Prayer: God of love we come to you on this Maundy Thursday very appreciative of all you have done for us. Help us to follow the command to love one another. May we be a light to the world in times of darkness. Amen.
Reading: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Today is Maundy Thursday and many churches have traditions on what they do in worship through-out Holy Week. When I was growing up my home church would have a special communion service in the fellowship hall with families sitting at tables and giving communion to each other on Maundy Thursday and a Tenebrae Service on Good Friday. When I was working at a church in Kansas, they would have a regular communion service and then have the stripping of the altar at the end of the service on Maundy Thursday and a prayer vigil from Thursday to Friday at noon. A few years they would do a Seder type meal, much like what Jesus would have been celebrating with the disciples. When I was in seminary, I experienced a foot washing service for the first time. It was not something I was comfortable with, much like how the disciples were not comfortable with Jesus washing their feet. Whatever the traditions, hopefully they are helpful for people to experience the love Jesus had for his disciples and for us. I believe that way it is easier for us to understand and follow the commandment of loving one another. --Charlene Rineer
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