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April 2, 2026
See TodayHoly (Maundy) Thursday
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Ex. 24:3–11 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
KJV Scripture text
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3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: 10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. 11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
- Psalm
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Psalm 116:12–19 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of the LORD’S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
- Epistle
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Heb. 9:11–22 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
- Gospel
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Matt. 26:17–30 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Holy (Maundy) Thursday
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
Let Us Love One Another, as Christ Jesus Has Loved Us and Loves Us to the End
“The Lord’s Passover” (Ex. 12:11) and “the blood of the covenant” at Mount Sinai (Ex. 24:8) foreshow the Lord’s Supper. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, now covers us, and we keep His Supper “as a feast to the Lord” (Ex. 12:14). In Him, we see “the God of Israel” (Ex. 24:10), and yet He does not lay His hand on us to punish us, but from His hand we eat and drink in peace. As our High Priest, He “entered once for all into the holy places … by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12). He shed His own blood in order to “purify our conscience” and bring us before His God and Father “without blemish” (Heb. 9:14). The holy apostles received this New Testament in His blood from the Lord Jesus “on the night when he was betrayed,” and they delivered the same to His Church, which we also now receive in the name and remembrance of Christ (1 Cor. 11:23–26; Matt. 26:26–28). He has “loved his own who were in the world,” and He loves us “to the end” (John 13:1); therefore, let us also “love one another” (John 13:34).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for April 2, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Everlasting Father, Your Son offered Himself through the eternal Spirit as a sacrifice without blemish. By this sacrifice, purify our conscience from dead works, that we may serve You always in newness and holiness of life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, as Your people of old pledged to keep all that You had spoken, let us be found faithful in doctrine and practice. Break and hinder the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Give Your Church faithful pastors and church workers. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory, that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You, the only God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God and Father, be the source of strength and comfort in every home. Bless the children of our families, that every darkness would be lightened by Your Son’s gracious visitation. Preserve them from dangers to body and soul, guide them by Your Word in wise paths, and keep them firm in the faith until life’s end. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Amid plagues, enemies and a world filled with conflict and terror, give us wise leaders, O Lord, and preserve us from harm. Guide those who make and administer our laws to act prudently. Give to all judges knowledge to render justice with mercy. Bless all military, emergency and medical workers here and abroad. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of Israel, we rally to Your altar in the wilderness of this world. Hear our prayers for [_____________ and] all those who are sick. Refresh them in their suffering, comfort them with Your Word and nourish them in body and soul. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, Your Son gathered His disciples on the night He was betrayed, and He gathers us around His altar now to receive His body and blood. Forgive our sins by this Sacrament, and sanctify us to proclaim with boldness His death until He comes. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, we thank You that You have made us Your holy people, cleansed and redeemed by the blood of Your Son. Grant that we, Your priests serving under Christ, our High Priest, may now offer living sacrifices in prayer and good works. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for April 2, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For newness and holiness of life, that Christ, who offered Himself through the eternal Spirit, would purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, that as God’s people of old pledged to keep all that the Lord had spoken, we may be found faithful in doctrine and practice; and that God would give and preserve faithful pastors and church workers who know the riches of His grace and serve Him in peace and righteousness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the children of our families, that every darkness would be lightened by Christ’s gracious visitation; and that God would preserve them from dangers to body and soul, guide them by His Word in wise paths, and keep them firm in the faith until life’s end, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who make and administer our laws amid plagues and threats and in a world filled with conflict and terror, that they may act in timely and prudent ways, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For [_____________ and] all who are sick, that God would refresh, comfort and nourish them in the midst of the wilderness of this world, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those Christ has gathered around His altar, that as we receive His body and blood in faith, He would forgive our sins and sanctify us to proclaim boldly His death until He comes, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For God’s holy people, cleansed and redeemed by the blood of His Son, that as priests serving under our High Priest, we may now offer living sacrifices in prayer and good works, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 617 O Lord, We Praise Thee
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Holy (Maundy) Thursday (One-Year and Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 445 When You Woke That Thursday Morning
- Distribution LSB 618 I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table
- Distribution LSB 634 The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord
- Closing LSB 436 Go to Dark Gethsemane
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.