Selection from the Book "Letters to My Sister(s)".
This humorous and touching play may be used freely with permission.
Email <charismum@yahoo.com>
1995
Dear Evie -
The vicar of our local Anglican church asked us to do something in the service for the children. They seemed to like it, as quite a few of them came to us afterwards and said "Thank you for the Puppets". Here is a copy of the script. The family wrote it en masse, and we prayed a lot as it all came together. Anyone can use it - it's not copyright. It was fun to do, and Rebecca and Rosemary took part. They are twelve and ten now, and quite capable in doing such things. One helped me manipulate the puppets, and the other one did the grand entrance (to a fanfare) with the parcel. This was a huge box covered with shiny gold paper. Inside the box was a big heart cut out of red cotton. The children in the congregation left their seats, and stuck labels for the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit on the heart, which was taped onto the front of the little puppet theatre. They were also found inside the parcel. I think that best of all was an inspired ad lib!
FRED THE PIG: "Is God's Love really that big?"
PREACHER : "Oh much much bigger! It is bigger than this church, it is bigger than this city! It is bigger than the whole world!" Ian, of course was the guy in the dress (in his black lay preacher robes). We hope you enjoy it as much as the congregation seemed to.
I do find that when you produce a "Childrens' Talk" it sometimes speaks to the adults more than a sermon does. Perhaps their defences are down!
Check the full list at 1 Corinthians 12 verses 7-11 (Gifts).
Galatians 5 verses 22 -23 (Fruit).
PUPPET PLAY:
QUACKY AND FRED FIND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Props : Puppet theatre (see easy construction plan).
Two hand puppets of your choice (we had a pig and a duck).
Two pre recorded tapes, two tape recorders (one in "Fred's Place" - the puppet theatre and one at the back of the church managed by an accomplice. You could get the same effect by the placement of speakers.) Sticky tape or "blu tac".
Box containing red heart (as large as you can make it, - ours was one and a half metres across ) and labels for the fruit/gifts of the Spirit.
Small soft objects for Fred to chuck into the air when "searching" at start.
The scene is set in your local church. Puppets are out of sight in "Fred's Place" (Under the shelf of the puppet theatre). The theatre will need to be set up well before the start of the service. We put the play in the designated sermon time. The worship and form of service remained the same. It took place in a rather traditional Anglican church, and has also been used in other denominations. Adapt as necessary. We find it useful to grab audience attention if the "Preacher" uses a style of ministry foreign to the local congregation.
CONGREGATION SINGS "SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD" And sits. The play has begun.
PREACHER : Greetings brothers and sisters! Isn't this a wonderful day that the Lord has made? AMEN! AMEN!! Today we are going to study God's Word, and learn about the wonderful blessings available to us Believers. We're going to learn more about real Kingdom Living AMEN! First let us be quiet before the Lord for a moment before we ask his blessing on the study of His Word. Let us bow our heads and close our eyes and wait upon Him for a short season.
The Preacher bows his head reverently, but there is a sudden burst of noise from Fred's Place.(SFX ON TAPE RECORDER - The sound of things being pulled out and knocked over). Small soft objects begin to fly out of the puppet theatre. Preacher looks scandalised, and turns to face the source of the interruption. Puppets begin speaking......
QUACKY: Move out of the way Fred! (Pause). No it's not there.
FRED: What are you after, Quacky?
(More sounds of things being knocked over, shifted etc.)
QUACKY: No, it's not here - I can't see it anywhere - not even a decent clue.
FRED: See what?
QUACKY: The Kingdom of God -they sang about it. "Seek" means "Look
for" so, - I'm looking for the Kingdom of God.
FRED: I don't know a lot about this sort of thing, but I reckon God's
Kingdom would be too big to fit in our cupboards.
Kingdoms have lots of people in them.
(Preacher looking more annoyed)
QUACKY: OK! Let's look out from the balcony. (Quacky up)
OOOOH! (Ducks down again)
FRED: Whistle! Grunt! (Pops up for a quick look and ducks out of sight)
VOICES ONLY
QUACKY: Will we ask those people out there? (Loud whisper)
FRED: That bald one with the whiskers looks fairly official. Let's ask him!
(Preacher is waiting, arms folded, very angry).
(FRED AND QUACKY COME UP)
FRED: Excuse me sir, but we're looking for the Kingdom of God, could you....
PREACHER: Silence you naughty pig!!
(Fred and Quacky run into each other in fright)
All that noise in our quiet time! You have no respect for the house of God. We have serious spiritual matters to consider, and we do NOT want interruptions from you two delinquents!!! GO! And leave us in peace.
QUACKY: But please sir, we only .........
PREACHER: SILENCE!!! No backtalk. GO!!!
FRED: (Face crumpling) Oh, allright. Come on Quacky.
(Fred and Quacky down) The preacher takes a couple of deep
breaths and turns to face the congregation).
Brother/sister ....................... would you read God's word to us.
The reading: (This can be done by the ususal lay person on roster)
. "Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me, because I have come down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me."
PREACHER: Hmmm. Not turn away anyone who comes....... not turn away anyone.....
not turn away anyone........ (Looks up from lectern)
I think the Lord is trying to tell me something, don't you??
(Dialogue follows with congregation, especially children if possible)
PREACHER: They actually said they were looking for the Kingdom of God, and I was
too full of myself to listen. I have to talk to those two little fellers, and I
have to say I'm sorry. Will I try and call them back now?
Perhaps I'll need a little help.
(CALLS CHILDREN DOWN TO THE FRONT. TURNS TO FACE FRED'S PLACE)
PREACHER: Hey fellers, come back up and talk with us.
FRED: We can't - you told us to go away and keep quiet.
QUACKY: Yes you did say that - you did!
PREACHER: I was wrong fellers, and I'm very sorry I behaved like that. Please come up and talk with us.
QUACKY: No, they won't want us up there.
FRED: Quacky's right, you don't want our sort up there.
PREACHER: What do you say folks? We want them up here with us don't we?
(AUDIENCE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE)
(FRED AND QUACKY WHISPER - LOUDLY- OFFSTAGE)
FRED: Will we give it a try?
QUACKY: He WAS angry but he did say he was sorry....
FRED: Give it a go then?
QUACKY: Yep! Let's go!!
(FRED AND QUACKY UP - WITH A GRUNT AND A QUACK)
PREACHER: Hello boys! You're at the.............. church, and I'm Ian -
the visiting preacher today. I'm sorry I was such a pig... OOPS!
Sorry I was so rude to you.
FRED: That's OK Preacher, us pigs can be real PIGS at times too. I'm Fred
and this is my mate Quacky.
(Turns to face Quacky as he introduces him - Quacky nods)
QUACKY: That's right, and we're looking for the Kingdom of God. Is this it?
PREACHER: What do you think folks? Is this the Kingdom of God?
(Some dialogue with congregation)
PREACHER: (turning to Fred) What do you think Fred?
(Fred can jiggle a bit here)
FRED: Well ... they do call church "The House of God".
PREACHER: Well said! In fact the people gathered in any Christian church are a small part of the Kingdom of God, and the building they meet in is one of God's houses.
FRED: I'm in church now, so I must be part of the Kingdom of God!!!
(FRED AND QUACKY JUMP UP AND DOWN EXCITEDLY)
QUACKY: Me too!!! Me too!!!
PREACHER: Not so fast Fred! Yesterday I saw you in Farmer Giles' cabbage patch.
Did that make you a cabbage? (Use the name of local gardener or farmer).
FRED: Of course not! (Aside) What a nut!
PREACHER: OK. Being in a cabbage patch didn't make you a cabbage, and just being in a church doesn't make you a part of the Kingdom of God.
QUACKY: Looks like we're in, but not IN. How do we really get into God's Kingdom?
(QUACKY & FRED BOTH CRUMPLE FACES AND LOOK SAD)
FRED: Yeah, how do we do it?
PREACHER: Lets start at the beginning.(turns to the congregation)
What is a kingdom? What is a king?
(Hopefully here, some dialogue with congregation)
OK A kingdom is where the king is in charge. In a kingdom, the king is the boss . Is Jesus a King?
FRED Hang on, hang on! What was that song I heard at the Beach Mission?
PREACHER Right on Fred! You can join the Kingdom of God by letting Jesus know
that you want Him to be the Boss of YOU. To be your King, to be in charge of you, so that you try to keep his rules instead of doing your own thing You'll be happier following His way anyway. If Jesus is your King, then you're in the Kingdom of God always, all the time.
QUACKY Even when I'm not in church?
PREACHER: ALL the time, even when you are asleep.
FRED: I like that, it makes me feel safe.
PREACHER Would you like to ask him to be your boss then?
QUACKY But what if He doesn't want me? (HANGS HEAD / CRUMPLES)
PREACHER Have you got a Bible there?
FRED: I've got one , Granny gave it to me ! (disappears - pause- ) Here it is!
(Quacky looks down at Fred, who is hidden from the audience )
PREACHER Can you find John chapter 6 verse 37 ?
FRED: Hang on - Matthew, Mark Luke and John, went to bed with their trousers on.( SFX rustling of paper). Here we are: "Everyone my Father gives to me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who
comes to me". - that's God talking isn't it? Does it mean me too?
FRED COMES UP, HE AND QUACKY FACE FRONT.
PREACHER: (To congregation) Does it ? ( Wait for response)
(To Fred) Who does it say Jesus won't turn away?
FRED: ANYONE. So He will take everyone!
PREACHER: That's right........ everyone.
Does that mean you? (Talking to congregation) And you?
(Talking to Fred and Quacky) would you like to tell Him now?
FRED: Tell Him I'm coming? Yes!!
QUACKY: I don't know how to. (Looking crumpled again).
PREACHER: I'll help you. I want to pray too. I want Jesus to be more of a boss in my life than I've let Him be. If anyone else wants to pray with us they can. Jesus is here,
and He can hear us even if we speak very quietly. I'll say the words first, and you and say them after me.
FRED & QUACKY GO DOWN -- Pray as led, or a simple prayer along these lines.... "Father God, I'm sorry for all the bad things I have done, and for living without you. I need Jesus to be my friend, and help me to keep His Laws. I believe He came because He loved me and wanted me to have a wonderful life and be safe in Heaven with the people I love when I die.. I want to follow Jesus as best I can, and with the help of His Holy Spirit try to make the world a better place, and the way God meant it to be . Please come and be my King, and help me to be a good follower. Amen."
PREACHER: Fred, who is your king? (FRED UP)
FRED: JESUS!!! (QUACKY UP)
PREACHER: Quacky, who is your king?
QUACKY: JESUS!!!
PREACHER: (To congregation) Who is your king? (Exhorting the loudest possible response)
QUACKY; I belong to Jesus now, but I'm not very clever, and I'm not very good -
I might let Him down.
FRED: Me too! It's scary trying to behave for God. (Nods his head)
PREACHER: We don't do it on our own fellers. When I was nasty this morning, what made me change my mind?
FRED: When they read that bit from the Bible.
PREACHER: That's right. God has given us His Word to show us how to follow Jesus.
PREACHER: We have lots of help from God in learning to follow Him. Let's hear what brother/sister .............. reads to us from the Bible.
Reading - Ephesians 3:14-21
PREACHER: What do you think of that reading Quacky?
QUACKY: I didn't understand it very well.
FRED: I don't understand it either.
PREACHER: Well fellers, Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will give the Christians the
power to really know how much Jesus loves them....... and help them to
know God more and more. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us when we
ask Jesus to come into our hearts.
FRED: Now I'm a Christian, will I get a gift,?
QUACKY: (Jumps up and down) Me too!! Me too!! I want a present too!
PREACHER: Yes - in fact you already have the present.
FRED: When can I see my present?
PREACHER: Well that's a bit difficult. You see you can't exactly see this sort of
gift............
COURIER: SPECIAL DELIVERY! SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR FRED AND QUACKY!!
(Courier enters church, with large parcel wrapped in shiny gold
paper and tied with a bow. Courier holds parcel at edge of Fred's balcony)
FRED: Quick!! Quick!! Help us to unwrap it - our little paws are far too small!!
(The parcel is unwrapped with lots of comment during the process. The children are asked to help stick the large red heart to the front of Fred's Place, and to add the "Fruit of the Spirit" signs).
PREACHER: (Turns to the congregation and explains that this is a representation of
the God's gift of His Holy Spirit .... rooted and grounded in love)
FRED: (When the heart is seen ...) Is God's love really as big as that?
PREACHER: Yes Fred ... God's love is bigger than anything .... bigger than the
whole world!
PREACHER: This is how we unwrap an ordinary parcel. Have a think and see if you can figure out how we can start to unwrap God's gift of the Holy Spirit.
While we think, brother/sister ........... will read to us from the Bible.
Reading - Luke 11:9-13
FRED: I KNOW!!! I know how to unwrap God's present. We ask - just like it
said!!!
END OF PLAY
MORE PRAYERS can be said here, to enable the congregation to ask for help to unwrap the individual gifts that God has given to each one. The regular minister may prefer to do this himself.