Bethesda Baptist Church youth performed the musical “Father’s Prayer” at their church along Harmonyville Road in Chester County.
“We have many kids that are homeschooled. I wanted to give them the opportunity to join their peers in acting and singing in a musical,” said Jen Wexler, Pastor Bill Wexler’s wife.
“Our goals for the play included one, to learn about a hero of the faith from the past; two, to build relationships with new people who have come to Bethesda recently and three, to glorify God by presenting a drama aimed at teaching the kids that it is possible to perform in a way that gives God (not man) all the praise,” said Wexler.
They chose “A Father’s Prayer” by Bob Jones IV, the story of George Mueller, a Christian evangelist and director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England.
“After he and his wife opened their home in 1836 to orphans, through prayer alone, he was able to expand his work to meet the needs of 10,024 orphans in his life. Money would arrive in remarkable ways,” she said.
Practices began Jan. 31. They met for an hour and a half every Tuesday evening. They recorded the music onto CDs so the kids could learn the songs at home along with their lines. There were six songs that needed to be learned. The cast ranged in age from 6-16 and was made up primarily of home schooled students from the church. Two of the kids go to public school. Wexler, Erin Holovet, Michelle Larnard, and Megan Roberts are the directors. Meghan played the piano. Seth Roberts did the set design and Marilyn Tweed helped make the costumes.
The tender moment of the play was a morning breakfast scene.
“The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat,” the mother of the orphanage informed George Mueller.
George, played by Caleb Quaintance, asked her to take the children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as he always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door.
“Mr. Mueller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. Somehow, I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.”
Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in 10 large cans of milk. It was just enough for the thirsty children.
The children sang, “Bread Song”, one of six songs that told their story of faith and faithfulness.
The church was packed on performance night.
The message of trust in the Lord was clearly received by the audience. Some grandparents had traveled from Ohio and South Carolina to see their kids preform.
“My kids Caleb and Josh formed new and good friendships. We were excited to see them working on a play that showed how the faith of one person can make a difference in the world,” said Gloria Quaintance.
This was followed by a fellowship of food and drink in the church hall and a big birthday cake to celebrate Pastor Wexler’s birthday.
For more information about the church visit www.bethesdabaptistministry.com, call 610-469-0613, or email bwexler@bethesdabaptistministry.com