' Love embodied on the cross'
Money changers greet visitors to the Bible Village at Coeur d'Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday. Playing the parts, from left, are Randy Foss, Jamie Foss and Larry Mays.
BILL BULEY/Press
Kevin Schultz, who portrays Jesus in the Coeur d'Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church play "War in Heaven," visits the Bible Village on Friday.
Bruce Dietrich portrays a Roman centurion Friday in "War in Heaven" at Coeur d'Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Ron Stout plays the role of a carpenter in the Bible Village at Coeur d'Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday.
COEUR d’ALENE — Bruce Dietrich had a bad attitude at the Bible Village on Friday. He scowled at the crowd milling around him, daring anyone to say or do something wrong.
No one did, and Dietrich nodded approvingly.
Such is the life of a Roman centurion.
“I don’t get any respect at home,” Dietrich said, now laughing and cracking a big smile. “This is about as close as I can get it.”
The member of the Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church was in the Easter play, “War in Heaven,” that opened Friday with two more performances today.
But before the curtains were pulled back on the stage, church members created a Bible Village to depict life in Jerusalem when Jesus Christ walked on Earth more than 2,000 years ago.
Kevin Schultz, who plays Jesus, visited the village that was busy with money changers, a carpenter, weavers, artisans and even live lambs.
“Humbling and meaningful,” he said, when asked what it is like to play Jesus. “It makes you really appreciate deeply what real love is, love embodied on the cross.”
Director Giselle Schultz said, while they have performed Easter plays in years past, the village was new.
About 100 church members are involved in the play’s production, and another 30 costumed adults and kids are part of the village.
The idea of the village was to enhance the overall experience of the play.
“We don’t want to just present something. We want to connect with people,” Schultz said.
She said "War in Heaven" showcases the talents and dedication of church members.
“They put their hearts into this,” she said. “I’m blown away at what they’ve done.”
Pastor Matthew Burton said the village is immersive for people — a chance to walk through a recreation of Jerusalem on Passover weekend before Christ was crucified and rose again.
He said "War in Heaven" is about spiritual warfare — Jesus versus Satan, good versus evil.
Christ’s death on the cross is the culmination of God’s love, Burton said, and his victory.
“That is when Satan was finally vanquished and we have hope because Christ died for us,” he said.
"War in Heaven" is being presented at 10:45 a.m. today and again at 5:30 p.m.
The village is open from 4 to 5 today.
Tickets are free, but only a few seats for the play remained Friday.
Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church is at 111 E. Locust Ave.
Info: cdaadventist.org/war-in-heaven-an-easter-story
