All are welcome to attend in-person services. We no longer need attendees to preregister, and you will be able to choose where to sit. One side of the church still has some pews blocked off to support those who need to maintain physical distancing. All entry to the building is from the King Street East main doors.
Everyone–without exception–must wear a mask properly at all times while inside the building.
You can join in worshipping on Maundy Thursday, live or later, via YouTube. The live stream will begin at 6:45 pm with a welcome, followed by prelude music. The service will begin at 7 pm. The service will be posted to YouTube once the live stream concludes, and you can use the same link to join in later.
If you’re joining the service via the live stream, keep this order of service handy! It has all the responses and hymn texts you’ll need, together with some prayers you might choose to use to make spiritual communion during the reception of the eucharist.
Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum–the Great Three Days, in which we celebrate Jesus giving his life on the cross and conquering sin and death, raising us with him to new life in the resurrection.
It’s a busy night! We hear of the institution of the First Passover from the book of Exodus (12.1–14).
Next, we’ll hear John’s description of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples and giving them an example of the kind of servant life we are called to (John 13.1–17). Larry Collinson will offer a short reflection on the passage, and then offer the foot washing to all who wish to participate.
Then we hear the portion of John’s gospel that gives this day its name, as Jesus gives the new commandment to the disciples. (John 13.31–35). The Latin word ‘mandatum’ means commandment, and from mandatum we get the shortened form, ‘Maundy.’ Canon Mike Deed will be with us to offer a brief reflection, and then we’ll embody the instruction to love one another as we share the peace.
Our final portion of Scripture in this section of the service is the description to the Corinthians of the Institution of the Eucharist. (1 Corinthians 11.23–26). Our rector will offer a short reflection, and we will celebrate the Eucharist.
After all have received, the sacrament is placed into a monstrance. (More Latin: monstrare means ‘to show,’ and the monstrance is a vessel to show the Eucharist to adoring worshippers). A procession takes the sacrament out of the church and into the chapel as we sing a hymn.
Finally, we hear one more portion of Scripture: Matthew recounts how Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, before being betrayed and arrested. (Matthew 26.30–50) While this passage is read, members of the parish strip the chancel and the sanctuary of their adornments. The rector washes the altar, and we depart in silence.
It’s helpful to think of the liturgy of the Tridduum as one service with a couple of distinct movements, like in a symphony. There is no blessing or dismissal as we make our way this night; nor will there be either on Good Friday. Instead, we wait–meditating on the staggering gift of God’s love for us, revealed in Our Lord’s Passion.