word4wordGospel.com
last updated: 8/31/10
EXCITING NEWS!
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I have received permission to record The Gospel of John for DVD release! This will allow me to expand the scope of this ministry, reaching people I would not otherwise be able to share the Word with. Filming will take place at Salty Earth Pictures in Fort Atkinson, WI from October 8-10. We expect to have the DVD ready for release in February of 2010.
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By August 31 I will have a Facebook page for my word-for-word Gospel ministry. This will take more of a personal look into different aspects of this ministry, especially tracking the process and progress of the DVD, a behind-the-scenes look if you will. And it will include all sorts of thoughts and tidbits about this ministry in general, from memorization and my travels and all the wonderful saints I get to meet along the Way.
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A compete upgrade of this website is in the plans. Lord willing, a more attractive, organized, and informative website will be revealed by September 10.
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Extensive and exciting travel plans are in place for the upcoming months. Give thanks to the LORD with me for all the opportunities I have been given to share His living and life-giving Word in September and October! (link: upcoming dates) And Susan Ann Lueneburg and I will be teaming up for many of those ministry opportunities in October. It's a joy to couple the living Word with her lifting songs of proclamation and praise!
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word-for-word
storytelling
of the
Word of God
How can the Gospel of John be used?
bringing the Gospel of John to your church
other word-for-word Word works
audio
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New
International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like…
…to see the most pivotal events in history?…
…to hear the most powerful words in the world?…
…to experience the drama and power of the words and works of Jesus?
My goal is to give you a taste of that. And so I share with you the eyewitness accounts that show you those events, the ‘ear-witness’ accounts that speak to you those words, and the ‘soul-witness’ accounts that tell of a God so powerful and yet so personal. In other words, I share with you the Bible, word-for-word, as a storyteller.
My concept of storytelling is probably best expressed with words I often use to introduce the Bible accounts I share:
“My role is that of a storyteller. It just so happens that the story I get to share with you is word-for-word from the Word of God. Having said that, I hope that you won’t really notice me. As a storyteller, I want to fade into the background as the story takes center stage. So sit back and relax as you see, hear, and in some ways experience the eyewitness accounts about the One called Jesus.”
Why storytelling?
When I first saw word-for-word Word storytelling, the biggest blessing to me was getting to hear and see everything in context. For a sermon, we usually get a small portion of the text; for a study, maybe a chapter or two; perhaps several chapters for our own personal reading. But to be able to take in a significant section of the Bible or even a whole Gospel in one sitting, you see even more clearly the big picture of God working out our salvation.
My listeners have expressed that they appreciate the emotion of storytelling. This aspect of storytelling reminds listeners that these were real people and these events really happened, that these were indeed powerful words and pivotal events which changed lives then…and still do today.
Listeners also say that they like to hear and receive the Word in this different format. Variety is a blessing. It’s great that we can receive the Word in sermon and in song, in the Supper and in storytelling. When people tell me that they appreciate this different format, I love to make this connection: It’s different…yet it is the same, the very same Word of God printed in their Bibles, word-for-word. I always hope that people walk away from a storytelling excited to pick up their Bibles, hopefully also reading them out loud, reading those words like they were there, reading with the emotion that is there and enjoying to a measure that same different way of receiving the Word of God.
The Gospel of John— The Word Made Flesh
When I was introduced to the concept of storytelling the Word, I was writing and teaching a Bible study on John, getting to know it more deeply and personally than ever before, absolutely falling in love with it like never before. That alone was reason enough to choose John for the storytelling treatment, but there were other compelling reasons. John’s Gospel about Jesus is unique among the Gospels, both in the accounts that it shares and in the words and conversations of Jesus that it shares. This Gospel also abounds in familiar and endearing passages. To hear those in context makes for an even more enriching time in the Word. Looking at those same points from a different angle—and this was the weightiest reason in choosing John for storytelling—this account is abundant in confrontational, powerful statements of the Law and unique, beautiful statements of the Gospel. Also, the Gospel of John is full of confrontation as time after time the darkness of unbelief and falsehood is exposed in the bright Light of Truth, the words and works of Jesus. All in all, the listener can look forward to hearing, seeing, and in some ways experiencing a divine drama with divine power, the power of God’s Word.
How can the Gospel of John be used?
Of course I love to tell the whole story, but the great thing about this Word storytelling is that it is very flexible. It can be used in a worship service or outside a worship service, and portions can be shared to fit just about any time demands.
Here are some common options for a worship service which incorporate the liturgy:
1) A 40-45 minute selection from John.
Worship begins with the normal liturgy, such as an opening hymn, invocation,
confession/absolution, and prayer. Then I share about 20-25 minutes of
John. This can be followed by a hymn, the offering, and prayer. The
service continues with another 20-25 minutes of John, concluded by the
blessing and a hymn. This has also been done breaking the text up into
three sections of 12-15 minutes each.
2) A 20-25 minute selection in place of the sermon. The full liturgy
would be used. A special Old Testament and Epistle lesson could be used in
support of the particular portion of John.
Consider using the Gospel of John
outside the worship service also. I greatly encourage this, perhaps
with a dessert or potluck fellowship, because this can be used as an
invite event for outreach. That is always my hope with this Word
storytelling, not only strengthening the saints with the Word, but reaching
the lost. I am particularly thinking of those who won't come through the
church doors for
church, but perhaps for an 'event.' It is also an opportunity
for the people of the congregation to experience even more of the evocative
accounts from the Word of God.
Bringing the Gospel of John to your church
I am thrilled to share the Gospel of John anywhere within the WELS/ELS fellowship or at any public event. Currently I can travel for about ten extended weekends a year. So what do you need to do to bring the Gospel of John to your church? Just ask me, and I will be glad to make it work with my schedule.
There is no fee. I don’t want this to have any impact on a church’s budget at all. A freewill offering is optional. The generosity of God’s people has been amazing, covering my costs and enabling future travels and projects.
Upcoming dates
September 12-21 — Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico
Sunday, September 12
Highlands Ranch, CO—Abiding Word Lutheran Church
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8:00 & 10:45 a.m. worship - The Parables of Jesus: 'Consider Carefully How You Listen'
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Bible study - The Blessings of Bible Memorization
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6:00 p.m. youth group event - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh
Monday, September 13
Northglenn, CO—Lord of Lutheran School
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9:30 a.m. - Jonah and selections from The Gospel of John
Cheyenne, WY—Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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7:00 p.m. worship - The Gospel of John: Christ's Passion for Your Salvation
Tuesday, September 14
Denver, CO—Zion Lutheran School
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10:30 a.m. - Jonah and selections from The Gospel of John
Fort Collins, CO—St. Peter Lutheran Church
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6:30 p.m. worship - The Parables of Jesus: 'Consider Carefully How You Listen'
Wednesday, September 15
Aurora, CO—Christ our Redeemer Lutheran School
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8:50 a.m. - Jonah and selections from The Gospel of John
Westminster, CO—Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
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7:00 p.m. Bible study - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh
Thursday, September 16
Northglenn, CO—Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School
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9:00 a.m. - Philippians and Jonah
Denver, CO—Christ Lutheran Church
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7:00 p.m. fellowship event - The Gospel of John: Christ's Passion for Your Salvation
Friday, September 17
Westminster, CO—Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School
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8:30 a.m. - Jonah and selections from The Gospel of John
Saturday, September 18
Colorado Springs, CO—Salem Lutheran Church
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6:00 p.m. fellowship event - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh
Sunday, September 19
Colorado Springs, CO—Fount of Life Lutheran Church
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8:00 & 10:30 a.m. worship - The Gospel of John: His Passion, Our Peace
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Bible study - The Blessings of Bible Memorization
Loveland, CO—Abiding Love Lutheran Church
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6:00 p.m. fellowship event - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh
Monday, September 20
Pueblo West, CO—Crown of Life Lutheran Church
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6:15 p.m. - The Gospel of John: Christ's Passion for Your Salvation
Tuesday, September 21
Albuquerque, NM—Shepherd Lutheran School
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2:00 p.m. - Jonah and selections from The Gospel of John
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October 8-11 — Wisconsin
Friday, October 8
Fort Atkinson, WI—Salty Earth Pictures
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7:00 p.m. - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh - studio audience taping
Saturday, October 9
Fort Atkinson, WI—Salty Earth Pictures
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7:00 p.m. - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh - studio audience taping
Sunday, October 10
Hortonville, WI—Bethlehem Lutheran Church
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8:00 & 10:30 a.m. worship - The Gospel of John: TBD
Fort Atkinson, WI—Salty Earth Pictures
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6:00 p.m. - The Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh - studio audience taping
Monday, October 11
Hortonville, WI—Bethlehem Lutheran Church
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6:30 p.m. worship - The Gospel of John: TBD
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October 16-23 — Houston, San Antonio, and Austin TX
with Susan Ann Lueneburg
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Looking Ahead...
February '10: The Gospel of John DVD release!
March '10: Southeastern WISCONSIN
Other word-for-word Word works
The Parables of Jesus. The 'earthly story with a heavenly meaning' storytelling of Jesus gets right to the heart of them matter as He reveals the importance of spiritual priority, the need to keep watch for the Great Day, and the nature of grace and faith. (More parables in the memorization process.)
Philippians. This stirring epistle from Paul is truly a joy to share!
Colossians (in memorization process). I am working on Colossians to pair with Philippians for the worship service setting. Eventually I would like to also learn Galatians and Ephesians and put all four together on DVD.
The Gospel of Luke. It has been exciting and enlightening to grow close to the Luke text during the memorization process while still being so close to the John text. It amazes me how the Gospels are so unique and yet so harmonious as they give testimony to the life and death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation.
Jonah. A sermon series on the 'minor prophets' at my church provided the occasion to try Jonah. It seems so perfect for the word-for-word storytelling style. Since sharing it at my church, I have now shared it a many times in our grade schools and a couple times for worship services. It is intense and exciting!
Habakkuk. This also came about in connection with the 'minor prophets' sermon series. This book also lends itself to an intense word-for-word storytelling since it is a dialogue between Habakkuk and the LORD. This Word is so important in dealing with questions of 'Why?' and 'Where are You?', comforting us with answers of God's sovereignty exercised in perfect timing and wisdom and grace.
My name is Daniel Dexter,
and I would consider it a great privilege to share God's Word with you!
On April 20, 1975, just eight days old, I was baptized into God's kingdom at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Green Bay, WI. I am so very thankful for all that my parents did to provide me with Christian education beginning with those early years at St. Mark. In 1986 we moved down to Appleton, WI, where I was blessed to continue my upbringing in the Word at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School, being then confirmed on March 19, 1989. I then attended Fox Valley Lutheran High School and graduated in 1993.
It has been an interesting journey since then. I spent a semester at the old Northwestern College in 1994, but I was drawn to dabble in Christian music, so I left after just a semester. This website isn't about a Christian music ministry, so no, that didn't pan out. In 1997 I went to Martin Luther College, but due to health problems, that only lasted a semester as well. In between those college stints, I learned the skills of weather observing. Well, 'skills' might be overstating it; a weather observer gets paid to... watch the weather. Anyway, I got back into weather observing after Martin Luther College, and that was what the Lord used to bring me to where I am now, El Paso, TX.
This isn't what I was expecting. I wanted to serve the Lord, and I thought the best way I could do that was by becoming a pastor. That was my thought even when I moved to El Paso in November of 1998. So the plan was to save money and go back to Martin Luther College. But as I continued to grow in the Word and serve at Christ our Redeemer Lutheran Church here in El Paso, I realized that He was giving me quite a ministry niche. Pastor Dan Baumler has been a great blessing to me, as has my whole church family here in El Paso. And there are no shortage of ministry opportunities for me at Christ our Redeemer, such as serving as evangelism chairman, youth leader/teacher, even cleaning the church. It is my privilege to serve in any way I can in response to the great Gospel message of certain salvation in Christ! To enhance that service, I began taking Staff Ministry certification classes through Martin Luther College in 2008.
I learned of word-for-word Word of God storytelling in 2005. A man named Max McLean has been doing this since 1983, and I had a chance to see him share the Gospel of Mark. I was drawn into the Gospel account, I noticed things I never had before, and I saw the story of salvation more clearly than ever in its full context. Since I was teaching a Bible study on John at the time, I was excited to apply myself to memorizing the awesome text and sharing it in a similar style to what I had seen. On January 20, 2006, I shared the word-for-word Gospel of John with a small group at my church. It was well-received, and I've been at it ever since then. As of August 2010, it has been my privilege to have more than 125 opportunities to share the Word, word-for-word, in various WELS congregations and schools. I look forward to many other opportunities to share the words of eternal life!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Email: word4wordGospel@aol.com
Phone: (915) 778-0783
Address: Daniel Dexter
6770 Edgemere #283
El Paso, TX 79925