Maundy Thursday – April 17, 2025 The Order of Worship at Noon and 7 pm
“Maundy” comes from the Latin for “commandment, as in “Love one another” and “Do this for the remembrance of me.” Maundy Thursday traditionally ends our Lenten penitence, and the priestly absolution that has been withheld since Ash Wednesday is here offered both generally and for those who wish to come forward for individual laying on of hands and forgiveness.
PRELUDE
Ubi Caritas (Hymn 653)
Julie Ainscough
Standing SILENT PROCESSION CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord’s call to struggle against sin, death, and the devil—all that keeps us from loving God and each other. This is the struggle to which we were called at baptism. Within the community of the church, God never wearies of forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconciliation. On this night let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor, and enter the celebration of the great Three Days reconciled with God and with one another. Kneeling or Seated Most merciful God. | We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen. The congregation is seated. Those desiring to receive individual absolution are invited to come forward to the altar, kneeling as you are able, or to one of the floor stations, and the pastor will lay hands on your head and announce to you, “In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins.” (ELW, page 259 Maundy Thursday liturgy)