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A Christian Passover Ceremony

Section II

Sequence of Events

Although Passover services may vary depending on the COG association conducting them, for the most part they are quite similar. This is because the gospels provide a very detailed account of the Messiah's last day on earth. In a very real sense the Passover kept by God's people today is a reenactment of what took place during the Messiah's final hours with His disciples. With that said, what follows is a brief description of the various components of this ceremony in the order they occur.

  • Commencement (Prelude):
  • In accordance with the scriptures as well the historical record, the service should begin precisely at sunset (Lev. 23:5, Lk. 22:14). At that time all the participants should be seated. Because of the nature of the service it is not an appropriate time for the typical fellowship normally engaged in on a Sabbath or Holy Day. In truth, the room should be very quiet, even before the ceremony begins. This is because the Passover is actually a memorial service honoring a sacrifice that required unimaginable brutality and suffering inflicted on our Savior. Furthermore, it was done on our behalf. Everything in the scriptures portrays this service as a very sobering event requiring thoughtful reflection. Our suggestion is that participants comport themselves the way they would if they were actually invited to share the Messiah's final hours of agony with Him, because that is precisely what is taking place.

    Note:

    In the audio message provided with this material the service commences with a song entitled "Passover Me." It was composed and performed by Mr. Randy Vild and was included because of its rich meaning and emotion. Furthermore, this particular selection leaves no doubt that the ceremony has begun. With that said, some may prefer to forgo this component and start the service with a more conventional introduction (see below).

    Opening Prayer

    Additionally, unlike traditional Sabbath and Holy Day services that open with prayer, it has been a longstanding tradition of the church to forgo this practice on the Passover. This is because the only prayers identified in the scriptures regarding this service are offered in conjunction with the unleavened bread and later with the wine. However, we believe those wishing to have an opening and closing prayer in their service may confidently do so without any risk of compromising the scriptures. Clearly God's people today are reflecting back on Christ's sacrifice for which prayers of thanksgiving are most appropriate. With that said, the audio service included in this material contains neither an opening or closing prayer.

  • Introduction:
  • At the beginning of services the host may wish to make some general comments such as observations about the state of the world/nation and how it relates to the Passover. The point is to introduce participants to the importance of what they are about to be a part of.

  • Introduction:
  • At the beginning of services the host may wish to make some general comments such as observations about the state of the world/nation and how it relates to the Passover. The point is to introduce participants to the importance of what they are about to be a part of.

  • Establishing a Biblical Context:
  • After the introduction, the host presents the Passover in light of the Biblical record. Reading from the scriptures he presents God's instructions concerning the importance of this service and the consequences for partaking of it improperly (I Cor. 11:23-30). At this point it is interesting to note that this is the only convocation that requires those unable to attend because of illness or travel, to partake of it the following month (Num.9:9-13). That alone sets it apart as totally unique.

  • Foot Washing:
  • Although the apostle Paul never mentions foot washing when addressing Jesus' last Passover, the gospel of John does. Furthermore it goes into considerable detail when describing this act and its significance. For this reason the church has included it in the formal ceremony. It is at this time that the host presiding over the service reads the account of Jesus washing the disciples feet and why this act is so important in our relationship with Him (Jn.13:1-17). He (the host) may also read other verses relating to humility and service. At the conclusion of the reading he will instructs the participants to go to their respective areas to reenact what Jesus did.

    Note:

    It has been the custom of the church for men and women to participate separately in the foot washing portion of the service. This is done to ensure appropriate modesty. With that said, every effort should be made to accommodate this custom. It should even be a consideration when selecting a location for the service. This is not to suggest that a single room could not be used. However, if such is the case the men and women should be separated as much as is reasonable. Some may even wish to have the women go first followed by the men.

    Pre-recorded Services

    For those choosing to use the audio service provided with this material, you will need to pause the tape at certain points during the ceremony. For the foot washing portion it should be paused when you hear the speaker say,

    "At this point in accordance with our Savior’s personal example as well as His instructions to us, we will participate in the foot washing portion of the service."

    At this point participants will be directed to go to their designated areas in an orderly fashion. Once everyone has performed this part of the ceremony they will return to the main room and the service will resume. For those using the audio service provided with this material it is now time to un- pause the tape.

  • Partaking of Unleavened Bread:
  • At this time the host presiding over the ceremony explains that on the night He was betrayed, Jesus instituted new symbols to be partaken of every year. The first of these symbols is unleavened bread which pictures Christ's broken body. Several scriptures may be read pertaining to this-- not the least of which is Isaiah 53. After the readings, the host will uncover the bread and ask a blessing over it just as the Messiah did nearly 2000 years ago. After the prayer he will break the bread. As the sound of the bread being broken softly moves through the room, the image it conveys is inescapable. The broken bread is then passed out to the participants. Any bread that is not used is returned to the head table and re-covered. It will be disposed of after the service.

    Pausing the Tape

    For those choosing to use the audio service provided with this material, you will need to pause the tape upon hearing the speaker say:

    "Brethren, in accordance with Jesus’ example as well as His instructions to us we will now partake of His body."

    At this point the bread, which has now been broken is passed on a tray or plate to the participants. Then, when the unused bread is is retrieved it should be placed at the head table and covered. Once this is done the host should restart the tape.

  • Partaking of the wine:
  • The second symbol introduced by Jesus was the wine. According to the Messiah, the wine pictures the blood He would shed for the remission of sin (Mt. 26:27-28). After reading the appropriate scriptures, the host presiding over the service will remove the napkin covering the thimbles of wine. He will then offer a prayer of thanksgiving in accordance with the example given by Jesus. After the prayer the tray of wine will be passed to the participants. The empty thimbles will then be retrieved and covered.

    Any wine leftover will be disposed of after the service.

    Pausing the Tape

    For those choosing to use the audio service provided with this material, you will need to pause the tape upon hearing the speaker say:

    "In accordance with Jesus’ example as well as his instructions to us, we will now partake of the wine."

    Then, when the unused wine is retrieved it should be placed at the head table and covered. Once this is done the host should restart the tape.

  • Jesus' Final Instructions:
  • The service then transitions to Jesus' "Farewell Discourse" in the upper room (Jn.14). It then continues as He walks with His disciples toward the Garden of Gethsemanae (Jn. 15 & 16). There, He offers up an intercessory prayer to His Father (Jn. 17). When listening to this part of the service, participants should be mindful that the words being read were uttered by a man who was acutely aware that His torturous death was immanent. Despite this fact, He remained totally focused and determined to finish the work He was given (Jn. 17:4).

  • Conclusion and Dismissal:
  • In accordance with the example set by Jesus on His last Passover most COG groups conclude services with a hymn. Traditionally, the hymn sung is from the 51st Psalm and is entitled "In Thy Loving Kindness Lord." What follows are the words to this song.

    In Thy Loving Kindness Lord

    Psalm 51

    In thy loving kindness Lord, be merciful to me;
    In compassion great blot out all iniquity.
    Wash me thoroughly from sin, from all guilt cleanse Thou me;
    For transgressions I confess; sins I ever see.

    'Gainst Thee only have I sinned, done evil in Thy sight,
    That Thou speaking may be just, and in judging right.
    My iniquities blot out, my sin hide from Thy view,
    And in me a clean heart make, spirit right renew.

    From Thy gracious presence, Lord, O cast me not away,
    And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me I pray.
    Joy which Thy salvation brings again to me restore;
    With Thy Spirit free do Thou keep me evermore.

    Sacrifice dost thou not want, else would I give it Thee,
    And with offering shalt Thou not delighted be.
    For a broken spirit is to God a sacrifice,
    And a broken, contrite heart, Thou wilt not despise.

    Because some scholars believe that the song traditionally sung at the time of the Passover was the “Hallel” recorded in Psalms 114-118, some congregations sing "When Israel out of Egypt went."

    When Israel out of Egypt Went

    Psalm 114-118

    When Isr'el out of Egypt went, and did his dwelling change,When Jacob's house went out from those that were of language strange,

    God Judah made to be his own, and Isr'el His domain.
    The sea it saw, and quickly fled, Jordan was driven back.

    Like rams the mountains, and like lambs the hills skipped to and fro.

    O sea, why turnest thou? Jordan, back why wast thou driven so?

    Ye mountains great, wherefore was it that ye did skip like rams?

    And wherefore was it, little hills, that ye did leap like lambs?

    O at the presence of the Lord, earth, trembled so for fear, While as the presence of the God of Jacob doth appear: Who from the hard and stony rock did pools of water bring; And by his pow'r he turned the flint into a water-spring.

    Special Note

    In keeping with the spirit of the Passover concluding with a song, some fellowships have presented "Special Music" in lieu of a congregational hymn. The audio ceremony included in this material adopted this approach. It was done because of the extraordinary drama the particular song contained. It is entitled "Who Has Believed?" It is from Isaiah 53 and is an emotional expression of Christ's sacrifice.

    Section III

    The Service