This Is My Story, This Is My Song

By L. Ruth Carter

A program of readings, drama, and music that can be produced by most church congregations, it celebrates the life and hymns of Fanny Crosby, known as the "Queen of Gospel Song Writers." Blind from birth, Crosby became one of the most prolific hymn writers. Her lyrics continue to bless Christians today, and her story continues to inspire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. Ruth Carter
• Release date: Jan 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9780993667909

L. Ruth Carter

Writer, public speaker, actor, singer—I am a storyteller. Although I have held many jobs through the years in retail, administration, and Christian theater, I always come back to my love of stories. The very best stories are those that focus on and glorify Jesus Christ.After spending many years travelling around Canada, the U.S., and Europe with an itinerant drama ministry, I now live in Cottage Country, Ontario with my father and my dog, Scooter.

Book preview

This Is My Story, This Is My Song

The Life and Songs of Fanny Crosby

A Stage Production

By L. Ruth Carter

Copyright 2014 by L. Ruth Carter

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. It is the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied, and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

The material may not be performed in a public forum.

For information on how to purchase performance rights and printable scripts,

please visit the author’s website:

l-ruth-carter.com.

It’s not painful. I promise.

If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com.

Thank you for your support.

The hymns of Fanny Crosby are Public Domain

The Scripture texts are from The King James Version

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Table of Contents

Production Notes

Opening Worship

Childhood

Education

Ministry

The Final Years

Additional Hymns

Appendix

Sources

Thank You

About the Author

Purchasing Production Kits

Also Available: Leaping Off the Page: Christmas Edition

Also Available: Leaping Off the Page: Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day Edition

Also Available: Leaping Off the Page:Any Time of the Year Edition

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This is My Story, This Is My Song

Production Notes

The following is a program I wrote for our church to present the story of Frances Jane van Alstyne nee Crosby’s (commonly known as Fanny Crosby) life and the hymns she wrote.

The program had to be simple: It is a small rural church with a far-flung congregation. My church has no choir, so most of the music was congregational singing. This was wonderful, as it meant the congregation was an integral part of the program. Simplicity is a good thing! The program took about an hour. It would be much longer if all of the hymns are sung. They could be sung either by the congregation or by the performers; however you wish to handle it.

With the narrators, singers, musicians and actors for the brief dramas, the program involved 12 people, three of whom played Fanny Crosby herself.I believe this program could be easily reworked so four people could do it. They would all need to be both musicians and actors. Here are the 12 parts, and how they can be combined:

FEMALE ONE

—Frances: Storyteller/Narrator who reads Fanny’s direct quotes

—Fanny: Actor in the dramas

—Child: The young Fanny

—Singer—Possibly pianist, but not essential if one of the others can do it.

FEMALE TWO

—Storyteller 1

—Phoebe Knapp: A character in one of the dramas, she plays an organ solo

—Singer

—Scripture Reader

—Pianist/Organist

MALE ONE

—Storyteller 2

—Man: A character in one of the dramas

—Singer

—Scripture Reader

MALE TWO

—Song Leader/Singer: He, with the others in the cast, leads the congregation in their singing

—William Doane: A character in one of the dramas, he plays the piano

—Dwight L. Moody: A character in one of the dramas

—Leader: A character in one of the dramas

—Minister: A