Let Us Love One Another, as Christ Jesus Has Loved Us
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). By eating His body and drinking His blood, we proclaim to all the world that Jesus is, indeed, our Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:1–14), who was sacrificed for us on Calvary. In Christ, the Lord remembers us in mercy and remembers our sin no more; He forgives us all our iniquity. With such love, he “loved His own who were in the world,” and even loves us “to the end” (John 13:1). As He washes us and feeds us in love, let us love one another, just as He has loved us (John 13:34).
Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship
📅 What the Service Is
Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. The name Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command”—referring to Jesus’ new command to love one another.
🕯️ Core Elements of the Service at Christ Lutheran Mustang
Holy Communion (Lord’s Supper)
Central to the service is the celebration of the Eucharist, remembering Jesus’ institution of the Sacrament by giving his body and blood in the bread and wine.
This reflects the Lutheran conviction that the Lord’s Supper is a means of grace, conveying forgiveness and strengthening faith.
For Christ Lutheran's beliefs and practices on regarding Holy Communion and who can and who should not partake, please visit https://christlutheranmustang.org/whatwebelieve.
Confession and Absolution
The liturgy includes time for the congregation to confess sins together and receive God’s assurance of forgiveness—an important part of preparing hearts for worship.
On Maundy Thursday a special version of Corporate Confession and Absolution is used.
Scripture Readings and Hymns
Passages recounting the Last Supper and Jesus’ teachings are read.
Traditional hymns help focus on Christ’s sacrifice, love, and service.
Stripping of the Altar
At the end of the liturgy, all ornaments, cloths, and paraments are removed from the altar and chancel in a visible act of reverence and preparation for Good Friday.
This symbolizes the betrayal, abandonment, and humiliation Jesus experienced leading up to his crucifixion.
📌 Purpose and Tone
The service is both celebratory (honoring the gift of the Lord’s Supper) and reflective—helping worshippers contemplate Jesus’ sacrificial love and his new command to serve others.
It sets the tone for the solemnity of Good Friday and the joy of Easter.