Maundy Thursday: A Liturgy for Children and Families

Often when the topic of Holy Week and Easter come up during some other part of the year, my children look a little confused and ask what is Holy Week? Then when we prompt them that it’s when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, they suddenly have their little memories jogged. Then they say something along the lines of, “Oh yes, when we hunt for the eggs and wash each other’s feet!”

Maundy Thursday is a beautiful church service that much of our married life or work schedules or children’s bedtimes have made difficult to attend. And now we go to a church that only has a Good Friday and Easter morning service, so we do Maundy Thursday at home. Below is the liturgy we use (here’s a link to the printable version). We use a dish basin filled with warm water to soak the feet. And afterward, we have a special picnic-style meal with pomegranate juice, flatbread, herbs, nuts and honey, and roasted lamb to remember the Last Supper. (Or if we happen to have a pastor friend (or retired pastor Grandparent!) visiting, then we have communion with the bread.)

Generally, we have found that having a special food, a special activity, and a short, special liturgy (with a call to worship, a selection from a Psalm, the first verse of several hymns, a short gospel passage, a confession, creed, and collect) is a good way to celebrate holy days at home. But even if you simply read the gospel passage (John 13:1-11 or from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones p. 286), wash feet, and have some pita bread and grape juice–kids love to do special things at home! For more ideas on how to do Holy Week with small children, read this post!

Maundy Thursday Home Church Liturgy

(printable version // all of Holy Week Liturgy)

Processional Song:

  Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
  heaven and earth are full of your glory.
  Hosanna in the highest.
  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
  Hosanna in the highest.

Opening Verse

O Lord, open my lips,* And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Song:

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can wash away my sin? 
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
What can make me whole again? 
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.


O precious is the flow 
that makes me white as snow; 
no other fount I know; 
nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Psalm 103:15-27

The LORD is my strength and my song, *

and he has become my salvation.

There is a sound of exultation and victory *

in the tents of the righteous:

“The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *

the right hand of the LORD is exalted!

the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!”

I shall not die, but live, *

and declare the works of the LORD.

The LORD has punished me sorely, *

but he did not hand me over to death.

Hosanna, LORD, hosanna! *

LORD, send us now success.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *

we bless you from the house of the LORD.

God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *

form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar

Song

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul?

What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

Gospel Reading: Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

John 13:1-11 (or read from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones p. 286)

13 It was almost time for the Jewish Passover Feast. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end.

²Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to turn against Jesus. (Judas was the son of Simon.) ³Jesus knew that the Father had given him power over everything. He also knew that he had come from God and was going back to God. ⁴So during the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. ⁵Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet. He dried them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶Jesus came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷Jesus answered, “You don’t understand what I am doing now. But you will understand later.”

⁸Peter said, “No! You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “If I don’t wash your feet, then you are not one of my people.”

⁹Simon Peter answered, “Lord, after you wash my feet, wash my hands and my head, too!”

¹⁰Jesus said, “After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹Jesus knew who would turn against him. That is why Jesus said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Washing of Feet & Response

The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, “Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done.”

Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.

I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.

Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.

By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That you have love for one another.

Song

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, 
from thy wounded side which flowed, 
be of sin the double cure;  
save from wrath and make me pure.

Prayer: The Apostle’s Creed (Standing & With hand motions)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth;

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Confession Prayer: (Kneeling)

Dear Jesus,

I love you.

I’m sorry for my bad choices, please change my heart so I only want good things.

Thank you for being with me and thank you for

Please help

Amen.

Prayer: Prayers of the People (Sitting & 5-Finger Prayer )

Dear God,

(thumb: those closest to you)

Thank you for our family, please bless them and care for them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(pointer: those that point you in the right direction)

Thank you for my teachers and pastors who teach us to follow you, bless them and help us to listen to them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(middle: tallest finger for those who lead us)

Thank you for our bishops, governor, and president please bless them and help them listen to you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(ring: weakest finger)

Please be with all the poor and needy and hurting people. Please help them, heal them, and let us be a part of caring for them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(pinkie: smallest finger): for ourselves and our needs:

Thank you that you are always with us and take care of us. We love you.

[If you can take time to pray a short prayer for each person present and for his or her particular cares and upcoming needs]

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

COLLECTS of MAUNDY THURSDAY

Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer: 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Song: Doxology

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Closing Blessing:

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord

Thanks Be to God!

Recessional Song : Create in Me A Clean Heart, O God

Create in Me A Clean Heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me  
Create in me a clean heart, O God  
And renew a right spirit within me   
Cast me not away from thy presence O Lord

PALEO FLATBREAD INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons avocado oil
3 tablespoons water (add the water slowly until you have the right texture)
Mix Together, and put in a pie plate or round cake dish. Bake at 350 until slightly brown, roughly 30 minutes. (If you want a real recipe try this one.)