Methodist church presents celebration of The Last Supper

The First United Methodist Church in Carson City will present a special Maundy Thursday service featuring a reenactment of Da Vinci's painting of "The Last Supper." The unique Easter celebration will be at 7 p.m. on April 21.

A cast of 12 Apostles and Jesus in full costume will depict their personal relationships prior to Jesus' betrayal and death. The tableau will be narrated as the enactment is presented.

Maundy Thursday is the Christian feast or holy day that falls on Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, those who knew Jesus personally.

The last supper of Jesus and his Disciples is the last meal Jesus had with his Disciples prior to his arrest and crucifixion on a Roman cross 2000 years ago. It represents the communion with bread and wine that are symbols of remembrance for his sacrifice on behalf of humankind.

Shirley Garrett directs the presentation, which she says "is a gift of the season to the community." The audience will come to know the Disciples on a personal basis as they relate their experience with Jesus and how this has affected their lives. For example, the audience will learn who the "sons of Thunder" were and who was "The Friendly Fisherman" among the Disciples. Also, they will see the "villain of villains," Judas.

The Disciples will serve communion to the audience following the presentation, which will allow the audience to get caught up in the scene and the solemnity of the moment.

The public is invited to attend this Easter celebration of a Christian tradition that delivers the message of Jesus' love and his plea for us all to love one another.