What a lovely Maundy Thursday service. The tables in the
Garden Room were set with purple
tablecloths and white washcloths, cups, and spoons that looked so
welcoming. We read the footwashing story in John 13. We couldn’t
wash our neighbor’s feet for logistical reasons, so we washed each others’
hands. At the tables, we used thermos
carafes to pour warm water on our neighbor’s hands, over large bowls. On this cool night, it was good to feel the
warm water. The water was scented with the basil we grew during Lent. Washing one another’s hands was brief and
powerful. Here is our grace:
Holy God, these 38 days of Lent, we have spoken of
growing in the spirit; we’ve nurtured seeds to remind us that we have to nurture
our souls, paying attention to what feeds us, turning toward the light of
Christ, taking in the living water. May the scent and flavor of the basil
remind us of the joy we find in serving you; may the microgreens nourish our
bodies to do your work. Bless the hands that grew, transported, and prepared
all the food we are to eat tonight; we pray for the day when everyone has
enough. Amen.
The microgreens we grew were garnish for our three kinds of
homemade soup. We had a real meal together, talking and laughing and breaking a
LOT of bread. A visitor came in to join
us. We finished worship by serving one
another communion and singing “No end there is! We depart in peace. He loves
beyond our uttermost.” It’s easy to feel God’s love surrounded by people who
welcome visitors, and work so quickly to clean up, and find joy being together.
Pastor Susan
