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Collective Worship Resource


Easter - Sharing a special meal

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AGE: Secondary

THEME: Easter - Sharing a special meal

AIM:
To encourage pupils/students to be aware of one of the main events in Jesus' ministry, and what he was teaching.

INTRODUCTION / PREPARATION:
The worship is centred on a group of friends eating together. Set up a couple of tables as they are at lunchtime in your school. Seat the actors around the table, facing into the area where the other pupils are (like Leonardo's Last Supper).

The lead person, 'X', is not an obvious leader. You might choose someone who is, perhaps, a bit rebellious sometimes. There needn't be anything special about his appearance (c.f. Isaiah 53.1-3).
He can be called 'Jesus' if you wish.

The friends who are gathered can number up to 12, but don't worry if you can't find that many.
One person needs to be able to play the part of the disaffected individual - the 'Judas' role.

One person stands on the side and takes the role of 'commentator'.

Either let the group develop their own dialogue or, if you want the security of the script, don't worry if their parts are on the table in front of them.

Preparation will take a little time but the worship itself should last not more than 5-10 minutes.

N.B. The worship is not designed to be a comprehensive account of the Last Supper, which has many theological implications.

DEVELOPMENT:
Start with quiet reflective music.

'Judas' needs to be sitting at the end of the table, showing his lack of involvement.

All the others are talking quietly in small groups at the table. They can all have a plate in front of them. 'X' should have food - whatever can be shared e.g. sandwiches, biscuits, crisps, fruit and something to drink, with a couple of mugs.

COMMENTATOR:  It was a special meal. They'd all been together for about three years and were getting a lot of attention - not all of it friendly.
[Pause]
They all felt something was about to happen... to change what they were doing.

First group of three at the table:

A1:  Can you remember when that poor man who wasn't able to use his hands properly asked for help?
A2:  Yes. He (looking at 'X') just said 'stretch out your hand'.
A3:  And the man did! I just don't understand why those 'religious' people were so upset.

X:  (Seated, moves and everyone is silent, looking at him)
I want you to remember this. Forget everything else, but remember this:
The most important thing we do is love God. Show you love God in every way you can.

Second group of three (continuing their conversation):

B1:  We've really upset some of those religious people.
B2:  What, like when that poor beggar woman gave a penny and (looking at 'X') he said to them that she is giving more than they do?
B3:  Yes, and when they tried that trick with the coin and said 'Who is more important God or Caesar?'
'JUDAS':  (To his neighbours)
All this talk isn't enough; we've got to have real change - force their hands.

Third group of three:

C1:  I think what sticks with me most is that we shouldn't judge people.
C2:  Like when that girl who was married was caught having an affair and was dragged up to him (looking at 'X')...
C3:  And he said 'Anyone who hasn't done anything wrong, he can be the first to judge...'
C1:  And all he said to her was, 'Don't do that again'.
C2:  Yes, that really pulled me up.
X:  (Seated, motions and all the others are silent)
The other thing to remember, most of all... is this:
Love each other as much as you love yourself.
Get this message across and we'll really make a change:
Love God, as much as you can, and love each other... everyone... as much as yourself.

'Judas', sitting slightly apart from the others, puts his head in his hands on the table then looks up, pauses, shakes his head, looks at his watch, gets up and goes to 'X' (perhaps putting his hand on his shoulder).

JUDAS:  Sorry... (pause) ... I can't stay. I've got to go and see someone.

Judas leaves.

X:  (looking after Judas as he leaves) Come on, it's time we ate.

X looks at the food in front of him, pauses, and speaks as he passes the food around.

X:  Share this with me.
Eat with me.
Every time you eat from now on think of me...
Be me from now on...

X takes the drink, pours it into the two mugs, pauses, and speaks as he passes the drink around.

X:  Drink this -
It's good!
Whenever you meet and have a drink from now on, think of me.
Let my food and my drink change you
... so that you can be like me.

Fade in music. The group can stay sitting 'silently' talking to one another.

ENDING: Allow a short time for silence whilst the music is played. If you sing hymns, an appropriate choice is 'The Servant Song':

'Brother, Sister, let me serve you' No 73, Hymns Old and New, pub Kevin Mayhew, ISBN 0-862-09805-X

A small group could sing it - or a brave soloist!


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Copyright © Culham Institute 2000-2012