The week leading up to Easter is a busy and important one in the Christian faith. You can be a part of the action in a unique way at Ruhl's Church.

The church, located at 4810 Elizabethtown Road, Manheim, invites the public to a Living Last Supper Service on Holy Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m.

Men from the church and community will take part as the scene of Jesus and His disciples eating their final Passover meal together is portrayed, explained Diane Rimert, event organizer and director. The Revs. Blaine Wenger and Richard Rimert will read the script, which is based on Mark 14:12-26.

"At this service, a biography of each disciple is read as they enter the room to join Jesus at the Last Supper scene," Diane said. "Each reading shares their individual relationship with Jesus." Jesus will be portrayed by Brendon Shenk, a member of Leacock Presbyterian Church. 

The men will then share the elements of Communion in the form of bread and juice before serving it to attendees. Gluten-free bread will also be available.

"Come hear about each disciple and their call to ministry with Christ," Diane said. "Come see as they share their meal together. Come taste the bread and the wine - grape juice - as they did on the very special night."

The goal of the Living Last Supper is to make a key part of the Easter story real to attendees, she shared, noting she hopes the event prompts people to ponder, "What's your life like with Christ?"

"This is a return service that was held over 25 years ago at Ruhl's Church," Diane said, adding that her husband held the service at Conestoga United Methodist Church prior to the pandemic and again in 2022. The idea for the service was introduced at Ruhl's Church by a former pastor.

Diane said holding a Living Last Supper Service highlights the solemnity and gravity of Holy Thursday.

"This is the time we, as Christians in the church, reflect on Jesus' last week before His crucifixion and resurrection," she said. "At the end of each disciple's reading they ask, 'Is it I?' Jesus knows who will hand him over to the Roman soldiers, but they fear or hope it is not one of them. When you hear their stories and relationship with Jesus, it gets us thinking, 'Do I betray Jesus today in the way I conduct my life as a believer in Him?'"

She added that the service ends in a reflective manner to lead into the Good Friday service and the rejoicing of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Ruhl's Church will hold Palm Sunday services on Sunday, April 13, at 8 and 10:30 a.m. An annual community Easter egg hunt will take place on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. While the egg hunt is open to children age 12 and under, everyone can come to watch and enjoy refreshments afterward. The Easter story will be read at the event.

A Good Friday service will take place on Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Easter services will be held on Sunday, April 20, beginning with a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast. Additional Easter services will be held at 8 and 10:30 a.m.

For more information, visit https://ruhlschurch.org.