CHESAPEAKE — The annual Holy Week services sponsored by the Chesapeake churches will offer for the first time an interactive display to intensify the spiritual experience of one of the most important observances in Christianity.

On Thursday, Chesapeake United Methodist Church will host a community Maundy Thursday service with Pastor Charles Case preaching on “Why Have You Forsaken Me?” At the church’s fellowship hall will be what Case calls “the Passion Stations.”

“It will allow people to interact with items of the Passion Story like the thorns, vinegar and dice,” Case said. “It’s an independent kind of walk and each one has an interactive guide. Like the one with the dice will ask people to throw a single die. Whatever that number comes up, they are to name the number of things that are hindering their experience of Jesus’ forgiveness.”

The stations will also be open during Good Friday.

During the service there will also be opportunities for the community to experience foot washing, which is what Jesus did for his apostles as they celebrated the Last Supper together.

“Maundy comes from the Latin word, mandatum, which is another word for commandment,” Case said. “Jesus said ‘This new commandment I give to you that you love one another.’ He demonstrated that by washing his disciples’ feet.”

There will also be open communion at the service.

Chesapeake Church of the Nazarene will host the Good Friday’s service with Pastor Paul Merritt preaching on “I Thirst.”

Defender United Methodist Church will host the Holy Saturday service with Pastor Bill Flannery preaching on “I Commit My Spirit.”

“This is to bring the community together and observing Jesus during the most important week of Jesus’ ministry,” Case said.

All services begin at 7 p.m.