Maundy Thursday 2026 — Year A

Observance

The Thursday Before Easter
The 2nd Day of April, Anno Domini 2026
Sunday, Holy Day and Commemoration Lectionary — Year A
Liturgical Colors: White or Gold

Personal Reflections

I only attend Church services at night a few times a year. Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday come to mind. But we occasionally have other services in the evening. I seem to remember when I was a child, that most of our local Churches had a Wednesday evening service. It’s a sadness that most of us no loner worship on Wednesday evening. Even if you’re not a believer, It is a sign that our lives are not about our own convictions, but those of the world.

Maunday Thursday is a somber service. There’s something about stripping the altar and covering the cross with sack cloth that brings feelings of both emptiness and anticipation.

Acclamations

Celebrant: Blessed be our God.
People: Now and for ever. Amen.

Collects

Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Lessons

Exodus 12:1–14
Psalm 78:15–26
I Corinthians 11:23–34 or I Corinthians 11:23–26
John 13:1–15 or Luke 22:14–30

Prefaces

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; and on the night before he suffered, he instituted these holy mysteries; that we, receiving the benefits of his passion and resurrection, might be made partakers of his divine nature.