Sketches & Dramas

Be At It: A choral reading of II Timothy 3:12-4:8 taken from several different versions of the scripture. Used originally as a call to worship. Not a "sketch" in the traditional use of the word, this reading is included here as the cornerstone of the drama ministry. It wasn't until after this was presented that we understood how pertinent its message was to our own lives and efforts in Christian theatre.

Faith @ Work: Two co-workers, one a Christian, discuss current affairs. This leads to a discussion of religion which puts pressure on the Christian to witness. The audience usually identifies with the wrong character, then gets blind-sided by the realization that their real-life behavior may be closer to a chicken than the lamb.

Faith @ Work, too: This is the same as the preceding sketch, except updated with different news events and with the added subject of church advertisements on TV. This script is adapted from Faith At Work and is included here to demonstrate how the sketches can be modified for specific needs. We used this version on a Sunday morning when we introduced a series of TV ads we were about to begin running as part of a new media ministry.

Faith @ Play: Similar to the preceding two sketches, except updated with different events and with a musical emphasis for young people.

The First Love Story: Humorous and touching rendering of the story of Adam and Eve from creation to Eve's death; from the perspective of their individual "diaries." (Adapted from Mark Twain's adaptation!)

Father's Day Cards: A young father sends his new son his thoughts in a card, while an older father, perhaps the same one (?) does the same. To make the audience -- especially the fathers and the father-wannabees -- reconsider their priorities and their relationship with their children.

Father's Day Cards Revisited: An older father sends his dad his thoughts in a card, while his father the does the same. To make the audience -- especially the fathers and the father-wannabees -- reconsider their priorities and their relationship as life drags on.

Dad Wouldn't Understand: A successful executive wonders why "Ol' Dad" never gets the recognition he deserves, then ends by remembering some of the lessons taught by his dad. Purpose: To make the audience -- especially the men -- reconsider their priorities and their relationship with their "Father".

All My Fathers: Kind of a Cats In The Cradle approach to Father's Day as six generations of sons and fathers reflect during a photo session.

Who's On Stage?: The congregation gets unceremoniously blind-sided during a routine scripture reading by a seemingly irreverent bible-time teacher with a modern day lesson about worship and scripture.

No Weaklings Allowed: Two kids learning about asking for help, and offering it.

Know Good Lying Cheats: Tough choices begin at a very early age, even for "good" kids. These characters demonstrate that not only are the choices hard, sometimes they're also hard to see. To point out some of the difficult decisions children have to make.

Christmas Eve Reflections: Not your basic warm-and-fuzzy Christmas Eve service. A trio of choral readers recite the scriptures while the innkeeper and a shepherd reunion cast a different twist on the traditional approach. This can easily take 20-30 minutest to perform. To challenge Christmas Eve attendees to walk a little closer, not just hurry home to their presents.

It Happened One Night, or DID It? (Christmas4 3): A variation of the Christmas Eve Reflections script above. Shorter, and with fewer people.

St. Acceptance: A man needing attention struggles to get past the paperwork and hypocrisy of the admitting nurse. Written for the first service of a new church to help answer the question "Why another church?" Should make people evaluate why they are in a church, and what they expect for, and from, new attendees.

The Feel Good Diner: A man has had a real bad day and his friends at the neighborhood restaurant just don't seem to care. (There are three possible endings given for this sketch.) To make people ask themselves if they have missed opportunities to encourage a brother or sister or...

God Always Liked You Best: Two kids playing the "who do you like best" game get stuck on an important question.

The Great Commission Game Show: A game show provides an easy, painless and fun way to give to others. Written for "Faith Promise" Sunday Morning. Demonstrates mission statistics and visions.

To Tell The Musical Truth: A humorous take-off on the old To Tell The Truth game show. Several subtle gags; may be better for older audience which would remember the show. Intended to lead the audience to a better understanding, if not appreciation, for the various forms of music being used in worship.

Holy Hands: Designed as a Call To Worship, this should bring people to the throne with a light heart while reminding them that worship is for God, and all worshipers are welcome.

What's a Clown to Do?: A series of related sketches featuring a clown and puppet addressing the question of how do we know God's will. Using congregational or group singing this could easily last 45 minutes or so. Having a clown who is good at ad lib, memorization and balloon animals, is a key element. Ours was named Captain Qirk. The script should be customized to reflect your clown's name.

It's Not Stupid: When the little boy grows up, his love of automobiles grows up with him. When he faces the possibility of having to make a sacrifice, we see his true colors; or do we? To make people consider their priorities, especially the conflict between material possessions and promises made to God. We used this the week after our Faith Promise Rally, and it was followed by a sermon about Abraham being asked to give up that which was most important to him.

Paved With Good Intentions: A cute little ditty about how our good intentions seem to go astray. This was written for a specific audience and will need to be customized for your specific audience. It is printed here in its original version, more or less. Intended to get people to see how our commitments change over the course of a few months. Recommended for use either at the beginning of a new year, or a new cycle of services, such as a new program in the fall.

Walk The Talk: A "solid" bible-study leader has a problem practicing what he preaches.