The Inter-Mountain photo by Jennifer Johnson Actors portray their character’s worship of Jesus, played by Ronnie Suder, center, in the Weaver Church of the Nazarene’s production of ‘The Power of the Resurrection’ over the weekend.

JUNIOR — A popular — and powerful — Easter tradition returned to Barbour County over the weekend, as a local church performed, for the first time since 2019, a religious play that audiences have been clamoring to see for five decades.

“We set attendance records this year,” Debbie Hicks, who helps organize and produce the annual Easter play at the Weaver Church of the Nazarene, told The Inter-Mountain Monday.

“We had more than 300 people attend the play combined during our performances on Friday and Saturday nights,” Hicks said.

“On Sunday morning we counted 204 people in attendance for services, which is a record, but it was standing room only, and we had people walking in the hallway and outside, so the true number might have been higher,” she added.

The play — “The Power of the Resurrection” — was first performed at the church in 1973. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the play from being performed in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“I think people were very happy and excited for the play to return, and we just had a great turnout,” Hicks said. “And the weather was just lovely, which also probably helped.”

The play begins with a depiction of the Last Supper, then moves to the Garden of Gethsemane and ends with Jesus risen from the dead.

The role of Jesus was played by Ronnie Suder in the production.

Hicks produces the play together with the church’s preacher, Johnny Williams, and his wife Toby Williams.

“Everyone puts in a lot of effort to make this happen,” Hicks noted, adding that the play began rehearsals in early February. “A lot of people work very hard so that we can provide this for the community.”

Among the many volunteers who worked on the production were Linda Wilfong, who was in charge of costumes; Amy White, who performed the music for the play; and Diane Suder, who provided food at the rehearsals for the cast and crew.