You can join the service, live or later, via YouTube.
The stream begins around 9:45, and the service begins at 10 am (EST). You’re able to watch or re-watch the stream on YouTube at any later time at the same link.
The order of service is available here.
You may want to have it handy while joining the stream. The order of service includes the readings and responses, and the words to the hymns, to make it easier to join in participating via the live stream. It also includes prayers you may wish to use during the reception of the Eucharist.
This night is the beginning of the Triduum, the Great Three Days, as we enter into the paschal mystery of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Tonight we remember the last night of Jesus’s life. He gathered with his disciples for the Passover meal–only to surprise them by washing their feet. It was as awkward and uncomfortable for them as it is for those who will have their feet washed this night at the church, but Jesus does this to show us who he is as our servant–and who we are called to be, as his servants. Then they shared in the Passover meal, and we recall the institution of the Eucharist. At the end of our service, we’ll process the Reserved Sacrament out of the church to the altar of repose in the chapel.
Today has a strange name that comes from the gospel passage we proclaim this night. Jesus gives his followers ‘a new commandment.’ Commandment in Latin is mandatum; over time, that word became corrupted and we now use the shortened form of “Maundy” to treasure the commandment we are given by Jesus.
Sundays and Seasons offers this reflection on the day and the beginning of this week:
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.
Our cover image is a detail from a mural at Trinity College, Kandy, Sri Lanka, depicting Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
Paynter, David, 1900-1975. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, detail of mural, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54318 [retrieved April 17, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trinity_College_Chapel_Mural_(2).jpg.