Ben Salem United Church of Christ in Lehighton celebrated Maundy Thursday with a special service to commemorate the story of Easter.

"We do a Maundy Thursday service to remember the last meal that Jesus had with the disciples," The Rev. Michael McGowan said. "It's supposed to be a very moving event to set us up for Good Friday."The word "Maundy" stems from the Latin "mandatum," or commandment. According to John's gospel, this was the time that Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another as he had loved them."I try to make it an event simply because today, people have become so busy in their own lives that they move from Palm Sunday to Easter. They may forget the sacrifice that Jesus made," McGowan said.The event started off with a potluck meal of soup and bread in the fellowship hall, a time for the congregation to enjoy one another's company."It's very important," said Tammy Beidleman, who attended with her husband, Kris, and son Logan. "We've been doing this supper for the past five years, I believe. We've been coming to it every year, and trying to get more people to come to it, and also to get the kids to come. It's keeping a tradition that seems to die off more and more. We're trying to keep it alive for everyone."Following the supper, McGowan led a small service, including a collection of donations, a prayer of thanks and dedication for the offerings, Communion and the Lord's Prayer.Next came dramatic readings from accounts of people that Jesus encountered in his life, including an impassioned reading of the Centurion's story. A successful professional officer in the Roman army, he grew desperate for help when his beloved servant was terribly injured. The Centurion appealed to Jesus for help, though he did not expect much due to the assumption that the Jewish savior would not assist a Gentile. Nevertheless, Jesus tells the Centurion to return home, where he finds his servant in perfect health."Jesus touches everybody," McGowan said. "These weren't people in his main circle, they weren't disciples, just people who were touched by his life."The congregation moved up into the church at this point, with church member Dennis Frantz reading the story of the Last Supper, Crucifixion, and death of Jesus as the candles surrounding the altar were slowly extinguished.Once Pastor McGowan snuffed out the last candle, and the altar was covered in a black shroud with a veiled cross on top, the congregation quietly exited, as per tradition.The service was a solemn reminder of the trials of Jesus, and the sacrifice that is so integral to Christianity as a whole."It's not just Palm Sunday hosannas and Easter hallelujahs, it's important to remember what happened in between," McGowan said.Ben Salem UCC will be hosting a prayer vigil from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday services starting at 8 a.m. with Communion and the band Daybreak. The 10 a.m. service will also feature Communion along with the Chancel Choir. Churchgoers are encouraged to help decorate the cross with daffodils to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus.