McHenry County Blog

Well, Easter is over.

And, so is the Lenten series on a young Jewish girl called Hannah searching, first, for the meaning of life and, then, for Jesus.

I found the presentations riveting at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake and tried to capture the essence of each of them. (See the bottom of the article for links.)

But, they all led up to Easter, the foundation of the Christian Church, the Resurrection of Christ from the dead.

When we left Hannah the day of Christ’s crucifixion, she was sobbing at the foot of the cross, having missed all of her opportunities to see or hear Jesus. She was surprised that many followers of Jesus had given up and were hurriedly leaving Jerusalem in great fear for their personal safety.

She was astonished that the followers were acting as we know Peter acted, denying even knowing Jesus.

Hannah went to Jesus’ tomb.

She fell asleep.

The narrator read the Bible:

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

"They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them.

"In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them,

'Why do you look for the living among the dead?

'He is not here; He has risen.'

Using Hannah as a literary device, the narrator notes that missed by the writers of the Bible:

"...a young Jewish girl, probably from a town nearby.

"Probably there all night, hiding from the Centurion soldiers who were order to guard to the tomb, falling asleep during her watch, only to be awakened by the sorrowful cries of the women bringing spices.

"The cries of disbelief that the stone was moved and the body was gone. She saw the bright light cast by the angels and, although she probably did not see the angels, she could hear as they said,

'Why do you look for the living among the dead?

'He is not here; He has risen!'

"This young Jewish girl, let’s call her Hannah, comes to the tomb because she is still searching, still wanting to talk, to touch the man known to some as the Messiah.

"But, now He was dead.

"No chance to talk to Him, no chance to touch Him.

"For years, Hannah has been searching for Him, wanting an opportunity just to talk. Every time she got close, it just wasn’t close enough. Every time she came near, it just was a little too late, trying to lure Jesus in to her world with tricks or false pretenses.

"Now what?

"Is there not a little of Hannah in each one of us?

"Has there not been a time in our lives where we have felt a void, an emptiness in our hearts that we can’t fill, a loneliness or sadness that we can’t change?

"Where do we search for a solution?

"How do we fill our void?

"Maybe we try to find fulfillment in worldly things, our job, our relationships, money, hobbies.

"Nothing can fill the void like our Savior, our Lord, our Creator.

“For God so loved the world that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to be with us, to teach us, to show us how to live, to die for us that we might live.

"What are our thoughts at the empty tomb?

"What do you think, or how do you feel when you hear the angel say, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not ere. He is risen?”

At this point Hannah kneels and raises her hands toward heaven.

"I never got to talk to you or touch you or see you face-to-face, but I believe by what you taught, what you did, how you loved that you are God, that you died for me and therefore have provided me the opportunity for life eternal with you in Heaven.

"I believe."

The narrator picks up,

Is your faith deep enough, strong enough, to believe what you have not seen with your own eyes?

Do you accept the greatest miracle of all, the miracle of salvation through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?

May this Easter be a day of new beginnings for you, a day where you accept our Lord as your Savior, where you fill your heart and your mind with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Next came Pastor David Seyller’s sermon, entitled, “Not a good day for grave robbers.”

“Easter has always been a bad day for grave robbers because nothing disturbs a grave robber more than an empty grave.”

After the risen Jesus called Mary Magdalene by name, she ran proclaiming, “I have seen the Lord!”

“The valuable body is not in a tomb,” Seyller said. “It is out and about.”

Explaining that “hatred and cruelty and pain and suffering couldn’t keep God away,” Seyller said,

"The door is always open, because God is back.”

The pastor then outlined “four simple things you need to know and accept”:

• I am a sinner
• The penalty for my sin is eternal death.
• Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sins.
• If I ask Got to forgive me for rebelling against him and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, he will save me from death and for eternal life.
  

He suggest saying a prayer like this:

God of all Creation:

• Thank you for what Jesus did on my behalf and the meaning of Easter.
• Thank you for your plan that has never changed.
• Today I confess that I am a sinner and realize my penalty is eternal death.
• But I also realize that Jesus died in my place to bring me forgiveness and to make me right with you.
• Father, forgive me. I turn away from my sin to follow you.
• In Jesus’ name. Amen.

After the message was delivered, the celebration began.

There was singing.

And a brass band blasting joyfully away.

You can see this grade schooler leading clapping in the front row. Contemporary Christian Education Director Jay Hemphill was also trying to get the congregation to clap, as you can see in the background.

The girl knew all the words to the songs. She really should be put on the stage.

There was even dancing in the aisles. Pastor Seyller dance with two preschoolers.

Eventually, their whole family joined in.
= = = = =
Jeannie Patterson wrote the script. Hannah was portrayed by first year Cary-Grove High School teacher Logan Fraser. The narrator was her mother-in-law Sueanne Fraser. The women at the tomb were Kristin Brandt and Sarah Fraser. The angels were Mike Fraser and Jeannie Patterson.

Here's a summary of the series, one filled with meaning and fun:

First Hannah meets Jesus in the wilderness at the end of his 40-day fast. She thinks he’s crazy shouting at no one she can see.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera, so my articles pick up Hannah’s seeing out Jesus’ family, friends and neighbors in Nazareth.

Next, we see Hannah at Lazarus’ house in Bethany, where Mary and Martha are throwing a big party celebration his being brought back from the dead. Hannah’s best line is, “He was really dead.”

Onto the Temple, where Hannah just misses the overturning of the tables, but meets more people whose hearts Jesus has touched.

Hannah decides to lure Jesus to her boat rental booth at the Sea of Galilee. You have to read the cover of the Enquirer-like magazine she reads while waiting for Jesus to come. (You’ll have to click on the image to make the headlines legible.)

Naturally, by the time Hannah figures out Jesus is teaching a bit away, she is too late to hear him.

Let me add here that the people who participated in the creation and production of this worship series are among the most creative folks I have ever seen. I hope our church will figure out how to share it with others.

From the Sea of Galilee, Hannah goes to Jerusalem, arriving just in time for Jesus’ praise-filled entry. This is a two-part story: Part 1 and Part 2. As I mentioned above, she again misses Jesus, as she does the day he is crucified.

All of the photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: David Seyller, Easter, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah, Jeannie Patterson, Logan Fraser

On the way to the First United Methodist Church last night I saw a marvelous sunset over the west end of Crystal Lake.

It was so beautiful.

When I arrived at the church, there were little crosses which had been made by the Sunday School children.

The sanctuary was quiet.

The cross was draped in mourning cloth.

The altar was bare except for a small, simulated fire on what appeared to be a black draped stool. I’m sitting in the front row next to two little girls who have the aisle seats. Their parents are behind them.

astor Heath introduced the extremely short service:

"We welcome you to this place…to this time…

"Focus in on tonight…

"We are going to leave in silence tonight.

"Just get up and walk out and reflect upon what you have seen."

“Why did it have to be a friend who chose to betray the Lord?” was part of the Michael Card song “Why? that Jay Hemphill sang.

A litany appeared on a screen.

Here’s part of it:

"We come again in search of you; in search of you…Once again we sing."

Hannah appears from behind the curtain wall.

“I have got to find him.

How am I going to go home without talking to him? Especially the way I greeted him in Jerusalem.

(Actually, Hannah didn’t see Jesus on his triumphal entrance. She was too busy talking to her father. She missed Jusus’ healing of her niece.)

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she says, remembering what we call Palm Sunday.

“It was amazing!”

“There’s somebody I could ask,” she says.

But the woman runs past her so fast, I didn’t even get a picture of her.

Hannah wonders to the side asking a woman where she could find Jesus.

“Where have you been?

“Haven’t you heard?

“He’s been arrested.”

She also learns that Jesus has been sentenced to death, that the joyous crowd of less than a week ago has turned on Jesus before Pontius Pilot.

Hannah is incredulous.

“Arrested?

“What can they possibly arrest him for??

“Why would they want to kill him?

Hannah is told that the Roman soldiers put a purple robe of royalty on him, made him a cross of thorns, then, fell on their knees and mocked him.

The congregation hears (and those farther back see) two Centurions driving a cross-bearing Jesus down the center aisle.

The two girls sitting next to me are watching intently.

A man hiding his face passes Hannah.

She thinks she recognizes him.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are,” the man tells her.

“Hey. You’re Simeon.

“Didn’t I meet you are Lazarus’ house?

“If you were smart, you’d be quiet.

“There’s nothing more we can do for him.

“It’s over,” he says as he hurries away.

“What’s happening?” Hannah cries out. She cannot believe that Jesus’ followers are deserting him.

“Please don’t let him die before I meet him.”

Back to the Centurions.

“You! You, carry the cross!” a man is ordered.

Jesus stumbles by on his way up the hill.

Hannah is on her knees sobbing.

“Here, let me dry your tears,” Elizabeth, who has just walked by, says.

“I’ve been looking for him my whole life,’ Hannah says.

“I’ve dedicated my whole life to him and now he’s going to die.

Elizabeth’s husband catches up to her:

”We need to be going.”

"We don’t know him.

"We’ve never known him."

The couple hurries off.

A well-dressed man comes down the street.

“Excuse me, excuse me,” Hannah says.

“Do you know where I can find Jesus?”

“What’s bothering you?

“You’re not one of those Jesus freaks, are you?

“What was he trying to do? Make us look bad?” the man says and walks away.

Another, taller man enters.

“Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Hannah inquires.

“Woman, are you crazy?” he shouts.

“Why did you betray him?” Hannah asks.

The action is moving fast, too fast to take notes and pictures. I’m sure I missed crucial parts.

A man tells Hannah,

”You’ll find him at Golgotha.”

“Why?

“Isn’t that where people die?

“Why are they killing him?

She walks toward the hill.

“Why did you betray him?” Hannah cries as she kneels before the Cross.

A voice that has been reading the Bible story at various times, says,

”It is finished.”

Hannah collapsed on the ground, sobbing.

“A Centurion said,

‘Surely, this man was the Son of God,’”

a voice intones.

The service ends with a sad flute and a mournful trumpet. As each musical part ends, the musician leaves the sanctuary.

The lights are dimmed significantly.

Eventually, Hannah rises and leaves through the center aisle.

As I am almost to the front parking lot, a woman who is the mother one of my sister’s high school friends says, “It was fantastic.”

It took less than a half an hour.

= = = = =
The whole series of Lenten performances has been fantastic.

If you haven’t dipped into my reports about them, Hannah has been seeking the meaning of life over the three-year period of Jesus’ ministry.

This is a light-hearted, at times funny, virtually every week moving look of this young girl’s search. I could certainly relate to it.

First she meets Jesus in the wilderness at the end of his 40-day fast. She thinks he’s crazy shouting at no one she can see.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera, so my articles pick up Hannah’s seeing out Jesus’ family, friends and neighbors in Nazareth.

Next, we see Hannah at Lazarus’ house in Bethany, where Mary and Martha are throwing a big party celebration his being brought back from the dead. Hannah’s best line is, “He was really dead.”

Onto the Temple, where Hannah just misses the overturning of the tables, but meets more people whose hearts Jesus has touched.

Hannah decides to lure Jesus to her boat rental booth at the Sea of Galilee. You have to read the cover of the Enquirer-like magazine she reads while waiting for Jesus to come. (You’ll have to click on the image to make the headlines legible.) Naturally, by the time Hannah figures out Jesus is teaching a bit away, she is too late to hear him.

Let me add here that the people who participated in the creation and production of this worship series are among the most creative folks I have ever seen. I hope our church will figure out how to share it with others.

From the Sea of Galilee, Hannah goes to Jerusalem, arriving just in time for Jesus’ praise-filled entry. This is a two-part story: Part 1 and Part 2. As I mentioned above, she again misses Jesus, as she does the day he is crucified.

Hannah has one more chance—Easter morning.

Do you think she will finally see Jesus after his resurrection?

Most assuredly you be able to read about it here, but if you want to see it in person, be at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake at 11 AM on Sunday morning.

You’re going to have to be there early to beat me to the front row.

= = = = =
The cast was made up of

• Logan Fraser as Hannah,
• Dave and Linda Hill as Rufus and Elizabeth,
• Jeannine Patterson as Anna,
• Suanne Fraser, Marland Gall and Stacy Cook as three people who question Peter,
• Bob Brandt as Peter,
• Merle Patterson and Paul Metivier as the Centurions,
• Brian Morrow as the well-dressed priest,
• Terry Santos as Simeon,
• Past Health as Veronica, the woman who wiped Jesus' face,
• Mike Fraser as Simon, who carried Jesus cross,
• Kristin Brandt as the woman running,
• Tim Pontius as Jesus, and
• Bob Brewer as the narrator.

The script was written by Jay Hamphill.

As usual, any of the photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: Cross, Crucifixion, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah, Jayson Hemphill, Logan Fraser

Everyone loves a parade, even Hannah, our beginning-of-the-first-millennium seeker of the meaning of life.

Hannah started with a one and a half day fast in the wilderness where she stumbles onto the Jesus at the end of his 40-day fast. He gives her the answers to her questions, but she is not ready to hear them.

Hannah next goes to visit Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown.

There she meets friends, family, local rabbis--one sympathetic to Jesus, one definitely not--plus a Joseph and Sons carpentry customer, who is so disturbed that his job is not finished yet, because, he thinks, that Jesus has left town.

Bethany is the next stop. Hannah crashes a party celebrating Lazarus’ return from the grave. She tries hard, but remains an outsider.

Hannah just misses Jesus as he turns over the tables in the Temple, but she hears a vendor’s wife who has had a religious experience. (“I feel like I could be a new woman...somehow I don’t feel trapped anymore.")

And, then, Hannah tries to get Jesus to come to her on her terms to rent a boat from which to preach on the Sea of Galilee.

And, last Sunday at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah stood with expectant residents of Jerusalem waiting for, as Pastor David Seyller put it, “The triumphant entry.”

Renee Schulz, author and director of this week’s script, put is slightly differently: “the way He should have been treated the whole time.”

Everyone loves a parade, especially one where a popular leader will appear. Jesus was at the height of his power on earth the week before his crucifixion. The expectations of the people lining the road to Jerusalem might remind people today of those awaiting the appearance of a worldly celebrity.

But this was more.

People were expecting “the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords,” as Pastor Seyller put it, “at least for a day.”

As the scene opens, the crowd is mingling Those present are excited. Two girls dance to the singing of “Beautiful One.”

Hannah is seen in the crowd’s back trying to see what’s happening.

Eventually, she crawls through and is near enough to hear young girls talking about Jesus.

“This is so exciting. Look how many people are cheering and happy to see him,” says Sapphira.

“I’m so excited I can hardly stand it,” Anna adds.

And, then that line, a variation of which, every parent has heard,

"Is he here yet? Is he here yet?"

Then, they see Abigail.

“I’m so glad you’re alive!”

“Yeah, me too,” the little girl replies.

Abigail’s mother Rahab explains that they wanted to make sure she was all well first.

Rahab talks about the miracles Jesus has performed.

“He deserves to be honored.”

“Did it hurt Abigail?” Sapphira asks. “I mean when you died.”

Hannah’s ears perk up:

Died?

After getting permission from her mother Abigail explains,

"It was very warm. That’s all I remember. I think my fever was quite high.

"I felt like I was going to sleep, and then I heard Jesus’ voice. It was so nice, you know, like he was my best friend ever. He’s amazing."

Her three friends seem jealous.

“I had to die, Sapphira. You’re weird."

“Am not!”

“You’re certainly back to your old selves,” Abigail’s mother remarks, as Hannah starts to get up, but bumps into her sister and stays on the ground, hiding from Joanna.

“Oh, no. What’s she doing here?” Hannah asks.

Hannah hears that Esther, Hannah’s sister's friend, has been healed after touching Jesus’ robe.

“She was completely healed! Amazing,” Hannah says.

“Jesus make my life new,” Esther explained. “I feel like a child, full of life and love,” Having been healed, she was no longer cut off from society.

Tomorrow: Hannah discovers all of her family is in the crowd looking for her.

= = = = =
The cast consisted of Logan Fraser, first year teacher at Cary-Grove High School, as Hannah; Hannah Cook as Abilgail; Stacy Cook as Rehab, Gina Daleo as Sapphira; Becca Elston as Anna; Katie Elston as Sarah; Grace Pontius as Deborah (niece of Hannah); Marland Goll as Elijah, the father of Hannah; Linda Hill as the blond woman healed by touching Jesus' robe; and Kristan Brandt as the dark-haired skeptical sister of Hannah. Jesus was played by Tim Pontius.

The dancers were Samantha Elston and Kelly Poling.

Extras including Al and Nancy Bland, Suanne Fraser, Charlie Morgret, Kirstin Sexson, Michele and Steven Skinner.

Labels: David Seyller, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah, Renee Schulz

In last week’s 11 o’clock service at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah continued her search for Jesus.

She will again on Sunday, but I didn't want to ruin my suspense, so I didn't ask where.

It started in the wilderness three years ago when she met a man whom she first saw on a cliff shouting to no one visible to her about not tempting the Lord. After coming down from the mountain, He told her about the meaning of life, but Hannah didn’t understand His words or that she had met Jesus.

Hannah next searched in Nazareth, His hometown, meeting His fun-loving half sister, among others, who called Him “a goody two shoes” for having changed the Temple wine the kids had replaced with water back to wine.

Then, it was onto Bethany, where Hannah tried to insinuate herself with Jesus’ friends at a party celebrating Lazarus’ return from the grave. (“He was really dead.”) She so wanted to be part of the “in crowd.”

Next, Hannah just misses Jesus turn over the tables of the moneychangers and vendors in the Temple, where it is clear that others are searching for the meaning of Jesus' ministry. (“He looked right through me.”)

Last Sunday, Hannah decided to draw Jesus to her with a deal he could not refuse for a boat.

You see, she had heard that he was coming to the Sea of Galilee to preach and that he had started using boats so that more people could see and hear him.

“I believe it started because He’s got those disciples that are fishermen. I don’t know if He couldn’t really get anyone else at first, so he asked this bunch of fishermen to be His disciples.”

Anyway, as the crowd grew, “Well, one of those fishermen disciples just told Him to get into a boat.”

So, Hannah decides to supply the next boat. She sets up a

“Hannah’s Boat for Rent”

stall.

And, there’s a

“Special if your name begins with J”:

“10 silver coins – 3 hours.”

“We’re going to call it ‘J-Day.’”

Hannah doesn’t want Jesus to think she isn’t busy, so she sets up a

“Take a number for service”

pad.

But, she’s willing to deal.

“And, of course I can negotiate. I was voted ‘Most Likely to Succeed by Negotiation’ by my Temple group,” she says.

“I’ll negotiate a trade…I’ll let Him use my boat for a few hours if we can maybe go to dinner or just sit down for a chat.

In search for Jesus, Hannah tells the congregation, “…every time, I’ve been, what is the phrase you use, ‘A Day Late and a Dollar Short.’

“Yes, I feel like I’m failing miserably, but I feel the need to meet and know Jesus SO badly.”

Hannah sees a crowd of people starting to gather along the shoreline.

She sits behind her booth and waits.

She reads a magazine. (You have to enlarge the photograph by clicking on it to read the titles of the articles in this first century "Enquirer.")

And waits.

As Jeremy Camp’s song,

“I Wait for the Lord,”

is sung.

She waits for business.

Not just any business, but a visit from Jesus.

She takes a lunch break.

And waits.

The day passes slowly.

She lowers the rental price from 10 to 8 silver coins.

The song,

“Get on the Boat”

plays.


She rips off a couple of numbers from the "Take a Number of Service" pad so Jesus will think she is busier than she is.

She is getting tired.

Really tired.

Exhausted.

The way waiting for something to happen exhausts one.

She yawns.

Hannah waits some more.

The afternoon doesn't fly by.

Hannah moves a chair in the direction where she sees the crowd and stands on it.

Hannah moves the chair closer to the crowd.

“I don’t believe it. He’s there.

“And, he’s on a boat.

“Where did he get the boat?

“I have the boat.

“I’d just give it to him if He’d just spend some time with me. All I want is to talk to him.

“I think he sees me. He looks shorter than I thought.

“He looks so tired. Really tired.

“I think he just waved at me.

“I can hear him.

“I think he’s talking to me.”

And the tableau ends as she leaves the stage.

Pastor Dave Seyller delivered a short message about how people cannot serve two masters.

He pointed out that we cannot entice Jesus with discounts.

We can’t bargain with Him.

“Too many people are searching for Jesus in all the wrong places, instead of searching within oneself.”

The service was shorter than usual, but I didn't find anyone who felt short-changed.

The Methodist Church in Crystal Lake is located at the intersection of Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues, both of which intersect with Route 14.

= = = = =
All the photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The blond in all of the pictures is first year Cary-Grove High School teacher Logan Fraser. Author and director of today's skit, officially titled, "Trying to Buy Jesus - Boat for Rent," Jeannie Patterson can be send advancing the clock's hands. The woman with Logan Fraser in the top picture is Lori Morrow, who played Jesus' half-sister in the second playlet of the series. Directly below that picture is SueAnn Fraser, Logan's mother-in-law. Logan's father Dave Hill is seen singing.

Labels: Dave Hill, David Seyller, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Galilee, Hannah, Jeannie Patterson, Jesus, Logan Fraser

“This is the fourth week that poor child has been searching,” explained Renee Schulz, author and director of last week’s sketch about Hannah’s quest for the meaning of life.

"In her first attempt, during a one and one-half day fast in which she got “really hungry,” she encountered Jesus in the wilderness at the end of his 40-day fast. Of course, she didn’t know whom she was talking to.

Next, she traveled to Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth to talk to his friends and neighbors.

Bethany was next. Hannah crashed a party celebrating Lazarus’ rising from the dead.

Last Sunday at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, she was in Jerusalem, having just missed in her fourth attempt to find Jesus.

He has just driven the money changer out of the Temple after becoming enraged at the desecration of His Father’s house.

The place was a mess.

Relatives of the stall keepers are cleaning up when Hannah arrives.

But first Pastor Heath set the stage.

“Sometimes God has to do something to shake our foundations…You know God has to knock us upside down…to get out attention.

“Maybe you need to get a little deeper to see who this Jesus really is.”

Hannah talks with some of the girls doing the clean-up.

“I think Jesus was just trying to tell us something,“ she says.

“Maybe he just has a bad fig,” a girl replies.

“I’ve been searching for Jesus for three years,” Hannah inserts.

Hannah is pleased with Jesus’s display of anger.

“So, what’s with the anger?” she asks. “Now he’s starting to look like a king. I like it...

"You two are probably too busy googling over some Peter, Paul or Andrew,” Hannah observes in typical anachronistic manner, using a modern broom to do some kung fu kingly moves before she is warned that they could get her kicked out of the Temple.

Deliverer of the serious message of the day, Rebekah, played magnificently by Suuann Fraser, asks,

Did you see him look at me?…He looked right through me.

While Rebekah is being reflective, her husband Benjamin, a stall keeper played by Brad Meador, is reflecting, too:

A day’s wages lost!

Conversing with Rebekah, Hannah says, “I’m very happy for you.”

“I feel like I could be a new woman,” Rebekah muses... “somehow I don’t feel trapped anymore.

“I feel like it opened a doorway for me to know God.

“Is it possible?

"Could God want to know someone like me?"

“I guess I’ve been tying to find a savior on my own terms,” Hannah realizes.

Then, Hannah sings a song from Nichole Nordema's album "Brave":

What if there’s more?

The first verse proposes that Jesus

was just another nice guy...What if He takes His place

In history with all the prophets

And the kings who taught us love

And came in peace,

But then the story ends?

The first part of the chorus delivers the message,

But what if you're wrong?

What if there's more?

Sunday, March 25, 2007, you can take the next step with Hannah as she tries to discover "if there is more."

The service will be held at 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake. It is located at the intersection of Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues, both of which intersect Route 14 at traffic signals. Crystal Lake Avenue also crosses Route 31 east of town.

= = = = =

Renee Schulz is in the photo on the top right.

In the top picture of the play, you can see Gabby Sexson on the left and Courtney Wilnewic on the right.

Pastor Heath is next, on the right hand side of the page.

Hannah is again played by first year Cary-Grove High School teacher Logan Fraser. the first shot of her has her holding a broom above her head right after the stall keeper tells her if she didn't behave she might get kicked out of the Temple.

Fraser co-stars with her real life mother-in-law, Suanne Fraser, who plays Rebekah.

Rebecca's "husband" Benjamin, the stall keeper, is Brad Meador.

The three girls are played by Courtney Wilnewic, Gabby Sexson and Jenni Meador.

Jenni Meador, Rebekah's daughter is seen comforting her daughter below the credit line, as is Logan Fraser singing, "What if," in front of what was on the projection screens during the skit.

All photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: Crystal Lake., First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah, Jesus, Logan Fraser, Money changers, Renee Schulz, Temple

Our lead character Hannah first encountered Jesus in the desert at the end of his 40-day fast. He was on a mountain shouting, seemingly at nothing.

Hannah thought him mad as he yelled at no one she could see about not putting “God to the test.”

Then, she heard advice about her search for the meaning of life, but she didn’t understand that His references were to Himself.

A week later, at the 11 o’clock service of the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake—billed as “the most contemporary" of the four weekend services—Hannah had journeyed to Nazareth.

There she met Jesus’ fun-loving half-sister, an older woman who had watched Jesus grow up, a carpentry customer blaming the now-left Jesus for his unfinished table and chairs, plus two priests, one reacting with sincere interest, the other with distain at Jesus’ synagogue claim.

Now, our anachronistic traveler is at a party in Bethany given to celebrate Lazarus’ return from the dead.

First seen wearing large sun glasses and a light trench coat over her more traditional robe, Hannah is trying her best to fit in without being noticed, but having trouble.

She really wants to be accepted and the party really moves when she stops talking to the audience and, later, between snatches of party conversation with those who have been invited.

You see, she doesn’t know anybody.

Everyone else seems to be good friends with everyone else.

There’s Mary and her sister Martha.

And, of course, their brother, Lazarus, the guest of honor.

Simon is present, too.

As is Simeon.

And Elizabeth and her husband Rufus.

And two little girls are passing out flowers, when they are not taking grapes from the banquet table.


We sense all are talking about the miracle that Jesus has performed.

As Hannah points out to those in the congregation, after three days in the grave, everyone knew “he was really dead.”

Hannah brings us up to date and gives a clue as to her mission.

“This Jesus has got to be somebody amazing. These people know Jesus.”

And Hannah clearly wants to know people who know Jesus.

So much that when asked who she came with, she mentions someone whose name she has heard, but whom she has not met.

Hannah gets introduced to some of the revelers.

There are some raised eyebrows, but Hannah is not rejected.

Throughout the scene, when Hannah stops talking, there is rapid shuffling of everyone else around the stage to the refrain of

“What’s the buzz.

“Tell me what’s happening.”

I was told it was from “Jesus, Christ, Superstar.”

Finally, she meets Simon, a male latecomer about her age.

“I think this guy could be the Messiah,” he confides to Hannah.

After he has introduced Hannah around, the group parys before eating. Still Hannah is an outsider.

The tableau ends with the rock oldie lyrics,

“I’m in with the in-crowd.

“I know what the in-crowd knows.”

It occurs to me that snippets of "Lonely Girl" would might have worked through most of the party, because Hannah certainly was out-of-place at the party of family and friends.

Sunday, March 18th at 11, Hannah continues her search for Jesus on the stage of the Methodist Church at the intersection of Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Both streets cross Route 14.

Will her next destination be Jerusalem?

= = = = =
All images can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The playlet was written and directed by Jeannie Patterson.

Hannah was played by Logan Fraser, a first year teacher at Cary-Grove High School.

In the top photo, Hannah is shown with her sunglasses and trench coat. Behind are flower girls Katie & Becca Elston.

Simeon (brother to Rufus), played by Merle Patterson, is seen talking with black haired woman Kristin Brandt. Renee Schultz can be seen behind. Schultz played one of the those attending the party.

In the next crowd scene, Hannah has gotten comfortable enough to take off her sunglasses.

Below left, black haired woman Kristin Brandt, playing Mary, hugs Linda Hill, portraying Elizabeth. Hill is Logan's mother.

Logan's father, David Hill, portraying Rufus (married to Elizabeth in the sketch, as in real life), can be seen introducing Hannah to Simeon farther down to the right.

Right below, Hannah meets latecomer Ryan Dunn, playing Simon.

As the group prays before eating, Hannah is still on the outside looking in.

The whole cast follows:

• Hannah - Logan Hill
• Simeon (brother to Rufus) - Merle Patterson
• Anna (young party helper) - Samantha Elston
• Athena (young party organizer) - Tamera Heath
• Simon - Ryan Dunn
• Mary - Kristin Brandt (dark haired girl)
• Martha - Megan Suchy
• Lazarus - Marlin Goll
• Elizabeth (married to Rufus) - Linda Hill
• Rufus (married to Elizabeth, brother to Simeon, friend of Simon) - Dave Hill
• Party attendees - Pastor Heath, Renee Schulz, Smantha, Katie and Becca Elston (the later two the flower girls)

Top photo in the credits below the line shows Tamera Heath talking to Merle Patterson.

In the bottom picture are four of the cast members waiting for the service to begin. From right to left, they are Pastor Health, her daughter Tamera, who led the blessing before the meal, Merle Patterson and Renee Schultz. Behind is a partially blocked Jeannie Patterson.

Labels: Bethany, Crystal Lake, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah, Jeannie Patterson, Jesus, Lazarus

A most unusual way to present Lent, the time leading up to Easter.

For the weeks of Lent at the 11 AM Sunday service at First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, members will be following “Hannah” as she seeks Jesus.

Two weeks ago, Hannah was in the wilderness, having fasted all of one and one-half days. She was searching for the meaning of life and was really hungry. She meets Jesus, who had been in the wilderness for 40 days. Jesus doesn’t identify himself, however.

First she sees him on top of mountain talking loudly, but only we in the audience know to whom. Jesus is being tempted by the Devil.

Hannah thinks He is going to jump and urges Him not to.

When he comes down, she asks questions and he replies with what I am sure are direct quotes from elsewhere in the Bible.

Of course, she doesn’t understand what Jesus is saying and, while contemplating what He has said, He leaves the scene.

Hannah throughout the series is portrayed by Logan Fraser, a first-year teacher at Cary-Grove High School. Jesus is Tim Pontius. I didn’t have my camera at church for the first colloquy, but last week when Hannah goes looking for Jesus in his hometown, Nazareth, I did.

Can you imagine the Fugue for Tinhorns from “Guys and Dolls?”

Hannah meets five characters. Each has a refrain to sing after delivering a message about Jesus.

First is the mother in the village who has watched Jesus grow up.

“Shoulda of stayed home,” Wendy Miller sings, carrying her basket.

Next comes Jesus' half-sister, played by Lori Morrow. She relates how Jesus was “no fun” as a kid. He was 'a goody two shoes,'” the barefoot lass explains.
(You can tell I enjoyed the anachronisms.)

After the other kids replaced the synagogue’s wine jugs with water, she says, Jesus changed it into wine.

"No fun!"

A man who had engaged Joseph and his sons to build him a table and four chairs is the next person Hannah runs into to.

Portrayed by Brian Morrow, he has a contract that he says has not been fulfilled because Jesus left town.

His refrain is, “Paid cash.”

And, he’s an angry, unsatisfied customer.

Perhaps the funniest part of the tableau is his unrolling his scroll, which reaches the floor and then some.

Next, Hannah is off to the synagogue, where she meets two priests. One is played by her father, David Hill (the taller of the two), and the other by Terry Santos.

As the conversation develops, the taller of the two priests, Logan’s real life father is quite critical of Jesus.

Want to bet he turns out to be a Pharisee?

The shorter of the two, Santos, thinks Jesus is worth listening to.

It was quite something to hear.

The play ends with Hannah setting off the Jerusalem.

In the next episode, "Have You Seen Him at Lazarus' House?" Hanna is trying to find Jesus at Lazarus' house after he has been raised from the dead.

The Methodist Church, located at the intersection of West Crystal Lake and Dole Avenues, both of which cross Route 14, has four services—5 PM on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday morning at 8, 9:30 and 11.

The next episode of Hannah’s journey will be presented only at the 11 o'clock service.

Contemporary Worship Director Jayson Hemphill wrote the first two vignettes.

Labels: Crystal Lake, First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Hannah, Jayson Hemphill, Jesus, Lent, Logan Fraser