submitted by Mary Helen Myer, The Tuscanooga Baptist Church
On “Good Friday,” from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, the community was able to enjoy live reenactments of the Risen Christ in an impressive way! Displays build on the church grounds depicted the life of Christ with six different scenes. Viewers riding on trailers made stops at each display while volunteers acted out the scenes as a prerecorded message told the story at each stop along the way.
The first stop began with actors portraying the Coming of the Magi in the early life of Jesus.
Moving on to the next stop, visitors were able to witness Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as people laid down palms branches on arrival of Jesus with the donkey.
The third scene showed the 12 disciples with Jesus at the Last Supper. As trailers continued on through the field, onlookers were able to get a close up view of Jesus’ trial and scourging as the costumed actors shouted “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!”
On the hill, as guests approached “Golgotha,” they witnessed Jesus on the Cross with the two thieves on each side. But the story did not end there. As the trailers approached the last scene, people were able to feel the excitement as the narrator excitedly told of the Risen Savior as they approached an empty tomb with the angel by the stone that had been rolled away! Jesus was resurrected just like He said He would! God’s Son had come to earth to give His life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of mankind but now the job was finished. More powerful than death, Jesus is no longer in the tomb; He is alive!
The major production was coordinated by the church music director, Patrick Gibson, who was aided by around 80 volunteers who helped to build the sets, sew costumes, and those serving as actors. It was truly an unforgettable and meaningful experience for all.
On Sunday morning, worshipers gathered for a Sunrise Service, followed by breakfast, activities for the children, then Bible study, ending in an overflow crowd who were blessed at the 11:00 am service by celebratory music followed by an inspiring sermon delivered by Pastor Casey Ferguson.
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Tuscanooga Baptist Church, located four miles northwest of Mascotte on Tuscanooga Road, began having services back in the mid-1800’s. Worshipers were served once a month by a circuit-riding preacher. In 1919, when a storm destroyed the building, worshipers scattered to worship elsewhere. In 1929, they reconvened sitting on boards laid across boxes under a tree for the next five years. In 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, with no money available, men cut down trees and built an open-air shelter they met under until the first block structure was built in 1949. Today the church has experienced phenomenal growth with modern facilities and worshipers who are dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today’s pastor is the Great Great Great Grandson of the church’s first regular pastor, dating back to the 1870’s.
