When: Thursday, April 9, anytime
Where: Your dinner table
Who: You, your family, “virtual guests”(friends and family on video conferencing or telephone).
What do I need: Time, space, a meal to eat; no specific food required, but it’s nice to include a shared item, like a loaf of bread.
What is an Agape Meal?
Agape is the Greek word to describe the deepest kind of spiritual love. An Agape Meal is a “Love Feast” that encourages harmony, community, and goodwill. The practice originated in gatherings of early Christians, and was often followed by the Lord’s Supper. The feasts lost popularity around the 6th century, but were resuscitated in the early 18th century by the Moravians, Brethrens, and Methodists.
An Agape meal does not replace the holy sacrament of communion, but it serves as a special meal to be held during times when gathering for traditional communion is not possible, like the circumstances we find ourselves in today.
Customarily, an Agape feast would include all of us around tables participating in singing hymns of faith, confessing our sins, foot washing, hearing the word of God and offering prayers. Today’s offered liturgy is, therefore, condensed. The most important direction is to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence that connects us all to each other and to our Father in heaven, giving thanks for this special meal and the time to enjoy it.
Tonight’s meal has even more significance because it is Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, the day we remember Jesus’ last supper with the apostles. It’s the night when they gathered in the upper room, shared the bread of life and cup of salvation, and Christ foretold of his betrayal before they headed to the garden of Gethsemane. As we follow this liturgy, let us remember the Passion of our Lord together.
AGAPE MEAL LITURGY
Opening Prayer (may be recited, or sung to the tune of the Doxology “Old Hundredth”)
Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
Thy creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with Thee.
Read the following scripture:
John 6:25-35 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Pass bread, or another shared item (if available).
Begin to eat your meal while you discuss the following question; what do you feast on when you feel spiritually hungry?
Prayer:
Jesus, you are the bread of life. When our souls feel empty, you fill us up. You call us together to this table and ask us to believe in your Good News; you are the Christ who will suffer for us, die for us, and be risen for us. Amen.
Read the following scripture:
John 13:1-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Continue to eat and discuss the following questions; Jesus humbled himself and washed his apostles’ feet. Name similar examples of this act you’ve witnessed our world today. How do you identify with Jesus in this story? How do you identify with the apostles in this story?
Prayer:
You are a humble and gracious Savior. We ask for the insight and strength to lift up the lowly and serve those in need. Holy Spirit, show us how to accomplish this and give us the wisdom to pursue your will. Amen.
Read the following scripture:
Matthew 26:26-30 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
We have just heard the story of the Last Supper and Christ’s Words of Institution. Take a moment for silent reflection and prayer.
As you continue to eat, discuss the following question; what images and feelings do the words of Jesus evoke when he says, “Take, eat, this is my body,” and, ”Drink from it...for this is the blood of my covenant?” Share special memories of partaking in the sacrament of communion.
Prayer:
Christ, you gave us the gift of your body and your blood. What can we give you? As we continue to follow your journey to the cross, help us grow in faith and love. Amen.
Read the following scripture:
John 3:16-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Continue to eat and discuss the following question; where have you seen agape love displayed in the last days, weeks, and months?
Prayer:
Loving Lord, you demonstrated the true meaning of agape by sending your Son and your Spirit to us. Even as we are isolated from our families, friends, and neighbors, bind us together with your perfect love. Show us how to stay connected to our brothers and sisters of faith and help us discover creative ways to serve you in this unprecedented time. Amen.
As you finish your meal, end with this guided prayer of God’s people. Prayers may be shared aloud or silently.
Lord, hear the prayers of your people.
For those feeling isolated, depressed or anxious
For those without shelter and supplies
For all the sick the suffering
For our healthcare workers and first responders
For those struggling to make ends meet
For our leaders and decision makers
For our church and faith family
For our loved ones
For all other prayers on our hearts
(End with the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
Forever and ever. Amen.