1 Welcome to Ascension ! Relax and make yourself at home.

1

Welcome to Welcome to Ascension !Ascension !

Relax and make yourself at homeRelax and make yourself at home

2

Can't See the Forrest for the TreesAn Easter Sunrise ServiceAn Easter Sunrise Service

led byled by

The ROCK is a Youth MinistryThe ROCK is a Youth MinistryOf Ascension Lutheran ChurchOf Ascension Lutheran Church

Slide #4

Project next slideProject next slide

5

The ROCK Players present…”ResurrectionInsurance.com"

Based on John 11:25 & John 14:1-16

©2012 David Skarshaug (www.alcames.org). Conditions for use: (1) If you use all or parts of this script in any form, please consider sending a suggested $5 donation check made out to "The ROCK" to the following address: Ascension Lutheran Church, 2400 Bloomington Road, Ames, IA 50010. Reference the script title in the memo on the check. (2) Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. (3) You may reproduce this script for internal use, but all copies must contain this copyright statement.

6

Cast:Cast:

Adam:Adam: Sam Sam Eva:Eva: Annee Annee Flo:Flo: Michaela Michaela Ebb:Ebb: JosieJosie

7

Setting: This is a parody of the Setting: This is a parody of the Progressive Insurance TV Progressive Insurance TV commercials with saleswoman Flo. commercials with saleswoman Flo. It is set in a dream format. A It is set in a dream format. A couple, Adam & Eva, take their couple, Adam & Eva, take their seat in the congregation (actually seat in the congregation (actually facing congregation). They are facing congregation). They are preparing to take part in the preparing to take part in the Sunrise Service, but fall asleep Sunrise Service, but fall asleep only to experience a dream similar only to experience a dream similar to a Progressive Insurance to a Progressive Insurance commercial. Flow and Ebb (intern commercial. Flow and Ebb (intern to Flo) start off stage.to Flo) start off stage.

8

Adam:Adam: (Looks at watch and (Looks at watch and wipes brow.)wipes brow.) We made it, just We made it, just in time for the sunrise service!in time for the sunrise service!

Eva:Eva: YouYou''ll go to any length ll go to any length to get a coveted parking to get a coveted parking place.place.

Adam:Adam: Nonsense, the parking Nonsense, the parking situation never entered my situation never entered my mind.mind.

Eva:Eva: ItIt''s the first thing you s the first thing you mentioned this morning. You mentioned this morning. You really are sleepy, arenreally are sleepy, aren''t you?t you?

Adam:Adam: Yes, but if Jesus could Yes, but if Jesus could rise from the dead for us on rise from the dead for us on Easter Sunday, the least we Easter Sunday, the least we could do was rise from our could do was rise from our slumber for him.slumber for him.

9

Eva:Eva: You just didnYou just didn''t want to t want to be late for the breakfast be late for the breakfast again, and miss out on again, and miss out on BrigitteBrigitte''s German Chocolate s German Chocolate Easter Bunnies. Easter Bunnies.

Adam:Adam: Hmm, authentic Hmm, authentic German Chocolate, with German Chocolate, with coconut. Wait, I doncoconut. Wait, I don''t recall t recall chocolate bunnies from last chocolate bunnies from last year…year…

10

Eva:Eva: I just wanted to see if I just wanted to see if you were really awake.you were really awake.

Adam:Adam: Well I am. And this Well I am. And this year…this year…Iyear…this year…I''m gonnam gonna'' stay awake through the whole stay awake through the whole thing. Youthing. You''ll see.ll see.

11

Eva:Eva: Whole thing? Yeah Whole thing? Yeah right. What? The greeting? right. What? The greeting? The announcements? YouThe announcements? You''ll be ll be sawing logs like the disciples sawing logs like the disciples in the Garden. Stay awake? I in the Garden. Stay awake? I doubt it.doubt it.

Adam:Adam: Eva, youEva, you''ve got that ve got that whole doubting Thomas whole doubting Thomas impersonation down pat. How impersonation down pat. How ''bout a little encouragement?bout a little encouragement?

Eva:Eva: I did encourage you. I I did encourage you. I encouraged you to sit in the encouraged you to sit in the back where they wonback where they won''t hear t hear your snoring. What more do your snoring. What more do you want? A gentle elbow in you want? A gentle elbow in the ribs?the ribs?

Adam:Adam: That wonThat won''t be t be necessary. I came prepared.necessary. I came prepared.

Eva:Eva: Okay, Mr. Eagle Scout. Okay, Mr. Eagle Scout. WhatWhat''s your plan?s your plan?

Adam:Adam: 5-Hour Energy, check. 5-Hour Energy, check. New pack of Lifesavers in my New pack of Lifesavers in my pocket: check. Sitting in front pocket: check. Sitting in front of that kid that always kicks of that kid that always kicks my chair.my chair.

Eva:Eva: Tim Kruger?Tim Kruger?

Adam: Adam: ThatThat''s the one, check. s the one, check. Got the alarm on my phone set Got the alarm on my phone set to vibrate every 5 minutes: to vibrate every 5 minutes: check. Sitting on an check. Sitting on an uncushioned chair: check. uncushioned chair: check. And if all else fails, IAnd if all else fails, I''ve trained ve trained that crazy robin—whatthat crazy robin—what''s his s his name?name?

Eva:Eva: Oh, Roger?Oh, Roger?

Adam:Adam: Yeah, thatYeah, that''s it. Roger s it. Roger the Robin will tap on the the Robin will tap on the window every few minutes to window every few minutes to keep me awake.keep me awake.

Eva:Eva: And itAnd it''s a youth s a youth service, so itservice, so it''ll be loud songs ll be loud songs and fast skitsand fast skits. .

Adam:Adam: Yeah, that Sam Kruger Yeah, that Sam Kruger kid…hekid…he''s a stitch.s a stitch.

Eva:Eva: II''m kind of partial to m kind of partial to that Annee Wengert. Shethat Annee Wengert. She''s a s a real sweetheart!real sweetheart!

(Display just the next slide.)(Display just the next slide.)

Five minutes later…Five minutes later…after the announcements…after the announcements…

and greeting…and greeting…

Flo:Flo: (Grabs Adam(Grabs Adam''s shoulder s shoulder and shouts.)and shouts.) Hi, welcome to Hi, welcome to resurrection.com insurance! resurrection.com insurance! How can I help you?How can I help you?

Adam:Adam: Ah…say, youAh…say, you''re that re that crazy lady from those TV crazy lady from those TV commercials…commercials…

Flo:Flo: Just call me Flo.Just call me Flo. (Points to badge.)(Points to badge.) You know, it You know, it sounds better than "That crazy sounds better than "That crazy lady."lady."

Adam:Adam: (Points to Ebb).(Points to Ebb). WhoWho''s s this with you?this with you?

Flo:Flo: Oh, meet my trainee, Oh, meet my trainee, Ebb.Ebb.

Adam:Adam: Ebb? Ebb and Flo?Ebb? Ebb and Flo?

Ebb:Ebb: DonDon''t blame me, itt blame me, it''s s your dream.your dream.

Adam:Adam: (Looking around the (Looking around the room.)room.) So why isnSo why isn''t everything t everything white, like in the commercials?white, like in the commercials?

Ebb:Ebb: Well, the youth group Well, the youth group showed up Saturday with a showed up Saturday with a bunch of buckets of white bunch of buckets of white paint…paint…

Flo:Flo: But the Decorating But the Decorating Police intercepted them at the Police intercepted them at the sanctuary door and put a sanctuary door and put a kibosh on the whole thing.kibosh on the whole thing.

Adam:Adam: Ah…I understand.Ah…I understand.

Ebb: Ebb: You do?You do?

Adam: Adam: (Sheepishly)(Sheepishly) Not really. Not really.

Flo:Flo: You should…itYou should…it''s your s your dream.dream.

Eva:Eva: (Wakes up and looks at (Wakes up and looks at Ebb & Flo.)Ebb & Flo.) Hey, what are they Hey, what are they doing in your dream?doing in your dream?

Adam:Adam: (Looks at Eva.)(Looks at Eva.) Never Never mind them. What are you mind them. What are you doing in my dream?doing in my dream?

Eva:Eva: (Arms crossed.)(Arms crossed.) Last I Last I checked, wechecked, we''re married. re married. Remember…girl of your Remember…girl of your dreams?dreams?

Adam:Adam: Oh yeah…awkward.Oh yeah…awkward. (Flow makes "awkward" hand (Flow makes "awkward" hand sign.)sign.)

Flo:Flo: You, Adam, need life You, Adam, need life insurance…insurance…(looks at Eva)(looks at Eva)…the …the sooner the better.sooner the better.

Adam:Adam: Hmm, well I, a…Hmm, well I, a…

Flo:Flo: O come now, thatO come now, that''s why s why you came here, right?you came here, right?

Eva:Eva: No we came to church.No we came to church.

Flo:Flo: Exactly!Exactly! (Makes crazy (Makes crazy excited motions.)excited motions.)

Adam:Adam: Say, you donSay, you don''t sell life t sell life insurance on TV.insurance on TV.

Flo:Flo: No, only in dreams, and No, only in dreams, and the Church…the Church…

Eva:Eva: HowHow''s that work?s that work?

Flo:Flo: Sorry…trade secret.Sorry…trade secret. (Pause and smile at audience.)(Pause and smile at audience.) Just kidding. You see, Just kidding. You see, resurrection.com specializes in resurrection.com specializes in lifelife insurance.insurance.

Adam:Adam: You do?You do?

Flo:Flo: Oh sure, thatOh sure, that''s what s what Easter Sunday is all about. Easter Sunday is all about. Jesus said, "I am the way and Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life" the truth and the life"

Ebb:Ebb: "No one comes unto the "No one comes unto the father except through me."father except through me."

Flo:Flo: (To Ebb.)(To Ebb.) Very good, my Very good, my young padawon learner!young padawon learner! (Ebb (Ebb & Flo hand bump.)& Flo hand bump.) And—our And—our favorite Jesus quote—"I am the favorite Jesus quote—"I am the resurrection and the life."resurrection and the life."

Eva:Eva: Of course, the grave Of course, the grave couldncouldn''t hold Jesus. Because t hold Jesus. Because he rose from the dead, those he rose from the dead, those who believe in him will who believe in him will experience resurrection as experience resurrection as well…well…

Adam:Adam: And eternal life. As And eternal life. As John said, God has given us John said, God has given us eternal life, and this life is in eternal life, and this life is in his Son.his Son.

Flo:Flo: Bingo!Bingo! (Crazy excited (Crazy excited hand motions.)hand motions.) It all FLOWS It all FLOWS doesndoesn''t it?t it? (Smiles and points (Smiles and points to her name badge.)to her name badge.)

Eva:Eva: So thatSo that''s it, then?s it, then?

Ebb:Ebb: No, thereNo, there''s more! s more!

Flo:Flo: We have another way We have another way of helping save you…of helping save you…

Adam:Adam: You mean "Helping us You mean "Helping us save"?save"?

Flo:Flo: Did I say that?Did I say that? (Mischievous smile at (Mischievous smile at congregation.)congregation.) Bundling!Bundling!

Adam:Adam: Bundling?Bundling?

Eva:Eva: Adam, she wants us to Adam, she wants us to bundle the life insurance with bundle the life insurance with something like auto or boat something like auto or boat insurance too.insurance too.

Ebb:Ebb: Boat and life. Boat and life. Interesting. Did Noah refer Interesting. Did Noah refer you to us?you to us?

Adam:Adam: Noah?Noah?

Flo:Flo: Then were set then, Then were set then, and I wonand I won''t take "no-ah" for an t take "no-ah" for an answer. We’ll go with the answer. We’ll go with the preferred bundle: life AND preferred bundle: life AND home insurance.home insurance.

Eva:Eva: Home insurance?Home insurance?

Ebb:Ebb: Eternal home Eternal home insurance.insurance. (Makes long hand (Makes long hand gesture across sky.)gesture across sky.)

Flo:Flo: After all, Jesus said "I After all, Jesus said "I am going there to prepare a am going there to prepare a place for you….I will come place for you….I will come back and take you to be with back and take you to be with me that you also may be me that you also may be where I am"where I am"

Adam:Adam: So we have life and So we have life and home insurancehome insurance

Ebb:Ebb: Everlasting Life and Everlasting Life and Eternal Home.Eternal Home.

Flo:Flo: They go together..They go together..

Eva:Eva: Like peanut butter and Like peanut butter and jelly?jelly?

Flo:Flo: Like Unicorns and Like Unicorns and Glitter!Glitter!

Adam:Adam: Like Twito and Like Twito and Undercroft!Undercroft!

Flo:Flo: ItIt''s a sale then!s a sale then! (Hand (Hand shakes.)shakes.) Follow me to the Follow me to the checkout register!checkout register! (Adam & (Adam & Eva remove chairs. All four Eva remove chairs. All four exit the stage.)exit the stage.)

40

Nathan:Nathan: {Welcome {Welcome Everyone, Especially Everyone, Especially Visitors. Remind of Visitors. Remind of Breakfast (8am), &Breakfast (8am), &Festival Service (9:30). Festival Service (9:30). Then, do an Opening Then, do an Opening Prayer}Prayer}

41

Annee:Annee: Please stand and Please stand and join us now in singing join us now in singing praise to God for the life-praise to God for the life-giving, eternal home-giving, eternal home-insuring Easter message. insuring Easter message.

Slide #42


43

Here I Am To WorshipHere I Am To Worship

Verse 1

Light of the worldYou stepped down into darkness

Opened my eyes let me seeBeauty that made

This heart adore YouHope of a life spent with You

44


Chorus

So here I am to worshipHere I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my GodAnd You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthyAltogether wonderful to me

45


Verse 2

King of all daysOh so highly exalted

Glorious in heaven aboveHumbly You came

To the earth You createdAll for love's sake became poor

46


Chorus




47


Bridge

I'll never know how much it costTo see my sin upon that cross

(Repeat 4x)

48


Chorus




(Repeat slide)

Slide #49


50

Before the ThroneBefore the Throne

Verse 1Before the throne of God aboveI have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest whose name is LoveWho ever lives and pleads for meMy name is graven on His handsMy name is written on His heart

I know that while in heav'n He standsNo tongue can bid me thence departNo tongue can bid me thence depart

51


Verse 2When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt withinUpward I look and see Him thereWho made an end of all my sinBecause the sinless Savior diedMy sinful soul is counted freeFor God the Just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon meTo look on Him and pardon me

52


Verse 3Behold Him there the Risen LambMy perfect spotless Righteousness

The great unchangeable I AmThe King of Glory and of graceOne with Himself I cannot die

My soul is purchased by His bloodMy life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Savior and my GodWith Christ my Savior and my God

53


One with Himself I cannot dieMy soul is purchased by His bloodMy life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Savior and my GodWith Christ my Savior and my God

55

(Guitar music continues in (Guitar music continues in background through background through confession.)confession.)

Annee:Annee: Please join me in a Please join me in a prayer of confession. prayer of confession. (Pause.)(Pause.)

56

Annee:Annee: Father, we thank Father, we thank you that we have a friend in you that we have a friend in Jesus, whose name is love, Jesus, whose name is love, as shown most remarkably as shown most remarkably in his sacrificial death on in his sacrificial death on our behalf. our behalf.

57

Annee:Annee: (Cont(Cont''d)…d)…Father, we Father, we pause now to recall all those pause now to recall all those times when we have not fully times when we have not fully appreciated the sacrifice of appreciated the sacrifice of your son, times when we have your son, times when we have forgotten how great the news forgotten how great the news of the resurrection was, and of the resurrection was, and how it should daily affect how how it should daily affect how we live our lives and love and we live our lives and love and serve others. serve others. (Long Pause.)(Long Pause.)

58

Annee: Annee: (Cont(Cont''d)d) Father, Father, thank you that our name thank you that our name was graven on His hands, was graven on His hands, written on His heart. On written on His heart. On this Easter, we celebrate this Easter, we celebrate the joy of the Risen Lamb of the joy of the Risen Lamb of GodGod. .

59

Annee: Annee: (Cont(Cont''d)d) Thank you Thank you for the promise of eternal for the promise of eternal life and an eternal home. life and an eternal home. Thank you for the Thank you for the forgiveness of sins, and the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of salvation and assurance of salvation and the resurrection in you that the resurrection in you that is the central message of is the central message of Easter. Amen.Easter. Amen.

60

Annee:Annee: Now, with the joy of Now, with the joy of knowing that we are forgiven knowing that we are forgiven through Christthrough Christ''s amazing love, s amazing love, please stand and greet one please stand and greet one another on this Easter another on this Easter morning.morning. (All Youth should go (All Youth should go into congregation to greet into congregation to greet people.)people.)

61

Josie:Josie: Please stand for the Please stand for the reading of Jesusreading of Jesus'' words as words as recorded in John 10:11-14. recorded in John 10:11-14. (Josie reads scripture on (Josie reads scripture on following slides.)following slides.)

Slide #62


63

""I am the good shepherd. The I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs abandons the sheep and runs away.away.

John 10:11-14John 10:11-14

64

Then the wolf attacks the flock Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—" and my sheep know me—"

John 10:11-14John 10:11-14

65

Josie:Josie: You may be seated. You may be seated. Please relax as we bring the Please relax as we bring the Easter story to you as a skit.Easter story to you as a skit.

Slide #66


67

The ROCK Players present…"Can't See the Forrest

for the Trees"Based on Gospel Easter Stories

©2011 David Skarshaug (www.alcames.org). Conditions for use: (1) If you use all or parts of this script in any form, please consider sending a suggested $5 donation check made out to "The ROCK" to the following address: Ascension Lutheran Church, 615 Kellogg, Ames, IA 50010. Reference the script title in the memo on the check. (2) Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. (3) You may reproduce this script for internal use, but all copies must contain this copyright statement.

68

Forrest:Forrest: ZachZachJesus:Jesus: MattMattGuard 1:Guard 1: JoeJoeGuard 2:Guard 2: Sam KrugerSam KrugerMary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Julia Julia Joanna: Joanna: Kyra Kyra Mary Moja:Mary Moja: JosieJosieSalome:Salome: EmilyEmilyPeter:Peter: RyanRyanJohn:John: NateNateAngel 1:Angel 1: JakeJakeAngel 2:Angel 2: BenBenCleopas:Cleopas: JohannasJohannasOther Disciple:Other Disciple: MichaelaMichaela

69

Setting: Setting: Forrest Gump is playing his Forrest Gump is playing his theme on the piano. He hears an theme on the piano. He hears an earthquake rumble, and goes to sit on earthquake rumble, and goes to sit on the bench at the bus stop. Jesus is the bench at the bus stop. Jesus is already sitting at the bench with his already sitting at the bench with his face covered with an open newspaper. face covered with an open newspaper. Forrest has a box of chocolates and a Forrest has a box of chocolates and a suitcase. A palm branch falls at his suitcase. A palm branch falls at his feet. He picks it up, opens his suitcase, feet. He picks it up, opens his suitcase, removes "Curious George Book", places removes "Curious George Book", places branch in book, places book back in branch in book, places book back in suitcase, and shuts the suitcase.suitcase, and shuts the suitcase.

70

Forrest:Forrest: Hello. My name is Hello. My name is Forrest. Forrest Gump. Forrest. Forrest Gump. (Opens (Opens box and looks at audience.)box and looks at audience.) I I dondon''t know about you, but for t know about you, but for no particular reason, I am very no particular reason, I am very sleepy this morn-ing. Do you sleepy this morn-ing. Do you want a chocolate? I could eat want a chocolate? I could eat about a million and a half of about a million and a half of these. My momma always said, these. My momma always said, life was like a box of life was like a box of chocolates. chocolates. (Takes a bite.)(Takes a bite.)

71

Forrest:Forrest: You never know what You never know what youyou''re gonnare gonna'' get. Come to get. Come to think of it, a Sunrise Service is think of it, a Sunrise Service is like a box of chocolates. like a box of chocolates. (Pause to look at Jesus(Pause to look at Jesus'' sandals.)sandals.) Those look like Those look like comfortable shoes. My comfortable shoes. My momma always said you can momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by tell a lot about a person by their shoes. their shoes.

72

Forrest:Forrest: Where they Where they''re going. re going. Where theyWhere they''ve been. I bet if I ve been. I bet if I think about it real hard I could think about it real hard I could remember my first pair of remember my first pair of shoes. shoes. (Forrest closes eyes & (Forrest closes eyes & falls asleep.)falls asleep.)

Jesus:Jesus: (Lowers the paper to (Lowers the paper to reveal his identity, looks at reveal his identity, looks at Forrest, shrugs, smiles, and Forrest, shrugs, smiles, and walks down aisle.)walks down aisle.)

73

(Two Guards approach Forrest (Two Guards approach Forrest at the bench. They are at the bench. They are talking).talking).

Guard 1:Guard 1: II''m telling you, m telling you, wewe''re in BIG trouble now!re in BIG trouble now!

74

Guard 2:Guard 2: What do you mean What do you mean "we"? You"we"? You''re the one who re the one who volunteered us for this volunteered us for this assignment. assignment.

Guard 1:Guard 1: Well it seemed like Well it seemed like a good idea at the time.a good idea at the time.

75

Guard 2:Guard 2: YouYou''re the one who re the one who said, "come on, letsaid, "come on, let''s volunteer s volunteer for this assignment. Itfor this assignment. It''ll be a ll be a cakewalk. We stand outside a cakewalk. We stand outside a grave for a couple days and grave for a couple days and make sure no one goes in or make sure no one goes in or out. Itout. It''ll be simple compared ll be simple compared to dealing with those unruly to dealing with those unruly Passover mobs at the Temple," Passover mobs at the Temple," you said.you said.

76

Guard 1:Guard 1: Well it should have Well it should have been. How hard can it be to been. How hard can it be to guard the sealed grave of a guard the sealed grave of a dead man on the Jewish dead man on the Jewish Sabbath, when everyone stays Sabbath, when everyone stays home? I mean certainly no home? I mean certainly no observant Jew would go near a observant Jew would go near a graveyard on the Sabbath, graveyard on the Sabbath, right?right?

77

Guard 2:Guard 2: Yeah seemed easy Yeah seemed easy enough. Then "POW!" enough. Then "POW!" (Claps (Claps his hands loudly.)his hands loudly.)

Forrest:Forrest: (Awakens.)(Awakens.) Oh, Oh, excuse me. I must have been excuse me. I must have been sleepinsleepin'' or somp-thing. or somp-thing. (Stares at guard(Stares at guard''s strange s strange clothing.)clothing.) Come to think of it, Come to think of it, maybe I am still sleepinmaybe I am still sleepin''..

78

Guard 2:Guard 2: Who are you?Who are you?

Forrest:Forrest: My name is Forrest. My name is Forrest. Forrest Gump. Would you like Forrest Gump. Would you like a chocolate?a chocolate?

79

Guard 1:Guard 1: Chocolate? That Chocolate? That looks messy. Yeah thatlooks messy. Yeah that''s just s just what we really need all over what we really need all over our hands when we go to talk our hands when we go to talk to the Priests to tell them the to the Priests to tell them the whole embarrassing story. whole embarrassing story. HeHe''ll think well think we''re stupid or re stupid or something.something.

80

Forrest:Forrest: Mamma says stupid Mamma says stupid is as stupid does. Did you do is as stupid does. Did you do something stu-pid, like get something stu-pid, like get yourself killed or something?yourself killed or something?

Guard 1:Guard 1: As good as killed!As good as killed!

Guard 2:Guard 2: DonDon''t exaggerate!t exaggerate!

81

Guard 1:Guard 1: WhoWho''s s exaggerating? You thought exaggerating? You thought we got in trouble when we let we got in trouble when we let that guy come into the Temple that guy come into the Temple and turn over all those tables. and turn over all those tables.

Guard 2:Guard 2: I thought it was I thought it was kind of funny.kind of funny.

82

Guard 1:Guard 1: Well the Sanhedrin Well the Sanhedrin didndidn''t think it was t think it was (mocking (mocking voice)voice) "Kind of funny." And "Kind of funny." And that was a slap on the wrist that was a slap on the wrist compared to what wecompared to what we''re re gonnagonna'' see now. see now.

Forrest:Forrest: What happened?What happened?

83

Guard 1:Guard 1: Well, you see, we Well, you see, we were guarding the grave of were guarding the grave of this dead guy.this dead guy.

Guard 2:Guard 2: And suddenly there And suddenly there was this earthquake…was this earthquake…

84

Guard 1:Guard 1: And the grave And the grave opens and thereopens and there''s this big guys this big guy—I—I''m tellinm tellin'' you he was 8 feet you he was 8 feet tall if he was a foot…tall if he was a foot…

Guard 2:Guard 2: YouYou''re exaggerating re exaggerating again…again…

85

Guard 1:Guard 1: He was dressed all He was dressed all in white and shining like in white and shining like lightening, sitting on top of lightening, sitting on top of the stone…the stone…

Forrest:Forrest: What did you do?What did you do?

Guard 1:Guard 1: Well, I walked right Well, I walked right up to him and hit him with up to him and hit him with my…my…

86

Guard 2:Guard 2: Walked? Hit? What Walked? Hit? What are you talking about? The are you talking about? The only thing you hit was the only thing you hit was the ground when he so much as ground when he so much as glanced in your direction.glanced in your direction.

Guard 1:Guard 1: Well you didnWell you didn''t do t do any better, tin man! You were any better, tin man! You were shaking in your armor, until shaking in your armor, until you tipped over like you were you tipped over like you were dead!dead!

87

Guard 2:Guard 2: Okay, I admit it. I Okay, I admit it. I was terrified! Who wouldnwas terrified! Who wouldn''t t have been?have been?

Guard 1:Guard 1: So our dilemma is So our dilemma is what do we tell our superior?what do we tell our superior?

88

Forrest:Forrest: Mamma always said Mamma always said you should just tell the truth you should just tell the truth on account of the truth is on account of the truth is always the best policy.always the best policy.

89

Guard 1:Guard 1: Oh thatOh that''s rich. s rich. "Well, you see, sir, this "Well, you see, sir, this extraterrestrial scared us silly extraterrestrial scared us silly and opened the grave. When and opened the grave. When we finally woke up, both E.T. we finally woke up, both E.T. and the body were gone." and the body were gone."

Forrest:Forrest: DonDon''t forget to tell t forget to tell him about the earthquake…I him about the earthquake…I like that part…like that part…

90

Guard 1:Guard 1: YouYou''re not helping!re not helping!

Guard 2:Guard 2: (To Forrest.)(To Forrest.) I like I like that part too!that part too!

Guard 1:Guard 1: (Screams.)(Screams.) Enough Enough of this nonsense. We better be of this nonsense. We better be on our way before our superior on our way before our superior hears about this…hears about this…

91

Forrest:Forrest: II''ll be praying for ll be praying for you guys. You want a you guys. You want a chocolate for the road? chocolate for the road?

Guard 1:Guard 1: YouYou''re not very re not very bright, are you Gump? bright, are you Gump?

Forrest:Forrest: My momma always My momma always said…said…

92

Guard 1:Guard 1: Yes, I know what Yes, I know what your momma said. I just donyour momma said. I just don''t t know what Caiaphas is going know what Caiaphas is going to say. to say. (Guards exit.)(Guards exit.)

Forrest:Forrest: (To Audience.)(To Audience.) I may I may not be a smart man, but Inot be a smart man, but I''m m glad Iglad I''m not in their shoes. m not in their shoes. They look like very They look like very uncomfortable shoes.uncomfortable shoes.

93

(Guard 2 returns for a (Guard 2 returns for a chocolate.)chocolate.)

Guard 2:Guard 2: Thanks Forrest. Thanks Forrest. See you later.See you later.

94

Forrest:Forrest: (To audience.)(To audience.) I I wonder what Jenny is up to wonder what Jenny is up to this Beautiful Easter morn-ing. this Beautiful Easter morn-ing. I miss Jenny. When I close my I miss Jenny. When I close my eyes, I can almost hear her eyes, I can almost hear her voice.voice. (Forrest falls asleep.)(Forrest falls asleep.)

Joanna:Joanna: Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir.

Forrest:Forrest: Jenny?Jenny?

95

Joanna:Joanna: Not Jenny. ItNot Jenny. It''s s Joanna.Joanna.

Forrest:Forrest: Oh…a sorry.Oh…a sorry.

Mary Moja:Mary Moja: Could you Could you please help us?please help us?

96

Forrest:Forrest: Yes, maYes, ma''am. I could am. I could help you, I think. Would you help you, I think. Would you like a chocolate? like a chocolate?

Mary Moja:Mary Moja: II''m Mary, the m Mary, the mother of James and wife of mother of James and wife of Alphaeus.…Alphaeus.…

97

Salome:Salome: And IAnd I''m Salome, the m Salome, the wife of Zebedee, and mother wife of Zebedee, and mother of James and John.of James and John.

Joanna:Joanna: And IAnd I''m Joanna, the m Joanna, the wife of Chuz, the steward of wife of Chuz, the steward of Herod Agrippa.Herod Agrippa.

98

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: II''m Mary from m Mary from Magdalla. People call me Mary Magdalla. People call me Mary Magdalene.Magdalene.

Forrest:Forrest: My nameMy name''s Forrest, s Forrest, Forrest Gump. People call me Forrest Gump. People call me Forrest Gump. Forrest Gump.

99

Mary Moja:Mary Moja: WeWe''re going to re going to need your help.need your help.

Salome:Salome: You see, weYou see, we''ve ve come to bring anointing spices come to bring anointing spices for the body of our friend for the body of our friend Jesus, who was crucified two Jesus, who was crucified two days ago. days ago.

100

Forrest:Forrest: Spices? I like Spices? I like cinnamon on my apple pie. cinnamon on my apple pie.

Joanna:Joanna: Um…okay. You see, Um…okay. You see, Nicodemus and Joseph did the Nicodemus and Joseph did the best they could with limited best they could with limited time on Friday before the time on Friday before the Sabbath, but they were in a Sabbath, but they were in a hurry, and they were hurry, and they were shorthanded. shorthanded.

101

Mary Moja:Mary Moja: Men. Never send Men. Never send a man to do a womana man to do a woman''s job. s job.

Salome:Salome: And naturally, we And naturally, we couldncouldn''t prepare the body on t prepare the body on the Sabbath. But today we the Sabbath. But today we want to make sure the job is want to make sure the job is done right. done right.

102

Joanna:Joanna: So we got an early So we got an early start. start.

Mary Moja:Mary Moja: But we think But we think wewe''ll need someone to help ll need someone to help roll away the stone at the roll away the stone at the grave. Thank God you came grave. Thank God you came along.along.

103

Forrest:Forrest: Grave stone? You Grave stone? You want me to tip over a grave want me to tip over a grave stone? Momma always said stone? Momma always said "Stupid is as stupid does." I"Stupid is as stupid does." I''m m not tipping over any grave not tipping over any grave stone. stone.

104

Salome:Salome: No, I donNo, I don''t think you t think you understand. Itunderstand. It''s the stone s the stone that seals the opening to the that seals the opening to the grave. Come, wegrave. Come, we''ll show you.ll show you.

(Party walks into grave. Lights (Party walks into grave. Lights shining.)shining.)

105

Mary Mojo:Mary Mojo: Look! ItLook! It''s open! s open! The stone has been rolled The stone has been rolled aside and the grave is open!aside and the grave is open!

Forrest:Forrest: ThatThat''s good. One s good. One less thing. less thing.

Salome:Salome: Quickly, letQuickly, let''s go in s go in and finish the work.and finish the work.

106

(Party walks into grave.)(Party walks into grave.)

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Look. ItLook. It''s gone. s gone. The body is gone. TheyThe body is gone. They''ve ve taken him away. Theytaken him away. They''ve taken ve taken his body!his body!

Joanna:Joanna: Mary, itMary, it''s alright. s alright. LetLet''s take a closer look.s take a closer look.

107

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: You stay, IYou stay, I''m m going to get Peter and John. going to get Peter and John. (Mary Maggie exits the grave (Mary Maggie exits the grave and runs down the aisle.)and runs down the aisle.)

(Flash of lights come from (Flash of lights come from inside the gravesite. The inside the gravesite. The remaining three women and remaining three women and Forrest throw themselves to Forrest throw themselves to the ground.)the ground.)

108

Angel 1:Angel 1: DonDon''t be alarmed. t be alarmed.

Angel 2:Angel 2: Why do you look for Why do you look for the living among the dead?the living among the dead?

109

Angel 1:Angel 1: You are looking for You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isncrucified. He isn''t here! He is t here! He is risen from the dead! risen from the dead! (Points to (Points to the place where Jesus body the place where Jesus body was.)was.) Look, this is where they Look, this is where they laid his body. laid his body. (Forrest goes (Forrest goes over and looks at the place over and looks at the place where the body was.)where the body was.)

110

Forrest:Forrest: Ladies.Ladies.

Ladies:Ladies: Yes. Yes. (They look at (They look at each other.)each other.)

Forrest:Forrest: I donI don''t think yout think you''re re going to need any of your going to need any of your spices.spices.

111

Angel 2:Angel 2: Remember how he Remember how he told you, while he was still told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day crucified and on the third day be raised again."be raised again."

112

Angel 1:Angel 1: Now go and tell his Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he just as he told you before he died.died.

(Women slowly back out of the (Women slowly back out of the grave. Forrest just stands and grave. Forrest just stands and stares at the angels.)stares at the angels.)

113

Forrest:Forrest: Are you fellowAre you fellow''s s angels? Iangels? I''ve never seen a real ve never seen a real angel before…except Jenny…angel before…except Jenny…and Momma says she wasnand Momma says she wasn''t t really an angel…but just really an angel…but just looked like one…looked like one…

Angel 1:Angel 1: We are servants of We are servants of the most high God. The the most high God. The creator of all that exists. creator of all that exists.

114

Forrest:Forrest: Well I just Well I just wondered, cause you sure look wondered, cause you sure look like Angels, all bright and like Angels, all bright and shiny. shiny.

Angel 2:Angel 2: Standing in the Standing in the presence of the most high, we presence of the most high, we merely radiate a fraction of merely radiate a fraction of the brilliance of the one before the brilliance of the one before whom we serve.whom we serve.

115

Forrest:Forrest: Momma always said Momma always said our appearance reflects our our appearance reflects our company. It sure was nice of company. It sure was nice of you to open this cave to let you to open this cave to let Jesus out.Jesus out.

116

Angel 1:Angel 1: Oh, Jesus didnOh, Jesus didn''t t need our help. As the Son of need our help. As the Son of the most high, he rose on his the most high, he rose on his own, and he certainly didnown, and he certainly didn''t t need our help to exit the need our help to exit the grave.grave.

117

Forrest:Forrest: Hmm…then he Hmm…then he really must be the son of God. really must be the son of God. I had trouble just getting out I had trouble just getting out of bed this morning, and I of bed this morning, and I wasnwasn''t even beaten and t even beaten and crucified like Jesus.crucified like Jesus.

118

Angel 2:Angel 2: You see, we opened You see, we opened the grave not to let JESUS OUT, the grave not to let JESUS OUT, but to let his FOLLOWERS IN to but to let his FOLLOWERS IN to witness the evidence of his witness the evidence of his resurrection. resurrection.

Forrest:Forrest: Momma always said Momma always said it was nice to open the door it was nice to open the door for ladies.for ladies.

119

Angel 1:Angel 1: Not just the ladies, Not just the ladies, but for all people of all but for all people of all generations. You see, Forrest, generations. You see, Forrest, as one who has read the as one who has read the account of the resurrection in account of the resurrection in all four gospels, you too are a all four gospels, you too are a witness. God has opened the witness. God has opened the door for you.door for you.

120

Angel 2:Angel 2: Just like the spice Just like the spice girls, you are one whom God girls, you are one whom God has invited into the grave to has invited into the grave to see it as empty. see it as empty.

Angel 1:Angel 1: Now run and tell Now run and tell everyone you know what the everyone you know what the most high has revealed to you! most high has revealed to you! Invite them to come see for Invite them to come see for themselves.themselves.

121

Mary Mojo:Mary Mojo: (In background.)(In background.) Forrest! Forrest, where are Forrest! Forrest, where are you?you?

Forrest:Forrest: Well, I better be go-Well, I better be go-ing now. Thank you for inviting ing now. Thank you for inviting me to your resurrection par-me to your resurrection par-tee.tee.

122

Mary Mojo:Mary Mojo: (In background.)(In background.) There you are! Run, Forrest, There you are! Run, Forrest, run! run!

Angel 1:Angel 1: Get along now. Get along now. (Motions for Forrest to leave. (Motions for Forrest to leave. Forrest runs out of the room. Forrest runs out of the room. Angels look at each other.)Angels look at each other.)

123

Angel 2:Angel 2: Never a dull Never a dull moment, is there?moment, is there?

Angel 1:Angel 1: To think He lived To think He lived among these people for over among these people for over thirty years?thirty years?

Angel 2:Angel 2: (Best John Wayne (Best John Wayne impersonation.)impersonation.) Truly he is Truly he is the son of God.the son of God.

124

Nathan:Nathan: We We''ll pick up the ll pick up the rest of Forrestrest of Forrest''s story in a s story in a bit. Please join me in bit. Please join me in prayer. prayer. (Nathan will now (Nathan will now give his sermon.)give his sermon.)

125

(Mary Maggie approaches (Mary Maggie approaches Peter & John at bench. Both Peter & John at bench. Both are napping with their backs are napping with their backs against each other.)against each other.)

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Peter!Peter!

(Peter falls on floor and John (Peter falls on floor and John tips over.)tips over.)

126

Peter:Peter: (Shouts.)(Shouts.) YOW!!! YOW!!! WhatWhat''s the big idea, Mary?s the big idea, Mary?

Mary:Mary: Oh, IOh, I''m sorry, itm sorry, it''s just s just that…that…that…that…

Peter:Peter: You scare me like that You scare me like that again, and Iagain, and I''ll be the next one ll be the next one in the grave. in the grave.

127

Mary:Mary: II''m SO sorry. Itm SO sorry. It''s just s just that…that…that…that…

John:John: Yeah, I heard the Yeah, I heard the running footsteps, and running footsteps, and thought…well I thought...thought…well I thought...

Peter:Peter: You thought they were You thought they were coming for us too, didncoming for us too, didn''t you, t you, John.John.

128

John:John: Well, isnWell, isn''t that what t that what you thought, Peter?you thought, Peter?

Peter:Peter: Yes, I guess weYes, I guess we''re all a re all a little on edge. Reminded me of little on edge. Reminded me of my early years at the my early years at the Merchant FishermanMerchant Fisherman''s s Academy. Academy.

129

John:John: That bad, huh? Well That bad, huh? Well II''ve scarcely slept a wink ve scarcely slept a wink either since the night at either since the night at Gethsemene…and I probably Gethsemene…and I probably wonwon''t sleep until wet sleep until we''re back re back home in Galilee again. home in Galilee again.

130

Peter:Peter: Yes, it doesnYes, it doesn''t help that t help that I havenI haven''t strung together more t strung together more than a couple hours of sleep in than a couple hours of sleep in the last three days either. the last three days either.

Mary:Mary: You two havenYou two haven''t been t been sleeping either?sleeping either?

131

John:John: No. Every time Peter No. Every time Peter hears a rooster crow, he bolts hears a rooster crow, he bolts to the door.to the door.

Peter:Peter: I never realized how I never realized how many roosters there are in many roosters there are in Jerusalem…until the last three Jerusalem…until the last three days. It seems Idays. It seems I''m hearing m hearing them constantly in my sleep.them constantly in my sleep.

132

John:John: So whatSo what''s the problem, s the problem, Mary.Mary.

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: John, youJohn, you''re not re not going to believe this, but going to believe this, but theythey''ve taken the Lord out of ve taken the Lord out of the tomb.the tomb.

John:John: They who? Joseph? The They who? Joseph? The Romans? The Sanhedrin? Romans? The Sanhedrin?

133

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: I donI don''t know.t know.

Peter:Peter: Oh great, another Oh great, another fanciful womanfanciful woman''s conspiracy s conspiracy theory. Someone hiding in the theory. Someone hiding in the grassy knoll, no doubt.grassy knoll, no doubt.

134

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Look guys, all I Look guys, all I know is heknow is he''s not in the grave, s not in the grave, the grave was open, and we the grave was open, and we dondon''t know where they have t know where they have put him!put him!

Peter:Peter: Mary, come in and lie Mary, come in and lie down, you must be imagining down, you must be imagining things. Youthings. You''re tired. Youre tired. You''re re depressed. Youdepressed. You''re hungry.re hungry.

135

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Yes. IYes. I''m all those m all those things. Ithings. I''m a first century m a first century woman for crying out loud. woman for crying out loud. II''m exasperated! Donm exasperated! Don''t you t you hear me? Peter, Ihear me? Peter, I''m telling m telling you, the grave was open and you, the grave was open and the body was gone.the body was gone.

136

Peter:Peter: Very well. JohnVery well. John..(John ..(John takes off)takes off)……quickly! quickly! (Peter (Peter follows John down aisle at a follows John down aisle at a much slower pace.)much slower pace.)

137

Mary:Mary: Wait, IWait, I''ll go with you.ll go with you. (Mary Maggie follows. John (Mary Maggie follows. John arrives first at the grave and arrives first at the grave and stands outside looking in. stands outside looking in. Peter arrives next and stands Peter arrives next and stands next to John.)next to John.)

138

John:John: Peter, look! The strips Peter, look! The strips of linen are there, but no of linen are there, but no body. Itbody. It''s just as Mary said. s just as Mary said. (Peter moves on into the (Peter moves on into the tomb.)tomb.)

Peter:Peter: John, look! The burial John, look! The burial cloth from his head is there cloth from his head is there also. No mere grave robber also. No mere grave robber could have done this. could have done this. (John (John stands by Peter and falls to his stands by Peter and falls to his knees.)knees.)

139

John:John: Peter, this is not the Peter, this is not the work of man. But what is it? work of man. But what is it? What can it mean? What can it mean? (Both men (Both men slowly back out of the grave slowly back out of the grave and exit down the aisle again.)and exit down the aisle again.)

140

(Mary arrives at the grave, (Mary arrives at the grave, drops to her knees outside the drops to her knees outside the grave in despair.)grave in despair.)

Forrest: Forrest: And when I got to the And when I got to the end of the aisle, I figured Iend of the aisle, I figured I''d d just turn around and head on just turn around and head on back.back.

Angel 1:Angel 1: Woman, why are Woman, why are you crying?you crying?

141

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: They have taken They have taken my Lord away, and I donmy Lord away, and I don''t t know where they have put know where they have put him. him.

(Jesus comes up behind Mary, (Jesus comes up behind Mary, but she mistakes him as a but she mistakes him as a gardener.)gardener.)

142

Jesus:Jesus: Woman, why are you Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are crying? Who is it you are looking for? looking for?

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Sir, if you have Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I where you have put him, and I will get him.will get him.

143

Jesus:Jesus: Mary!Mary!

Marry Maggie:Marry Maggie: Teacher! Teacher! (They embrace.)(They embrace.)

144

Jesus:Jesus: Do not hold on to me, Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, "I am brothers and tell them, "I am returning to my Father and returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your Father, to my God and your God." your God."

(Mary exits, but Forrest stays (Mary exits, but Forrest stays behind to visit with Jesus.)behind to visit with Jesus.)

145

Forrest:Forrest: Jesus?Jesus?

Jesus:Jesus: Yes, Forrest.Yes, Forrest.

Forrest:Forrest: You know my name?You know my name?

146

Jesus:Jesus: Why not? You know Why not? You know mine! The good shepherd mine! The good shepherd knows his sheep, and they knows his sheep, and they recognize his voice. Right, recognize his voice. Right, Forrest? And they respond to Forrest? And they respond to his calling.his calling.

147

Forrest:Forrest: Like you called Mary Like you called Mary by name, and then she by name, and then she recognized you. Itrecognized you. It''s like wes like we''re re blind and then magically weblind and then magically we''re re able to see once you call us. able to see once you call us. Our eyes are opened, and we Our eyes are opened, and we respond.respond.

148

Jesus:Jesus: Yeah, youYeah, you''re getting it. re getting it. Mary didnMary didn''t recognize me until t recognize me until I said her name. "He has sent I said her name. "He has sent me to proclaim freedom for me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind." sight for the blind."

149

Forrest:Forrest: Hey, I know that Hey, I know that verse. Thatverse. That''s what you quoted s what you quoted from Isaiah when you started from Isaiah when you started your ministry.your ministry.

150

Jesus:Jesus: Very good, Forrest. And Very good, Forrest. And itit''s not just the physically s not just the physically blind; more often itblind; more often it''s the s the spiritually blind. And it even spiritually blind. And it even helps the spiritually mature. In helps the spiritually mature. In fact, that assurance of my fact, that assurance of my works from Isaiah eased the works from Isaiah eased the mind of John the Baptist when mind of John the Baptist when he questioned if I really was he questioned if I really was the Messiah.the Messiah.

151

Forrest:Forrest: And itAnd it''s a recurring s a recurring theme in the Easter story too.theme in the Easter story too.

Jesus:Jesus: Funny how it all ties Funny how it all ties together isntogether isn''t it, Forrest? t it, Forrest?

152

Forrest:Forrest: And it happened And it happened elsewhere in the gospels too, elsewhere in the gospels too, didndidn''t it.t it.

Jesus:Jesus: I think youI think you''re onto re onto something, Forrest. I called something, Forrest. I called Peter and Andrew, and John Peter and Andrew, and John and James to follow me, and and James to follow me, and they did.they did.

153

Forrest:Forrest: And that guy under And that guy under the fig tree.the fig tree.

Jesus:Jesus: Nathaniel.Nathaniel.

Forrest:Forrest: And that other guy And that other guy who died.who died.

154

Jesus:Jesus: My good friend My good friend Lazarus? Yeah, him too. And Lazarus? Yeah, him too. And when you go home today, take when you go home today, take a look through the old a look through the old testament. Ittestament. It''s there too. We s there too. We searched out Adam when he searched out Adam when he was lost in his sin, called Abe, was lost in his sin, called Abe, wrestled with Jacob, called wrestled with Jacob, called Moses and hand-picked David Moses and hand-picked David and more. and more.

155

Jesus:Jesus: Sometimes we used Sometimes we used dreams or angels or judges or dreams or angels or judges or prophets to call them, and prophets to call them, and sometimes we were more sometimes we were more direct.direct.

Forrest:Forrest: Yeah, hey it was you Yeah, hey it was you sitting by me at the park sitting by me at the park bench earlier, wasnbench earlier, wasn''t it, only I t it, only I didndidn''t recognize you.t recognize you.

156

Jesus:Jesus: I guess you didnI guess you didn''t t recognize me from my pictures recognize me from my pictures in your Bible. in your Bible.

Forrest:Forrest: A lot of the pictures A lot of the pictures just donjust don''t capture you, Jesus.t capture you, Jesus.

157

Jesus:Jesus: Yeah, but hey, artists Yeah, but hey, artists are only human, right? But are only human, right? But the gospels: now they give the gospels: now they give you a pretty clear picture of you a pretty clear picture of me. But you have to read me. But you have to read them closely, and not with them closely, and not with hidden agendas or hidden agendas or preconceived notions. Those preconceived notions. Those things only muddy up the things only muddy up the clarity of the image.clarity of the image.

158

Forrest:Forrest: The way you call The way you call people reminds me of those people reminds me of those crazy pictures people hang in crazy pictures people hang in their homes: the ones that their homes: the ones that look like a lot of blot-ches and look like a lot of blot-ches and splot-ches, but if you look at splot-ches, but if you look at them just right, a picture of them just right, a picture of something pops right out of something pops right out of the canvas at you.the canvas at you.

159

Jesus:Jesus: Exactly. People will Exactly. People will read and re-read the gospels read and re-read the gospels and even the entire Bible and and even the entire Bible and never get a clear picture of never get a clear picture of me. me.

Forrest:Forrest: Then all of a Then all of a sudden, for no particular sudden, for no particular reason, they get it.reason, they get it.

160

Jesus:Jesus: The scales fall from The scales fall from their eyes and the Holy Spirit their eyes and the Holy Spirit reveals himself, Forrest. The reveals himself, Forrest. The parables were like that too. parables were like that too. People couldnPeople couldn''t understand t understand the parables unless God the parables unless God revealed the meaning to them. revealed the meaning to them. It made me sad when they It made me sad when they didndidn''t get it. t get it.

161

Jesus:Jesus: Why, most of my best Why, most of my best teachings—and incidentally teachings—and incidentally some of my best stand-up some of my best stand-up material—was found in the material—was found in the parables.parables.

Forrest:Forrest: And people will hear And people will hear the Easter story year after the Easter story year after year, but will only get it if God year, but will only get it if God reveals it to them.reveals it to them.

162

Jesus:Jesus: There are people all There are people all over the world today, who over the world today, who have heard the Easter story have heard the Easter story hundreds of times, but will hundreds of times, but will hear my voice calling their hear my voice calling their name for the first time today. name for the first time today.

Forrest:Forrest: ItIt''s like they have s like they have risen with you then, Jesus. risen with you then, Jesus.

163

Jesus:Jesus: Follow me, Forrest. IFollow me, Forrest. I''ve ve got a couple more friends Igot a couple more friends I''d d like you to meet. like you to meet.

(Jesus and Forrest walk along (Jesus and Forrest walk along and join two disciples on the and join two disciples on the way to Emmaus: Cleopas and way to Emmaus: Cleopas and the "other disciple")the "other disciple")

164

Cleopas:Cleopas: So the guard tells So the guard tells me the one angel is named me the one angel is named Hans and the other Angel is Hans and the other Angel is named Franz.named Franz.

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Hans and Hans and Franz? I doubt it. Maybe in the Franz? I doubt it. Maybe in the Greek?Greek?

165

Cleopas:Cleopas: But Mary says the But Mary says the angel looks like Frankie angel looks like Frankie Avalon, whereas Salome says Avalon, whereas Salome says hehe''s a dead-ringer for Pat s a dead-ringer for Pat Boone.Boone.

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Whoever Whoever they are?they are?

Cleopas:Cleopas: Women!Women!

166

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Yeah, Yeah, Women!Women!

Jesus:Jesus: Good afternoon. Mind if Good afternoon. Mind if we join you?we join you?

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Go right Go right ahead.ahead.

167

Jesus:Jesus: So, what are you So, what are you discussing so intently as you discussing so intently as you walk along?walk along?

(The two men stand still in (The two men stand still in shock).shock).

168

Cleopas:Cleopas: You must be the You must be the ONLY person in Jerusalem who ONLY person in Jerusalem who hasnhasn''t heard about all the t heard about all the things that have happened things that have happened there the last few days.there the last few days.

Jesus:Jesus: What things?What things?

169

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: The things The things that happened to Jesus, the that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth.man from Nazareth.

Jesus:Jesus: Nazareth, can anything Nazareth, can anything good come from there good come from there (winks)(winks)??

Cleopas:Cleopas: He was a prophet…He was a prophet…

170

Jesus:Jesus: A prophet you say…A prophet you say…

Cleopas:Cleopas: …who did powerful …who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and teacher in the eyes of God and all the people.all the people.

171

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: But our But our leading priests and other leading priests and other religious leaders handed him religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. death, and they crucified him.

Jesus:Jesus: So they were the So they were the rascals responsible, huh? Is rascals responsible, huh? Is that so?that so?

172

Cleopas:Cleopas: We had hoped he We had hoped he was the Messiah who had was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. happened three days ago.

Jesus:Jesus: Rescue Israel, huh? I Rescue Israel, huh? I see.see.

173

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Then some Then some women from our group of his women from our group of his followers were at his tomb followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they early this morning, and they came back with an amazing came back with an amazing report.report.

Jesus:Jesus: II''m sure they did.m sure they did.

174

Cleopas:Cleopas: They said his body They said his body was missing, and they had was missing, and they had seen angels who told them seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!

Jesus:Jesus: You donYou don''t say? It say? I''m m ‘gonna have to see that.‘gonna have to see that.

175

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Some of our Some of our men ran out to see, and sure men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.just as the women had said.

Jesus:Jesus: Those women are sharp Those women are sharp ones all right. You should ones all right. You should have believed them to start have believed them to start with, eh?with, eh?

176

Cleopas:Cleopas: So, what do you So, what do you make of all this?make of all this?

Jesus:Jesus: Look, wasnLook, wasn''t it clearly t it clearly predicted that the Messiah predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these would have to suffer all these things before entering his things before entering his glory? You find it so hard to glory? You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. wrote in the Scriptures.

177

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Explain it to Explain it to us. Weus. We''re listening.re listening.

178

……several hours later…several hours later…

179

Cleopas:Cleopas: Stranger, stay the Stranger, stay the night with us, since it is night with us, since it is getting late.getting late.

(The men sit on the chancel (The men sit on the chancel steps. Jesus sits.)steps. Jesus sits.)

(Forrest opens his suitcase (Forrest opens his suitcase and takes out some bread.)and takes out some bread.)

180

(Jesus breaks the bread and (Jesus breaks the bread and hands to the two.)hands to the two.)

Jesus:Jesus: Father, bless this food Father, bless this food to our nourishment and your to our nourishment and your glory. glory.

181

(The disciples freeze mid bite, (The disciples freeze mid bite, but Forrest and Jesus walk but Forrest and Jesus walk away from the table.)away from the table.)

(Forrest goes back to park (Forrest goes back to park bench.)bench.)

(The men"unfreeze"and look (The men"unfreeze"and look at each other and shrug.)at each other and shrug.)

182

Cleopas:Cleopas: Well, that was odd. Well, that was odd. II''m outtam outta'' here. here.

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: We gottaWe gotta'' get back to the city and tell get back to the city and tell the others. Theythe others. They''ll never ll never believe this.believe this.

183

Cleopas:Cleopas: DidnDidn''t our hearts t our hearts burn within us as he talked burn within us as he talked with us on the road and with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to explained the Scriptures to us?us?

Other Disciple:Other Disciple: Hmm...IHmm...I''m m not looking forward to sharing not looking forward to sharing our experience with the our experience with the women.women.

184

(Forrest is asleep on the bench (Forrest is asleep on the bench as the two men walk down the as the two men walk down the aisle together. Forrest aisle together. Forrest awakens. Forrest Gump Theme awakens. Forrest Gump Theme plays in background.)plays in background.)

185

Forrest:Forrest: Oh, looks like I fell Oh, looks like I fell asleep again. Sorry about asleep again. Sorry about that. that. (Opens his box of (Opens his box of chocolates.)chocolates.) You know, I think You know, I think the first Easter was like a box the first Easter was like a box of chocolates. No one knew of chocolates. No one knew exactly what to expect, but it exactly what to expect, but it was all good inside. was all good inside.

186

Forrest:Forrest: Now, I don Now, I don''t know if t know if we all have a destiny or if we all have a destiny or if wewe''re all floatinre all floatin'' around like on around like on a breeze, but maybe ita breeze, but maybe it''s both. s both. Maybe itMaybe it''s both happening at s both happening at the same time. I do know that the same time. I do know that Jesus lives, and that heJesus lives, and that he''s s called my name, enlightened called my name, enlightened me with the Easter story, and me with the Easter story, and changed me through the work changed me through the work of the Holy G-host in my life. of the Holy G-host in my life.

187

Forrest:Forrest: Maybe he Maybe he''s calling s calling your name too. Thatyour name too. That''s all Is all I''ve ve got to say about that.got to say about that.

Peter:Peter: (Offstage voice.)(Offstage voice.) Run Run Forrest Run.Forrest Run.

Forrest:Forrest: I gottaI gotta'' Run Run. . (Exits.)(Exits.)

188

Annee:Annee: Please join us in Please join us in singing the Christian singing the Christian classic, "Be Thou My Vision" classic, "Be Thou My Vision" as we receive the offering. as we receive the offering. (Annee will receive the (Annee will receive the offering and place on altar.)offering and place on altar.)

189

Be Thou My VisionBe Thou My Vision

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my Heart.

Naught be all else to me, Save that thou art.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night.

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

190


Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word

I ever with Thee And Thou with me, Lord;Thou my great Father,

and I Thy true son.Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

191


Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise.Thou mine inheritance,

now and always;Thou and Thou only,

first in my heart.High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

192


High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns sun

Heart of my own heart, Heart of my own heart, Heart of my own heart,

whatever befall,

193


Still be my vision, Still be my vision, Still be my vision,

O Ruler of all.

194

Annee:Annee: {Invite people to come {Invite people to come to Breakfast (for German to Breakfast (for German Chocolate Easter Bunnies) & Chocolate Easter Bunnies) & return for the Festival Service, return for the Festival Service, Closing Prayer, include thanks Closing Prayer, include thanks for birth of Kendall Mae for birth of Kendall Mae Johnson} Johnson} Please stand and Please stand and join us in the closing song.join us in the closing song.

Slide #195


196

Nothing But the BloodNothing But the Blood

Verse 1

What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole again


197


Chorus

O precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know


198


Verse 2

For my pardon this I see


For my cleansing this my plea


199


Chorus

O precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know


200


Verse 3

This is all my hope and peace


This is all my righteousness


201


O precious is the flowThat makes me white as snow

No other fount I knowNothing but the blood of Jesus

(Repeat Above)

Nothing but the blood of JesusNothing but the blood of Jesus

202

(Choir parts to reveal Adam & (Choir parts to reveal Adam & Eva in chairs behind)Eva in chairs behind)

Eva:Eva: (Elbows Adam)(Elbows Adam) So what So what do you have to say for do you have to say for yourself. yourself.

All (Sam Stands to give the All (Sam Stands to give the blessing).blessing).

203

Closing BlessingClosing Blessing

AdamAdam: Go now and serve the : Go now and serve the risen Lord. He is risen.risen Lord. He is risen.

AllAll:: He is risen indeed. Thanks He is risen indeed. Thanks be to God, Amen.be to God, Amen.

204

Thanks for Thanks for participating in participating in

the Sunrise the Sunrise ServiceService

Please join us for Breakfast in the Please join us for Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall!Fellowship Hall!

1 Welcome to Ascension ! Relax and make yourself at home.

Documents

Transcript of 1 Welcome to Ascension ! Relax and make yourself at home.