RISE up

Last year, we wanted to get students involved during Holy Week. In high school I worked busily at this time preparing a “Stations of the Cross” presentation with my peers, so I was not a stranger to the pantomimed Good Friday services. But we wanted to try something different. There had to be a way to allow students to reflect and use their gifts (whatever they may be) to reflect on the Passion of Jesus. That student’s relationship with God would grow by seeing Jesus on the cross in a new way.
This all sounded good, but how to actually accomplish this was beyond me. So, I did what I know, which is to find and write some monologues, pick some great songs, locate some dancers and there you have it, right? Wrong. Thankfully, God took the reigns of that whole operation and turned it into something incredible-and unexpected.

This year was no different. Sure, I understood the components a little better. And yes, we had more members of our band. More students wanted to get involved. And we are beginning to learn how to master our light board. But ultimately, RISE is a true example of God anointing something and making something amazing with some really talented students and young adults.

Thematically, this year we used something God placed on my heart in January. I had been reflecting on the legacy of Jesus’ saving power. How 2000 years ago, when Jesus died on that cross, He opened up the doors to the gates of heaven for us. People’s lives were changed. And 1000 years ago, martyrs were dying for their faith in the power of the cross. Again, people’s lives were changed. And now, in the year 2009, people are coming to know Jesus in new and powerful ways-and their lives are never the same.

This year’s RISE worship service explored that unbelievable truth. Through songs like “Why” by Nichole Nordeman, and a monologue from the perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus, clips from “The Passion of the Christ,” and artwork videos displaying the apostles of Jesus, we reflected on the impact Jesus made when He died on the cross. Through things like a dance piece to contemporary worship song “How he Loves,” a sketch exploring the pressures teens face today and how Jesus can help us overcome them, and worship music, we were able to think about the power of Jesus’ sacrifice today. The service was tied together by a piece of artwork created by students that had written across it, “Love lives.”

The students and young adults I had the pleasure to work with did an incredible job. But more than that, they were excited to use God given gifts, like dance, drama, music, and art, to glorify God. And what we hope is that people are encouraged and moved by the various ways we can reflect on the Passion of Jesus Christ-and never be the same.

I will be able to post some videos soon. We need to get through Easter first-then start the editing process. I can't wait to show you if you missed it!

Just went to the Easter Vigil and it was BEAUTIFUL!

Happy Easter :)