Jesus observed His famous Last Supper in the evening hours of this same day, just after sunset and through the hours before midnight on the fourteenth of Nisan.

All Christians, baptized members of the church, take part in this entire service. Non-baptized adherents, however, are welcome to be present and to take part in the foot-washing portion of the ceremony.

The Lord’s Supper is a most solemn celebration and all that’s done should reflect this. For example, part of the preparation might be to have young children either in bed or supervised. And, of course, ahead of time, you’ll need to set out a sufficient number of glasses containing a little red wine, and a small plate of unleavened bread. A basin with some warm water and a towel, for each person, also need to be on hand.

A period of quiet reading of appropriate scriptural passages may also be useful to refresh your memory and to really appreciate the fullest meaning of this night. This could perhaps include, but not be limited to Matthew chapters twenty-six through twenty-eight, Luke chapters twenty-two and twenty-three and also Psalm 51.

Open the service with prayer, and perhaps a reading of Psalm 22, followed by John 13:1–17. Next comes the foot-washing, which conveys an attitude of humility and service. After the foot-washing, read Isaiah 52:13—53:12, followed by 1 Corinthians 11:23–34. Prior to breaking the bread, which symbolizes Christ’s broken body, read Matthew 26:26.

Then take a portion of the bread (RyKrisp or Matzos will do) and a small glass of wine (preferably a dry, natural red wine). Ask God’s blessing over the bread and eat it; you will already have read the many scriptures on the subject and know the fullest meaning of discerning the Lord’s body. Then read Matthew 26:27 and ask Gods blessing over the wine, which is symbolic of Christ’s shed blood, and drink it.

After introducing the disciples to this new institution in memory of His death, Jesus spoke to them at length on various matters. It’s our practice to read, at this point, from the Gospels some portions of what He then taught the disciples (John 13:31 through chapter 17). You could select portions of this in advance. Finally, they sang a hymn (Matthew 26:28–30).