By Andy Lund
Introductory drama to a service on Faith.
Two members of congregation (here Andy and Dan).
Other congregation members as called on.
2 Narrators.
Crowd
Woman
Jesus
(Scene: Andy and Dan are looking out at the congregation.)
Andy: What's this then, Dan?
Dan: Don't know. Bit long for a bus queue, Andy.
Andy: Miserable lot,aren't they? Could be a dole queue.
D: No..look...(Picks up hymn book or other piece of literature with name of Church) Durrington Christian Fellowship. Must be a church.
A: Oh yes, and what's that printed underneath? "Not to be removed from St Paul's Cathedral". You're right. It is a church.
D: (Light dawns) It's a church service.
A: Great. What's showing?
D: Let's ask an intelligent looking person.
A: Difficult.
D: Excuse me.
Member of congregation: Who me?
D: Err, yes. Excuse me for asking. What are you doing here?
MoC: We've come to church. We're expecting a service.
D: What's going to happen, then?
MoC: You know...singing, praying...that kind of thing.
A: All a bit vague, isn't it, Dan?
D: Yes. It needs a theme. A plan. Let's choose a subject.
A: How about a really controversial subject...like...err... "Did Adam have a belly button?"
D: No, they don't look bright enough to work out the complexities of it. Let's have something basic like...let's see...like "What is faith?"
A: Too easy.
D: I don't know about that. Let's see. Excuse me, could you answer a question. What is faith?
MoC: Who me? err...well...err...it's sort of like...err...
A: Bad choice. Try again.
D: How about you? What is faith?
MoC: Oh, yes. Faith. Hebrews.
A: No, we'll have tea later on. (Points at Dan) He brews a good cuppa.
MoC: No, Hebrews. The book of Hebrews. Chapter 11. (Gets up and reads) "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".
D: (Unconvinced) Oh yes, ...very helpful.
A: Still, he's got a point, Dan. The Bible's got to be the place to find out.
MoC: 'Course it is. Look , just change places a minute and we'll show you a couple of events in the life of Jesus that'll help.
(Characters mime to the Narrators)
Narrator 1: A great crowd of people was following Jesus.
Narrator 2: And thronging around him.
N1: A woman in the crowd had been suffering from a haemmorhage for 12 years.
N2: She'd heard about Jesus and thought:
N1: If I can just reach out and touch Jesus, I know I shall be made well.
N2: She did.
N1: And she was.
N2: But Jesus noticed at once that power had left Him
N1: And He turned and said:
N2: Who touched my clothes?
N1: "Lord, everyone is touching you."
N2: The disciples said.
N1: But Jesus knew someone had reached out on purpose to touch him.
N2: And the woman came to Him and said:
N1: (Kneeling in fear) It was me.
N2: Jesus said: Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed.
N1: On another occasion Jesus was entering a town...
N2: And he was met by a Roman officer who said:
N1: Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home in terrible pain.
N2: Jesus said: I will come and heal him.
N1: But the Roman officer said: Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Just say the word and I know my servant will be healed. I trust you.
N2: Jesus said: In the whole of Israel I have not seen such faith.
MoC: So, there you are. Two lessons about faith. Do you see now?
Dan: Yes, I think so… But what has it got to say about faith today?
MoC: You've not been listening. What did the woman do?
A: Please sir, I know.
MoC: Yes, Andy?
A: She reached out and touched Jesus. She knew who to go to.
Dan: Oh right. And the centurion trusted &endash; he knew that Jesus could do what He promised.
MoC: Right, and it's the same today. If we reach out for the Lord and trust Him, He won't let us down.
N1: And that
N2: Is faith
© Andy Lund 1999
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that
copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee
charged.
In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being
notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed.
He may be contacted at:
pete@psmithies.freeserve.co.uk