Messianic Passover Seders

During Holy Week we offer a way that you can participate in Jesus’ Last Supper: home-based Seder meals. A Seder is the festival meal and centerpiece of Pesach, the week-long spring festival of Passover,  in which the story of the Passover is retold and celebrated according to God’s command in Exodus 12:14. 


This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.  Exodus 12:14


During a Messianic Seder, we celebrate Jesus as the true Pascal Lamb, whose blood is over the doorpost of each believer's heart.

Home Seder Details

When

Traditionally, Seders are held on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week – the same night we have our Foot-Washing service at 7pm – but you may host it on whichever night is convenient for you and your guests that week.

Meal

As you can see in the picture above, the Seder plate holds small portions of the ceremonial items of Passover which allow all of our senses to participate in this act of remembering. Then there is a time for the actual meal afterwards, often done potluck style. For those who want to host a Seder meal in their home, our Home Seder Team will prepare kits containing the harder-to-find items, and a list of other items for you to provide as hosts and guests. 

Who

Anyone can host a Seder in his or her home. You may decide to do this with your existing Grace Group, or invite friends from church, or other friends and family, or some combination of all of these. You can also open your home to host Grace folks whom you don’t know, but who are looking for a Seder to attend. All of these options are on the registration form when you sign-up.

Host Responsibilities

  • Register as a host below.
  • Choose the date on which you would like to host.
  • Invite guests, and/or let us know if you’re open to guests being assigned to your Seder.
  • Attend the Host Q&A on Sunday, April 6, in the sanctuary after either service where you can pick up a booklet containing all of the hosting details.
  • Pick up your Seder Kit on Sunday, April 13 after either service.
  • Provide the remaining items needed for the Seder portion of the meal, and/or assign guests to bring or prepare them.
  • Plan and prepare the dinner meal, or choose to host a potluck dinner with your guests.
  • Lead the Seder service, as outlined in the Haggadah (provided in each kit).

Seder Registration for Hosts & Guests

Host a Home Seder

You can host a Seder with your current Grace Group, or host one open to anyone in the church who wants to come, or for friends and family outside of Grace Anglican.


We will prepare kits for hosts to pick up on Sunday, April 13. The kits will include the harder-to-find items you will need, as well as a list of everything else you will need for the Seder.


If you have questions, please check the FAQ’s below and plan to attend the Informational Meeting on Sunday, April 6 following either service, or you may email Debbie O'Malley.


Host a home seder 

 



Attend a Home Seder as a Guest

We would love to connect you with a host offering a Home Seder.


Attend a home seder  

Important Dates to Remember

April 6 - 13

  • Registration for hosts and guests

Sunday, April 6

  • Host Q&A following both services at which you can pick up your Host Booklet containing all the details. Also the final day to sign-up for a Seder Kit
  • If you cannot attend and have questions, please email Debbie O'Malley.

Sunday, April 13, Palm Sunday

  • Seder Kit pick-up following either service

April 17, Maundy Thursday

  • Foot-Washing service at 7pm


FAQs

When should I host my Seder? 

The traditional night is Maundy Thursday of Holy Week (April 17), when we commemorate the Last Supper and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. However, you can host your Seder meal on any night that week from Sunday, April 13 through Thursday, April 17.  We will have our annual Foot Washing Service on Thursday night at the church at 7pm. For those who plan to attend that service, you may want to host your Seder on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday night if you feel there will not be enough time before the service. 


Who should I invite to my Seder?

Anyone you would like! Your church small group, friends from church or your neighborhood, or open your home to host other folks from Grace who would like to attend a Seder. 


As a host, what do I provide?

We will give you a detailed list of needed items, all of which you are welcome to divvy out among your guests so everyone can join in the meal preparation. 


They include things like: a roasted egg, bitter herbs (romaine or endive), parsley, charoset, salt, horseradish, a hand towel, 2 taper candles, wine and/or grape juice (i.e. Manischewitz). All the details will be sent to you once you sign up to be a host.


When do I pick up the Seder Kit?

Pick up your kit on April 13 after either service.  If you are unable to make it that day, you may contact Debbie O’Malley from the Seder Team to arrange an alternate pick up time.


How do I sign up to host?

Simply fill out our host sign-up form.


What is included in the Seder Kit?

  • Haggadah - service booklet (8 copies)
  • Seder plate with sections (1)
  • Napkin for Matzah
  • Matzah (regular and gluten-free are available)
  • Lamb shank bone
  • Candle holders (2, to be returned to Grace afterwards)
  • Recipes for charoset (the apple & nut mixture for the Seder plate), and other traditional seder dishes
  • Dinner menu suggestions

How many people will the Seder Kit provide for?

The items in the Seder Kit are the same regardless of how many people attend your Seder Meal.  We will provide 8 copies of the Haggadah – the booklet you will use for the ceremonial portion of the Seder, so even if you have 16 people, it is easy to share one booklet between 2 people.  If you would like more copies of the Haggadah, you may purchase them here.


Do I need special plates, etc.?

The Seder plate that is placed in the center of the table will be provided in the kit. Other than that, you will need plates, silverware, glasses for each guest as you normally would for dinner. 


I want to host, but can’t pick up my kit on April 13.  What should I do?

Contact Debbie O'Malley from our Seder Team to schedule another time. 


How do I sign-up as a guest?

Simply fill out our guest sign up form.


As a guest, how may I assist my host?

Ask your host what you can bring for either the Seder plate or for the meal itself.