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Maundy Thursday – 4/14/2022

By April 4, 2022No Comments

Dear members and friends of the Congregational Church of Harvard,

I am pleased that the Congregational Church of Harvard will offer a Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm on April 14.  Maundy Thursday is one of the most beautiful and moving services of the year, commemorating Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.  The word Maundy is understood to come from the Latin verb mandatum (“to command”) which refers to Jesus’ words to those at table with him during the Last Supper:  “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:34, 35).

The service will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion and also a Service of Tenebrae, which is a selection of Gospel readings about the last days and hours of Jesus’ life, the betrayal, the prayer in the Garden, and the arrest.  As the service concludes in darkness and worshippers depart quietly into the night, we contemplate the darkness in our lives and in the world, and are pointed to the coming of the light of the world on Easter morning. 

There will be no offering taken, although baskets will be available at the doors to accept donations for Ukraine Relief.

Maundy Thursday presents an opportunity for you to invite a friend or neighbor to accompany you and introduce them to the Congregational Church of Harvard.  Come, and allow this service to deepen your faith and help to center your spiritual preparation for Easter.  Thank you!

Yours in faith, Rev. John Zehring