Maundy Thursday with Hosanna!

Maundy Thursday is an intimate time that is hard to celebrate together during a pandemic. Instead of gathering for worship together, we’re inviting you to hold your own Passover Seder Meal on Maundy Thursday, April 1.

The Seder Meal is a traditional Jewish meal that is not so much about eating as it is about recalling God’s saving work in the past and the present with prayer, storytelling, and food. Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, was arrested, and was killed during the Passover, mirroring the Passover story. How we understand Jesus' Passion is greatly informed by Passover.

To celebrate this meal, we invite you to do the following (detailed below):

Read about the Seder Meal and how it connects to Jesus' Passion.
Gather the materials necessary for a Seder Meal.
Follow a Seder Meal guidebook to lead you through the meal.

Although traditionally done with family and neighbors, a Seder Meal can also be held
on your own (especially during a pandemic).

Not up for a Seder Meal? See below . . .

1) Learn about the Seder Meal and it's connection to Jesus:

You may pick up one of these pamphlets at in-person worship, from the tub in front of the church building doors, or download one below to print on your own.

Download Now (PDF).

SONGS - Sing along with these songs recorded with Hosanna! at the end of the meal . . .

2) Gather the necessary foods:

For a traditional Seder Meal, you'll need the following ingredients:

Matzah (unleavened bread) to remind us how quickly the Israelites had to prepare for freedom.
Karpas (parsley or vegetable) to represent spring.
Maror (horseradish) and Chazeret (romaine lettuce) to remind us of the bitterness of slavery.
Haroset (an apple, wine and nut mixture) to remind us of the hard work the Israelites did in Egypt.
A shankbone to remind us of the Passover meal the Israelites ate before they left Egypt.
A roasted or hardboiled egg to represent new beginnings.
A cup of wine (or grape juice) to remind us of God's redemption

Kits available are outside the front doors of the building for pickup with these ingredients:

Matzah + Fresh Parsley + Horseradish + Romain Lettuce + Haroset Mixture + A Lamb Bone

3) Follow a Haggadah (a Seder Meal guidebook):

The two Haggadot booklets below may be picked up at in-person worship or from the tub in front of the church building doors.

10-Minute Seder

This simple yet informative Seder meal covers the basics. It's a great way to go if you've never been to a seder meal before. Everyone in the family can join.

Pick up a copy at Hosanna! or
DOWNLOAD IT HERE

30-Minute Seder

This guidebook is a LOT more involved, but a lot closer to a full Seder Meal. Follow this guide if you'd like to go a lot deeper. This guide is copyrighted, so we can't publish it online.

Pick up a copy at Hosanna! or

E-MAIL PASTOR MIKE FOR A DIGITAL COPY.

Video-led Seder

This 15-minute video-led guide is a great option if you'd like to be lead through the entire Seder meal. It's especially geared toward kids, but accessible to everyone.

You have the option to use this with the
PJ Library Family Haggadot.

JOIN THE VIDEOS ONLINE HERE.

A note about religious tradition... This meal is a part of our shared history with our Jewish sisters and brothers. However, we do not wish to appropriate and twist the religious traditions of others. Rather than blending our own meaning and prayers into this tradition, the Haggadot (seder meal guidebooks) we share are written by Jews. As it is for Jews, this meal be a way for us to better know our God who is a God of promise, love, and liberation not just in the New Testament, but throughout the entire Bible.

Alternative to a Seder Meal

If you're not up for a Seder Meal as described above, but still want to spend quality time with God this Maundy Thursday, join this 15-minute service of scripture, prayer and song.

Maundy Alternative

Maundy Thursday with Hosanna!​