Children of all ages often feel left out on "Communion Sabbath." Not only is the symbolism above their heads, but the ritual seems strange—even rigid. And adults are often at a loss to know what to do with the children; will they be welcome at the foot washing? Are they allowed to take part?
Seventh-day Adventists practice open communion—adults don’t have to be a member to take part. So why should children be required to wait until baptism? But they should understand what is happening and sincerely desire to follow Jesus.
You can help children experience, understand, and value communion through "A Visit to the Upper Room." This program can easily be staged at your church. All it takes is someone willing to organize the program and send out the invitations.
Who attends?
Children of school-age, especially those who have participated in communion before, and children preparing for baptism are the primary audience for The Upper Room. You may also want to invite their families. This could also be an opportunity to strengthen the commitment of adults, although the program is geared to the kids.
You will need enough adult helpers/presenters for one to every five or six kids. Also invite the pastor or head elder to offer the blessing over the emblems. This could be an opportunity for the pastor to get closer to the kids of the church. And, yes, it’s OK to celebrate communion with an elder leading out.
Where do you meet?
In an upstairs room at the church—if you have one—or any inviting classroom at the church. Prepare the room in a friendly arrangement, providing a place to sit—maybe on the carpet, and a corner for the table that dispenses water, towels, and bowls for the foot washing.
When to celebrate the "Upper Room?
Sabbath vespers, prayer meeting, or during the 11 o’clock hour are possible times. Winter or fall seasons, when the sun sets early on Fridays, will possibly be most convenient for a Friday evening service. In summer, the service may be a great way to end the Sabbath.
Planning Strategies
Form a support group to plan the program, preferably two or more couples.
Invite a pastor and/or elder to meet at least once with your support group.
Explain the objectives of the upper room, and invite their suggestions and cooperation.
Decide on the target audience.
Option 1: Baptized elementary school age children.
Option 2: All fourth through eighth graders with their families or sponsoring adults.
Preparation
Ahead of time— Decide on the order of program and assign the presentations to various speakers. See the program outline. List the equipment needed and assign to helpers. Mail invitations; write bulletin announcements.
The day before—Prepare the room, bake the bread.
An hour before—Arrive early, put out the water, bread, wine.
Create Ambiance
Set up the room with reminders of things from Jesus’ time. Provide a place at the door where people remove their shoes. Leave a pair of leather sandals there to set the A.D. 34 scene.
*Have adult helpers dress in costume of Bible times.
*Display a basket each of bread and grapes.
*Play soft background music as people enter.
Initiating this service was one of the last acts of ministry that Jesus performed before He died, so make the service meaningful for everyone. He planned the service to symbolize His life and death and instruct us to do this "to remember Me."
Program objectives
As the result of this service, children will . . .
Know the meaning of the various symbols and the reason for taking part in the foot washing and the communion service.
Feel the joy of following Jesus’ instruction "this do in remembrance of Me."
Respond by determining to always prepare for communion service.
Plan Ahead
Here are some things to do ahead of time:
1. An area near the door where people may leave their shoes.
2. A table with bowls, towels, and water for foot washing.
3. A table set with the bread and wine.
4. Chairs in informal groupings or cushions on the floor.
Arrange for presenters to explain the Passover, foot washing, bread, wine, and disposal of the remaining emblems.
The Shopping List
Decoration: candles, matches, small table with white cloth, flowers, picture of Jesus, cross, baskets of bread and grapes, pitcher, cups.
Food: grape juice, unleavened bread (see recipe below)
Foot washing: basins, towels, buckets of water, ladles or pitchers.
Mood: stereo music, costumes, materials for building a fire outside.
Program Presentation
Welcome. A team of greeters welcomes people as they arrive, explain the custom of removing shoes, invite the people to do so, and help them find a place to sit. Enough greeters will be needed so that nobody stands at the door, wondering what to do.
Song Service. Suggested songs from He Is Our Song, "Come into His Presence," 2; "Clap Your Hands," 13; "God So Loved the World," 43; "Special Delivery," 41. Suggested songs from Sing for Joy, "Oh, How He Loves You and Me," 28; "All Nations of the Earth," 22; "God Is with Us," 104.
The Passover Explained. Presenter A invites people to imagine themselves in the year 34 A.D. The Passover reminded people of the night that Israel left Egypt—blood was sprinkled on the door posts so that the angel of death would pass over. People ate a lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. They were not to break any of the bones nor leave any until morning.
Scripture Reading. Mark 14:12-16. This reading may be done responsively or read while two disciples and a man carrying a water jar, all dressed in period costume, reenact the scene. At the conclusion of the scripture reading, Presenter A explains that the disciples were expecting a traditional Passover supper when they entered that upper room. But Jesus had planned something even more meaningful.
The Foot Washing
A. The custom explained. Talk about the custom of walking the dusty roads of Palestine in open sandals so that feet quickly become dirty. Before reclining on the couch to eat, people washed both their hands and their feet. A servant often performed this task. The washing of feet still holds great significance in Asia and Africa where people wear open sandals and walk dusty paths. Touching another person’s feet is a sign of humility. To wash somebody’s feet says that you do not consider yourself better than they.
B. Scripture Reading. John 13:3-10 (Read from the New International Version, or half-read, half-tell the story.)
C. Foot Washing. One of the presenters explains the procedure; everyone will follow for the foot washing. As far as possible, pair a child with an adult. Invite everyone to hum or sing along with the background music. Let the children take their own towels and bowls back. Request each group to finish with prayer.
D. Song. Sing "Seek Ye First" (Sing for Joy, 67).
E. Scripture. John 13:12-17, NIV. The reader may give a paraphrase instead of reading.
The Bread
A. The Symbol. Presenter B explains that the bread symbolizes the lamb that was slain for the Passover and for the temple service. After Jesus’ death it would become a symbol of His body which was broken for our salvation. The bread was to be unleavened. That means that no yeast was used to make the dough rise, forming little air bubbles. In the Old Testament, yeast represented sin, this special unleavened bread was to be without “sin.” In Jesus’ day people broke off a piece of bread. In churches today the bread is usually broken by the minister. After people take a piece they hold it until the pastor indicates that it is time to eat it.
B. Breaking the Bread. The minister and/or elder breaks the bread and blesses it before the helpers serve each participant. Or have the participants come forward and break off a piece for themselves while the minister holds the basket.
C. Eating the Bread. Read 1Cor. 11:23-24. Pastor begins to eat bread and participants also.
The Wine
A. The Symbols. Presenter C explains the grape juice as a symbol of the blood that was sprinkled on the door posts at the first Passover and later in the temple services. When Jesus died, grape juice became the symbol of His blood that paid the penalty for sin.
B. Taking the Grape Juice. Presenter C explains the procedure for receiving the juice, meditating on it until the signal is given to drink it. The pastor blesses the wine and stands at the front ready to serve it. He invites participants to come forward and take a cup that he pours for them (If the group is too large, have the wine already poured).
C. Scripture and Warning. Read 1 Cor. 11:25-26. The pastor (or Presenter C) explains Paul’s warning about taking the bread and the wine without being properly prepared (1 Cor. 11:27-29). Allow time to meditate on the meaning of the wine and Jesus’ death and our need to ask His forgiveness for sins.
D. Drinking the Wine. The pastor says, “Drink ye all of it” and begins to drink from his cup.
Disposing of the Leftover Emblems. Explain that in church we don’t usually see what happens to the leftover wine and bread. In accordance with the Passover custom, the remaining wine is poured out on the ground, and the bread is burned before they become stale, because Christ’s body did not decay in the tomb. In a safe place (take the group to the parking lot) pour out the wine and burn the bread. While the bread is burning, sing “Redeemed” (any version).
Close with a conversational prayer.
Optional Sharing Service. Presenter D explains that in the early Advent church it was common for people to share their joy in serving Jesus with one another. Invite participants to tell how much Jesus means to them. This is not a time for tearful confessions; those should be done in private. This time is for sharing the joy of loving and serving Jesus. The presenter sets the tone by telling something personal Jesus has done for him/her during the past week.
Appendix
Recipe for Unleavened Bread
2 cups whole wheat flour
½ tsp salt
7 tbsp oil (1/2 cup oil less 1 tbsp)
½ cup water
Whip oil and water in blender until mixture turns white. Immediately add mixture to flour and salt and knead for several minutes until dough is elastic and ready for rolling. Roll out a thin (3/16") even layer directly onto cookie sheet. Score into 3/4" squares and prick each square with fork or toothpick. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Do not overbake as when it becomes too brown it tastes bitter. (Yield: two cookie sheets full-approximately 400-500 pieces.) If communion bread is frozen, reheat for a few minutes at low temperature before using.
