March 18, 2026
I think I have mentioned this before, but one of my favorite services of Holy Week is our Maundy Thursday service. On Maundy Thursday (April 2) we remember the last supper, Jesus’ betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest and trial, and the corporal punishment (torture, really) that came before He was ultimately crucified the next day (what most churches now refer to as Good Friday). On Maundy Thursday worship is different from any of our other services here at Salem. The church is dim and quiet, and no music is played preservice. This is not a service for celebration, but for remembrance. The Communion table sits up front with the prelit Christ candle (from Advent) center stage. The other furniture and windowsills, still covered with Sunday’s now wilting palm branches, are draped in black, and the purple candles have been replaced with black. The music is chosen specifically to enhance an atmosphere that inspires quiet reverence, sorrow, even foreboding – and envelopes worshipers from the moment they enter the sanctuary to the final please exit in silence slide on the screens. It is somber on purpose – melancholy and poignant and thankful. Titles like Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, and O Mighty Cross recall the horrible death He died, and the torture and abuse that came before it. Minor keys, chords that clash and don’t resolve, slower tempos and volumes that rise and fall with the lyrics connect the musical with the physical atmosphere to prepare our hearts for the message the entire service will convey. Remembrance is the theme of Maundy Thursday. Jesus said during the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” and you will hear that phrase repeatedly in song, in Scripture, and during our participation in Communion.
Remembrance is also the name of the song the choir will be teaching the congregation during worship this Sunday. Written by Chris Davenport and Benjamin William Hastings (What a Beautiful Name, Shout to the Lord, Oceans, So Will I) and performed by Brooke Ligertwood and TAYA (see the YouTube link below), this song seems like it was written for our Maundy Thursday service. It reminds us of the symbolism of the bread (His body) and the juice (His blood) that were given for our salvation and rejoices in Christ’s sacrifice and the privilege it is to bear His Name and to have His Spirit within us, transforming us into His likeness for God’s glory.
Hallelujah! I’ll live my life in remembrance. Hallelujah! Your promise I won’t forget
If ever I should lose my way, if ever I deny Your grace, remind me of the price You paid
Hallelujah! I’ll live in remembrance
I hope you will be in worship this Sunday to sing this song with us. It is powerful!
Careen
Worship Songs for March 22:
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You – Go Fish Guys – https://youtu.be/wv7T0pDN5Ng?si=mH3S5wzugVKlFPtl
In Christ Alone – Keith & Kristyn Getty – https://youtu.be/hpe110ZiUik?si=Vgpz_7vieuiePjNf
Made for More – Josh Baldwin/Jenn Johnson – https://youtu.be/Ov9Ls4npIrc?si=SLSZRNf9hqhwwPUr
Remembrance (Acoustic Version) – Hillsong Worship – https://youtu.be/EDtT3UMHYBg?si=75RfJ4n42UY4qlc8