Christian Seder Meal Service Theme: Christ Our Passover Lamb

Baptism: Wes Betts

Pastoral Introduction (to congregation):

“Church family, tonight we have the joy of witnessing a beautiful expression of God’s amazing grace. Wes is a beloved son—not only of his earthly father, but of our Heavenly Father. Though Wes is not able to express himself in the ways many of us do, over the years, there have been moments that his heart has responded in ways only the Lord fully understands.

His father has faithfully led him, prayed over him, and two Sundays ago, brought him forward out of a deep conviction that Wes belongs to Jesus—and that it’s time to publicly identify him with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ through believer’s baptism.

To offer Brother Billy assurances and to offer this body of believers assurances of cases like Wes, listen to what the Word of God states:

Deuteronomy 1:39 “39 ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.”

This verse provides a biblical concept of moral awareness—that God distinguishes between those who are capable of moral reasoning and those who are not.

2 Samuel 12:23 “23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.””

David’s words show a hope-filled view of the eternal destiny of a child who dies, implying God’s mercy upon those unable to understand.

Romans 1:20 “20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”

Romans 1:20 says people are “without excuse” because they have the capacity to understand God’s revelation in nature. By contrast, the implication is that those who lack that capacity (like Wes) are not held accountable in the same way.

Due to Wes’ sensitivities and unique needs, we will baptize him in a manner consistent with how we minister to those who are home bound or physically unable to be immersed. What matters most is not the method, but the meaning—and today, we celebrate that meaning with full hearts and open arms.”

Facing Wes and His Father:

“Wes, today we affirm that you are a child deeply loved by God. He made you in His image, and He knows your heart completely. We give thanks for the faith of your father, and the grace of Jesus Christ that covers us all.”

(At this point, gently squeeze a cloth or pour water across his head or shoulders, depending on what will be least distressing. Then wipe gently with a towel.)

Baptismal Pronouncement:

“Wes, based on your father's confession of faith on your behalf, and in recognition of God’s grace and saving power for all who belong to Him, I baptize you, my brother, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Buried with Christ in His death— raised to walk in newness of life.”

Pastoral Prayer:

“Father, thank You for Wes. Thank You for the love of his father and the faith that led them here today. You knit Wes together perfectly in his mother’s womb. You understand every unspoken word, every glance, every sound, and every moment of worship in his heart.

We entrust him fully to Your grace, and we rejoice in the new life that is found in Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit fill him and his family with peace, joy, and purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Opening Comments (Leader/Pastor)

Welcome to our Christian Seder Meal. Tonight, we gather not simply for a meal, but for a meaningful reflection on God’s great deliverance. While the Jewish Passover remembers the exodus from Egypt, we come to see its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our true Passover Lamb. As we walk through each element tonight, may our hearts be drawn to the Lamb who was slain for our salvation.

(Optional Worship Moment): Nothing but the Blood

Opening Prayer "Father, we thank You for the Lamb. Open our hearts to see the depth of Your redemption. May this service draw us to worship You in spirit and truth. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Song-Worthy is the Lamb

Lighting the Candle Reader: John 1:1–5 (NKJV)

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Leader: "We light this candle to remember that Jesus is the Light of the World. He shines in the darkness and leads us out of bondage."

1 Corinthians 5:7b — "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1–14

Exodus 12:1–14 (NKJV)

Exodus 12:1–14 NKJV

1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 7 And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. 10 You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. 11 And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 ‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.

Partaking of the Seder Plate Elements

1. Karpas (Parsley in Saltwater) Life Dipped in Tears Reflect on sorrow and the sweat of slavery.

Exodus 1:8–14 (NKJV)

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel aremore and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and sogo up out of the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve waswith rigor.

 Remember Jesus’ tears in Gethsemane. Luke 22:44 — His sweat was like drops of blood.

Luke 22:44 (NKJV)

44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for entering our sorrow and bearing our grief.

2. Maror (Bitter Herbs) Bitterness of Bondage Taste the bitterness of slavery. Jesus tasted the bitterness of sin on our behalf

Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV)

3           He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

3. Charoset (Apple/Nut Mixture) — Sweetness Amid Suffering Symbolizes hope during hardship. Christ brings joy through the cross.

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

4. Zeroa (Shank Bone) The Sacrificial Lamb Represents the lamb sacrificed at Passover. Jesus is the Lamb of God.

John 1:29 (NKJV)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

5. Beitzah (Roasted Egg) Hope and New Life Traditionally a sign of mourning and sacrifice. For Christians, also resurrection.

1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

6. Matzah (Unleavened Bread) Sinless Savior Break and eat the bread. Remember the Last Supper.

Luke 22:19 (NKJV)

19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NKJV)

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

(Silent moment of confession and reflection.)

The Cup of Redemption (Grape Juice or Wine)

Luke 22:20 — This cup is the new covenant in My blood.

(Drink together.)

Closing Reflection

In Exodus, God freed Israel from slavery. In Christ, we are freed from sin. He is our deliverer, our hope, and our eternal Lamb.

Closing Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for the Lamb that was slain. May we live in gratitude for our redemption. Send us from this table in joy, peace, and purpose.