Grateful to Godspell for Worship

The Lebanon High School Drama Department produced the musical, "Godspell" over this last weekend. Our youngest son, Ched, played the parts of John the Baptist/Judas, which in the original movie and musical is cast as one part. It was, and continues to be, a dicodomy of casting and characters that starts all sorts of conversations going in the mind of a pastor, but didn't really seem to phase the characters.

All that aside, the cast of Lebanon's version of "Godspell" was outstanding and brought the crowd to their feet both nights in a well deserved ovation as the curtain dropped. Pastorally, the timing of the play, the weekend before Holy Week, in and of itself was incredibly powerful. Personally, though, the musical came to mean far more.

There is nothing quite like watching a musical you really like. Add to that notion the fact that the musical is based on one of your very favorite stories (the life of Jesus from Matthew). Then, add to that, that the musical includes timeless selections of music as the foundation of telling the story, selections which are intimately wound into the persona of the individual characters with incredible care and intention. Then, add to that, that the musical itself was, in its day, one of the most controversial productions of the Christ story to hit the Christian community in the early 70's. Then, add to all of that, that your own son plays the part of John the Baptist, who calls all of the 'disciples' to Jesus, baptizes them, somehow mysteriously becomes Judas and goes the full length and breath of the journey with Jesus, including betrayal, tying His hands to the 'fence', and helping to take His body down after death and carry Him away, only to come running back with all of the other disciples into the chaotic activity of the world with the 'Good News' to share. It was, in the humble opinion of this one parent, one of the most holy moments I have had in a long, long time. I am so proud of Ched for how he carried himself throughout the tryouts, rehearsals, and production . . . balancing academics, band, Boy Scouts, soccer, track practices, bell choir, Senior High Youth, and his love of reading, with all that it takes to make such a personal commitment work. Yet, as proud as I am of our own son, I am equally proud of the whole cast, because I know every one of them, every single one of them along with their stage crews, directors, and band, made the same commitments - all to put on a production of "Godspell". Even writing this makes tears come to my eyes, which happened often over the weekend.

Nancy was the first to understand it, the tears that is, because she had sat next to me through the productions and had seen what had transpired. The music, the story, the context, all rushing together and being delivered on the lips of children . . . not adults, children. That thought never failed to move me. "And a little child shall lead them . . ." is what the scriptures say. These young thespians were not trying to do anything more than their level best in bringing to life this wonderful musical, and that is exactly what they did. But, what they did for me had nothing to do with them, personally, and yet had everything to do with them corporately: they ministered to me.

The weekend before Holy Week, the cast of "Godspell" allowed me to worship without having to be in charge. They told the story without me having to read it. They invited me to pray without me having to say the words. They opened the door for my heart to react without having to worry how others might perceive my actions. They graciously enveloped me in the songs of God's salvation through Jesus Christ, in His life, His ministry, His death, and (dare I say it?) His resurrection as, in their lives, as they took New Joy into the world. The tears which rolled down my cheeks were a gift of the Spirit as the lips of children proclaimed the Gospel in a profound way. T.J. Younger, who played the part of Jesus with joyous and spiritual abandon that few adults could ever dare match, poured himself out for those he most loved and for those he never knew, and I was blessed to be there to receive of his . . . and all of their gifts.

Blessed art thou . . . when the voices of children call you to worship. Blessed art thou . . . when your ears are open to hear even before your heart knows that you are ready. Blessed art thou . . . when your son becomes one of your most treasured and beloved teachers, for the kingdom of God is being birthed in your soul.

For those who were so privileged as myself to attend the Lebanon High School Drama Department's production of "Godspell" this weekend: Blessed are you for having taken the time to receive a gift of grace from the very hands of God.

For those who poured themselves out for their friends, strangers, and enemies, alike, that the musical be faithful to the original Script and the production be true to the Author of the Word: Thank you, for blessed are you to be the servants of God through whom others are led to worship. In this day and age of separation of church and state, you respected both by being simply and sincerely who you are in the integrity of a musical production. Yet, for folks like me, you did far more than practice could have ever allowed and, in this holiest of weeks, I am indebted for the mercy you shared with me. God's richest blessings keep each of you as you live into the reality "Godspell" articulates, Day by Day.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Don