My worship class celebrated the entire Three-Day Feast of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and The Easter Vigil all in one day this past Saturday. It was a wonderful exploration of the possibilities embedded within this holy celebration. Creativity reigned as each small group presented their portion of the celebration. My own group had the responsibility for the final portion of the Easter Vigil, including a baptismal remembrance and celebration of the Lord's supper. Check out the photo (taken by Mary Stoneback, one of my classmates). The last supper icon belongs to my friend Ethan Hulme and we hauled it into this building (the oldest Lutheran church in MN). Lit only by candlelight, the gold foil painting absolutely glowed. I have to say, it was pretty cool.
In order to highlight the celebratory nature of this final Eucharist, our group decided to use intentionally sweet bread and wine. Coming from the bitter & sour and into the sweet seemed the perfect movement from death into life.We served a nicely sticky cinnamon bread baked by local St. Paul bakery "A Toast to Bread." Believe it or not, we found it at Tim & Tom's Speed Market, just across the street from Luther Seminary.
The wine was a locally-grown Chambucier from Falconer Vineyards in Red Wing Minnesota. Here's a photo of me and Ethan meeting the winemakers, John & Anne Falconer.
Perhaps one of the best highlights from the worship service occurred just following the sending when there was a mad dash for the altar as everyone tried to grab another taste of bread and swallow of wine. That's a theological moment I can really sink my teeth into!
