April 17, 2025 - Maundy Thursday Worship Service

On the night before he died, Jesus commanded his disciples: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34). That command is how Maundy Thursday gets its name. The Latin word for "command" is mandatus, which became "Maundy" in Old English. After speaking that command about love, Jesus then showed his disciples exactly how much he loves us. He gave them a special meal - the Lord's Supper - in which he gave them the forgiveness of sins through his body and blood. As we celebrate Maundy Thursday, Jesus is offering you once again strength and forgiveness through his Word and his body and blood in the Lord's Supper. We need forgiveness for every time we haven't loved as Jesus loves us. We need strength to love the people in our lives as Jesus loved us and gave himself up for us. It's a blessing to remember Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection to save us from our sins.