Guide For At Home Maunday Thursday Activity

 

April 1, 2021 was Maunday Thursday. In years past we would spend this day at church with our friends but last year COVID jumbled those plans for many churches which is such a heartbreaking way to spend Easter which is generally a joyful time that represents our freedom. Last year was the first year our church celebrated through an online service and this year we wanted to lead our own service in our home without having to gather around the television. Many Jesus following churches will remember The Last Supper on Maunday Thursday. During these services churches will often take communion and wash each other’s feet in remembrance of Jesus and what he did before he went to the cross. We remembered the Last Supper as a family by gathering around our dining room table. We had 5 coffee mugs of apple juice and a piece of bread cut into 5 strips because that is what we had on hand but typically churches will use grape juice and crackers. Prep was easy and took about 5 minutes to put together. To be honest when children are involved sometimes simple and easy 5 minute prep activities are necessary because it can be tough to get through a task without being interrupted. If this is something you would like to do with your own family or with a group of friends you could use this as a guideline for your own service. I am really glad we took the time to do this as a family because it brought us together and we had really good conversation. Well, as good of conversation that can be expected with 2 seven year olds and a 5 year old. I do believe that if you decide to take the time and do this as a family you will experience a treasured memory as well. You do not have to wait for Easter to roll around again to remember what Jesus did for us; so, in the words of Snickers the candy bar, “Why wait?.” 

To begin our time together Michael read Matthew 26:26-30 (NRSV). 

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

After finishing this scripture we took our communion which was the apple juice and bread strips and then sang, “It Is Finished,” by Jimmy Needham. We just happened to be singing this song together for our Good Friday service but you could sing any hymn. There is no sweeter sound in the whole world than hearing my children sing about Jesus in their sweet little voices. I wanted to bottle this moment up and keep it for all time but I did not take my phone out to record because I did not dare ruin the moment. 

Then I read John 13:12-17 (NRSV)

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and LORD—and you are right, for that is what I AM. So if I, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are my messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

We all then went into our tiny bathroom and washed each other’s feet in the tub. Michael and I sat on the edge of the tub and the kids then placed their feet in the tub one at a time. We washed Ellie, then Ryleigh and then Hudson’s feet individually in the bathtub and prayed over each one. Normally when we pray we pray collectively. Praying over each one of our children was special because we fashioned a different prayer specific to each child. When we believed we were wrapping up our time our oldest, Ellie, surprised us by asking, “Can we wash your feet?” Ryleigh washed my feet and prayed over me and Ellie and Hudson washed Michael’s feet and prayed over him. This was a beautiful example of how children watch and wait for our lead as parents and then they want to mimic the lesson and teaching we have been living out. It was a beautiful memory and lesson that I want to cherish forever and I hope your family is blessed through remembering in this way as well.