In a breath-holding moment, twelve men freeze in shock and disbelief as they are told that one of them will betray their friend and teacher, and make allowance for his death.

At that pivotal moment, across each man’s faces is etched the questions and feelings their hearts betray.

Then, in turn each man begins to voice the question that weighs most heavily on him.

“Is it I? Is it I?” they each ask.

With trepidation they each recount their pasts, searching their intentions and analyzing their actions, afraid that their findings would result in affirmation to their query. But each man continuing with the desire to feel the relief of acquittal and guiltlessness, as he asks, “Is it I?”

In the quiet sanctuary of Oak Harbor’s First United Methodist Church, 13 men from the congregation rehearse for the dramatization of Leonardo Da Vinci’s 15th century rendition of the Last Supper for one of the church’s Holy Week celebrations.

For his frecoe, Da Vinci chose to capture the pivotal moment just after Jesus informed his disciples that one in their midst would betray him. The moment is one of reaction, deep feeling and unguarded emotion. Da Vinci painted some of the deciples reacting in fear, others in anger and others with sadness.

And to give insight into the thoughts and struggles that may have taken place at this time, Pastor David G. Lura said he chose to use “The Living Last Supper” script written by Rev. Ernest K. Emurian, which he wrote in 1953, to capture in words what Da Vinci captured in his painting.

This dramatization of the Last Supper is part of the churches Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) service during the Easter Week observances.

Maundy Thursday is known as the day Jesus celebrated the Jewish Passover with his deciples, and during which he preformed and set precedence for the Christian traditions of Communion/Eucharist and foot washing. It is also where he gave the deciples the command to love others as he loved them.

Oak Harbor resident Hobart Hildyard, who plays the disciple James, read his part with feeling.

“Now, one of us is to betray him — he that taught us that the way of God is love and who love him … and I look way down inside and ask, “Is it I? Is it I?” he said, playing his part with conviction.

Larry Rector, who plays the part of Peter, stood to say his part and from his costumed robes, pulled out a large knife. He threatened to stab anyone who would betray his Lord, but then added with sadness that this promise might end his own life.

“But maybe it would be my own heart that I would have to pierce … God grant that it isn’t so,” he said.

Pastor Lura said he feels it is important to tell this story because he said everyone has the capacity to betray their faith, but that he believes everyone is called to a higher sense of accountability and that everyone has access to forgiveness.

“They need not despair,” he said.

Hildyard said he wanted to act as a part of this dramatization of the Last Supper because he wanted to help Pastor Lura bring this moment of contemplation and self analysis to the congregation and any guests.

“It is one thing to read about it, but it makes a more lasting impression to hear it and see it,” said Todd Eichorst, who plays Thaddeus.

Pastor Lura said this is his churches 6th time doing “The Living Last Supper” and that it takes place on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. All are invited.