The Living Last Supper will be presented on Maundy Thursday, March 28 at Bellville Methodist Church, 234 South Masonic St. There will be two performances, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Methodist Activity Center adjacent to the sanctuary.

The public is cordially invited to attend. Both performances are free, no tickets required, just come and be a part of a solemn beginning to Easter weekend.

Twelve ordinary men. That’s what writers have referred to the disciples as 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 well-known. 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” depicting Christ and his twelve disciples in the upper room. It is the fateful night of his betrayal, arrest and eventual 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. Moses also has a role outside the participants at the evening meal in The Living Last Supper.

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? But who can it be, they all ask.

This will be the tenth time the play is performed locally. While Bellville Methodist Church has hosted the play every year, the cast is made up of people of all faiths. It’s a community- wide ecumenical presentation. They attend the Titus Fellowship Church, Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist and Methodist churches. All of 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, “Is it I?”

None of the participants have taken any formal acting courses. They are ordinary people we probably all know. The cast of the play welcomes back three men who have participated in every presentation since it first performed in Bellville in 2008: Andy Couch, Glenn Huebner and Rick Mann. Andy will be Andrew; Glenn will be Matthew; and Rick plays the part of James, the elder brother of John. Each of these men have portrayed the same character every time. Also returning are Hunter Nelson, who portrays Jesus; Erik Haugen as John; Dean Nelson will be Judas, Kenneth Stein will be Thaddeus and Carrie Poffenberger returns as Hannah. Mike Newman returns after missing the last performance; he will portray Philip.

New to the cast this year are Josh Freeman who plays James the Lesser, Jimmy Brashear as Nathaniel, Reid Bader will be Peter, Jason Smalley as Simon the Zealot, Daniel Horne as Thomas and Jay Grave will portray Moses and serve as the Narrator. Coordinating the event this year is Jason Samford, Director of Family Ministries at BMC.

The month of March is a busy one for these performers 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 many volunteers assisting with stage set-up, decorations, lighting, sound and video, makeup and dress rehearsals all before the two performances on Thursday evening, March 28.

Immediately following each of the performances, there will be an open table Holy Communion for any who wish to partake.

Please plan to join us at either 5:30 or 7:30. Both performances in 2022 were well attended with no vacant seats, so plan to come early! Music will be provided by Bellville Community Church Choir. BMC Pastor John Reasoner will welcome the audience prior to lights dimming and the performance beginning.