Jesus Last Supper. Summary of Today s Story. Where You ll Find Today s Story

L e ss o n 2 6 Jesus’ Last Supper Summary of Today’s Story Jesus has his last meal with his disciples. He talks about being betrayed by one of them. T...
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L e ss o n 2 6 Jesus’ Last Supper Summary of Today’s Story Jesus has his last meal with his disciples. He talks about being betrayed by one of them. Then he shares the meal with them. While they eat, he passes to them some bread and wine, saying, “This is my body... This is my blood.”

Where You’ll Find Today’s Story In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Matthew 26:17-30

In Children’s Bibles If you plan to use a children’s Bible for storytelling, write the page numbers of today’s story in the space below.

In Our Sunday Lectionary Today’s story is told in church on the following days: Year A: Wednesday of Holy Week Year B: Wednesday of Holy Week Year C: Wednesday of Holy Week

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

2  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1

Weaving Our Story with the Biblical Story Jesus’ last supper is no ordinary meal. After he says the words that we now repeat every Sunday, he then says, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Jesus looked to the future. His supper anticipated the coming of the kingdom of God that God promised us. And Jesus used this event of the supper to establish a new covenant between God and humanity, which would come about through his death. He gives the bread and the wine to us as signs of this covenant—everyday objects become holy. And now, each Sunday, the sacrament of bread and wine is given for us to remember and to renew this covenant. We also have a share in the kingdom when we partake of this holy food and drink. That is what God promised us, and here Jesus offers it to us and shows us the way to that kingdom. The Interpreter’s Bible says, “[ Jesus] would suffer as the Son of man, as the representative of the new messianic community which it was his Father’s will to establish. His life, like that of the servant of God [in Isaiah] would be poured out for many, and by his stripes [we] would be healed.” And so God’s promise to us is fulfilled. The story of our salvation, which began with the disobedience and faithlessness of Adam and Eve, ends with the perfect obedience and faith of God’s own Son, who brings about our redemption and reconciliation with God. Our way to God is once again opened.

The Episcopal Thread The Holy Eucharist (Rite I, BCP, p. 333, or Rite II, BCP, p. 355) is one of the two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church and the one which we celebrate every Sunday as the principal service. The Catechism (BCP, pp. 859-860) describes this sacrament as the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving (p. 859), and since the 1979 Prayer Book, Episcopalians have celebrated the Eucharist every Sunday as commanded by Christ. Holy Eucharist is so important in the Episcopal Church that an entire section in The Hymnal 1982 (New York, NY: Church Publishing, 1985) is devoted to hymns extolling this sacrament (Hymns 300-347). During Holy Week, Maundy Thursday is the time that Christians, including Episcopalians, remember when Jesus institutes the Sacrament of his Body and Blood and commanded us to “eat…drink…in remembrance of me.” These “words of institution” are said in every Eucharistic Prayer. But on Maundy Thursday, this sacrament is specially recognized. And coming as it does before Good Friday, it is recognized as Jesus’ last supper before he is crucified. So on Maundy Thursday, the bread and wine given is the last communion offered before Easter. At the end of the service, the altar is stripped, every vestige of Christian symbolism is taken away and the people are deprived of their holy and basic food of Christ’s Body and Blood as they then recall the dark days of Christ’s trial and crucifixion. For Episcopalians for whom Eucharist bears such importance, this two-day deprivation feels like a great loss. But when Easter comes, Holy Eucharist returns and is greeted with great joy.

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

3  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1

Gathering As the children begin to enter the classroom, engage them in a simple activity that relates to today’s lesson. For younger children, you might make play dough available for free play. This would be especially appropriate if you plan to have children make a chalice and a paten (plate) during the activity period. As an alternative, provide pictures of the Last Supper for them to color. Or, if you have a make-believe box containing church or Eucharistrelated items—ideally, figures of Jesus and his disciples, along with the table, bread and wine—you might set out this box of items for the children to play with. Primary and elementary-aged children would enjoy a simple puzzle such as a word search or maze while settling into the class. (You’ll find ideas for creating puzzles on page 2 in the Appendix at the back of this document.) Also on page 8, you’ll find a Gathering Activity handout to use if you wish.

Telling the Story Read today’s story aloud from a children’s Bible, showing the pictures, or tell the story in your own words. Most of the children’s Bibles tell the story well, though some add scenes from other gospels like John (for example, Jesus washing the disciples’ feet). That’s okay. To enhance the story for younger children, you may use story aids such as stick puppets of the figures in the story, a miniature “Last Supper” scene or a flannel board. Other ideas can be found on pages 2-3 in the Appendix on the Website. If you wish, you may also tell this story at the altar in the church. After telling the story, proceed to Prayer, saving any discussion for later, while having snacks or doing an activity.

For the older intermediate children, you might offer a brief fellowship time, giving them a chance to catch up with each other on the past week’s happenings and build community. After all the children have arrived and had a few minutes of activity or fellowship time, gather them together and say a simple opening prayer. You may make one up yourself or say this prayer: ■■ God of love and mercy: We thank you for all the blessings which you have given us, especially the children gathered together here to learn about you (give the names of the children). We pray that you will send your Spirit on us as we learn about you, through the stories in the Bible, so that we can know more about you and the love that you have for us. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

4  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1

Prayer Set up a small worship center in your classroom.

Materials small table with a cloth to cover it 2 candles or a single large Christ candle matches Bible cross optional: flowers (real, fake or handmade by the children) Have the children set up a simple altar with the materials listed above. Invite them to place on the altar any drawings or crafts that they created during Gathering time. Then light the candles. Read one or two verses from today’s scripture to help the children connect the story that they just heard with the Bible. If working with older children, you might expand the reading to several verses. Suggestions for the reading: For younger children: Matthew 26:26 For older children: Matthew 26:26-29

Help familiarize the children with our liturgy by doing the reading as it is done in church. Read as follows: Reader: A reading from the Gospel of Matthew: (Read the selected passage.) Reader: The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself then invite prayers from each child in the circle: ■■ Invite prayers of thanks for God’s work in our lives during the past week. Encourage the children to offer thanks to God for friends, good food, family, school, help with math and any other signs of the presence of God. ■■ Welcome prayers of concern for anyone in any need or trouble. Children may pray for themselves, for friends and family or for people in the wider world. ■■ Ask if anyone has had a birthday or celebrated a special day during the past week and give thanks for these special times. ■■ End the prayer time by praying together the Lord’s Prayer. Put out the candles.

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

5  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1

Sharing For snacks, serve bread and grape juice or traditional Jewish matzos with juice. Pass out snacks and say a simple grace, such as this traditional Jewish prayer that Jesus probably said at his Last Supper: ■■ Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringeth forth bread from the earth. Amen. As you share snacks, begin talking about Jesus’ last meal. You may remind the children of the Passover meal that was a remembrance of the last supper of the Israelites before the Exodus, which brought freedom to the Israelite slaves. This was the last supper of Christ before his crucifixion and death, then resurrection, which brought freedom and new life to us. Some believe that Jesus’ last supper was this Passover meal and in this supper he became the Passover sacrificial lamb, saying “This is my body... This is my blood.” Ask the children to compare and contrast the two meals. You might also ask: ■■ How do you think Jesus felt at his last meal? ■■ How do you think his disciples felt?

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

6  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1

Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc.

Activities for This Week’s Session

After Sharing, begin an activity to supplement and enhance today’s story. While the children are doing an activity, talk about the story so that they make the connection. Suggested story-related activities are provided at the end of this lesson on pages 8-15. Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 3-6 in the Appendix where we’ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

7  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1

Memorization There is no memorization for this lesson.

Weaving Our Faith As the class draws to a close, help the children summarize the story and say what they learned today by asking questions such as: ■■ What was today’s story about? ■■ What did Jesus do? ■■ What do we do in church that is like that? Remind the children of these key themes and phrases: Last Supper, body and blood of Christ.

Closing Prayer Before the children leave, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God’s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: ■■ Dear God, we thank you for bringing us together today. We thank you for giving us your Son Jesus, and for his gift of the bread and wine that is his body and blood. Send us now back to our families to love them as you love us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. End the class with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: ■■ The peace of the Lord be always with you. The children respond: ■■ And also with you.

© 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

G at h e r i n g Acti v ity J e s u s’ L a st S u p p e r

Find the way through the maze and mark your path in pencil. After you reach the end, go back and write down the letters in your path, in the order they appear. You will discover what Jesus said at his last supper.

Jesus and the disciples go to the Upper Room, beginning here:

“__ __ __ __  __ __  __ __  __ __ __ __; __ __ __ __  __ __  __ __  __ __ __ __ __ .” 8  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  |  activity © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Fo o t p r i n ts a n d Fo o t W a s h i n g for Primary

Children imprint their feet on the cross and reenact Jesus’ example of washing feet.

Materials: large banner or butcher paper (not white), as wide as possible, about 8' long paint, the same color or different colors shallow pan large bowl of water old towels to wipe feet butcher paper or white construction paper to make a large paper cross newspaper or tarp to protect the floor glue marker

Preparation: Make a large cross that can fit onto the large banner or butcher paper. It can be cut from butcher paper or glued together from white construction paper and must accommodate all of the children’s footprints. Have all other materials ready, including the water for washing. Lay down the tarp or newspaper, with the paint supplies on top.

Directions: 1. Put the paint in a shallow pan that can accommodate a foot. 2. Have children take off their shoes and, one at a time, step into the paint, and then carefully make their footprints on the cross. Alternate left and right feet for the best effect. Or have the children put both feet into the paint, then walk across the cross. Use the same color paint, or use different colors for different children, as you prefer. 3. If possible, have an adult help each child wash his or her feet in the water and wipe with the towel. You will need to change the water often. 4. Let the paint on the cross dry. 5. Glue the cross onto the large banner or butcher paper. 6. Write a heading on the top, such as We should wash one another’s feet, or Love one another as I have loved you or We are servants of all. 9  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  | craft © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

L if e - S i z e L a st S u p p e r M u r a l for Primary, Elementary, Intermediate

Children serve as models for Jesus and his disciples and create a mural of the Last Supper.

Materials: butcher paper construction paper, white or assorted scissors markers or crayons glue picture of the Last Supper for reference, if possible

Directions: 1. Explain to the children that they’re going to make a big picture of the Last Supper, and that they will be the models for Jesus and his disciples. Show them a picture of the Last Supper, if available, so they can study it for the details. 2. Make a body picture of each child by outlining their bodies on the butcher paper. They may be able to do this for each other, or you may need to help. Because you need 12 disciple pictures, plus one picture for Jesus, you may need to outline some children twice. 3. Let the children color in the picture details (face, clothes, etc.). 4. Make the table out of the butcher paper. Use construction paper to make and cut out items on the table, including the bread and wine chalice. 5. Assemble the Last Supper picture on the wall. First, put up the disciples, with Jesus in the center, and then put the table in front of them. Glue the bread and chalice on the table.

10  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  | craft © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

H o ly H a r dw a r e : C l ay C h a lic e a n d Pat e n for Preschool, Primary, Elementary, Intermediate

Children fashion the objects used in Communion.

Materials: air-drying clay toothpicks, stylus or other tools for carving/decorating markers optional: decorative items or ornaments

Preparation: You may want to precede this craft time with a field trip to the sacristy, where the real holy hardware is kept. This will give the children an opportunity to observe up close the items they’ll be creating.

Directions: Give each child a lump of clay and invite them to fashion the items used in Communion. Help the younger children as needed: 1. You may wish to begin by defining terms. The paten is the plate that holds the communion bread, and the chalice holds the wine. 2. Have each child shape a paten and a chalice. Older children may want to decorate these items and make them fancy by carving designs or adding three-dimensional ornaments. 3. Let the clay dry, and then decorate with markers, if desired.

11  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  | craft © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

C l ay F is h P e n d a n ts for Elementary, Intermediate

Children fashion clay pendants that feature the well-known fish symbol and Greek lettering.

Materials: air-drying clay toothpicks, stylus or other tools for carving/decorating copies of Greek lettering and fish design (See illustration, below.) skewer or other sharp stick for poking a hole ribbon or string markers

Preparation: For each child, make one copy of the Greek lettering for Christ and also of the fish design.

Directions: Give a copy of the Greek lettering and the fish design, along with a small lump of clay, to each child. Invite them to make a pendant with a symbol that identifies followers of Jesus: 1. Instruct the children to flatten the clay into a pancake shape. 2. On one side of the clay, use a toothpick or carving tool to draw the fish design and write the Greek letters IXOYE. 3. Use a sharp stick to poke a hole at the top of the clay, and then let the clay dry. 4. Tie a ribbon or string through the hole to make a pendant. 5. If using Crayola Model Magic® clay, the pendant can be decorated with markers.

12  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  | craft © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

About the fish symbol: The fish is one of the earliest Christian symbols. The Greek letters IXOYE are pronounced “ictus” and mean “fish.” However, for Christians, these letters form an acrostic. Each Greek letter stands for the first letter of the Greek words meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. During the persecutions in the first few centuries, these letters and the fish symbol were used as a secret code for Christians to recognize one another and to mark the places where the worship services would be held. The meaning was known only to Christians. There’s a story about two strangers who met each other in the Holy Land. While talking, one drew a fish in the sand with his foot. The other one recognized it as the Christian symbol, and the two strangers then became no longer strangers, but friends in Christ. The acrostic for (“ich-tus” or fish): I-e-sous

Jesus

Christos

Christ

The-ou

God’s

Hy-ios

Son

So-tir

Savior

13  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  | craft continued © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

L a st S u p p e r D r a m ati z ati o n for Primary, Elementary

Children reenact the Last Supper.

Materials: long, low table (use the floor if you don’t have a table) unsliced bread (matzos are fine) chalice juice large bowl of warm water towel picture of the Last Supper (da Vinci’s works fine) children’s Bible (or other Bible) optional: cushions for sitting camcorder short script (paper and pencil or pen)

Directions: 1. Show the children the picture of the Last Supper. Explain that they’ll be acting out this scene. 2. Assign children to play the parts of the disciples. Either you, an adult helper or a child can play the part of Jesus. 3. Help the children make a plan of action, perhaps even coming up with a short script to help them remember what to do and say. 4. Set up the Upper Room with the long low table and cushions, if available. Place the bread and chalice with juice on the table, and the bowl of water and towel nearby. 5. Read the story of the Last Supper ( John 13:1–17). If possible, read from the children’s Bible, or tell the story in your own words. 6. Have the children dramatize the event, beginning with the entrance into the Upper Room and the washing of the disciples’ feet. 7. Tape this drama if you wish. You may decide to show it to other classes or to the rest of the church.

14  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  |  activity © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

T h e L a st S u p p e r I m a g i n e d for Intermediate

Children view various artistic renditions of the Last Supper, and then draw or write their ideas of what the original and present-day Last Supper would be like.

Materials: various pictures of the Last Supper paper, 2 pieces per child pencils or pens markers, crayons, colored pencils or paints

Preparation: You’ll need to find several pieces of art that depict the Last Supper. You may find some on the Internet. Michelangelo’s picture is the most well-known, but there are others that show a different interpretation of who was at the Last Supper and what it might have looked like. Look for Salvador Dali’s painting. There’s also a painting of the room filled with more than just the twelve disciples, and including women. There are also multicultural scenes.

Directions: 1. Show the different pictures of the Last Supper and discuss. What are the similarities or differences? Why do you think the artists painted their pictures as they did? What do you think they wanted to convey? Do you believe any picture is more accurate than the others? Who do you think was really there—just the Twelve, or others as well? 2. Give each child some paper and have them draw and/or write about their own ideas of Jesus’ last supper. When finished, compare pictures/writing and discuss. 3. Using another sheet of paper, have each child draw a second picture and/or write what he or she thinks Jesus’ last supper would be like if he lived today. Who would be there? What kind of food would they have? What would they talk about? What would be the same or different than the Last Supper in the Bible? 4. When finished, again compare and discuss.

15  |  Lesson 26  |  Jesus’ Last Supper  |  Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1  |  activity © 2010 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.