LOST AND FOUND: REDEMPTION!

SCHEDULE:
FOR MARCH: MEMORIZE LINES.
LOST AND FOUND:

REDEMPTION

BY DR. PENSACOLA H. JEFFERSON with  GAYLE L.WALLACE& PRESENTED BY

THE GIDEON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF SURPRISE, ARIZONA'S WOMEN’S MISSION.

PLEASE NOTE:     THIS PLAY WAS WRITTEN FOR THE GIDEON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF SURPRISE, ARIZONA’S WOMEN’S MISSION ANXILLERY. REV. JOHN R. POWELL IS THE PASTOR. THIS PLAY WAS DESIGNED TO FIT BOTH PASTOR POWELL’S 2020 CHURCH THEME AND THE PURPOSE OF THE WOMEN’S MISSION’S MINISTRY. HOWEVER, THIS PLAY CAN BE MODIFIED TO FIT YOUR OWN CHURCH THEME AND PROGRAM. THIS PLAY WAS ALSO PERFORMED AT A CHURCH AND NOT A THEATER.

THE SCRIPTURE FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020 IS ISAIAH 40:31 & 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-17.   “...They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint...” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).  “...Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison...” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 KJV).

THE CHURCH THEME IS: GROWING CLOSER TO GOD AND GETTING DEEPER INTO HIS WORD.

MISSION BASICALLY MEANS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.  SHARING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE - WHETHER TO BRING SOMEONE TO JESUS CHRIST OR TO HELP OURSELVES AND OTHERS GROW SPIRITUALLY BY GETTING DEEPER INTO STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD – IS THE WORK OF MISSION.

IN THE FOLLOWING PLAY “LOST AND FOUND: REDEMPTION” THERE IS A YOUNG WOMAN, NAME UNREE DEEMD, WHO HAS BEEN HOMELESS SINCE SHE WAS 13 YEARS OLD. SHE PEDDLES ON A CORNER OF 316 & JOHN. SHE MEETS DIFFERENT PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. A WOMAN TOLD HER JESUS WAS LOOKING FOR HER AND SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO HIM FINDING HER ONE DAY. A MISSION WORKER AT THE LOST AND FOUND SOUP KITCHEN HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A GIRL THAT FITS HER DESCRIPTION TOO.

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LOST AND FOUND: REDEMPTION

ANNUAL WOMEN'S DAY SCRIPTURES FOR 2020: “…Christ died for [your] SINS according to the scriptures;  And …he was buried, and … rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).  “…The Son of man (God’s PLAN of SALVATION) came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV).

“...The (SAME) Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you...” (Romans 8:11 NLT).

"...God raised Him (Jesus) up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power..." (Acts 2:24 KJV).

 ^“...For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God....” (Romans 6:4-10 NLT).

“...I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave...” (Revelation 1:18 NLT).

“...Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the (Holy) Spirit gives you (spiritual) life because you have been made right with God. ...Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do...” (Romans 8:10, 12 NLT).

CHURCH THEME & ANNUAL WOMEN'S DAY (MAY 31ST, 2020): GROWING CLOSER TO GOD AND GETTING DEEPER INTO HIS WORD.

BIBLICAL MEANING OF MISSION: TO GO AND SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WITH THE LOST

MAIN SCRIPTURE: LUKE 19:10 TALKS ABOUT HOW JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE THAT WHICH IS LOST.

“...Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man^[ came to seek and save those who are lost...” (LUKE 19:9-10 NLT).

PARABLES ABOUT THE LOST AND FOUND.

Parable of the Lost Sheep

“...Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. ² This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

³ So Jesus told them this story: ⁴ “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. ⁶ When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ ¹⁰ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents....” (LUKE 15:1-10 NLT).

KIND OF PLAY & SYNOPSIS:  DRAMA, BIBLICAL, WITH A LITTLE COMEDY.

SYNOPSIS:  316 & JOHN IS A POPULAR CORNER FOR THE LOST AND UNREE LYNN DEEMD PATRONIZED IT A LOT. UNREE HAS BEEN HOMELESS FOR YEARS AND BELIEVES A MAN NAMED JESUS IS LOOKING FOR HER. SHE TALKS TO SEVERAL PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY AND SHARES JESUS WITH THEM.

BARBARA LYNN DEEMD (GG) WORKS WITH THE LOST AND FOUND SOUP KITCHEN. HER GRANDSON WORKS WITH HER. HE ASKS HER WHY SHE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THIS PARTICULAR LOST YOUNG LADY AFTER SO MANY YEARS. PEOPLE COME INTO THE SOUP KITCHEN AND HELP BARBARA EXPLAIN WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP LOOKING FOR THE LOST. THEY SHARE DIFFERENT STORIES.

TOPIC: HOW THE WORK OF MISSION AID IN HELPING PEOPLE MEET JESUS OR GROW CLOSER TO GOD BY GETTING DEEPER INTO HIS WORD.

PERFORMANCE TIME: 35-45 minutes

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 15 roles, 1 narrator, & 5-7 family members

PURPOSE OF PLAY: TO DEMONSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS’ RESURRECTION FOR THE LOST AND THE REDEEMED. TO ALSO EMPHASIZED OR HIGHLIGHT, THE TRUTH, THAT THE “SAME” POWER THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEATH WORKS “IN” GOD'S PEOPLE.

CAST FOR LOST AND FOUND SOUP KITCHEN

CHARACTER TYPES:

             1. MISSION WORKER (BARBARA, GG) - CHAR GRANDBERRY

             2. MISSION WORKER (REGGIE) - CHRISTIAN PARHAM

             3. MISSION WORKER (LOST COIN)- FIRST LADY BARBARA MCDUFFY

             4. MISSION WORKER (LOST SHEEP)- DORIS WALLACE

             5.  MISSION WORKER  (LOST DAUGHTER)- FIRST LADY ANITA POWELL

             6. MISSION WORKER (SISTER PREACHER LOST PEOPLE) - WANDA COBB

            7. NARRATOR -  LARRAINE GRAY

     CAST FOR THE CORNER OF 316TH & JOHN

CHARACTER TYPES:

             1. SARAH - MINISTER MALLORY PORCHE
             2. UNREE - JAMICA JONES

             3. SAMANTHA - DASCHE TAYLOR 

             4. BENJAMIN - DEWITT PATTON

             5. SUSAN  - ELIZABETH TURNER

             6. JOSEPH - QUENTION KEMP

             7. STEWARD -TODD MCLEMORE
             8. GROUP OF FAMILY MEMBERS 5-7 People - OPEN
             9. NURSE - MICHAEL TURNER

            10. POPPA D - STEVE GRANDBERRY/ ANTHONY EDISON

     

OTHER HELP NEEDED

             1. STAGE & PROPS  

             2. MUSIC - MOTHER GRAY (MAYBE)

             3. COSTUMES

             4. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR -PENSACOLA JEFFERSON & GAYLE WALLACE

             5. SOUND - LE STEPHANIE GRANDBERRY
             6. DIRECTOR  - LYNDIA SANDERS

             

PROPS NEEDED: BOOTH, CHAIRS, BROOMS, TABLES, SIGNS. DIVIDERS FOR SCENES. ROLL AWAY BED FOR HOSPITAL SCENE.

SOUNDS /MUSIC NEEDED: MAY BE PRE-RECORDED OR LIVE QUARTET, OR SOLOIST. 

STAGES: CURTAINS OR DIVIDERS
SCENES: (5 TOTAL) 1. THE LOST & FOUND SOUP KITCHEN, 2. THE CORNER OF 316 & JOHN, 3. THE HOSPITAL, 4. A LIVING ROOM, AND 5. THE CHURCH.

PLAY STARTS HERE:

NARRATOR: WE OFTEN HEAR ABOUT THE PERPETRATORS OF ABUSE, BUT NEVER HEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR VICTIMS.  UNREE LYNN DEEMD IS ONE OF THE UNTOLD STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF HORRIBLE ABUSES AGAINST CHILDREN. MANY ARE DEAD ON THE INSIDE AND LOST OUT IN THE WORLD WITH THEIR SECRET PAIN OF ABUSE. MANY PEOPLE ARE LOST, IN MANY WAYS; SOME ARE AWARE OF IT AND SOME ARE NOT. THUS, THE FACT THAT GOD SENT JESUS TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL, BECAUSE IF HE DIDN’T MANY OF US WOULD BE LOST FOREVER NOT ONLY IN THIS LIFE, BUT ALSO FOR ALL ETERNITY. IN THE OPENING SCENE UNREE IS KICKED OUT OF HER MOTHER’S HOME.

PART 1: OPENING SCENE: UNREE IS KICKED OUT OF HER MOTHER’S, SARAH’S, HOME AND IS LEFT HOMELESS.

SARAH AND UNREE (YEAR 1999)

SARAH: GET OUT!

UNREE: HE MOLESTED ME, MOMMY

SARAH:  I DON’T CARE! YOU PROBABLY SEDUCED HIM. NOW GET OUT AND DON’T COME BACK! YOU ARE DEAD TO ME!!

UNREE:  I AM ONLY 13 YEARS OLD. WHERE WILL I GO?

SARAH: WHO CARES WHERE YOU GO AS LONG AS YOU LEAVE MY HOUSE!

 UNREE: MOMMY ITS JANUARY AND ITS COLD

SARAH:   GOOD-BYE, UNREE (SHE SLAMS THE DOOR).

SONG: SOMETHNGS I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD. 

LYRICS: 

Sometimes I feel like a motherless child

(Sometimes)
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child

A long ways from home
A long ways from home
Do believe us?
A long ways from home
A long ways from home

Yes, sometimes I feel like a motherless child
(Why?)
Why? 'Cause nothin' ever happens
(Nothin')

PART 2: SECOND SCENE (PRESENT YEAR 2020): GG IS IN THE SOUP KICHEN CLEANING UP, WITH SOME OTHER MISSION WORKERS, WHEN HER GRANDSON/DAUGHTER WALKS IN.

BARBARA: HELLO, REGINALD!

REGGIE:   HI GG, Y’ALL FINISHED?

BARBARA:   YES, THE DINNER CROWD JUST CLEARED OUT? (REGGIE LOOKS AT THE PICTURE OF THE GIRL GG IS LOOKING FOR)

REGGIE:  GG WHY DO YOU KEEP LOOKING FOR THIS GIRL. SHE’S ONLY A DREAM. YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW IF SHE’S REAL OR NOT.

BARBARA: I KEEP DREAMING ABOUT HER AND I BELIEVE SHE’S REAL. THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS ME TO FIND HER.

REGGIE:   WHY WOULD THE HOLY SPIRIT WANT YOU TO FIND HER?

BARBARA: HE ALWAYS SEEKS THE LOST.

REGGIE:  EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, GG?

BARBARA:   YES, EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.

REGGIE:  WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS GIRL, THAT HE HAS YOU “STILL” SEEKING HER? WHY DOESN’T HE LET YOU GIVE UP?

(SISTER WIDOW TELLS STORY OF LOST COIN)

SISTER WIDOW:  I’LL TELL WHY HE KEEPS SEEKING HER, REGGIE AND WHY HE WON’T GIVE UP?

REGGIE: WHY SISTER WIDOW?  

SISTER WIDOW:  BECAUSE SHE’S VALUABLE TO GOD.

REGGIE:  VALUABLE? SHE’S JUST A LADY IN GG’S DREAM.

SISTER WIDOW: NOT TO GOD, GOD’S LOVE PLACES VALUE ON A PERSON’S LIFE.

REGGIE:   WHAT DOES HE GET OUT OF IT?

SISTER WIDOW: HE’S GET WHAT HE THINKS IS VALUE BACK AND THAT’S THE PERSON HE IS SEEKING AFTER.

REGGIE: THAT’S ALL! I DON’T GET IT! (HE SHRUGS)

SISTER WIDOW:   WELL, ONE TIME I HAD TEN COINS. THEY WERE ALL PENNIES AND THEY WERE VERY VALUABLE TO ME. THEN ONE DAY I LOST ONE. I TORE MY HOUSE UP LOOKING FOR IT. I SWEEP EVERY ROOM. I LOOKED IN THE CUSHIONS OF THE COUCHES AND CHAIRS. I VACUUMED, THEN DUMPED IT AND LOOK THROUGH THE DUST. I PUT THE KIDS ON RESTRICTION. I TURNED OFF THE WIFI. DISCONNECTED THE CABLE AND FIRESTICK. I LOCKED THE DOG OUT. I LOST MY MIND, BUT I LOOKED, AND LOOKED, AND LOOKED UNTIL I FOUND IT!

REGGIE:  GEESH! ALL THAT OVER A PENNY?!

SISTER WIDOW: OH YES, BUT WHEN IT FOUND IT, MY WHOLE HOUSEHOLD REJOICED! I’M NOT REALLY SURE IF THEY WERE REJOICING OVER THE COIN OR NOT.

REGGIE: I SAW THOSE COINS, SISTER WIDOW. THEY WERE OLD LOOKING, BEAT UP, AND WORTHLESS. WHY GO THROUGH ALL THAT TROUBLE FOR ONE?

SISTER WIDOW: IT WASN’T THE WORTHINESS OF THE COIN THAT MOTIVATED ME TO FIND IT. IT WAS THE PERSONAL VALUE OF EACH COIN THAT MEANT SOMETHING TO ME. MY GREAT GRANDFATHER GAVE ME THOSE COINS, SO I LOVE THOSE COINS. THEREFORE, NOTHING WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN GETTING THAT COIN BACK.

(BROTHER/SISTER SHEPHERD TELLS STORY OF LOST SHEEP

SISTER SHEPHERD: SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED TO ME, REGGIE?

REGGIE: IT DID?

SISTER SHEPHERD: YES, I USED TO HERD SHEEP. I HAD ABOUT 100 OF THEM AND ONE DAY I LOST ONE.

REGGIE: I THOUGHT YOU LIVED IN THE PROJECTS?

SISTER SHEPHERD: I DID LIVE IN THE PROJECTS AND I HAD A HERD OF SHEEP. I  LOOKED ALL THROUGH THE PROJECTS, THROUGH THE HOOD, THE BURBS, STOPPED BY JOE’S BARBECUE TO MAKE SURE HE WASN’T SELLING BARBECUE SHEEP SANDWICHES. THEN IIDROVE TO ALL THE TOWNS NEXT TO ME. I PUT UP POSTERS ALL OVER TOWN.  AND I ASKED THE POLICE TO PUT OUT AN ASA!

REGGIE: AN ASA?

SISTER SHEPHERD:  YEA, IT’S LIKE AN AMBER ALERT, FOR SHEEP; ASA A SHEEP ALERT!

REGGIE: YOU DID ALL THAT OVER A LOST SHEEP?

SISTER SHEPHERD:  YES, I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN I FOUND HIM I HAD A BIG BARBECUE AND INVITED EVERYBODY IN THE PROJECTS.

REGGIE: I SAW THAT SHEEP, BROTHER SHEPHERD. If I WAS YOU, I WOULDN’T HAVE LEFT THE OTHER 99 FOR HIM. HE WAS SCRAWNY AND UGLY?

SISTER SHEPHERD: IT WASN’T WHAT HE LOOKED LIKE THAT MOTIVATED ME TO LOOK FOR HIM, BUT I LOVED HIM AND HAD COMPASSION FOR HIM. HE WAS SHEEP AND BELONGED TO ME AND I WOULD DO ANYTHING I HAD TO DO TO PROTECT AND RESCUE HIM.

REGGIE: WOW, SISTER SHEPHERD.

(SISTER/BROTHER PRODICAL DAUGHTER/SON TELLS HOW SHE WAS LOST AND HER FATHER LOOKED FOR HER RETURN)

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: I HAVE ONE BETTER, I ONCE WAS THAT LOST COIN AND THAT LOST SHEEP, REGGIE

REGGIE: WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I ASKED MY FATHER FOR MY INHERITANCE AND I LEFT HOME

REGGIE: WHAT’S SO WRONG ABOUT THAT?

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: WELL I WAS OUT THERE PARTYING, LIVING LARGE, ACTING LIKE A FOOL, AND WASTING MONEY. PRETTY SOON ALL MY INHERTANCE WAS GONE

REGGIE: WHAT DID YOU DO?

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: I HAD TO GO AND GET A JOB. I WAS WORKING FOR SLAVE WAGES. I COULDN’T AFFORD NOTHING. EVENTUALLY, I STARTED WORKING THE CORNERS WITH A BUCKET AND A CARDBOARD SIGN.

REGGIE: HOW DID YOU TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND?

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: I WAS SO LOST, SO I HUMBLED MYSELF AND WENT BACK HOME. I PLANNED TO ASK MY FATHER FOR A JOB.

REGGIE: DID HE GIVE IT TO YOU!

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER (SHE SHAKES HER HEAD: NO, HE DIDN’T, REGGIE

REGGIE: I’M SORRY, SISTER SHEPHERD THAT MUST HAVE BEEN HURTFUL FOR YOU.

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: NO, IT WASN’T HURTFUL. MY FATHER REACTED WITH JOY AND HE THREW ME A PARTY!

REGGIE: A PARTY, BUT YOU DID WRONG!

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: I KNOW, I DIDN’T DESERVE IT, BUT MY FATHER SHOWED ME GRACE AND MERCY ANYWAY. HE WAS ACTUALLY HAPPY I CAME BACK HOME TO HIM. HE WELCOMED ME BACK WITH OPEN ARMS!

REGGIE: SO LIKE THE COINS AND SHEEP YOU WERE LOST TO YOUR FATHER (SISTER SHEPHERD NODS). SO HE WAS WAITING AND HOPING FOR YOUR RETURN?

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: YES, AND HE SHOWED SUCH COMPASSION FOR ME.

REGGIE: BUT YOU WASTED ALL THE INHERITANCE HE GAVE YOU.

SISTER PRODICAL DAUGHTER: I DID, BUT MY FATHER DIDN’T CARE ABOUT WHAT I’D LOST. HE SAID? “...[DAUGHTER]... EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS STILL. LET’S CELEBRATE AND BE HAPPY. YOU WERE LOST AND NOW MY CHILD YOU ARE FOUND...”

REGGIE: WHAT A LOVING FATHER. NOW I AM STARTING TO SEE HOW BLESSED IT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE LOOK FOR YOU WHEN YOU’RE LOST!

(SISTER /BROTHER PREACHER TELLS STORY OF JESUS COMING FROM HEAVEN LOOKING FOR THE LOST)

SISTER PREACHER: THAT’S RIGHT, REGGIE. I HAVE A RELATIVE NAMED JESUS, HE’S MY 29^TH COUSIN TWICE REMOVED?

REGGIE: JESUS WAS YOUR RELATIVE?

SISTER PREACHER: YES, CAN’T YOU SEE THE RESEMBLANCE (REGGIES SHAKES HER HEAD). ANYWAY, HE’S A DESCENDANT OF MY UNCLE KING DAVID. HE’S ALSO THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR. HOWEVER, HE CAME DOWN HERE DIRECTLY FROM HEAVEN.

REGGIE:  YOUR COUSIN, JESUS, CAME DOWN HERE DIRECTLY FROM HEAVEN?

SISTER PREACHER: YES, HE DID.

REGGIE: OKAY, SISTER PREACHER. WHAT DOES YOUR 29^TH COUSIN, JESUS, TWICE REMOVED HAVE TO DO WITH THE LOST AND FOUND?

SISTER PREACHER: HE CAME TO LOOK FOR THE LOST TOO

 REGGIE: I THOUGHT HE CAME TO SAVE SINNERS.

SISTER PREACHER: HE DID, BUT PEOPLE ARE JUST UNSAVED. THEY ARE LOST!

REGGIE: ARE YOU SAYING THAT IF PEOPLE DON’T KNOW JESUS CHRIST THEY ARE LOST LIKE THOSE COINS AND THAT SHEEP?

SISTER PREACHER: YEP AND THE PROBLEM IS THE COIN OR THE SHEEP DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THEY’RE  LOST. IF THE SISTER WIDOW AND BROTHER SHEPHERD HAD CHOSEN TO LOOK FOR THEM. THEY WOULD REMAIN LOST. IF JESUS HADN’T CHOSEN TO COME DOWN AND LOOK FOR THE LOST PEOPLE UPON EARTH THEY WOULD REMAIN LOST TOO!

REGGIE: WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE SHEEP IF BROTHER SHEPHERD HADN’T LOOKED FOR HIM!

SISTER PREACHER: THE SHEEP WOULD HAVE BEEN DOOMED.

REGGIE: DOOMED? WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

SISTER PREACHER: A COYOTE, WOLF, OR ANOTHER PREDATOR WOULD HAVE ATTACKED HIM, CAPTURED HIM, OR KILLED HIM, BECAUSE HE HAD NO PROTECTION.

REGGIE:  COULDN’T THE SHEEP PROTECT HIMSELF OR FIND HIS WAY BACK HOME?

SISTER PREACHER: A SHEEP IS NOT LIKE A DOG, WHO MAY BE ABLE TO FIND HIS WAY HOME. A SHEEP IS UNABLE TO HELP HIMSELF AND WOULDN’T EVEN KNOW HE WAS HEADED FOR DESTRUCTION.

REGGIE: SO THAT’S WHY JESUS CAME.

SISTER PREACHER: YES, THAT’S WHY JESUS CAME. LOST PEOPLE DON’T ALWAYS KNOW THEY’RE LOST AND EVEN IF THEY DID KNOW THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY WILL REMAIN LOST AND HELPLESS IF JESUS DIDN’T COME LOOKING FOR THEM.

 REGGIE: SISTER WIDOW LOOKED FOR THE LOST COIN. SISTER SHEPHERD LOOKED FOR THE LOST SHEEP AND JESUS LOOKS FOR THE LOST. I GUESS THE LOST ARE TRULY BLESSED THAT GOD LOVES THEM SO MUCH HE SENT JESUS TO LOOK FOR THEM.

SISTER PREACHER: YOU’RE RIGHT, REGGIE. IF GOD DIDN’T LOVE THE LOST SO MUCH THEY WOULD BE DOOMED

REGGIE: I THINK I’M GETTING IT NOW. IF GG DOESN’T KEEP LOOKING FOR THIS GIRL, SHE MAY BE DOOMED FOREVER TOO.

SISTER PREACHER: THAT’S RIGHT REGGIE

REGGIE: SO JESUS LOOKS FOR THE LOST UNTIL HE FINDS THEM. SISTER PREACHER: THAT’S RIGHT REGGIE

REGGIE: WHAT’S HIS MOTIVE IS LOVE.

SISTER PREACHER: HIS ONLY MOTIVE IS LOVE

REGGIE: SO JESUS ACTIVELY LOOKS FOR THE LOST OUT OF LOVE AND IF HE DIDN’T THEY WOULD REMAIN LOST AND DOOMED FOREVER

SISTER PREACHER: YEP, JESUS CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO LOOK FOR AND SEEK AFTER THOSE WHO ARE LOST. THEN HE SAVES THEM FROM DOOM AND DESTRUCTION! THAT’S ALSO REDEMPTION! OH WHAT A GREAT SALVATION!!

SONG: AMAZING GRACE
LYRICS:

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

*************************************************************************

UNREE AND THE HOMELESS (YEARS ARE FROM 1999-2013)

(YEAR 2001 SAMANTHA)

SAMMY: HI I’M SAMANTHA. PEOPLE CALL ME SAMMY.

UNREE: WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT HERE?

SAMMY: I LOST MY JOB

UNREE:  COULDN’T YOU GET ANOTHER ONE?

SAMMY: NOPE, I AM A HARD WORKER, BUT I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH EDUCATION OR JOB TRAINING. I COULDN’T TRANSFER MY SKILLS FROM MY LAST JOB TO A NEW JOB. THE ONLY JOB I CAN GET IT IS WITH A CORPORATION THAT PAYS DESPERATE PEOPLE, LIKE ME, ONLY 50 CENTS AN HOUR. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

UNREE:  I AM NOBODY. MY LIFE IS DEAD. I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHY I AM STILL HERE

 SAMMY:  JESUS CAN RESURRECT YOUR LIFE.

UNREE: HE CAN? WHERE IS THIS JESUS?

SAMMY: HE’S AROUND HERE SOMEPLACE.

UNREE: WHERE CAN I FIND HIM?

SAMMY: YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIND HIM. HE WILL FIND YOU. HE’S ALWAYS LOOKING TO RESURRECT SOMEBODY’S LIFE.

UNREE: WHY DOES HE DO THAT?

SAMMY:  USUALLY, THEY ARE LOST LIKE YOU. JESUS DEEPLY LOVES THE LOST

UNREE:  DO YOU THINK HE’S LOOKING FOR ME?

SAMMY: PROBABLY. WELL I’VE GOT TO GO UNREE. IT WAS NICE TALKING TO YOU.

(YEAR 2006 BENJAMIN)

BENJAMIN: EXCUSE ME, MISS. CAN I TALK TO YOU

UNREE: PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE. DON’T HURT ME!

BENJAMIN: I AM NOT GOING TO HURT YOU.

UNREE:  WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

BENJAMIN:  I AM BENJAMIN. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO STOP WORKING FOR THAT CORPORATION

UNREE: I’M UNREE. WHY?

BENJAMIN: THEY MOSTLY HIRE, IMMIGRANTS LIKE ME AND HOMELESS PEOPLE LIKE YOU. WHILE THEY MAKE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

UNREE:  IF I DON’T WORK FOR THEM I WON’T HAVE A JOB AND THEY WILL HIRE REGULAR AMERICANS

BENJAMIN: NO THEY WON’T.  THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY REGULAR AMERICANS A REGULAR SALARY, WHICH WOULD INTERFERE WITH THEIR PROFITS.

UNREE:  WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU

BENJAMIN: AS I SAID, I AM AN IMMIGRANT. I CAME TO AMERICAN FOR A BETTER LIFE, BUT WHEN THE LAWS CHANGED I LOST MY JOB AND MY FAMILY. THEY WERE SENT TO A DETENTION CENTER AND I CAN’T FIND THEM. WE HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FOR MONTHS.

UNREE: I’M SORRY, BENJAMIN

BENJAMIN: ME TOO! IMMIGRANTS ARE PEOPLE TOO AND NOW THAT I AM HOMELESS AND WITHOUT MY FAIMLY I CLEARLY SEE THE INJUSTICES AGAINST MY KIND OF PEOPLE.

UNREE:  I UNDERSTAND INJUSTICE.

BENJAMIN: WHAT DO YOU MEAN

UNREE: I AM HOMELESS TOO, BECAUSE OF INJUSTICE.

BENJAMIN: HOW LONG?

UNREE: FOR FIVE YEARS NOW

BENJAMIN: YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ONLY A TEENAGER.

UNREE: I AM. I'M ONLY 18 YEARS OLD .

BENJAMIN: HOW DID YOU SURVIVE SO LONG BY YOURSELF

UNREE:  JESUS.

BENJAMIN: JESUS?

UNREE: YES, HE’S LOOKING FOR ME AND I WANT TO BE HERE WHEN HE FINDS ME. PLUS HE HELPS ME.

BENJAMIN: YOU’VE NEVER MET HIM, BUT YOU THINK HE HELPS YOU

UNREE:  I DON’T THINK HE HELPS ME. I KNOW HE DOES. MAYBE WE CAN ASK HIM TO HELP YOU.

BENJAMIN: OKAY, UNREE, HOW DO YOU THINK “THIS” JESUS CAN HELP ME?

UNREE:  WELL, THERE’S POWER IN HIS NAME.  HERE LET’S ASK HIM TOGETHER: JESUS, HELP BENJAMIN WITH HIS IMMIGRANT PROBLEMS AND HELP HIM BE RESTORED TO HIS FAMILY

BENJAMIN: NOTHING HAPPENED

UNREE:  YES IT DID. YOU’LL SEE

BENJAMIN: OKAY UNREE, SEE YOU AROUND.

(YEAR 2008 STEWART)

UNREE: HELLO STEW, YOU LOOKING FOR ME?

STEWARD: YES, ARE YOU STAYING IN ONE OF THE SHELTERS OR ARE YOU COMING TO THE ENCAMPMENT?

UNREE: YOU KNOW I DON’T LIKE TO SLEEP ROUGH UNLESS I HAVE NO CHOICE (HE NODDED) WHY DO YOU LIKE SLEEPING ROUGH OR SLEEPING OUT IN THE OPEN? 

STEWARD: YOU KNOW I DON’T LIKE QUESTIONS (SHE NODDED)

UNREE: I KNOW, BUT COULD YOU TELL ME JUST THIS ONCE?

STEWARD: I WENT TO THE WAR ZONE.

UNREE:  I KNOW. YOU ARE A DECORATED WAR HERO, BUT THAT DOESN’T TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT YOU.

STEWARD: WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WAR ZONE YOU HAVE TO KILL PEOPLE.

UNREE: THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

STEWARD: YES, IT IS, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S EASY. THEY ARE OPPONENTS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO STILL HUMAN BEINGS. I AWAYS FELT SICK TO MY STOMACH AND IMMEDIATE SORROW AFTERWARDS.  IT DOESN’T JUST GO AWAY, BECAUSE IT WAS MY JOB.

UNREE:  IS THAT WHY YOU ARE SO NERVOUS AND JUMPY?

STEWARD: PARTLY, BUT I USED TO PATROL THE BORDER TOO WHILE I WAS IN THE WAR ZONE. YOU HAVE TO BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES AND THAT DID SOMETHING TO MY PSYCHE. THAT'S WHY I HAVE PTSD.

UNREE: I KNOW YOU HAVE A FAMILY TOO, STEW. WHY DID YOU LEAVE THEM?

STEWARD: I KEPT HAVING DREAMS ABOUT THE WAR. I WOULD WAKE UP IN COLD SWEATS THINKING I WAS STILL THERE. I WOULD DO CRAZY THINGS AND I WOULD SEE FEAR IN THEY'RE EYES. I COULDN’T DO THAT TO MY FAMILY ANYMORE. I LOVE THEM TOO MUCH, SO I LEFT.

UNREE:  I GUESS PEOPLE, WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE WAR ZONE, WILL EVER KNOW THE TRUE COST OF THEIR FREEDOM

STEWARD: ENOUGH ABOUT ME. WHAT IS YOUR STORY, UNREE?

UNREE: AT THIS POINT, I AM JUST ABIDING MY TIME UNTIL JESUS FINDS ME?

STEWARD: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT JESUS CHRIST?

UNREE:  YES

STEWARD: OH GEESH, UNREE WHAT MAKES YOU THINK JESUS CHRIST, OF ALL PEOPLE, IS LOOKING FOR YOU?

UNREE: BECAUSE I’M LOST. AND HE LOOKS FOR THE LOST

STEWARD: I’VE BEEN LOST FOR YEARS, SO I GUESS HE’S LOOKING FOR ME TOO!

UNREE:  YEP, I BELIEVE HE IS. LET’S ASK HIM TO MAKE SURE: JESUS WILL YOU LOOK FOR STEWARD TOO!

STEWARD: ANYWAY, UNREE BE SAFE. I'LL SEE YOU SOON!

 (YEAR 2009 SUSAN)

UNREE: HELLO, SUSAN WHAT ARE DOING OUT HERE? AREN’T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE SHELTER?

SUSAN: I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU? (SHE HANDS HER A CARD).

UNREE:  WHAT IS IT?

SUSAN IT IS A YEAR’S MEMBERSHIP AT THE YMCA. I HEARD YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SHOWERS THE OTHER DAY.

UNREE: .I KNOW THERE IS SO LITTLE PRIVACY. THANK YOU SUSAN. THAT WAS THOUGHTFUL OF YOU.

SUSAN: I WAS HOMELESS ONCE

UNREE:  YOU? THAT’S HARD TO BELIEVE

SUSAN: YES, ME AND MY SISTERS CAME HERE FROM VIETNAM

UNREE: REALLY?

SUSAN: YES, WE WERE REFUGEES. WE LEFT OUR COUNTRY ON A SMALL BOAT WITH 50 OTHER PEOPLE. WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. THE SEA WAS ROUGH. PIRATES ROBBED US. WE RAN OUT OF FOOD AND WATER. WE HAD TO DRINK OUR OWN URINE, SOMETIMES, TO SURVIVE.

UNREE:  OH MY GOSH, REALLY! (SUSAN NODS)

SUSAN: YES, REALLY. MY SISTERS AND I WENT TO AN ASIAN REFUGEE CAMP FOR A WHILE, BUT WE FINALLY MADE TO THE UNITED STATES.

UNREE: YOU HAD NO RELATIVES HERE.

SUSAN: NO, IT WAS JUST MY SISTERS AND I. WE COULDN’T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE AT FIRST AND WE STRUGGLED FOR A LONG TIME ON THE STREETS.

UNREE:  YOU MADE IT THOUGH

SUSAN: YES WE DID. I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT EACH OTHER.

UNREE: YOU WOULD BE LIKE ME.

SUSAN:  WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

UNREE:  I DON’T HAVE FAMILY. I HAVE NO ONE.

SUSAN: I’M SO SELFISH. I’M SORRY. I AM TALKING ABOUT MY GOOD FORTUNE AND I NEVER CONSIDERED YOUR FEELINGS.

UNREE: WELL, I DO HAVE SOMEONE LOOKING FOR ME?

SUSAN: WHO?

UNREE:  JESUS

SUSAN:  DO YOU MEAN JESUS CHRIST FROM THE BIBLE.

UNREE: I THINK SO.

SUSAN: WHAT DO YOU THINK HE’S GOING TO DO FOR YOU?

UNREE:  HE’S GOING TO RESURRECT MY LIFE.

SUSAN: RESURRECT YOUR LIFE?

UNREE: YES, MY LIFE IS DEAD AND JESUS IS THE ONLY WHO CAN RESURRECT IT.

SUSAN: YOU KNOW, UNREE SOMETIMES, EVEN WITH ALL MY MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AND MONEY, I FEEL MY LIFE IS DEAD TOO!

UNREE:  LET’S ASK JESUS TOGETHER, TO HELP. JESUS WILL YOU RESURRECT SUSAN LIFE TOO!

SUSAN:  THANK YOU, UNREE. I’LL COME SEE YOU AGAIN.

 (YEAR 2010 JOSEPH)

UNREE: I CAN’T BELIEVE, YOU ARE STILL HERE JOSEPH

JOSEPH: ME EITHER. WHO EVER THOUGHT I WAS ONE IDENTIFICATION SHORT OF HOMELESSNESS

UNREE:  YOU NEVER TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

JOSEPH: YES, I DO. I TOLD YOU I DON’T HAVE ANY ID.

UNREE: YES, BUT YOU NEVER TOLD ME HOW YOU LOST YOUR IDENTIFICATION.

JOSEPH: I DON’T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IT!

UNREE:  MAYBE IT WOULD HELP IF YOU DID.

JOSEPH: OKAY. MY WIFE AND UNBORN CHILD DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND I WAS GRIEVING. MY WIFE’S NAME WAS ON THE LEAST AGREEMENT AND MINE WASN’T. WHEN THEY FOUND OUT SHE’D DIED THEY BEGAN EVICTING ME. I IGNORED ALL THE WARNING NOTICES.

UNREE:AND?

JOSEPH: AND ONE DAY I WAS OUT JOB HUNTING, BECAUSE I’D JUST LOST MY JOB TOO, BUT I FORGOT MY ID. WHEN I CAME HOME, THE LOCKS WERE CHANGED AND ALL MY STUFF WAS GONE.

UNREE: WHY DIDN’T YOU GO THE LEASING OFFICE.

JOSEPH: I DID, BUT THEY HIRED SOMEONE TO CLEAN OUT THE PLACE. MY STUFF WAS TAKEN TO A DUMPING GROUND AND NO LONGER BELONGED TO ME. I WOULD NEED A COURT ORDER OR I WOULD BE TRESPASSING. IN ORDER TO GET A COURT ORDER TO SEARCH THROUGH MY STUFF I NEEDED AN ID.

UNREE: THAT’S CRAZY

JOSEPH: WHAT’S CRAZY IS THAT YOU NEED AN ID TO GET AN ID. IN ORDER TO GET AN ID YOU NEED YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD AND TWO PROOFS OF PERMANENT RESIDENCY. I DIDN'T HAVE THOSE THINGS. I STILL DON’T HAVE THEM.

UNREE:  PEOPLE CAN’T VOUCH FOR YOU?

JOSEPH: YEAH, BUT THAT’S NOT CONSIDERED PROOF OR EVIDENCE WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING AN ID.

UNREE: WHAT DO  YOU THINK, ABOUT YOUR LIFE NOW, JOSEPH?

JOSEPH: AT THIS POINT, UNREE, I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO BE LOST OUT HERE, FOREVER

UNREE:  I USED TO THINK THAT TOO

JOSEPH: YOU DON’T THINK THAT NOW?

UNREE:  NOPE

JOSEPH: WHY NOT?

UNREE:  BECAUSE JESUS IS LOOKING FOR ME AND WHEN HE FINDS ME I WON’T BE LOST ANYMORE.

JOSEPH: LET ME GUESS, THE JESUS FROM BETHLEHEM OF JUDEA IS LOOKING FOR YOU.

UNREE: YES

JOSEPH: OH COME ON, UNREE, TELL ME YOU DON’T REALLY BELIEVE THAT?

UNREE:  YES, I DO.

JOSEPH: YOU SOUND SO SURE (LAUGHS A LITTLE)

UNREE:  I AM SURE. I KNOW, IN MY HEART...HE’S LOOKING FOR ME. THAT HOPE IS THE ONLY THING I FEEL THESE DAYS. HE LOOKS FOR ALL LOST PEOPLE. I’M LOST AND YOU’RE LOST. HE WILL FIND BOTH OF US.

JOSEPH: NOT THAT I BELIEVE IT, BUT YOU REALLY THINK HE’S LOOKING FOR ME TOO!

UNREE:  YES, AND HE WILL HELP YOU GET YOUR ID. LET’S ASK HIM TOGETHER. JESUS HELP, JOSEPH GET HIS ID AND GO BACK TO HIS LIFE.

JOSEPH: WELL, I HOPE YOU’RE RIGHT.

UNREE: I AM, YOU’LL SEE.

UNREE, THE SCHOOL REPORTER, AND THE LAST DAY HOMELESS (YEAR 2013)

REGGIE: HELLO, MISS UNREE

UNREE:  HELLO, REGGIE, I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME MISS.

REGGIE: I HAVE TO. MY GG TOLD ME TO RESPECT MY ELDERS. SHE’LL KILL ME IF I DIDN’T PUT A HANDLE ON YOUR NAME

UNREE:  OKAY, OKAY, DO YOU STILL NEED ME TO DO AN INTERVIEW FOR YOUR SCHOOL PROJECT.

 REGGIE:  YES, DO YOU MIND? YOU SEEM TIRED TODAY, ARE YOU OKAY?

UNREE:  I AM FEELING A LITTLE TIRED, REGGIE, BUT I AM FINE  ENOUGH TO DO YOUR INTERVIEW. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

 REGGIE:  HOW DID YOU BECOME HOMELESS?

UNREE:  WHEN I WAS 13 YEARS OLD MY MOTHER PUT ME OUT OF HER HOUSE.

REGGIE: MAY I ASK WHY?

UNREE: I WAS PREGNANT?

REGGIE: YOU HAVE A CHILD, MISS UNREE

UNREE: NO, I GAVE HIM AWAY.

REGGIE:  WHY DIDN’T YOUR MOTHER HELP YOU? (UNREE SEEMS UNCOMFORTABLE) ARE THESE QUESTIONS TOO HARD OR PERSONAL?

 UNREE:  NO REGGIE. SHE PUT ME OUT BECAUSE SHE HATED ME EVERY SINCE I WAS BORN. MY PREGANCY WAS A GOOD EXCUSE FOR HER TO GET RID OF ME FOR GOOD.

REGGIE: DO YOU REALLY THINK YOUR MOTHER HATED YOU?

UNREE: I DON’T THINK, I KNOW. SHE BEAT ME, LOCKED ME IN CLOSETS, PUT ME INTO SCARY BASEMENTS, SENT ME TO BED HUNGRY, AND VERBALLY ABUSED FOR YEARS AND YEARS (UNREE PASSED OUT).

REGGIE: MISS UNREE! MISS UNREE! HELP ME, SOMEBODY HELP ME!
SONG: GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
LYRICS:

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through ev'ry day,
O’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

2 Through days of toil when heart does fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]

3 All you may need he will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]

4 No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon his breast,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]

PART 3 SCENE:

THE HOSPITAL ROOM. UNREE MEETS JESUS

 UNREE: NURSE! NURSE!

REGGIE:   (WALKS INTO HOSPITAL ROOM) MISS UNREE WHAT WRONG? HOW CAN I HELP YOU.

UNREE:   CAN YOU TELL WHAT I’M DOING HERE, REGGIE? I CAN’T AFFORD THIS HOSPITAL! WHY DIDN’T THEY TAKE ME TO THE COUNTY. (REGGIE GRABS HER HAND AND SHE SNATCHES IT AWAY). DON’T TOUCH ME, REGGIIE I DON’T LIKE BEING TOUCHED.  (A NURSE WALKS IN). WHAT’S GOING ON NURSE?

NURSE:  MA’AM DID YOU RANG THE NURSE'S STATION? 

UNREE:  YES, WHY AM I HERE?

NURSE: YOU HAD A BRAIN INJURY AND HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY SURGERY. THIS YOUNG MAN BOUGHT YOU IN.

UNREE:  HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN HERE?

NURSE:  ABOUT THREE AND ½ WEEKS.

UNREE:  OMG! I CAN’T AFFORD THIS! I’M HOMELESS. I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!

NURSE:  REGGIE’S GRANDPARENTS ARE TAKING CARE OF YOUR MEDICAL EXPENSES. YOU’RE FINE. SO PLEASE RELAX. REGGIE AND HIS GRANDMOTHER ALSO WORK WITH LOST AND FOUND MINISTRIES (UNREE ROLLS HER EYES). I’LL LET REGGIE EXPLAIN EVERYTHING. (NURSE LEAVES THE ROOM).

UNREE:  LOOK WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE WANT FROM ME. I AIN’T JOINING NO RELIGIOUS GROUP.

REGGIE: MY GG OR GREAT-GRANDMOTHER HAS BEEN HAVING DREAMS ABOUT A YOUNG LADY FOR YEARS. SHE KNEW WHAT SHE LOOKED LIKE TOO. THAT WOMAN WAS YOU?

UNREE: DREAMING ABOUT ME? WHY?

REGGIE: SHE FELT LEAD BY JESUS TO LOOK FOR YOU?

UNREE: JESUS! JESUS TOLD HER TO LOOK FOR ME? DO YOU KNOW “THIS” JESUS TOO?

REGGIE: YES, JESUS TOLD HER TO LOOK FOR YOU. SHE’S BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU FOR YEARS. AND YES, I KNOW JESUS.

UNREE: I WOULD LIKE TO MEET HIM TOO. DO YOU THINK HE WILL WANT TO MEET ME? I HEARD HE LOOKS FOR THE LOST AND I’VE BEEN LOST MY WHOLE LIFE. I HOPE IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

REGGIE: (REGGIES TAKE A LITTLE BOOKLET OUT OF HIS POCKET) HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS (UNREE SHAKES HER HEAD). I WAS TRAINED TO USE THIS BOOK IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO JESUS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ IT WITH ME? (UNREE NODS HER HEAD. REGGIE PRAYS AND ASK FOR HE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE).

UNREE: IT THIS GOING TO HELP ME MEET JESUS? (REGGIES NODS) OKAY WHAT NEXT?

REGGIE: FIRST, I NEED YOU TO KNOW, GOD LOVES YOU AND HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. HE’S BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU TO TELL YOU THAT IF YOU BELIEVE IN HIM, YOU WILL NOT PERISH, BUT HE WILL GIVE YOUR EVERLASTING LIFE. JESUS CAME TO RESCUE THE LOST AND SAVE THEM FROM DESTRUCTION.

UNREE: HOW WILL HE RESCUE ME?

REGGIE: WE ARE LOST BECAUSE OF SIN. SIN SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM GOD. WHEN PEOPLE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD THEY CAN’T EXPERIENCE HIS LOVE OR HIS WONDERFUL PLAN FOR THEIR LIVES.

UNREE:  I’M A DEAD PERSON AND NOW I AM A SINNER TOO?

REGGIE: EVERYBODY UPON EARTH, WHO DOESN’T HAVE JESUS IN THEIR HEARTS, IS A SINNER. WE ARE “ALL” NO EXCEPTIONS BORN SINNERS.

UNREE: I WAS BORN UNWANTED AND NOW I AM LEARNING I WAS BORN A SINNER TOO. THIS FEELS TERRIBLE.

REGGIE: I WAS BORN A SINNER TOO, BUT THE GREAT NEWS ABOUT MEETING JESUS IS THAT HE REMOVES YOUR SIN.

UNREE: HE WILL, HOW?

REGGIE: WHEN HE FINDS YOU AND YOU ACCEPT HIM INTO YOUR HEART, JESUS WILL FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SINS AND FREE YOU FROM YOUR SIN.  JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, HE WAS BURIED AND HE ROSE AGAIN. HE DID THAT TO BECOME YOUR WAY TO SALVATION AND TO RESTORE YOU BACK INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

UNREE: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I ACCEPT HIM INTO MY HEART?

REGGIE: THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT COMES TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR HEART THROUGH JESUS, WHICH IS HIS GIFT OF SALVATION.

UNREE: WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

REGGIE: ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HAVE FAITH BY TRUSTING IN AND DEPENDING UPON JESUS TO SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS. AFTER THAT JESUS WILL REVEAL GOD’S WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

UNREE: WHAT DOES THIS SALVATION COST?

REGGIE: NOTHING, GOD GIVES IT TO YOU FOR FREE. IT IS NOTHING YOU HAVE TO EARN OR DESERVE OR BE WORTHY OF. IT IS GIVEN TO YOU BY HIS GRACE AND FAITH IN JESUS ALONE.

UNREE: OMG, I TAKE IT. I WILL TAKE THIS GIFT. I WANT TO ACCEPT JESUS INTO MY HEART!

REGGIE: JUST REPEAT THIS PRAYER WITH ME: “...Dear God ,  Jesus has drawn me to you and I come to you through his direction. I confess that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins. Please forgive me, have mercy on me, and thank you that your grace will be enough to save me. I’ve learned and I believe that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for me. He was buried and was resurrected to secure my salvation. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I willingly invite him into my heart. Amen...”

UNREE: (SHE REPEATS THE PRAYER) (STARTS CRYING AND THANKING JESUS FOR FINDING HER).
SONG: AT THE CROSS
LYRICS:
Alas! and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross,
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away -
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

At the cross, at the cross,

Where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away -

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day. 

HOSPITAL ROOM

UNREE AND GG

UNREE: HI YOU MUST BE REGGIE’S GG. HE HAS FAITHFULLY VISITED ME EVERY DAY SINCE I’VE BEEN HERE. HE TOLD ME YOU WOULD BE COMING TO SEE ME SOON. I’M UNREE LYNN DEEMD.

GG: YES, I’M REGGIE’S GG, I’M BARBARA LYNN DEEMD.

UNREE: OH MY GOSH. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE HAVE THE SAME LAST NAME?

GG: ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO, REGGIE WAS LEFT ON OUR DOORSTEP WITH A NOTE AND A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

UNREE: WHAT?! ARE YOU....

GG: WE ARE THE DEEMD’S AND THE ABANDONED BABY WAS OUR BIOLOGICAL RELATIVE, CAN YOU TELL ME HOW WE ARE KINFOLK.

UNREE: I DON’T KNOW, UNLESS SARAH DEEMD, MY MOTHER, IS SOMEHOW RELATED

GG: OMG!! SHE IS OUR GRANDDAUGHTER. THAT MEANS YOU ARE OUR GREAT-BABY (THEY EMBRACE WITH JOY) IS YOUR STILL AROUND? DOES SHE LIVE NEARBY?

UNREE: I DON’T KNOW, I HAVEN’T SEEN HER IN YEARS. WHY DID YALL ABANDON HER?

GG: WE DIDN’T. HER PARENTS DIED; WE WERE RAISING HER, BUT HER MOTHER’S FAMILY SUED US FOR CUSTODY AND WON. WE NEVER SAW HER AGAIN.

UNREE: SHE NEVER MENTIONED FAMIILY, ACCEPT ONCE. SHE SAID THE DEEMD’S WERE GOOD PEOPLE

GG:  WOW, THIS IS MIRACULOUS!

UNREE: IS REGGIES MY....

GG:  YES, HE’S YOUR SON (UNREE BEGINS TO CRY)

UNREE: NOT ONLY DID JESUS FIND ME. HE PUT ME INTO A FAMILY

GG: YES, UNREE, YOU WERE LOST AND NOW YOU’RE FOUND. WE ARE YOUR FAMILY

SONG: JESUS PAID IT ALL
LYRIC: 
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.

                    Jesus paid it all,
                 All to Him I owe;
        Sin had left a crimson stain,
        He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb
              Jesus paid it all,
                          All to Him I owe;
                          Sin had left a crimson stain,
                      He washed it white as snow.

LIVING ROOM SCENE

GG AND SARAH

SARAH: MOMMA D, PLEASE COME IN (SHE SITS DOWN ON THE CHAIR). I THOUGHT YOU AND POPPA D WERE DEAD

GG:  NO BABY, THE ROBINSONS’ TOOK YOU AWAY AND NEVER LET US CONTACT YOU AGAIN. WE TRIED.

SARAH: WELL, YOU DIDN’T TRY HARD ENOUGH. THEY WERE HORRIBLE PEOPLE. I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU LET ME WITH THEM AND JUST ABANDONED ME.

GG: WE DIDN’T JUST ABANDONYOU. REMEMBER POPPA D’S JOB SENT US TO ANOTHER STATE FOR A WHILE. THEY SHUT US OUT OF YOUR LIFE, ANGEL.

SARAH: I DON’T BELIEVE YOU.

GG: IT’S TRUE.

SARAH: IT DOESN’T MATTER. I DON’T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU OR THEM. I AM NOT YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER, ANYMORE

GG:  BUT WE LOVE YOU, SARAH

SARAH: NOBODY LOVES ME. I AM NOT A FAN OF PEOPLE EITHER. I AM NOT THE SAME SARAH ANYMORE. MY FAMILY DIDN’T WANT ME, SO I DON’T WANT THEM. I’M SORRY.

GG: WHAT ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER, UNREE

SARAH: I WAS MOLESTED, MOMMA D, BY A PEDOPHILE, WHEN I WAS WITH THE ROBINSONS. UNREE IS THE PRODUCT. I NEVER WANTED HER AND I STILL DON’T. IS SHE HOW YOU FIND ME?

 GG: SARAH I’M SO SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO YOU

SARAH:  IT IS TOO LATE TO BE SORRY, MOMMA D. I DIDN’T WANT UNREE WHEN SHE LIVED WITH ME AND I DON’T WANT HER AROUND NOW. I DON’T WANT YOU EITHER, MOMMA D. I HAVE BEEN FINE WITHOUT THE DEEMD FAMILY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BE FINE.

GG: SARAH, YOU HAVE A GRANDSON TOO.

SARAH: I DON’T CARE. HE’S A CHILD OF MOLESTATION TOO!

GG: OH MY GOSH!

SARAH: YES, OH MY GOSH! I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU CAME, BUT I WANT YOU TO LEAVE NOW. THERE WILL BE NO HAPPY REUNION

GG: SARAH, I LOVE YOU

SARAH:  THEN I’M SORRY FOR YOU, I AM LOST MOMMA D AND ITS TOO LATE FOR ANYBODY TO FIND ME.

GG: I BOUGHT SOMETHING FOR YOU (SHE TAKES IT)

SARAH: THANK YOU AND GOOD-BYE.

NARRATOR:  Sarah walks back into the living room with the bag Momma D gave her. They were photo albums that told the story of Sarah’s life from infancy, to toddlerhood to her first day of school.

She was happy, smiling, cuddling, carried in someone’s arms, played with, and she was also with her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. She had travelled to Disneyland, various vacations, and played in the local parks.

In five years, the Deemds had taken 100s  and 100s of pictures of Sarah. She was somebody to them. They had photographed every important event. They had wrote underneath each photo in order to record when she learned to potty, when she took her first step, when she got her first tooth, when she said her first word, “...Poppa...” and when she went to kindergarten.

It was so obvious Sarah was loved. She was a happy child too! The first two albums were all of Sarah, but the third was of a little boy. He favored Sarah a little. His name was Reginald. He was an adorable little boy.

On the last page of the album there was a collage of pictures labelled  Richard Jr, Sarah’s father, Sarah, Richard’s daughter; Reginald, Richard’s grandson, and UnRee, Richard’s great granddaughter.

There was a letter in the back of the last album TO. It was typed and it read. “..Dear Sarah, We are so sorry about the life we abandoned you too. We should have fought harder for you, but we didn’t have the resources the Robinsons did. We take the blame for the part of your heart we have broken. We can’t make up for the past, but we know someone who can. His name is Jesus. He is a heart fixer.

Our hearts were broken when you were taken away too. We were distraught, but Jesus fixed our hearts so we could endure the pain. Jesus did this by directing us to the GREAT LOVE of God.

Heartbreak drives you away from his LOVE, but Jesus helps direct you BACK to His LOVE. Those of us who broke you heart have NO POWER to fix it and if you are looking to us to mend your broken heart it will continue to be broken over and over again. The pain stays fresh until you choose to let Jesus direct you to God’s comforting and healing love.

God says: “...He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds...” (Psalms 147:3 NASB).

Jesus, the Word says: “...The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed...” (Isaiah 61:1 NLT).

God says: “...He sent out his word (Jesus) and healed them; he rescued them from the grave...” (Psalm 107:20 NIV).

UnRee added this verse: “...I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick...” (Ezekiel 34:16 KJV).

Let God heal your broken heart, Sarah and come back home. Our love is a flawed and finite human love, but we STILL love you the best we can. Love, Poppa D, Momma D, Reginald, and UnRee. Though the letter was typed,  they had all signed their names.

Sarah had heard about Jesus in some of her programs, but she never listened. When something horrible happens to you it breaks your heart. You stop being vulnerable. You stop trusting, and you survive by protecting your “own” heart.

Sarah hadn’t protected her heart, she’d put cement over it. The letter said “this” Jesus directs you to God’s love. He is the heart fixer, which means you don’t even have the power to fix your own heart, but he does.

She was alone, isolated and un-relational. Who is this Jesus? Sarah THOUGHT. SHE started to put the letter back into the album when she saw a tiny little book title: “The Four Spiritual Laws.”

Sarah read those and asked Jesus into her heart

SONG: AMAZING GRACE

LYRICS:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

HOSPITAL ROOM

UNREE AND THE FAMILY REUNION

GG: GOOD MORNING, UNREE, I WANTED YOU TO MEET SOME OF YOUR RELATIVES!

UNREE: MORE RELATIVES!!

FAMILY: HELLO UNREE (THEY ARE ALL THERE GREET HER, WAVING, SMILING, SHAKING HER HAND, ETC.)

UNREE: WOW, I FEEL SO BLESSED.

GG: OKAY, EVERYBODY OUT!!

FAMILY: BYE UNREE, SEE YOU SOON. NICE MEETING YOU.

UNREE: I WENT FROM NOBODY’S CHILD TO A CHILD OF THE KING. I WENT FROM NO LOVE TO THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. I WENT FROM HAVING NO FAMILY TO BECOMING A PART OF A VILLAGE. I WENT FROM AN MOTHER WHO ABANDONED HER CHILD TO A MOTHER OF A SON. I WENT FROM BEING LOST TO BEING FOUND!

GG: NO ONE CAN RESURRECT A DEAD LIFE LIKE JESUS! 

SONG: FAMILY REUNION

LYRICS:
It's so nice to see
All the folks you love together
Sittin' and talkin' 'bout
All the things that's been goin' down

It's been a long, long time
Since we had a chance to get together
Nobody knows the next time we see each other
Maybe years and years from now

Family reunion (Got to have)
A family reunion
Family reunion

HOSPITAL  ROOM

UNREE AND HER NEW NAME (ANOTHER DAY)

UNREE: GOOD MORNING, GG. HOW ARE YOU? OH, THANKS FOR BRINGING THE FAMILY TO SEE ME THE OTHER DAY.

GG: I FINE, BABY, AND YOU'RE WELCOME. HOW ARE YOU DOING?

UNREE: I’M GETTING BETTER. WHAT YOU GOT?

GG: I HAVE A LETTER, FOR YOU, FROM YOUR MOTHER

 UNREE: I DON’T WANT IT.

GG: I THINK YOU SHOULD READ IT.

UNREE: GG FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I AM HAPPY. I DON’T WANT HER TO RUIN THAT.

GG: MAYBE SHE’S CHANGED (UNREE SHAKES HER HEAD)

UNREE:  NO SHE HASN’T. SHE WAS RUDE AS EVER WHEN YOU WENT TO SEE HER.

GG: THAT WAS YEARS AGO, OPEN THE LETTER, UNREE

UNREE:  OH MY GOSH

GG: WHAT IS IT!

UNREE:  IT IS A COPY OF MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND A NOTE

GG: WHAT DOES THE NOTE SAY?

UNREE:  “...This is a copy of your real birth certificate. I had the other one falsified. At one time, I used to call you ReeRee or Ree...The other name is a lie, but your “real” name is the truth...”

GG: WHAT NAME IS ON THE BIRTH CERTIFCATE

UNREE:  IT SAYS REE LYNN DEEMED

GG: YOU ARE NO UNREE DEEMED

UNREE:  NO GG, I HAVE A NEW LIFE. I AM A NEW CREATION AND NOW I HAVE A NEW NAME. I AM REE DEEMD

GG: YES, YOU ARE NOW REE DEEMD!

UNREE:  SHE WROTE A SCRIPTURE TOO

GG: SHE WROTE A SCRIPTURE? WHAT DOES IT SAY?

UNREE:   IT IS ISAIAH 43:1 AND IT SAYS: “...But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you ...he who formed you... [God says:]... "Do not fear, for I have REDEEMED you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine...” (Isaiah 43:1 NIV).

SONG: HE KNOWS MY NAME

LYRICS:
I have a Maker

He Formed My Heart
before even time began
my life was in his hands

He knows my name
he knows my every thought
he sees each tear that falls

and hears me when I call
I have a father

he'll never leave me
no matter where I go
He knows my name

*********************************

PART 4  SCENE (2016)

GG’S 80^TH BIRTHDAY. UNREE AND GG ARE PREPARING FOR THE PARTY.

UNREE , SARAH, AND GG.

UNREE: MOMMA D. YOU NEED TO GET SOME REST BEFORE THE PARTY THIS EVENING. YOU ALREADY STAYED UP LATE LAST NIGHT.

GG:  I KNOW, BUT YOU AND YOUR COUSINS WERE DOING ALL THE WORK. I AM JUST ADDING A COUPLE OF MOMMA D’S SPECIAL TOUCHES (THEY LAUGH. THE DOORBELL RINGS)

UNREE: IT’S TOO EARLY FOR GUESTS. IT’S PROBABLY SOMEONE DROPPING OFF SOME MORE FOOD. YOU KNOW YOUR FAMILY

GG: I’LL GET IT. (SHE COMES BACK WITH SARAH)

SARAH: HELLO.

GG: SARAH, WHAT A NICE SURPRISE (SHE HUGS HER, SMILES, AND ASKS HER TO SIT DOWN). TO WHAT DO WE OWE THIS NICE SURPRISE

SARAH: I WANTED TO COME AND SPEAK WITH YOU, AND REE, AND POPPA D.

GG:  OH, ABOUT WHAT?

SARAH: FIRST I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR HOW AWFUL I TREATED YOU WHEN YOU VISITED ME. I’VE CHANGED. I GOT HELP AND I ACCEPTED JESUS INTO MY HEART. I BEEN GETTING CLOSER TO GOD AND GETTING DEEPER INTO HIS WORD. I WONDER IF I CAN BE A PART OF THE FAMILY AGAIN?

GG: THAT’S WONDERFUL SARAH!! (GG OPENS HER ARMS AND SAYS) WELCOME HOME, MY CHILD PRAISE THE LORD! ISN’T THAT WONDERFUL REE? (REE NODS, BUT SAYS NOTHING).

SARAH: REE, I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU TOO, REE. I WAS A HORRIBLE MOTHER TO YOU. I KNOW APOLOGIZING DOESN’T HEAL THE HURTS, BUT I STILL WANTED TO SAY I’M SORRY AND ASK WILL YOU FORGIVE ME? (LONG SILENCE AND THE TWO WOMEN STARE AT ONE ANOTHER).

 UNREE: MY FLESH DOESN’T WANT TO. YOU LOCKED ME IN CLOSETS, PUT INTO DARK SCARY BASEMENTS, SENT ME TO BED HUNGRY, AND BEAT ME WITH EXTENTION CORDS. (SILENCE, LOOKS AT HER MOTHER) HOWEVER, THE WORD OF GOD SAYS LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, FORGIVE OTHERS AS I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU, AND HE DELIGHTS IN MERCY....SO YES, I’LL FORGIVE YOU. (SARAH STARTS TO CRY. UNREE OPENLY EMBRACES HER MOTHER).

SARAH:   (LOOKS UNREE IN THE EYES) YOU EMBRACE A MOTHER LIKE ME; A MOTHER WHO SHOWED YOU NO LOVE. WHY WOULD YOU SHOW ME ANY LOVE?

UNREE:  IT IS NOT EASY, BUT THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT IS HELPING ME KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS.

POPPA D: SARAH WELCOME HOME

REGGIE: HELLO, I AM YOUR GRANDSON, REGGIE.

SARAH: I DON’T DESERVE NONE OF THIS KINDNESS!

GG: NONE OF US DESERVE GOD’S KINDNESS, BUT HE GIVES IT TO US ANYWAY; ITS CALLED GRACE

(THE FAMILY EMBRACES AS THE CURTAIN CLOSES!

SONG: NO GREATER LOVE

LYRICS: 
For God so loved the world
That he gave his only begotten son
The son gave his life for me
When he died on calvary

There is no greater love
No love nowhere, no greater love
Than a man would lay down his life for a friend
No love nowhere, I've searched all over

There is no greater love
There is no greater love
There is no greater love
No greater love

No greater love
Than a man would lay down his life for a friend

No greater love
No greater love
No greater love
No greater love

No greater love
No greater love
No greater love
No greater love

Jesus went to calvary
To save a wrench
Like you and me
That's love, that's love

They hung him high
They stretched him wide
He hung his head, and then he died
That's love, that's love

That's not how the story ends
Three days later he rose again
That's love, that's love

************************************

PRESENT DAY (2020)

PART 5  SCENE

THE CHURCH. THE DEEMDS GIVE THEIR TESTIMONY OF A RESURRECTED FAMILY

 GG: GOD SAID NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM AND NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM.

POPPA D:  JESUS ALSO SAID HE IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

SARAH:   I WAS SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD. I WAS DEAD IN MY SINS AND JESUS RESURRECTED ME BACK TO LIFE. I AM NOW SPIRITUALLY ALIVE.

REE:  GOD SAYS HE CREATED ME AND FORMED ME. HE TOLD ME NOT TO FEAR, BECAUSE HE HAS REDEEMED ME AND SUMMONED ME BY MY NAME. I AM HIS.

REGGIE: THE BIBLE SAYS JESUS WAS BURIED, AND HE ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURES. THEREFORE THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEATH WORKS IN YOU AND IN YOUR SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE.

************************

PASTOR:  BECAUSE OF THAT POWER THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD AND WORKS IN YOU. YOU HAVE OVERWHELMING VICTORY IN JESUS!

 THE FAMILY SINGS “VICTORY IN JESUS” TOGETHER

SONG: VICTORY IN JESUS
LYRICS:

“...I heard an old, old story,
how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary,
to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
and won the victory.

Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me
with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him,
and all my love is due Him-
He plunged me to victory
beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
of His cleansing pow'r revealing,
How He made the lame
to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came
and brought to me the victory.
Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me
with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him,
and all my love is due Him-
He plunged me to victory
beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold
beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing
and the old redemption story-
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
the song of victory.

Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me
with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him,
and all my love is due Him-
He plunged me to victory
beneath the cleansing flood...” (Eugene Monroe Barlett, 1939). 

NARRATOR: THE WONDERFUL NEWS ABOUT JESUS’ RESURRECTION IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEING SAVED. IT IS ALSO ABOUT BEING LOST AND FOUND BY A LOVING GOD. A GOD WHO HAS A GREAT LOVE AND ENDLESS COMPASSION FOR SINNERS. HE CARES FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL SINNER, PERSONALLY. HE DOESN’T WANT THEM TO PERISH, BUT TO REPENT AND BE CONVERTED SO THEIR SINS WILL BE WASHED ABOUT. HE CARES SO MUCH FOR THEIR SAFETY AND PROTECTION FROM DOOM AND DESTRUCTION HE SENT JESUS TO FIND THEM.

WHEN HE FINDS YOU IT IS UP TO YOU TO CHOOSE TO ACCEPT HIS SALVATION, BECAUSE WITHOUT JESUS, YOU  ARE LOST WHETHER YOU ARE AWARE OF IT OR NOT!

SONG (COME TO JESUS).

Come, come,
Come to Jesus
Come
He is waiting
With arms wide open so come
Just come

Come
Come
(Come)
Come to Jesus (to Jesus)
Come
He is waiting (is waiting)
With arms wide open so come
(Come)
Just come

Everything I need is hear
(everything is right here)
Right here in your presence

How I love
How I love to call your name

Something happens
Something happens when I call your name

Jesus (Jesus)
Jesus (Jesus)
(How I love this feeling)
Jesus
Jesus
(Just sing is name)
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus

How I love to call your name
(Healing happens)
Healing happens
When I call your name
(He's our Healer)
Healer
Healer
Healer
Jesus
Healer
Healer
Healer
Jesus

He's our Saviour
Saviour
Saviour,
Saviour
Jesus
Saviour
Saviour
Saviour
Jesus

Our Master
Master
Master
Master
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus,
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus

He is waiting with arms wide open, so come
Just come