17 April 2025
Bible readings for today |
Collect |
Liturgical colour: VIOLET |
Infinite, intimate God;
this night you kneel before your friends and wash our feet. Bound together in your love, trembling, we drink your cup and watch. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen. |
Maundy Thursday
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In Holy Week, Maundy Thursday is the day that we remember Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, and sharing the Last Supper with them. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment... Love one another..."
A Chrism service may also be held in dioceses this week, where priests, deacons and the church renew their commitment to Jesus for the year ahead - and this may include foot washing too. |
Love one another (John 13:1-17, 31b-35)
In this gospel reading, Jesus washes his disciples feet, and reminds them of their greatest call - "Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Input for Leaders
Visio Lectio
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Rev Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission. Download & Terms of Use A thoughtful meditation on Sieger Köder’s The Washing of Feet painting (Conversatio)
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Gospel Conversations 2025: Coming soon.
Gospel Conversations 2022: This week we are given just a handful of verses from John's Gospel to ponder, yet the themes within them of Glory and Love could keep us thinking for the rest of our lives. Watch here. Love One Another
The name “Maundy” Thursday comes from the Latin word for “command,” and Maundy Thursday refers to Jesus’ command to the disciples to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Jesus himself goes on to model this commandment through 3 significant details/actions: Read more here. (Deeper Kid Min) |
Kids TalksThe Footwashing Story (BRF)
Jesus washed the Disciple's Feet (Mission Bible Class) A New Commandment (Sermons 4 Kids) Love One Another (Sermons 4 Kids) Love One Another as I have Loved You (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet (Ministry to Children) - lesson plan for preschoolers Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet (Sunday School Zone) - lesson plan for preschoolers - with activity centers. Questions to think about
GamesColouring with your feet
Challenge the kids to draw a picture but instead of using their hands to hold the felts/crayons - get them to use their feet. To turn it into a game - add some pictionary cards/prompts. Shoe Pile Scramble (Mcomi) ActivitiesPainted footprints (Out Upon the Waters) - Use paint to make footprints on a large piece of paper.
Use Salt Dough to make Footprints - Salt dough recipe and helpful tips here. Washing feet (Mission Bible Class) Jesus washing feet colouring picture (Ministry to Children) Love one another Why not brainstorm with the kids some practical ways to show love or serve the people around us. Think about the people we live with, friends, church community, people who don't know God. Make a list you can put up somewhere and encourage the kids to try and do some each week. 
Preschool FunHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spend time with God.
Fizzing Hearts (Toddler at Play) Things to talk about: What Jesus means when he asks us to love on another. Practical ways we can show our love. Washing Station - set up a washing station with some animals or dolls that have feet and can be "washed". Things to talk about: Why the animals/dolls might need to be washed and why Jesus washed the disciples feet. |
Pray it!Spreading Hearts prayer (Flame Creative) - sensory prayer for people we struggle to love.
Art in Holy WeekIf you want to mark Lent in a simple rich way, how about creating a space where your kids can spend some time with Jesus-related art. Try these questions or make up your own. Think about offering resources for kids to make art too.
The Washing of Feet by Sieger Köder’s
Maundy Thursday resourcesThe Diocese of Dunedin have prepared some great downloads and ideas for Holy Week, and we have linked to their Maundy Thursday resources here
For Families: Look Up In and Out
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The Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26)
Leaders InputIn the Gospel accounts, the Lord's Supper is the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. It can be found in Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23, and referenced briefly in John 13:1-4
The Lord's Supper in Art
There are many depictions of the Lord's supper in Art, some of which can be found here |
What is the importance of the Lord's supper?
BibleProject classroom teaching on the Lord's Supper (Bible Project) BibleWhy Is the Lord’s Supper Significant in the Bible? (Bible Project) |
Look up, in and outBible StorybooksYou can also read today’s story in the:
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