Pastor Andrew Hagen of Advent Lutheran also writes online under the moniker ‘The Faster Pastor,’
in part because he loves to ride his Harley-Davidson Sportster.
Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
That very creative Pastor Andrew Hagen of Advent Lutheran Church in Boca Raton is at it again.
He’s written another musical version of a Bible story for his congregation, and he’ll perform it with other actors on May 22.
Hagen’s first project focused on the Gospel according to Paul. This one, called In These Last Days, was written from Peter’s perspective.
Hagen, who was born in 1960, has been writing songs since he was a child. He was just the right age when two major Christian musical masterpieces premiered. The first was the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. JCS was released as an album soundtrack (a vinyl LP) before the show was staged on Broadway in 1971.
The second was the musical Godspell by John-Michael Tebelak with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. That opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and became one of the most popular shows. Two productions are planned in 2016, in Guatemala City and New Zealand.
Both inspired the kid, but “Godspell was my highest inspiration,” Hagen said. “It was the most important, single religious piece of music for me. I love hymns, but Godspell was more.”
Hagen’s new musical has nine original songs and tells the story of the Pentecost, the important moment when the Holy Spirit appears to the apostles, about seven weeks after Jesus is crucified. It’s based on the story as it’s told in the Book of Acts, the pastor said.
“As much as possible, I keep the words Biblical, but you do have a certain amount of license.” For example, in this story, the composer created a role from Mary Magdalene.
Hagen is a self-described Apple freak, and its user-friendly recording software has enabled him to do things he wouldn’t have been able to do 10 years ago.
“God gave us music to use in a lot of ways,” he said. “Preaching is two dimensions, but musicals are three-dimensional.”
The performance, In These Last Days: A Musical Worship Experience, will take place from 8:30 to 10 p.m. May 22 at Advent Lutheran Church, 300 E. Yamato Road, Boca Raton. For more information, call 395-3632 or visit www.adventboca.org.
Bill signing at Zinman Hall
On April 6, Gov. Rick Scott ceremonially signed a state bill (SB 86) that prohibits the state Board of Administration from investing in companies that boycott Israel. The signing took place in Zinman Hall at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.
Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera; Lior Haiat, the new consul general of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico; and federation President and CEO Matthew C. Levin spoke.
State Sen. Joe Negron and state Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who sponsored the bill in the Legislature, also attended.
Car wash can help kids
The Avenue Church youth group — called The Pursuit — is raising money for its summer mission trip with a car wash from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 7 at Carver Middle School, 101 Barwick Road, Delray Beach.
The Pursuit, for students in grades 6 through 12, meets on Tuesdays at a private home in Delray Beach. For information, call group leader Chad Kelker at 886-8726 or email youth@theavechurch.com. The Avenue Church is at 2455 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Visit www.theavechurch.com.
New rector named The Chapel of St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Boca Raton welcomed the Rev. Charles A. Browning II as its new permanent rector on April 12. He’s the chapel’s third rector. The Right Rev. Peter Eaton, the fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, presided over the ceremony.
Praised for his passionate preaching style, Browning, a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and Palm Beach Atlantic University, served as assistant rector at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach from 2011 to 2013.
The Chapel of St. Andrew Episcopal Church is at 2707 NW 37th St., Boca Raton. For more information, call 210-2700 or visit www.chapelsta.org.
Woman’s escape from Iran
Author Sima Goel will speak to women about her experiences detailed in her book, Fleeing the Hijab: A Jewish Woman’s Escape From Iran, at Women’s Spring Education Day, hosted by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County on May 10.
Goel’s book chronicles her arduous fight for freedom, which began when, as a teenager, she escaped from the oppressive Iranian regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini by crossing the desert into Pakistan. As a homeless refugee, she fought all the way to Canada, where today, Goel is a successful chiropractor who enjoys giving inspirational talks about her life’s journey.
Women’s Spring Education Day will be from 9:30 a.m. May 10 in Zinman Hall, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd., Boca Raton. Tickets are $45 and include breakfast (dietary laws observed). Reservations are required to Frannie Watt at 852-6058 or francescaw@bocafed.org.
Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.
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