Why Maundy Thursday and/or Good Friday?

Both services occur in Holy Week and our designed to draw our attention to Jesus Christ, His death, and the implications this has for the followers of Jesus Christ. These services contain similar and different elements, pending the church tradition. Some churches include in their Maundy Thursday service a foot washing, a clearing of the table and alter, and extinguishing 13 candles as Jesus and the disciples leave the upper room and head to the cross. Good Friday services, historically more often done at noon when darkness came over the land and Jesus was on the cross, commemorate his suffering and death. Both services look toward the cross and both are often more somber and darker, filled with reflective lament and mournful worship; sometimes varying by church traditions.

Jesus went to trial early Friday morning and was crucified at 9:00 a.m. (Mark 15:25). At
noon darkness was over the whole land (Mark 15:33) and at 3:00 p.m. he gave a loud cry and breathed his last (Mark 15:37). Today most Good Friday services occur Friday evening after Jesus was in the grave. The service is, metaphorically, people gathering at the empty foot of the cross to remember and reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death during the day. Our Thursday Maundy service will be similar, but we will metaphorically gather in the upper room and reflect on Jesus’ love as He prepared to suffer and die.

The Grace pastors see the value of both of these services. We choose one service and cancel Wednesday activities to elevate its importance in Holy week as we remember Jesus and his suffering and death on the cross. Our aim in gathering Thursday night is to prepare and focus our hearts on Friday. Many workers and students are off work and school. We encourage you throughout the day, but especially in the morning and afternoon, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to read and meditate and reflect on Jesus and the glory of His love, His suffering and death, and the glorious implications for His followers. We look forward to seeing you Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m.