Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Calvary Pentecostal Church plans Easter play

The Calvary United Pentecostal Church, Highway 67, Gurdon, will present its annual Easter play on Friday night, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., and again on Easter Sunday at 10 a.m.

Pastor Bill O'Connell said, "This has been growing for seven or eight years and is free of charge to the public.

"We send out tickets sometimes but you don't have to have one to attend. All are invited. We have two performances because we realize most people don't want to miss Easter service at their home church. This way, those who would like to come see our young people tell the story of the ministry and resurrection of Jesus Christ can be there."

O'Connell said this year's crew of actors and actresses is the largest group the church has ever had. He has 41 children, ages 5-18 performing, and six adults who do some of the singing. Last year, the combined attendance for the two performances was approximately 350.

The first year for the local "Passion Play" started with seven or eight children and made about a 15-minute Easter drama. The current production will last between 45-50 minutes.

"It tells the story of the ministry of Jesus Christ, everything to the cross and ending with the resurrection," he said.

"Our six adults have singing parts, while the kids are acting out what the songs are saying."

O'Connell said the first scene involves the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Then Christ is shown doing some healings, such as from being blind or the palsy.

There are eight other scenes to the play. They are: raising the daughter of Jairius from the dead; raising Lazarus from the dead; Mary's Alabaster Box; Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem; Jesus praying in the Garden of Gesthemene; judgment in Pilate's Hall; Calvary and the cross; and the empty tomb.

"We have a lot of props and black lights for effect, plus a song from Carmen to set the mood of Lazarus raising from the dead," O'Connell said.

"In one scene, Lazarus is speaking to the Old Testament saints about how he has known Jesus. Then Jesus calls him to come back."

O'Connell said the scene with Mary's Alabaster Box has a young girl telling where she came from and what Jesus Christ did in her life.

"We have a lot of music and a lot of palm branches being laid at the feet of Jesus," he said. "Our rocks for the tomb are made from spray painted paper bags and newspapers."

The minister said there are moving parts of the play, such as where Jesus is being whipped with a cat of nine tails.

"It is not uncommon for people in the audiences to cry at points in the play because it is such a moving story," O'Connell said.

"Our final numbers include Rise Again' and He's Alive.' We encourage everyone to attend."

As to changes this year, O'Connell said live music is prevalent. Now, only two of eight songs are sound tracks. The rest is live music.

Sets are stored from year to year. Rehearsal starts a month to two months ahead of play times.

"Come see all of the results from the hard work these children have put into this performance," he said. "We have a nursery available for smaller children who parents may want to bring to the show. The nursery is also free."

Calvary United Pentecostal is a brick church at 7128 Highway 67, near the Gurdon City Park, on that same side of the road.