Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Three Days (also known as the Triduum). In this service, we remember the new commandment (Latin mandatum, maundy) that Jesus gave us: to love as he has loved us.
While we do not practice footwashing at St. Andrew, we do practice a Handwashing Rite that honors the ways in which our hands serve as the means of loving action in our world. We also celebrate the Lord's Supper, and our gathering ends in silence as we strip the altar. Worship continues the next day with our Good Friday service.
To learn more about the history and practice of Maundy Thursday, our PC(USA) partners have a wonderful explanation that you can read about here.
This service begins in silence, an acknowledgement of our solemn devotion, and as a continuation of our worship which began on Maundy Thursday and does not conclude until the Resurrection on Easter.
Our Good Friday service remembers the day on which Christ was crucified and died. The "good" is most likely an English evolution of the German word "Goddes", which means "holy". In turn, "holy" means, "to be set apart from". The day on which Christ died is a day set apart from any other, and it is a holy day.
Join us at St. Andrew for a Tenebrae service (what's this?). The gospel will be presented in chant, and the service will conclude with prayer around the cross.