First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls tells Easter story with song
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — One of the hardest parts of creating a special Easter program is orchestrating one that tells the entire story of Jesus’ path to the cross — from his painful death to his resurrection — in a manner that helps people understand what he endured for them, yet leaves them fulfilled.“It’s a very complex and interesting story,” said Joni Bedard, music director of First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls. “But it’s one we need to tell. One worth telling.”
FUMC of Marble Falls is presenting the Easter story March 30 at 7 p.m. in the production “There Stands A Cross.” The church is located at 1101 Bluebonnet Drive. Admission is free.
The production brings together songs, an orchestra, narration, dancers and a procession to unwrap Jesus’ journey to the cross, the tomb and his eventual resurrection.
Bedard wanted a program that showed Jesus’ sacrifice and pain wasn’t just for those who attend church. She envisioned something that touched people who might have never stepped into a traditional worship service or even a church.
And one of the best ways to do that is with music.
“Music touches us in a way nothing else can,” Bedard said. “We’re bringing in an orchestra from Austin along with some local musicians, dancers from Harmony (School of Creative Arts), our choir and the group Testify. They are a group of sixth-grade girls who sing together, and they are incredible.”
The program incorporates traditional Gospel music to upbeat tunes. Bedard knew she needed to select music that reflected the entire Easter story, not just Jesus’ crucifixion or his resurrection. She wanted the music to carry people through the story, reflecting the tragedy and joy of Jesus’ path.
“There will be a few dark pieces,” Bedard said. “But there has to be when you think about what he did. What he did for us.”
And that’s the message Bedard wants everybody who attends the performance to hear.
“He didn’t die on the cross for just a few, he did it for everybody, even for those who don’t believe,” she said. “He did it for all of us.”
Bedard hopes people of all faiths and beliefs will feel the power in Jesus’ story.
“We want everybody to attend,” she said. “Everybody’s welcome, and bring a neighbor.”
daniel@thepicayune.com
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Allie Packer (left), Grace Dahl and Taylor Wright rehearse their procession for ‘There Stands A Cross’, which is March 30 at First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls, 1101 Bluebonnet Drive. The Easter production starts at 7 p.m. and is free. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
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Church at the Epicenter
An annual Easter labyrinth is open 6-9 p.m. March 27-29 at Church of the Epicenter. The public is invited. Church is located at 2401 U.S. 281 in Burnet.
Cross and Spurs Cowboy Church
An Easter Sunday sunrise service is 7 a.m. March 31 with the Easter Sunday Desert Rein Cowboy Gospel performing at 10 a.m. Church is located at 100 Lillian Dam at RR 1431 in Buchanan Dam. Call (325) 423-0539.
First Christian Church
“The Living Last Supper” Maundy Thursday service with open communion is 7 p.m. March 28 and an Easter Sunday resurrection celebration with open communion is 10:45 a.m. March 31. The public is invited to both. Church is located at 204 E. Graves St. in Burnet. Call (512) 756-2223.
First Lutheran Church
A community Good Friday service is noon March 29 with a choir and a light lunch. The event is sponsored by the Burnet Ministerial Alliance. Church is located at 133 Apollo Drive in Burnet.
First United Methodist Church-Burnet
A Maundy Thursday service is 7 p.m. March 28; a Good Friday service is noon March 29; and an Easter egg hunt is 10:30 a.m. March 31. Church is located at 301 E. Graves St. in Burnet.
First United Methodist Church-Marble Falls
A Maundy Thursday service with communion is 6 p.m. March 28; an Easter Sunday sunrise service is 7 a.m. March 31; traditional Easter Sunday services are 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. March 31; and Sunday school for all ages is 10 a.m. March 31 with a live butterfly release at the Flower Cross at 10:45 a.m. Church is located at 1100 Bluebonnet Drive in Marble Falls.
Genesis Lutheran Church
A Maundy Thursday service is 6:30 p.m. March 28; a Good Friday service is 6:30 p.m. March 29; Easter Sunday breakfast and fellowship is 9:30 a.m. March 31 with a church service at 11 a.m. Church is located at 15946 Texas 29 East in Buchanan Dam.
Hope Lutheran Church (LCMS)
A Maundy Thursday service is 7 p.m. March 28; a Good Friday service is 7 p.m. March 29; and an Easter Sunday service is 10:30 a.m. March 31. Church is located at 609 Main St. in Marble Falls.
Living Word Lutheran Church
An Easter Sunday sunrise service is 7 a.m. March 31 at the amphitheater in Johnson Park, 230 Ave. J South in Marble Falls.
The Oaks Nursing Center
A resurrection Easter Sunday musical event is 4 p.m. March 31 at the Oaks Nursing Center, 507 W. Jackson St. in Burnet.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
A Maundy Thursday service is 6:30 p.m. March 28; a Good Friday service is noon March 29; an Easter vigil service is 8 p.m. March 29; and Easter Sunday services are 8 a.m. with communion and 10:15 a.m. with communion and music March 31. The church is located at 263 Spur 962 in Cypress Mill (seven miles east of U.S. 281 at Round Mountain.)
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
A Maundy Thursday service with Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar is 7 p.m. March 28; a Good Friday service with Scripture and Prayers at the Cross is noon March 29; Easter Sunday services with Holy Communion are 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. March 31 with Hot Cross Buns and a Sunday school egg hunt at 9:30 a.m. Church is located at 1803 RR 1431 West in Marble Falls. Call (830) 693-2253 or visit www.splcmf.org.
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