I’m excited Brad Sherrill’s postponed tour of Prophets performances starts this week at Central Lutheran Church – Anchorage, Wed and Thur (1/19 & 1/20), 7 p.m. (Tickets available at the door.)
Additional Performances Scheduled
January 21 – St. John UMC – Anchorage – 7 p.m.
January 22 – St. John Lutheran – Palmer – 7 p.m.
January 23 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – Anchorage – 2 p.m.
January 23 – St. Mary’s Episcopal – Anchorage – 7 p.m.
January 24 – Soldotna United Methodist – 7 p.m.
January 25 – Northern Light United Church – Juneau 7 p.m.
A preview of the performance is available at this link.
My previous blog post on this performance is located by clicking this link.
I asked Walt Hays, dedicated Methodist pastor and tireless promoter of these performances, a few questions about this unique event.
CT – Why would someone come to a performance such as this?
WH – I think the performance will be of interest to those who want to know more about the Old Testament Prophets. In our day, we use the word “prophetic” to describe the lives and writing of men and women like Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela who did not count the cost but lived out a message that would help reform society in race relations, concern for the poor and political equality.
Their model was the Old Testament Prophets who “spoke truth to power” and were reviled and imprisoned for their words and actions. They were not philosophers but ordinary men who dealt with the “nitty-gritty” issues of widows and orphans, corrupt judges and dishonesty in the marketplace. They were not on the “A” list for the best dinners and parties – they were often outcasts and lived at the margins of society. Their tongues were a two-edged sword that condemned the uncaring rich and powerful and gave comfort to the poor and those in exile.
CT – What about children? Would they gain anything from attending?
WH – Yes! Children and youth often only hear a few verses of scripture read or a short passage that is excerpted for their age-level for a Sunday School story. This production will give a great overview of the themes the Prophets addressed (big ideas) — judgment, forgiveness, restoration, homecoming and a new covenant. The 21 minutes of big screen, high-quality multi-media with images of stones, deserts, water, children, prisoners, cracked pots, a globe, water, light and the trappings of a courtroom will enhance the spoken word and these themes. Kids and adults should come away with a greater appreciation of God’s great seeking love as revealed by the Prophets.
CT – What is the significance of the prophets for today? I thought those things were done away with at the cross?
WH – It is the task of every generation to reclaim the Prophet’s message and is probably best summed up by the great verse from Micah: “…the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love and to live in humble fellowship with our God” (Micah 6:8 TEV ).
The writings of the Prophets were known to Jesus and were one of the foundational pillars on which He built his teaching. When this amazing teacher-healer came on the scene, the immediate response was that “He was one of the Prophets”. We need to reaffirm these great images and themes as we conduct our faith journeys as individuals and as members of faith communities that see ourselves as a “pilgrim people” intent on doing God’s will.
A downloadable brochure is also available below.