BELLVILLE — The Living Last Supper will be presented on Maundy Thursday, April 2 at Bellville Methodist Church at 234 South Masonic St. in Bellville. There will be two performances, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., in the Methodist Activity Center (MAC) adjacent to the sanctuary.
The public is cordially invited to attend. Both performances are free, no tickets are required, just come and be a part of a solemn beginning to Easter weekend.
BMC first began present ing The Living Last Supper in 2008. Attendance continues to grow each time with attendees coming from not just the greater Bellville community, but Brenham, Colombus, Sealy, Industry, New Ulm and Hempstead. While Bellville Methodist Church has hosted the play every two years, the cast is made up of people of all faiths. It's a community-wide ecumenical presentation.
All these local actors profess their faith in Jesus Christ. They enjoy being a part of this powerful Holy Week performance that makes each of us in attendance ask the question 'Is it I?'
Twelve ordinary men. That's what writers have referred to as disciples over the years. Webster defines the word 'ordinary' as common quality, rank, usual. Synonyms for ordinary include 'garden variety, normal, standard, commonplace, run-of-the-mill and every day.' But these ordinary men were personally chosen by Christ, they were his closest friends. He knew all their faults long before He chose them. Not one of them was newsworthy; not one of them was a scholar or wellknown. He chose them and they followed him.
'The Last Supper' is one of the most well-known works of art of all times. Leonardo da Vinci painted “The Last Supper' between approximately 1495 and 1498. This mural painting depicts Christ and his twelve disciples in the upper room on the fateful night of his betrayal, arrest and eventu- al crucifixion. In the painting, Jesus is seated in the center of the long table, surrounded by the twelve disciples. Also in attendance is a servant woman. In the live presentation, Moses also has a role outside the participants at the evening meal. Bellville St. John Lutheran Church Pastor Jay Grave portrays Moses.
The famous portrait comes to life as Jesus breaks bread, blesses it and serves the wine. Nothing unusual about that. But then Jesus surprises his followers and friends by stating that one of them will betray him before the night is gone. … What? How can this be?
The month of March is a busy one for these men of faith as they familiarize themselves with their character, learning their parts and practicing their monologues. Costumes have been handed out, and evening practices are scheduled. There will be a host of volunteers assisting with stage set-up, decorations, lighting, music, sound and video, make-up and dress rehearsals all in advance of the two performances on Thursday evening, April 2.
Immediately following each of the performances, you are invited to partake of Holy Communion.
It’s an open table and all are welcome. Please join them at 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. BMC Pastor John Reasoner, will welcome the audience prior to lights dimming and the performance beginning. Trust me, you don't want to be late!
