A Service of Shadows for Maundy Thursday
We will have a service of shadows for the Pilgrims before Easter if everything works out. This is just the first draft. We might sing or play music as well. It will all be in Ukrainian and the student leaders will read each of the parts and read the scripture verse if they are able to make it.
Martha – (Christina)
I am Martha, the sister of Mary. Mary was the one who had fun and laughed, and I was the serious one who got things done. Jesus looked serious when he asked his disciples to go with him to pray. And he looked even more serious when they returned several hours later. He was so upset that they couldn’t even stay awake and pray with him. I stayed awake. I prayed the whole time they were gone. I wish Jesus had asked me to go to the garden to pray with him, he would have at least have one person who could have stayed awake the entire time. (Yawn) I’m so tired, and there is so much work left to do for Jesus and his disciples.
I am Martha, the sister of Mary. Mary was the one who had fun and laughed, and I was the serious one who got things done. Jesus looked serious when he asked his disciples to go with him to pray. And he looked even more serious when they returned several hours later. He was so upset that they couldn’t even stay awake and pray with him. I stayed awake. I prayed the whole time they were gone. I wish Jesus had asked me to go to the garden to pray with him, he would have at least have one person who could have stayed awake the entire time. (Yawn) I’m so tired, and there is so much work left to do for Jesus and his disciples.
Reading Matthew 26:36-50
Judas Iscariot (Michael)
I am Judas. Jesus trusts me enough to let me keep the money for our group. I love Jesus, but sometimes I get so angry at him. He doesn’t understand money or finances. We have thousands of people who come to hear him speak, and we could monetize that. We could fund a movement. We could rally the people and build up an army to take out the Roman occupiers. Jesus just doesn’t get it – but I’m almost certain that if his hand was forced … if he was put in a terrible situation, that he would certainly see things my way and we could actually make something of ourselves.
I am Judas. Jesus trusts me enough to let me keep the money for our group. I love Jesus, but sometimes I get so angry at him. He doesn’t understand money or finances. We have thousands of people who come to hear him speak, and we could monetize that. We could fund a movement. We could rally the people and build up an army to take out the Roman occupiers. Jesus just doesn’t get it – but I’m almost certain that if his hand was forced … if he was put in a terrible situation, that he would certainly see things my way and we could actually make something of ourselves.
Reading Matthew 26:20-25
Peter (Volodya)
I am Peter. I have heard that Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus. I always knew that he was stealing money from us and that he was worthless. He disgusts me. How could he betray Jesus, our teacher – our Lord. I’ll tell you one thing. I will never betray Jesus. No. There is nothing that could make me betray Jesus.
I am Peter. I have heard that Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus. I always knew that he was stealing money from us and that he was worthless. He disgusts me. How could he betray Jesus, our teacher – our Lord. I’ll tell you one thing. I will never betray Jesus. No. There is nothing that could make me betray Jesus.
Reading Matthew 26:69-75
Mary Salome (Olya)
I am Mary known as Salome. When my brother first came with the news that his fiance was going to have a baby, we were all in shock. I was a young mother at the time, and at first I listened to all of the gossip about the girl Joseph would soon marry. But, I met Mary and I immediately knew that she was sent by God. With terrified eyes she told me the story of the angel visiting her, she sang to me the song that God put in her heart. Oh, she had all kinds of accusations against, her – but they were all false. And now they have arrested her son. I stood by Mary all those years ago, and I’ll stand by her tomorrow as well. My name means peace, and I wish it were true today – but my soul is troubled and my heart hurts. It is Mary who seems to have so much peace.
I am Mary known as Salome. When my brother first came with the news that his fiance was going to have a baby, we were all in shock. I was a young mother at the time, and at first I listened to all of the gossip about the girl Joseph would soon marry. But, I met Mary and I immediately knew that she was sent by God. With terrified eyes she told me the story of the angel visiting her, she sang to me the song that God put in her heart. Oh, she had all kinds of accusations against, her – but they were all false. And now they have arrested her son. I stood by Mary all those years ago, and I’ll stand by her tomorrow as well. My name means peace, and I wish it were true today – but my soul is troubled and my heart hurts. It is Mary who seems to have so much peace.
Reading Matthew 27:11-14, 20-29
Mary the Mother of Jesus (Tanya)
They’ve taken my son. I knew this day would come. When the angel first came to me, I was still a little girl really at that time, but even then I understood that I would live to this old age and I would watch them take my beloved son and kill him. The angel made that clear to me. Oh, I’ll climb that hill tomorrow. I’ll watch every disgrace this oppresive government can give to him. When I held my baby boy in my arms, I knew he was the savior. And as I watch them take him away from me, I understand that they can never truly take him away from us. He is the savior. He is the one who will save us all.
Reading Matthew 27:31-43
They’ve taken my son. I knew this day would come. When the angel first came to me, I was still a little girl really at that time, but even then I understood that I would live to this old age and I would watch them take my beloved son and kill him. The angel made that clear to me. Oh, I’ll climb that hill tomorrow. I’ll watch every disgrace this oppresive government can give to him. When I held my baby boy in my arms, I knew he was the savior. And as I watch them take him away from me, I understand that they can never truly take him away from us. He is the savior. He is the one who will save us all.
Reading Matthew 27:31-43
Mary Magdalene (Estella)
I was dead once. Oh, others will tell you different stories about Mary Magalene . They will tell you how funny I was and how much fun it was to laugh at me. There are different stories about me, about my life before I met Jesus. There are stories that I was filled with demons and that I was a prostitute. When I tell the story, I simple explain that I was dead – and Jesus brought me back from the dead. I’ll follow Jesus anywhere. I’ll climb that hill with him tomorrow, I’ll stand at the foot of the cross. I know what death feels like. I know that Jesus is bigger and greater than death. I don’t understand everything that is happening right now, but I trust God – and I will be one of the first to shout songs of praise when God reveals His plan.
Reading Matthew 27:45-54
I was dead once. Oh, others will tell you different stories about Mary Magalene . They will tell you how funny I was and how much fun it was to laugh at me. There are different stories about me, about my life before I met Jesus. There are stories that I was filled with demons and that I was a prostitute. When I tell the story, I simple explain that I was dead – and Jesus brought me back from the dead. I’ll follow Jesus anywhere. I’ll climb that hill with him tomorrow, I’ll stand at the foot of the cross. I know what death feels like. I know that Jesus is bigger and greater than death. I don’t understand everything that is happening right now, but I trust God – and I will be one of the first to shout songs of praise when God reveals His plan.
Reading Matthew 27:45-54
Leader: May Jesus Christ
who for our sakes became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross,
keep you and strengthen you.
In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - Amen.
who for our sakes became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross,
keep you and strengthen you.
In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - Amen.
Ask people to leave in Silence.
