Marysville church re-creates Last Supper to celebrate Easter

MARYSVILLE — Easter Sunday means a holy party at Marysville Church of the Nazarene.

The day includes three services that are well attended, pastor Craig Laughlin said.

“It’s the biggest celebration in the Christian church.” he said. “It is our highest, holiest day.”

For Christians, Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the biggest celebration of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter that includes several other days recognized as having meaning.

Holy Week began with Palm Sunday, a day that marks Jesus’ arrival by donkey into Jerusalem. Holy Thursday, also called Maundy Thursday, recognizes the Last Supper, a meal Jesus had with his 12 disciples. The following day, Good Friday, is the day Jesus was crucified and died.

Members of the Marysville Church of the Nazarene recognized Holy Week by giving a dramatic presentation to commemorate the Last Supper. Performances were given on Thursday and Friday at the church, 8240 64th St. NE.

During the presentation, each disciple reflected on their encounters with Jesus, said Laughlin, 52.

“It’s a different way of telling the story,” he said.

During the Last Supper, Jesus gathered his disciples in a room with him to share the meal and institute communion, Laughlin said. He announced one of them would betray him and went out to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. That night, Jesus was betrayed by a disciple, named Judas, and arrested.

“He is crucified on Friday morning and the conclusion of that is that he dies making provision for taking, if you will, the penalty of our sins,” Laughlin said. “It’s why we call it Good Friday. He took what should have been ours.”

On Sunday morning, the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty. Christians believe he was raised to life again, Laughlin said.

“Our sins are forgiven on Friday and we are risen to eternal life and celebrate it on Sunday morning,” he said.

Church member Barry Kinyon, 60, directed and wrote the script for the presentation, which included a staged crucifixion as the conclusion. It was important to him and other church members that the script follow the words of the Bible, he said. The presentation was also a gift to the community.

“I think it’s important to tell them we love them and that God loves them and what better way to present a gift like a play?” Kinyon said. “My prayer is it will inspire them on Sunday to come hear the rest of the story.”

Being part of the presentation for Bob Stocks, 53, meant portraying himself as one of the disciples.

“Put yourself in the disciples’ shoes, put yourself in Jesus’ shoes and live like him, talk like him and be like him,” he said. “For most of us Christians, that’s what we’re supposed to do.”

Church member Mike Craig, 63, felt called to be part of the presentation. Easter is his favorite holiday, he said.

“It connects me not only with this congregation but with congregations all around the world,” Craig said. “I know that we’re all celebrating on that day … as the old hymn said, the church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ.”

Kinyon’s daughter, Celia Pawlak, 34, was the stage manager for the presentation. She is also looking forward to celebrating on Easter Day.

“It’s a time when I get to be very publicly excited about what Jesus gave to me,” Pawlak said.

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.

Celebrate Easter

Marysville Church of the Nazarene plans to kick off Easter celebrations at the church with an egg hunt today from 10 a.m. to noon. Easter services are scheduled Sunday at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. The church is located at 8240 64th St. NE.