Maundy Thursday Service of Hand Washing

On the Thursday preceding Easter, Christians commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin word “mandate” for command, recalling Jesus’ words, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13: 34)  During the service here at Long Memorial, we solemnly take turns washing each other hands to recall Jesus’ tender act of humility as he demonstrated the kind of love he meant by washing his disciples’ feet. At the end of this service, the church is darkened and the altar is stripped of its cross, candles, and hangings. We leave in silence remembering Jesus’ agonized prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane.