Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 29

Argus Leader, Sioux FaBs, South Dakota. Saturday. Apr! 22. 2X0 FO 5D Resurrection: Circumstantial case 'Postmodern' pastors reshape American Protestantism Apart from the documents, there is another objection from skeptics: Science tells us that people dont rise from the dead. Ewen responds that science cannot explain many events that we know have happened.

For those pondering Easter, she cites a basic principle in science labs and courtrooms: "Failure to understand the cause of an event is not a reason to reject solid evidence that the event occurred." "Faith on Thai' by Pamela Binning Ewen, Is from Bmakrmitrknan and costs $1X Richard HOsting, Associated Press r6gion wrier since 1998, I co-author of 'Uormon recently pubashedbyHarperSanFranciaca. By RICHARD N. OSTUNG Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS The experimental congregation known as Spirit Garage is marking Easter with a street procession and the addition of a couple brass players to the resident rock band. The musicians wont play hymns about the Resurrection, however. And though Lutherans sponsor the group, there will be barely a hint of liturgy.

Billed as "the church with a real-ry big door," Spirit Garage meets at an alternative theater in the funky Wedge district One recent Sunday, worship began not with an invocation but this invitation from bandleader John Kerns: "Please rise and groove with us." There was a small makeshift altar with candles, but the congregation got by without suits and ties, robes, pew Bibles, hymnals, bulletins, organ, choir, pulpit or even cross. The Rev. Pam Fickenscher began her message more a chat than an oration seated in a rocking chair on the theater's stage set, then rose and strolled about. use only folk and rock songs by group members, supplemented by slides that flash on-screen. That's less ambitious than the nonstop high-tech video displays during the 11:11 ajn.

'Multimedia Immersion" service at the Church of the Holy Trinity, an Episcopal congregation in Lansdale, Pa. There, the Easter sermon by the Rev. Rock Schuler will be accompanied by film clips from "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Life With Father" and "The Truman Show." As in Minneapolis, there's lots of live rock music, little from the venerable Book of Common Prayer. Schuler, Pagitt and Fickenscher are among hundreds of Protestant ministers across America who are creating "postmodern" congregations that repackage the faith for an upcoming generation that has proven hard to reach. Though some older people attend, the main targets group are, like the three ministers, age 35 and under: Baby Busters or Generation and those somewhat younger, the Bridgets, Millennials or Generation Y.

Dawn Vnsia Associated Press Jennifer Vickerman sings with a rock band during a norrtraditional service on April 2 at the Spirit Garage in Minneapolis. The church draws about 1 00 people each Sunday at an alternative performance theater. LaRoy: Gets royalties from song Continued from ID writers, as Ewen correctly reports. But she relies too much on problematic claims that we have fragments of Gospel manuscripts written in the first century. Ewen thinks the Gospels provide four independent witnesses, enough to convince the most skeptical juror.

Most scholars would say she overstates this point. But she on firmer ground contending we have independent witnesses testifying about the empty tomb and Jesus appearances after he rose from the grave. Ewen best case is circumstan- tiaL Those who first testified that Jesus rose from the dead had no motive for lying, she argues. To the contrary, this belief caused problems for early Christians and execution for some. "People do not die for what they know to be untrue," she asserts.

Ewen also says Roman and Jewish authorities of the time had every reason to disprove the empty tomb and resurrection appearances, but there's no sign they were able to offer such evidence. "The silence is deafening." CHURCH EVENTS Zion Players The Zion Players will present the comedy "Let Him Sleep Til It's Time for His Funeral" at 8 p.m. April 28 and 29 and 7 p.m. April 30 at Zion Lutheran Church, 22nd and Spring. Tickets are $6 for adults and free to children 12 and under.

Tickets may be picked up at the church office or call 338-5226. Easter event The Sioux Falls Community Gospel Choir will be in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Center of Life Church, 500 S. First Ave. Special guests are Charles Laster of Detroit and evangelist Kim Rutherford, former lead singer of Fred Hammonds' Radicals for Christ.

Call 357-9452. An, Firtt Kesbyterian 8:30 11:00 AM Easter Worship Services Child Care Available 9:45 AM Flowering of the Cross Invilinr ethers to join us, me follovi Christ mto deeper faith which kads to joyful worship, exciting service, and caring relationships. 2300 S. West Avenue 3J6-2886 www.dakota.netchurcbesfDcsf IT iriMiiwri I uraCV Mike Gaudot. Pastor 338-7649 low key setting, the Rev.

Doug Pagitt remarks, "We want things a little broken, like peoples' lives." For Easter, Solomon's Porch has mass-mailed invitations to a lakeside Easter sunrise service, followed by breakfast Pagitt plans on a couple of Easter hymns, though his usual Sunday night gatherings 'Liar, 1 965, by James sung by the "Liar, liar, pants on fke, your nose Is longer than telephone wire. You ask me, baby, why I'm sad. You've been out all night I know you've been bad. Don't teB me different I know It's a He. Come to me honey, see how fv cried.

"Why must you hurt me and do what you do? Usten here, ohi can't you see I love you? Make a little effort, try to be true. Fd be happy, not so blue. Chorus "You keep on telling me those ttes. He admits work is harderto come by these days, and he blames karaoke. "When I sing 'Piano I change the lyric.

The way Billy Joel wrote it, it goes, forget about life for a I sing, to forget about karaoke for a In Sioux Falls, I could still play every weekend, but it's gotten to be a struggle. When I lived in California in the 70s and '80s, I could turn down work. I was working six nights a week, two gigs a day. In Sioux Falls, it's become a struggle just to keep Friday and Saturday happening. Occasionally you get a Sunday thing or a Thursday thing.

But it's mostly just weekends." He could become a DJ, as his friend Myron Lee Wachendorf has done. He could spin records on weekends and make more money First Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sunday School 9:00 a.m, Worship 10:15 a.m. Full Open Communion Each Sunday Rev. Chris Franklin OthkDuluth 338-9474 (P.Jt. Free Church 2601 W.

69th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57108 (605)338-2077 am Sunday School 10:45 am Worship 6:00 pm Evening Service Wednesday AWANA 6:30 pm Student Ministries 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study Pastor Randal S. Anderson Assoc. Pastor Jerry Mornigstar 'Knowing God and Making Him Continued from 1D Released on the Soma label, "Liar, Liar" sold 1 million copies and reached No. 1 1 on the Billboard charts. It brought national fame to the Castaways, as the band toured with the Byrds, Lovin' Spoonful and Sonny Cher, among others.

It even led to a brief career in Hoi-: lywood. The Castaways had a cameo in "It's A Bikini World," a classic kitsch 60s-era movie. But as fast as LaRoy's climb to the top was, his descent came faster. He was drafted for the Vietnam War in 1966. He returned to the states two years later, living first in North Car-' olina and later in North Dakota and Minnesota before moving to California in 1975, where he remained until 1989.

All the while he played, including a stint in a band with Paulette Carlson who later became famous as lead singer for the country group Highway 101. It was in Fayetteville, N.C., that LaRoy assumed his current name. His given name is Robert LaRoy Falschow, which he still uses. He adopted LaRoy as a stage name when a club owner couldn't fit "Falschow" on the marquee. About the time he returned to Minnesota in 1989, a former Castaways member called to ask if he'd be interested in doing a reunion tour.

The year before, the Castaways had returned to the public, eye when "Liar, Liar" made it on to the soundtrack for "Good Morning Vietnam," the 1987 hit movie starring Robin Williams. In no time, the band was back together. Eventually the late '80s Baptist Church 6201 S. lyncrest Ave. One Block West of th a Minnesota Sunday School Worship 332-2648 www.oakhills.net Being the People of Goo fob the Sake of the World "Building Lives on the Word oj Gcxf 63rd S.

CHIT Ave. 334-8111 Sunday School for all ages 9:30 a-m. Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m. Youth Singles Ministries AWANA Wed. 6:30 p.m.

(3 yr. old-6th grade) Nursery Care Provided Answers for Tough Questions! 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Sunday School Pastor Jesse Moore Meeting at new address: Sioux Falls Christian High School, 1000 S. Sycamore, 57110 United Methodist Churches Welcome You fr Aibury United Methodist Sunday Worship I 830jh.

11-OOam. Wednesday Night 6.15 pm Holy Commuiuoa Nursery, Children Youth Ministries Dr Brrteopu, Pastor Lanoc Holmes, loutc Lilt Slst Western Ave. 332-8861 First United Methodist 336-3652 AprS 23, 2000 8 11 :00 a.m. Worship SeiYicss "9:45 a m. Hosanna Worship Servics "God's Final Answer" Randy Hogaith.

preaching No Sunday School Chiid Cans Availabw 8:00. 9:45 1 1 1 :00 am 9 45-1 0:30 am. Hilltop United Methodist 1312 S. Bahnson (at E. 20th) 605-338-8689 6:00 p.m.

Saturday Worship 6 30 a.m. Sunrise Service 7:00 a.m. Easier Breakfast 8:1 5 a.m. and 1 1 :00 a.m. Worshipti "Confronted with Lite" 9:15 a.m.

Coffee Fellowship Child Care Provided Gary Rae, PastorPenny Ktnister Southern Hills United Methodist 3400 East 49th St. (371-2065) 7:00 a.m. Easter Sunnse Service 8:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Easter Worship 1 0:00 a.m.

Easter Breakfast 11:15 a.m. Easter Hills Alive Worship "Overcoming Fears" Child Care Provided Paetra-Rtovp 7isharth Wesley United Methodist 1700 E. 6th St. 338-4562 6:30 am Sunrise Service 8:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m.

Choral Presentation 'Ways Jesus Touches Through New and Eternal Life" John 20: 1-18 Nursery Area Provided William Gran, Pastor, Mary Poppenga, Education Sunnycrest United Methodist 4801 W. 41st St 361-0899 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service 8:15 a.m. Traditional Worship 9:30 a.m. Alternative Worship 10:45 a.m.

Blended Worship "Jesus Coffee Fellowship All Morning Professionally Staffed Nursery wan ueisaer, aereor rasiar Dan Dempster, Youth Pastor The Blood Of Paid It All Sundays 10 AM Wednesdays 7 PM Pastors: Michael (V Vicki Bang Through God's Word' Every time I Informality is working. With attendance surpassing 100 some Sundays, Spirit Garage is adding a second service starting on Easter. Across town, used chairs and sofas in a scruffy walkup loft space mark the setting for another small young Minneapolis congregation, Solomon's Porch. Speaking of the reunion tour led to Sioux Falls and a gig at the Sunbird Lounge. It was there LaRoy met his wife-to-be, Jan.

"Good Morning Vietnam" continues to provide LaRoy with extra if irregular income. "You can always tell when 'Good Morning Vietnam' is on TV. The royalty check goes up," he says. "It's nice out of the blue to get a $900 royalty check. You go get your transmission fixed.

Reality stuff." The tour didnt last long. "We were in our 40s and half of us hated each other. We were milking it a little bit," LaRoy says. Plum Records recently issued "The Best of the Castaways," a 22-song compilation that leads off with "Liar, Liar." The disc, which can be purchased locally at Best Buy, is a collector's item for fans of '60s-era music. With its release, LaRoy has noticed a few more requests for "Liar, Liar," the CD's lead track.

Last Friday night, it took just seven songs before someone in the audience shouted a request for the tune. LaRoy gladly obliged, briefly telling his story by way of introducing the song. With his vocal harmo-nizer, drum machine and special-effect electronics, he created a full band sound, complete with his 53-year-old falsetto. What he has lost to age, he compensates for with modern shortcuts. LaRoy now plays his music with high-tech sophistication, taking the best of what technology can offer while complementing it with his natural pop sensibilities.

"The hard part is making it look easy," he says. Fast Side Presbyterian Church Sunday School 9: IS am Morning Worship 10:30 am Cnffp Fellourehin 1 1:30 Am Jennifer Swier Student Supply Qi 1001 E. 6th St. 334-8633 www.hows.rret57l03ESP Siinrehiuli hr Christian Tplfviufiri KSCB station. Ph (605) 332.5565 SF Cable Cb.

30 A UHF53 'Char-dns; Lives for Good'' jnU'n. Join ns at Contemporary Worship Service Sundays at 11 Sunday School for all ages Child care provided Birth to Kindergarten Other Worship Services at 8:30 9:45 am 3100 West Ralph Rogers Road 336-3378 CHUBCF1 city. 311 km fcnrrinn i Donna and Dennis Craswell, Castaways You 're stiS going out with other guys. There 'll come a day when I be gone. Take my advice, It won't be long.

"When that day comes, I won't bemad. be free of you, but I still be sad In spite of your cheating, I still love you so. I be unhappy when I let you go. Chorus James Donna, who played keyboards with the band, now lives in Jordan, Minn. Drummer Dennis Craswell lives in Dent, Minn.

On the flip side of the original Uar, Liar" 45-rpm record was the song "Sam," written by Bob LaRoy. than he does playing live. But he refuses to abandon his dream. With warm weather at hand, LaRoy will make his way into the region more in the coming months, hitting the nightclubs in area lake towns and other summer hot spots. It requires more effort than it used to, but make no mistake.

LaRoy is not bitter. Frustrated, yes. But he realizes he's lived the life that most musicians only dream about. He's had a hit record, been in a movie and still makes his living doing what he loves. "Hey, we rubbed shoulders with some big, big names.

It was a small piece of rock 'n roll history. But at least we were there." Reach reporter Bob Keyes at 331-2317 orbkeyesargusleader.com a Sunday school (for all agesi 9:00 am Sunday Worship Miracle Service 10:00 AM Wednesday Adults, Youth Children 7:00 PM MOUNT OF OLIVES CHURCH 112 East 13th Street Sioux Falls. SD A 561.0365 Or550.52S2 I "go ye therefore, and teach all Matthew 28:19 10:00 am SUNDAY 7:00 pm WEDNESDAY Pastor Larry Forristall Enjoy Easter Brunch at Cafe 9mts(rty9ritHted (t our aster Jiindqifi tynl23 at tOAs Faith Family Church i Ju Cuthcdral 5th Duluih Holy Spirit 3601 E. Dudley Lane 4530 Sun. 7:30, 8:15, 11 ara 5 pm, 'Sat 530 pin Sun.

8:00, 10S0 am 12 noon Pa Kirg Lake St. Mary 2109 S. 5th Sat 4:08 Sun. 8:00, 10:00 am 7.D0 pm Sat 4:00 pm Sun. 9:00 1 11:00 am L' 1 Bahnson St.

Michael 26th Marion Rd. SA 530pa Sua 8:00, 9:30 a 1 1:00 am i Sat. 5.tpfll Sun. 8:00, 9:30 11:00 am SLTherese-901 N.TahoeTr. Sat.

'Sun. 8:30 Si 10:45 am Our Lady of Guadalupe E. 8th St. N. Clif! Ave.

Sat. 4:45 pm 'Sun. 9:00, 11:30 am (Spanish) 8:00 pm pi IS Gods hands at work from the heart 8th St. Spring Ave. Sioux Falls 336-2227 www.ffco.net Families Strengthened "You're in a rut, Preacher.

come, you preach about the of the Worship 8:30 10:30 a.m. Church School, Youth Adult 9:30 a.m. Childcare available at both services. 300 A. Minacwta Ave.

336-3072 1 First Baptist a church forme Sunday Worship Services 8:45 am Traditional Service Sanctuary 1 1:00 am Glimpse of Glory Service -Family Life Center 7 :00 pm PowerHouse for collegecareer "till. --S-iSS1' fuNDAY School Adult Classes Served from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Washington Pavilion Featuring. Virginia Ham, Roast Beef, Peppercorn Chicken and Penne Pasta Alfredo A beautiful-assortment of breakfast entrees, fruits, salads, muffins and desserts $10.95 for for children Reservations available, call 731-2384 ffl WASHINGTON PAVILION of Art tnd Sctenct I 10:00 am-Sundays in; I 1 Try something different this Easter Join us.for a new series of messages: "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People" Beginning Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

I WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES :00 pm Activities for all Ages -IT 22nd St. at Covell Ave. 0 3360966 www.firstbaptlstsf.org.