Here’s how we opened our Easter service this morning at Christ Community Church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. As has become our tradition, it’s a dark-to-light presentation that culminates in a choir processional of exuberant voices declaring the joy of Christ’s resurrection, with the congregation joining in on the last verse. This year’s presentation was called “His Only Son,” from Genesis 22 and the Gospels. Enjoy.

Click on the image to access the video:

His Only Son

An Original Production by
Christ Community Church

Written by
Tim Valentino

Narrated by
Ken Hunkins

Produced and Edited by
Tim Valentino

Artwork by
Maureen Logan

Choir Directors
Sonya Valentino
Shirley Long

Processional
Christ Community Church Easter Choir

Jen Danielson, Lisa Dreibelbis, Stacey Espenschied, Kaye Focht, Marcy Garman, Shawn Garman, Ginny Hauer, Ken Hunkins, Faye Hipkiss, Bonnie Hunkins, Carol Keller, Kirby Keller, Maureen Logan, Shirley Long, Claude Petrie, Jan Petrie, Dawn Sharp, Pat Shroff, Sonya Valentino, and Tim Valentino.

—

Music by

“Adagio for Strings,” String Quartet, Op. 11 by Samuel Barber, performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, Sony Music, 1971.

“Prelude” by Scott Brasher and J. A. C. Redford on Unveiled Hope by Michael Card, performed by the London Session Orchestra, featuring Hunter Lee, conducted by J. A. C. Redford, Myrrh, 1977.

“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” lyrics by Henry Van Dyke, music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy: from Symphony No. 9, performed by the Grace Community Church Orchestra, Sun Valley, CA, 2024.

Video by

His Only Son, directed by David Helling, starring Nicolas Mouawad as Abraham, Sara Seyed as Sarah, Edaan Moskowitz as Isaac, and Dan da Silva as the Lord, Angel Studios, 2023.

Jesus of Nazareth, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, Yorgo Voyagis as Joseph, and Michael York as John the Baptist, ITC Entertainment, 1977.

The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Icon Productions/Newmarket Films, 2004.

Risen, directed by Kevin Reynolds, starring Joseph Fiennes as Clavius Aquila Valerius Niger, Antonio Gil as Joseph of Arimathea, and Victor Trapani as Nicodemus, Affirm Films/Columbia Pictures, 2016.

Licensed By

Christian Copyright Licensing International No. 21229380

Christian Video Licensing International No. 21-03851831