Doug Porter (dporter@eastlink.ca) is a video artist and Jane Porter (dporter@eastlink.ca) is a location sound recordist; both are members of the worship committee at All Nations Christian Reformed Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia. (For access to other dramatic readings, visit www.allnationscrc.org/wordofthelord/.)
Articles by this author:
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New Creation
A Dramatic Reading in Three VoicesSecond Corinthians 5:7-6:2 is one of the great declarations of the new life given in Christ. In this passage, Paul calls believers to accept and embrace the new identity given to them in Christ. They have not merely adopted a new philosophy or gained new knowledge or spiritual insight. In the depths of their being, their very nature has been changed. This is not a scattered redemption of select individuals, but part of God’s overriding action of restoring all of creation. We are new creatures participating in God’s new order.
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Born in Humility, Returning in Glory
The book of Isaiah has long been appreciated for its vivid imagery depicting broad messianic themes: the Anointed One, the Coming One who will bring about God’s redemptive purposes in history; the Messiah as King who “will judge the needy with righteousness and with justice will give decisions for the poor”; but also the Messiah as an obedient servant whose suffering unto death works God’s redemption. As a consequence, Isaiah has often been called “the fifth gospel.”
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With Heart and Voice
A Dramatic Reading of Mary's SongThis dramatic reading was written to show how the announcement of a coming Savior fit snugly into the history and expectations of God’s
people, how the Lord Almighty is a God of justice who watches over the needy, and how this God will be manifest in Jesus.
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Together in the Word
A Simple Format for "Hearing the Message"“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
—Romans 10:17It’s not often that the closing session of an adult Sunday school class is the beginning of something new, but that’s what happened at our church.
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Lifted Up to Glory and Power: A Dramatic Reading with Four Voices for Ascension Sunday
When we hear Scripture read in worship, it is usually in carefully chosen chunks or discrete units. The Bible, however, is one large overriding picture/story of God’s action with his people, written down over many generations. It contains hugely complex overlapping images and concepts, like a tapestry of multiple interweaving strands. The overall effect has a rich and vibrant depth, as individual elements placed next to each other bring out a whole range of associations and meanings.
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The Fire, the Wind, the Water: A dramatic reading for Pentecost
We used this dramatic reading for Pentecost Sunday at All Nations Church last spring. The text, which comes entirely from Scripture, weaves Old and New Testament together in an attempt to enliven the historical context for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit ten days after the ascension of Christ. The reading replaced the usual New Testament Scripture reading and was followed by a shortened sermon.
