"All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death ..."

Philippians 3:8-11

Participants enter and take their places in the chancel. As they come forward, the congregation sings the hymn, "In the Hour of Trial." When the hymn is completed, the drama begins.

LECTOR: I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ.

ANNOUNCER: The big news this evening in northern Germany is the weather. A violent series of thunderstorms blew up over a wide section of the countryside earlier this afternoon, driving farmers from their fields and livest…