every sorrow;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We Walk
Being Mindful of our Community around us and Jesus’ journey toward the cross
HOLY COMMUNION
(Corner)
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks; broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
With this bread and cup,
we remember Christ’s life among us;
his association with outcasts,
his eating with sinners,
his healing of the sick,
his care for the poor.
Send, we pray, your Holy Spirit
upon us and upon this bread and wine,
that we who share this meal
may become a holy communion,
the body of Christ in the world.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
We Share Bread and Wine
THE COMMANDMENT
(Candles are lit and distributed.)
Pastor:
And after they had eaten,
he gave them a new commandment.
Reader:
John 13:34-35
Love one another.
As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.
By this, everyone will know
that you are my disciples.
Pastor:
How can we stay awake, watch, love and pray for this community?
Meditation
Prayer
Gracious God,
you have washed us in mercy
and fed us with the bread of heaven
and the cup of salvation.
In this holy meal,
you have given us the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ,
strengthening us in faith,
binding us together in love,
and filling us with your life.
As we rise from this table,
keep us near to Christ
as he walks the road into the night.
When fear surrounds us, remain our courage.
When darkness deepens, remain our light.
When love is costly, remain our strength.
Send us now to love one another
as Christ has loved us—
with humility, mercy, and steadfast grace—
that the world may know
the presence of your kingdom among us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We Walk
Being Mindful of our Community around us and Jesus’ journey toward the cross
STATION 1: THE GARDEN
(Silver Lakes Gazebo)
Reader:
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with his followers to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Sit here while I go there and pray.” He told Peter and the two sons of Zebedee to come with him. Then he began to be very sad and troubled. Jesus said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, “My heart is so heavy with grief, I feel as if I am dying. Wait here and stay awake with me.”
Then Jesus went on a little farther away from them. He fell to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me drink from this cup. But do what you want, not what I want.” Then he went back to his followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Could you men not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. Your spirit wants to do what is right, but your body is weak.”
Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if I must do this and it is not possible for me to escape it, then I pray that what you want will be done.”
Then he went back to the followers. Again he found them sleeping. They could not stay awake. So he left them and went away one more time and prayed. This third time he prayed, he said the same thing.
Then Jesus went back to the followers and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the control of sinful men. Stand up! We must go. Here comes the one who will hand me over.”
(One candle is extinguished.)
Pastor:
How can we stay awake, watch, love and pray for this community?
Meditation
Prayer
Watchful God,
as your Son prayed in the garden
and entered the night in sorrow,
keep us awake in faith and steadfast in love.
When fear and weariness overcome us,
draw us near to Christ,
that we may trust your will
and remain with him in the darkness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We Walk
Being Mindful of our Community around us and Jesus’ journey toward the cross
STATION 2: BETRAYAL
(178th and 9th)
Reader:
Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles came there. He had a big crowd of people with him, all carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent from the leading priests and the older leaders of the people. Judas planned to do something to show them which one was Jesus. He said, “The one I kiss will be Jesus. Arrest him.” So he went to Jesus and said, “Hello, Teacher!” Then Judas kissed him.
Jesus answered, “Friend, do the thing you came to do.”
Then the men came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Pastor:
Even here in our community
love is given…
and love is broken.
(Half of the remaining candles are extinguished.)
How can we stay awake, watch, love and pray for this community?
Meditation
Prayer
Faithful God,
in the hour of betrayal and broken trust,
your Son remained steadfast in love.
When we are wounded by others
or fail one another in our weakness,
hold us in your mercy
and teach us the grace to forgive;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We Walk
Being Mindful of our Community around us and Jesus’ journey toward the cross
STATION 3:
ARREST
(The Crossroads)
Reader:
John 18:1-11
When Jesus finished praying, he left with his followers and went across the Kidron Valley. He went into a garden there, his followers still with him.
Judas, the one responsible for handing Jesus over, knew where this place was. He knew because Jesus often met there with his followers. So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden, along with some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.
Jesus already knew everything that would happen to him. So he went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
They answered, “Jesus from Nazareth.”
He said, “I am Jesus.” (Judas, the one responsible for handing Jesus over, was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am Jesus,” the men moved back and fell to the ground.
He asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”
They said, “Jesus from Nazareth.”
Jesus said, “I told you that I am Jesus. So if you are looking for me, let these other men go free.” This was to show the truth of what Jesus said earlier: “I have not lost anyone you gave me.”
Simon Peter had a sword, which he pulled out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its place! I must drink from the cup the Father has given me.”
Pastor:
The light shines in the darkness…
and the darkness closes in.
(All but 1 candle are extinguished.)
How can we stay awake, watch, love and pray for this community?
Meditation
Prayer
Steadfast God,
as your Son was taken into the hands of men
and led into the darkness of the night,
be with all who suffer fear, injustice, or sorrow.
When the world feels overcome by darkness,
keep us faithful in hope
and steadfast in love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Message
We Walk
Being Mindful of our Community around us and Jesus’ journey toward the cross
THE COMMAND IN THE DARKNESS
(Back at the Park)
Pastor:
In the darkness the command remains.
Love one another.
Serve one another.
Not when it is easy.
Not when it is safe.
But here and now.
The Peace
Peace be with you. I will try to love as Christ has loved.
Meditation
Prayer
Loving God,
you have brought us through this night
to hear again the command of your Son, Jesus Christ:
to love one another as he has loved us.
Write this command upon our hearts,
that in all we say and do
we may bear his mercy into the world.
Give us courage when love is costly,
patience when love is hard,
and faithfulness when we are weak.
Remain with us in the darkness,
and make us bearers of your light;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you with favor and grant you his peace.
Amen
Sending
Go in peace. Stay Awake, Watch, Love and Pray for one another, our neighbors, our community and this world.