Bulletin Date: March 28, 2013 4:00 am
Blessing of the Hands, Maundy Thursday, 2013
Large bowl and a pitcher of warm water, with some nice smelling liquid soap to add to the water as it is poured into the bowl
Some towels
A small bowl with oil
White table to put all of this on
Take a moment to look at your hands, and as you look at them, think about all of the things your hands do for you and for others. Hold up your hands now to God.
Let us pray and ask for a blessing.
Lord, you call us into covenant, and we call on your Name, and offer you our hands, our sacrifice of thanksgiving. With the help of these hands we will fulfill our vows to you, to love you and to love one another as you have loved us. Lord, bless all of these hands so that they may become like your hands and continue your work. In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who holds out his nail scarred hands to us in peace. Amen.
Now I’m going to wash and dry your hands and then anoint your hands with this oil. Holy Scripture tells us that prophets, priests and kings were anointed with oil, and this anointing was a sign that they had a special role or mission. And God has given to each one of us a special role or mission, work for our hands to do.
Please come forward.
(For each person) Blessed be these hands as they……….
When hand washing is over, close with this prayer.
Blessed be these hands. We hold in our hands the gifts of healing and caring and loving, and in our hands we hold the promise of peace. In our hands we hold life. Blessed be these hands for they are the work of your hands, O Lord.
Thanks be to God for holy hands.
Amen.