Clanton First United Methodist Church is extending an invitation to the community to a model Seder meal on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym of the church’s Helen E. Parrish Activity Center.

The Seder is part of the traditional Jewish observation of Passover and was the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before the crucifixion.

Bruce Rapp, representing the organization Jews for Jesus, will lead the presentation. Rapp grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood attending Hebrew school and studying the Torah. He attended synagogue for Shabbat services weekly with his family.

In 1993, he attended an Easter production at his son’s school, and when the pastor spoke about Jesus, referencing the Hebrew Scriptures including Isaiah, Micah and Psalms he began researching Jesus.

Rapp became a believer in Christ and has come to understand that, no matter what he does, he will not lose his Jewish identity. He believes that having faith in Jesus, his Messiah, is the most Jewish thing he can do.

Jews for Jesus was founded in 1973 by the late Moishe Rosen, and it has revolutionized Jewish evangelism with its creative approach.

Rosen said, “Our model is the Book of Acts. Jesus’ disciples didn’t linger in the Upper Room. They went down to the streets where the people were.”

He was quick to point out that he did not “start” Jews for Jesus.

“Jews for Jesus began about 2,000 years ago, around 32 C.E., give or take a year. Jesus’ first disciples were Jewish, and there have been some Jewish people who have believed in him ever since.”

There is no charge for this program, and everyone is invited. FUMC’s activity center is located on Ninth Street North at Third Avenue.

For additional information, email adminassist@clantonfumc.org or call the church office at 755-0490.