drama in worship

Peter’s Easter, dramatic reading — Tod Gobledale, UK

Luke 24:36-38   (a version for today) While the disciples discuss the resurrection news, Jesus stands among them and says, ‘Peace be with you.’ Startled and terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost.  Jesus asks, ‘Why are you frightened and, why do doubts arise in your hearts?’ We join fearful Peter now to listen to […]

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What more do you want from us? – Tod Gobledale, Australia

To accompany the lectionary readings on the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A — Psalm 119:33-40 and Romans 13:8-14 Supplies: a cross, towel and basin, and a soft (stuffed) animal toy set out on a table or other central focal point one heavy hammer and 2-3 large nails mop and bucket photos of children facing […]

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Pentecost interview of Andrew & Peter — Ana Gobledale, UK

An engaging ‘live’ interview with Andrew (Andreas) and Peter (Petro) on Pentecost Day Ready-to-print Scripts: Pentecost Drama – interview with Andrew – live from Jerusalem WORD Pentecost Drama – interview with Andrew – live from Jerusalem PDF Worship Leader:  Let us imagine ourselves transported through time and space to Jerusalem, two thousand years ago that […]

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Mary Interviewed, drama — Tod Gobledale, UK

‘I am doing a new thing’ – an interview with Mary of Bethany Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8 (Lectionary readngs for Lent 5, Year C) Characters:   P = Preacher; M = Mary P: Will you pray with me? God of new things, this morning we ask you to calm the cacophony of our hearts and minds, […]

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Acts 19.1-17, The disciples were baptised, drama — Ana Gobledale, UK

Scripture     Acts 19:1-7  adapted from the New Revised Standard Version Readers:  Storyteller, Paul and 1 or 2 Disciples Storyteller:  While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. Paul had this conversation with the disciples: Paul:  Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you […]

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Down to the river, Advent Drama — Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK

Mark 1:1-8 Let us look back in time about 2000 years and join a mother working in her kitchen, preparing for the Chanukah holidays.  She worries about her nineteen year old daughter who disappeared leaving chores undone.  Let’s listen in. Mum:         That girl! She knows there is work to be done: floors to sweep, water […]

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First Kings 19.9-18 dramatic reading

Proper 14A (usually 10th Sunday after Pentecost), Year A 1 Kings 19.9-18 This has been prepared for two readers, e.g. on a single Zoom screen, but might be easily altered for three readers, separating the voices of the Storyteller or Narrator and that of Elijah. Voice 1:   This is a reading from the first book […]

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Matthew 14:13-21, loaves & fishes dramatised — Ana Gobledale, UK

Proper 13 (usually 9th Sunday after Pentecost) Year A Readers: Narrator, Jesus, Disciple 1, Disciple 2 Supplies: 5 bread rolls, two paper ‘fish’, lots of baskets, any costume items. Signboards for characters can prove helpful. Ready-to-download and print: Matthew 14.13-21 – feeding the crowd – drama PDF Matthew 14.13-21 – feeding the crowd – drama […]

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Luke 9:51-62 drama — Rex Hunt, Australia

Luke 9:51-62 – a drama to use in worship For Third Sunday after Pentecost Year C Translation by Rex Hunt, Australia (Read more about Rex Hunt at end of post.) Actors: Jesus, Narrator, James/John, Followers 1,2,3 Script ready-to-use — download here: Luke 9,51-62 drama 6 readers PDF Luke 9,51-62 drama 6 readers WORD Script Narrator: […]

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I, Mary Magdalene, an Easter drama — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

What words do we use to describe the mystery of Easter? Bodily resurrection?  Spiritual continuum? Risen?  Risen indeed? What words might Jesus’s friends have used to explain their experiences that day? This dramatic sketch, which might be titled, ‘Called by name’, presents words Mary Magdalene might have shared. Ready-to-print downloads of full script: Easter drama – […]

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Exodus 20, God’s Angel drama — Ana Gobledale

Proper 22, Year A Exodus 20:20-22a & 23:20   What do we think about ‘angels’?  What words express the phenomenon called ‘angel’ in the Bible? This drama, in which God promises to send an ‘angel’, might be used to open up reflection and discussion on the subject. Drama, Exodus 20 PDF Drama, Exodus 20 WORD […]

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Temptation Lent Drama — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

This is one of three readings used to explore the Lent theme: “Hineni: Here I Am” –  looking at the idea of spiritually showing up and saying ‘Yes’ to God’s call and invitation. Matthew 4:1-11   (slightly altered text) 3 Voices: Narrator, Tempter, Jesus Narrator: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness […]

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Samuel (1) 3:1-10, Called — Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, USA

Called: reading for 4 voices, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 — arranged by Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson This reading can be used to explore the theme: “Hineni: Here I Am” –  looking at the idea of spiritually showing up and saying ‘Yes’ to God’s call and invitation. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Four Voices: Narrator, Eli, God, Samuel Narrator: Now the […]

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Jonah 3:1-5,10 Drama — Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK

Dramatic presentation of Jonah 3:1-5,10 God changes… and invites us to change, too.     Printable ready-to-use copies of drama to download: WORD Dramatic interview of Mrs & Mr Jonah PDF Dramatic interview of Mrs & Mr Jonah Script Pray with me.  God may the words of our mouths and the thoughts of all of […]

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Genesis 1:26-31a, In Our Hands, an Earth Day drama

 “In Our Hands”  Genesis 1:26-31a This drama has been used at services focusing on the environment and caring for our world, including Earth Sunday, Blessing of the Animals Sunday, St Francis service. The source is unknown, and it has been modified over the years.  If you know who wrote the original, please let Worship Words […]

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Deuteronomy 26:1–11, a Harvest drama

This drama might be used for Thanksgiving (USA or Canada) or Harvest (UK). It is easily adapted for First Sunday in Lent, Year C, when the Deuteronomy passage appears in the Revised Standard Lectionary. Parts:  Priest, Narrators 1&2,  Israelites 1,2,3,4.  Parts may be combined if fewer actors are available. The full script may be downloaded […]

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Luke 3:1-6, Drama: Prepare ye the way — Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK

2nd Sunday of Advent,  Year C Luke 3:1-6 A Whimsical Encounter  — This can serve as the message/sermon. This drama involves two people.  One person starts out as if doing the regular reading of the passage. This might be the worship leader or the Minister, the person designated to “preach.”   The second person arrives […]

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Luke 24:13-35  A dramatic reading, Easter 3A

The encounter on the Emmaus Road — recognizing Jesus Adapted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Reader 1: Narrator Disciple:  Cleopas, standing in for all those who met Jesus along the road Jesus:  the resurrected Reader 1: Our Gospel reading comes from Luke’s account of the encounter on the road to Emmaus.  […]

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Good Friday Ritual of the Nails — UK

This service involves each member of the congregation through actions.  Each worshipper receives a large nail upon arrival and is invited to interact with their nail at different points in the service. Following the reading from John 19 and Luke 23, they are invited to hold the nail for a personal reflection.  Later they are invited to […]

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Genesis 12:1-4a & John 3:1-21 drama, Abram & Nicodemus interview

“Bucket Lists” Genesis 12:1-4a, John 3:1-21 Lent 1, Year A Adapted by Tod & Ana Gobledale, UK Related hymn:  Abide with me Interviewer, Abram and Nicodemus sit in a row facing the congregation.  Three tall bar stools serve well.   Remember to speak to the congregation, not to one another.  Use your hands!  Big gestures! Minister/Interviewer:  […]

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Exodus 1 Drama — Ana Gobledale, UK

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A Ready-to-Act:  a story from Exodus 1:8-2:10  Characters:  1) Narrator, 2) Pharoah,  3) Pharoah’s Daughter, 4) Miriam,  5) Midwife Shiphrah,  6) Midwife Puah Provide large-font copies for all actor/readers; no memorization required. Print landscape with two columns to avoid hiding mouths behind sheets. Script Narrator:   Now a new king […]

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