First Baptist Church Drama Ministry presents Hope: Christ Alone, Cornerstone
Each season brings its unique gifts into our lives. For many, spring is a time of renewal and rebirth as Mother Nature awakens from her slumber, explodes with new life. For Christians, Spring arrives with Easter’s promise of Hope, our hope in the resurrected Jesus Christ.
First Baptist Drama Ministry is celebrating its sixth annual Good Friday drama with music presentation with “Hope: Christ Alone, Cornerstone” to be presented at First Baptist Church on March 30 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is no admission charge.
Jesus was a master storyteller. Although He did expound Old Testament scripture when in the synagogue, or to His disciples, His method of communication to the ordinary people was dramatic story (Matthew 13:34); those informative, captivating parables. FBC Ministry of Drama seeks to present God’s word through dramatic performance.
Brenda MacLaughlin, who portrays a fictional Biblical character, Ruth, in the drama appreciates the drama’s focus on ordinary lives that are touched by the Good News: “Several of the actors in ‘Hope, Christ Alone Cornerstone’ portray ordinary people who possibly lived during Jesus’ earthly life and were His followers.
“The audience journey with these broken people and experience with them how lives are transformed through Christ’s sacrifice and love. The message of hope does not end here — this drama ministry, through the beauty of the fine arts, reassures us that Christ’s Gift of Love continues to transform us in present day.”
The story of Jesus and the biblical characters touches our lives!
The story of hope unfolds in a variety of ways: through stories taken directly from scripture with a focus on “The Samaritan Woman at the Well’s Encounter with Jesus,” through song and dance, costumes, overhead slides. The drama reminds believers that hope was born on Christmas Day, it appeared to fade on Good Friday, but burst forth into life on Easter and at Pentecost came to live within all believers.
Once again, this year, Janet Bradbury’s Ashlei School of Ballet will feature two of her dancers, Alauryn Dunn and Rebekah Archibald, as part of the presentation.
The playwright delayed having St. Paul, the Apostle of Hope, appear on stage for a Good Friday drama until this year’s presentation focusing on hope. Pastor John Dunnett will breathe life into Paul, the great persecutor and the great defender of the faith. Speaking of his role in the drama, Pastor John Dunnett commented: “It is a privilege to play the role of the Apostle Paul in this year’s good Friday drama. He was a man whose life was radically changed by the resurrected Jesus. He became the messenger of the hope of the Gospel to the entire Roman world of his day.”
Music in the drama enhances the Gospel message. The audience will once again hear some of the songs that are characteristic of the FBC dramas including: Hallelujah, Were You There When They Crucified Our Lord, Redeeming Love, The Holy City, My People Need You. Featured for the first time are: On Eagles Wings, Hope is a Star, Christ Alone, Cornerstone and an original song Hope Lives composed by Dwayne Decker.
More than 70 individuals from First Baptist Church and the larger community are assisting not only as actors, readers, musicians, singers, dancers “on stage” but also as crew members and the support team.
FBC Drama Ministry extends a warm invitation to the community to join them for Hope. Provincial Safely Regulations limit the seating in the sanctuary; extra seating is not permitted. Arrive early to be guaranteed a seat.