Our First Preview Service
Our first-ever preview service is coming up on Maundy Thursday on March 28 at 6:30pm!
What’s a preview service?
As a church plant that has not yet officially launched regular worship services, a preview service gives a glimpse of what's to come. It's a come-and-see opportunity. Check out what God is doing! (Learn more about the sort of church we’re working to form.)
A preview service is primarily a worship service. God is worthy of our worship, so we gather as his people to give him reverent praise and honor. This is at the heart of everything we do as a church plant!
What about my kids?
All children are welcome to participate in the worship service, but childcare will be available for children ages 0-4 years old.
When & Where?
Our Maundy Thursday service is on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30pm in the chapel at 815 N. McLean Blvd.
What should I expect?
In our worship, you can expect to sing songs of worship to God, hear Bible reading and a sermon, pray together, and participate in Communion together.
You’ll also notice many ancient Church practices that we believe are still relevant and important today (like wearing robes and saying ancient creeds).
This reflects one of our values as a church plant: liturgy. As a liturgical church, we submit to the Church’s historic worship of God according to the Book of Common Prayer. We don’t re-invent the wheel week-to-week, guided by the changing tides of culture or the whims of a leader; instead, we join the people of God throughout the ages in beautiful, reverent, and sacred worship.
What’s Maundy Thursday?
This image by artist Tsega Zewde hangs on the wall in my living room depicting one of the scenes from Maundy Thursday.
Maundy Thursday is a part of Holy Week, the week when the Church journeys together towards the crucifixion of Jesus and ultimately towards the great feast of Easter when we celebrate his resurrection.
On Maundy Thursday we commemorate several events in the moments before the cross.
On this night, Jesus demonstrated his sacrificial love for his disciples by washing their feet. This is where we get the word "Maundy." After washing his disciples' feet, Jesus said to them, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34). The word commandment is mandatum in Latin (like the English word mandate), thus, Maundy Thursday.
This Thursday night is also when Jesus instituted the Communion meal—when he took ordinary elements like bread and wine in the Passover meal and re-oriented them around himself for his people, the Church.
Finally, the night ends in somber sadness as we reflect on the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and ultimately his betrayal and arrest.
This liturgy begins the Triduum, the Sacred Three Days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter).
Our liturgical Maundy Thursday service is a rich and powerful way to experience these significant moments in the life of Christ. Check out this testimony highlighting the experience.
Why plant a church?
Good question! We believe that planting this sort of church in Memphis is especially important. Here’s a video sharing why… plus, see some shots of what our community and our worship look like!
Other Questions?
Contact us to ask! We look forward to worshiping the Lord together on Maundy Thursday!
