Easter weekend, better called Resurrection weekend, is the most significant time in the Christian year. This year's celebration at our little church in Casco, Maine, was memorable and meaningful, and I was happy to be a part of it. A while back, our pastor, asked if I'd be interested in doing the Easter morning service with him in the form of a dramatic narration. I wasn't even sure what that meant, but I like Garrett, and I like performing, so I agreed. At our first brainstorming meeting several weeks ago, I realized Garrett didn't really know what he meant either. But I also knew something good would eventually come of it. Garrett's creativity is seemingly endless, and it was a lot of fun poring over the four Gospel accounts of Holy Week while getting to know him more.
Meanwhile, one of our parishoners offered to lead a Good Friday prayer service as Garrett's was unavailable. I told Bob that if he lead the prayer time, I'd plan a brief devotional message. I knew I wanted to share a poem written by a twelve year old student from a few years ago (You can read it on this web page and in my book "My Best Days". It is entitles "Cold, Sad Friday / Easter Morning"). I also knew I wanted to put together a slide show to the song "Beautiful, Scandalous Night" by Robbie Seay. From there it was easy. I added a portion of my blog "Good Friday" and tied them together with thoughts about the significance of that cold, sad day. Although the service only had six in attendance, it was a sweet night of reflection and prayer.
The Sunday service didn't come together quite as easily Garrett and I met twice a week throughout the season of Lent, and moreso as Easter got closer. The longest part was getting a chronological script by comparing the four Gospel accounts. Then we needed to decide just what we would do with it. It's still hard to explain what we came up with. Basically, he played the part of Petr and I played John as we reminisced about the passion of Jesus. But as these two disciples recounted the events, they also slipped in and out of other characters as well. While this concept seems confusing, and was through several of our preliminary drafts, it ended up working. At times Garrett was satan, Jesus, and Judas. At times I was Thomas, God the Father and Nicodemus (one of my favorite biblical characters).
On Friday afternoon, we did our first and only complete run through for a friend of Garrett's who was acting professionally for the Portland Stage Company and other theatres. He was very moved and positive in most all of his feedback.
By Sunday morning, we were feeling confident for the first time. Our little church had several guests- a common occurance on Easter Sundays. Our presentation followed an opening hymn and announcements. Communion was encorporated into the performance itself, and when we were finished, Garrett closed with a couple more hymns. I hope the congregation was as blessed by what we did as I was. I have come to know, understand and appreciate the events of Holy Week much more thoroughly than I ever did before.