During the Maundy Thursday liturgy, we celebrate Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples before his betrayal and crucifixion. Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum and refers to the new commandment that Jesus gave his disciples to love one another. There are two special focal points for this service, the foot washing and the institution of the Eucharist. After the sermon, those who wish to participate are invited to come forward to have their feet washed and to wash one other person's feet. We do this to commemorate Jesus' symbolic action of washing his disciple’s feet in anticipation of his death. He tells them "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." As we celebrate the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, we become aware that we carry on the tradition that Jesus himself instituted on the night before his death. The Holy Eucharist is at the very heart of our life in Christian community. After the Eucharist, we strip the altar in preparation for the starkness of Good Friday. This reminds us that Jesus' body was stripped before he was crucified. A member of the choir will chant Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?" while this is being done. We depart in silence and deep contemplation. Note: The church will remain open for prayer for one hour after the service has concluded.