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Fraser: Easter drama retells story of the resurrection

by Cyndi Palmer
Sky-Hi Daily News

Fraser Valley Baptist Church presents its annual Easter drama this Sunday with “The Mourning After.”

An abbreviated version of the full five-act play will be staged at two different times on Sunday. For those of you who caught last year’s Good Friday performance, this year’s feature is a reflection of that story.

It tells of Jesus Christ, who has just died an agonizing death nailed to a wooden cross, a prince among thieves. His disciples are left in shock and their faith unravels in their grief. Their inspirational leader warned them many times of his fate but his disciples couldn’t understand. They questioned why their Messiah seems to have lost the victory. They wonder what they were to do next. During the days following Jesus’ death, soul searching gripped the disciples as they looked for answers.



This is at least the third production for Director Lowry Foster, who was encouraged to put together dramas for the church by fellow play director Ken Anderson of the Winter Park Christian Church.

“I didn’t even known I could do it,” Foster said modestly.



He wrote the play based on the four Gospel accounts regarding the resurrection of Jesus.

“It’s really my heart to take scripture and put it to real life,” he said, noting that the drama’s narrators bring a modern-day feel to the old story.

Scene one begins as Jesus’ followers carry his body from the cross to a nearby tomb.

The women in the story recount the events of his last day, and his anguish in the garden.

Jesus was arrested and beaten and endured unspeakable trials throughout the evening. He was scourged, “crowned” with thorns, humiliated and nailed up by his hands and feet, undergoing tremendous physical, emotional and spiritual pain, which led to the inspirational leader giving up his life for the sake of the people. The long day comes to an end as the townspeople head home for Sabbath.

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” – Psalm 30:5b, the Holy Bible.

Scene two begins on the morning of the third day.

Everything seems bleak and hopeless until God calls his son to “Arise, my love.” An earthquake and lightning storm frighten the guards as an angel of God rolls away the stone blocking the tomb’s entryway. Jesus emerges not only from his worldly body and the clutch of death but as a victor over sin.

The third and final scene of “The Mourning After” reveals Jesus through somewhat humorous methods before several disciples. Mary Magdalene, Peter and John discover that Jesus’ body is missing.

But an angel meets Mary Magdalene, and the Lord reveals himself to her. The other women also visit the abandoned tomb and hear of the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus sends them off to tell the other disciples the good news and concludes the story with reassurances. He promises to continue to provide for God’s people, give them what they need to make it in this world, and will continue to live – in victory.

Cast members include Sally Harrison and Dustin Peterson as narrators, Bill Housley as Nicodemus, Tim Jenkins as Joseph of Arimathea, Suzi Morrow as Mary Magdalene, Elisa Jenkins as Mary, Katie Lady as Joanna, Angela Rindels as Elizabeth, Danielle Taute as Esther, Scott Walker and Doug Loucks as guards, Mary Housley as an angel, Foster as Jesus, Scott Walker as Peter and Doug Loucks as John.

Crew members who volunteered their talents behind the scenes include Steve Pisano, Tim and Elisa Jenkins, Foster, Mark McPherson, Heidi Gunther and Collette Schoenegy.

Ali Grayson and band provide the worship music.

“This depiction has the purpose of inspiring faith and stimulating joy in the viewers,” Foster said. “Jesus invites us all to come participate in the disciples’ sadness turned to marvelous joy.”

The church is located at 100 Doc Susie Ave. in Fraser.


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