Power of the Cross | Travel Supper 2016

It was an incredible experience to have gone through with the Stoller and Leman families. The other travel suppers we have done  - our first being "spring" themed, then the Christmas story, and last year's travel through church history - were amazing to be part of, too. All of the suppers we have done have contained a measure of suspense, music, and humor. They have all given us the opportunity to bond with the families involved as we spend hours practicing and performing (we missed your presence with this one, Knapps - nothing will ever replace that Christmas story experience!).

But this one touched us all in a different way. It went deeper than spending time together as families and all the group messaging :). We were sharing the story of the cross - and we could feel the Power!

Yes, there were the frustrating times... like when it came to the THIRD weekend in a row that we cleaned, set the tables, made bread pudding, ironed costumes, and packed up all our instruments. Or the times when the grape juice got split or when we simply could not figure out how to let Bryan know when to blow that trumpet!! And most of all, the presence of sickness. Throughout all of the practices and performances, we kept continually getting texts that someone else was sick. That was really frustrating.

But then, there were those times that we prayed together as a group and shared how God had worked things out just perfectly in regards to small details. There were the times when the emotion was so evident on the guests' faces, and when you could tell, by the tears streaming down their faces, that they felt the power, too. The times when the drama created spiritual thoughts and led to deep, "what was it like" conversations. The times when the looks of joy and astonishment were clearly visible as the guests' encountered the empty tomb. Oh yes, and those times when the sun streamed through the storm clouds - proving that morning really had come! Jesus had truly risen and given everlasting hope to all of His disciples!!

Yes, it was an indescribable experience - for me anyway :). It's nice to close that chapter of our spring and be able to have our weekends open again and more time to spend outdoors! But it's sad, too. To put our costumes away, tuck away scripts, and not get together as a group near as much anymore. It is an experience our family will always treasure! But enough of me... let's move on!:)

After four planning meetings and practices, we were able to share our supper with three different groups of guests; the first group being our grandparents (they didn't get food ... just music and drama :)), then a local group, and lastly a group of close friends, some being out of town. Enjoy a recap! :)

The journey began in the upper room as the disciples (guests) shared the last supper with Jesus. 

\

the upper room was the attic above Stoller's garage and was absolutely perfect!! So if you have an attic above your garage.. you just discovered a new use for it - an upper room scene :). 

We didn't know what to expect when we told the groups to come dressed as disciples... but they exceeded our expectation, especially when the third group brought bearded 'gentleman' :)

After partaking in the last supper with Jesus, the disciples followed him to the garden of Gethsemane. He spent much time in prayer and agony, knowing what He must face in order to accomplish His purpose. 

"Tis' Midnight and on Olives brow..."

Not too long into His night of prayer, Judas, along with a couple Roman Soldiers, find Jesus and present Him to Pilate. Jesus has access to unlimited power from him.... yet if He called those eighty-four thousand legions of angels, how would the scriptures be fulfilled?

We did not show the beating, whipping and cruelty shown to Jesus, although we implied it. The guests overheard the whipping and shouting - they sat and felt the overwhelming love as Jesus was beaten thirty-nine times. Then they witnessed a mob following the so called King of the Jews as the soldiers led Him out of the city.

 Following Jesus were members of the San Hedrin yelling, "His Blood be upon us!", wandering townspeople caught up in the excitement and the shouts of "Crucify Him!" and lastly a group of women who were weeping for this man they loved so much.

Again, we did not show the crucifixion scene although we definitely displayed it's effects. The disciples heard the pounding of the nails and the words of Jesus on the cross. Then everything went black. There was thunder and lightening for several minutes as Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Then it was finished. Christ had accomplished His mission - yet the story didn't end there.

The High Priest was stunned, confused, and in disbelief when his young servant proclaimed to him that the curtain temple had been torn in two from top to bottom...

"well... don't just stand there.... go sew it up!"

Paul, a Roman Soldier during the crucifixion of Jesus, shared how the experience was different than any other crucifixion he had ever witnessed. He described the power that he felt when Jesus proclaimed, "It is finished!". He recognized a great meaning in the words than just that the crucifixion had ended - it was as if He was implying that a debt had been paid in full. What did He mean?

after experiencing the crucifixion, the disciples traveled to the next stop: Leman's corn crib :).  Both real events, the weather was really sketchy at this point - right in time for our outside scene. But both times, it ended up being just fine and actually quite perfect when the sun streamed through the clouds on the ride to our house... 

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus decide to visit the resting place of their Lord to heal their broken hearts. Yet they are troubled and unsure of what the response of the soldiers will be.

Just then, however, an angel descends from the sky proclaiming God's promise to everyone! Jesus was no longer dead, for He had risen just as He said! The tomb was empty!!

Lily was the angel... she was so brave!! 

God's power completely prevailed over the soldiers and the heavy stone... for the angel rolled the stone away and the women rushed inside to see for themselves that yes, Jesus had truly risen!

The angel sent the disciples on a mission - to tell everyone the good news! Not to be frightened and troubled any longer, for He was alive. 

"Lo! I have told you..."

You know you're good friends... when you pick up the same table decorations at Hobby Lobby...

At this time, the guests were served their main meal: Salmon, twice baked potatoes, green beans, and a lettuce salad.

After the meal had ended and Jesus had appeared to the disciples telling them to go and make disciples of all nations, the guests traveled on to our house as the last stop. On the road through Emmaus they passed two young men...

... And then as they pulled into their destination, they saw the same two men, only this time there was a third.

The two men shared a meal with this stranger and talked about the different happenings in the surrounding regions. As they broke bread and ate together, they suddenly realized that this was no stranger! It was Jesus!

And just then... he vanished from their sight! (at least he tried to... no, he did a really good job, it's just that he was lacking the true power of Jesus :)). 

"Come on! We must go tell Peter and the others!!" 

for dessert we served turtle and blueberry bread pudding...

all of us in front of the garden backdrop (with all credit going to Stollers - isn't it awesome?!)

We ended the evening by walking the guests through each Old Testament books of the Bible and presenting how Jesus was prophesied through that book. Then we all joined in singing, "Power of the Cross" our theme song for the event. It is an incredible song with such powerful lyrics.

This the power of the cross:
Christ became sin for us.
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross!

And it's a wrap! It was a powerful experience to share the most important story of all - it's so much more than a story, actually. It's an event that changed the world and the lives of believers forever afterwards. It is through of the power in the person on the cross that we gain our freedom. We stand in awe and praise Jesus for the opportunity to be a part of this travel supper experience, but most importantly for His everlasting sacrifice! -faith