Short Dramas and Plays

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Cast:
Mrs. Jones (an elderly woman)
Visitor
Worship leader

(Opens with VISITOR sitting pew near aisle, MRS. JONES enters)

MRS. JONES: You're sitting in my pew.

VISITOR: Oh, I'm sorry.
(Moves over)

MRS. JONES: You're still in pew?

VISITOR: You need a whole pew? Are you expecting a group to join you?

MRS. JONES: Well...no. But this has been my family's pew since I first got married fifty years ago. When all my kids were with us we needed this whole pew.

VISITOR: But your family won't be here today so couldn't I just sit here?

MRS. JONES: I guess. But worship just won't be the same.

VISITOR: Do you want worship to always be the same?

MRS. JONES: If there's nothing wrong don't fix it. I like to know what to expect.

VISITOR: Seems like life would get pretty dull if we always knew what to expect.

MRS. JONES: I didn't say I always wanted to know what to expect.

VISITOR: My mistake. I was sure you did.

MRS. JONES: I know life's going to surprise me. That's why I like everything to be the same when I worship.

VISITOR: I guess I can understand that.

MRS. JONES: So you'll find another pew?
(WORSHIP LEADER enters)

WORSHIP LEADER: Good morning everyone. If you'll all find a seat we're going to get started.

VISITOR: Well it looks like it's time to start. I'd better just stay put.

MRS. JONES: Yes, you shouldn't disrupt anything.
(begins turning to a certain hymn in the hymnal)

WORSHIP LEADER: This morning we're going to change things up a little.
(VISITOR looks at MRS. JONES to see her reaction, she glares at him/ her as if it's all his fault)
The youth have been studying worship and have written a song. We'll have the lyrics up on the power point.

MRS. JONES: (to herself) First it was overheads, now it's power points... all this change in my lifetime.

VISITOR: You don't appreciate these improvements?

MRS. JONES: No I don't. And I wasn't talking to you.
(looks away)
Improvements! Humph!

WORSHIP LEADER: The tune may sound familiar. The youth wanted to respect our rich worship tradition so they started with the music of a song we all know.

MRS. JONES: (to herself) If they respected tradition they would have stopped there too.

WORSHIP LEADER: (addressing audience as well as actors) Okay everyone let's give this a shot. Youth I really want to hear you.
(music to "Have Thine Own Way" begins to play, slightly more drum and bass than is traditional)
ALL (except MRS. JONES)
(Sing) Have your own way, Lord! Have your own way.
You are the artist, I'm the animae.
Draw me and move me to act in you story,
use every action to bring your glory.

WORSHIP LEADER: That was beautiful. Thank you all for trying something new. I'm sure God loves to hear new songs. The Psalms repeatedly call for us to "sing to Him a new song."

(worship music continues in the background)

MRS. JONES: Animae? This is a worship service! How much change do they expect me to handle in one service?

VISITOR: Animae may be a stretch, but I think it's great to see that these young people can make changes that reflect the culture today.

MRS. JONES: You would.

VISITOR: Do you like have a piano accompany worship?

MRS. JONES: I do. It's such a lovely TRADITIONAL instrument.

VISITOR: Oh, but it hasn't always been. There was a time when people objected to that change.

MRS. JONES: (searching for reply) Well...

VISITOR: I notice that you're not wearing a hat.

MRS. JONES: (defensively) So? You're not wearing a tie.

VISITOR: Just another change I gather you have no problem with. You are comfortable with some change.

MRS. JONES: Yes. Changes for the better.

VISITOR: Who's the judge of that? The youth saw the change of some lyrics as good.

MRS. JONES: I may think about this again, but I'm of one thing. I don't like this change.

VISITOR: The song?

MRS. JONES: No. You in my pew.

WORSHIP LEADER: At this time we will dismiss the children to children's church with their leader.

MRS. JONES: Well that's me. It's just like when my kids were young.
(exits out the back)

VISITOR: Children's church with no change; I don't envy those children.

WORSHIP LEADER: Now it's my pleasure to introduce a guest, the author of "Change Could Happen in Your Church." He's here now to speak to us about an upcoming conference to help churches move forward.
(Visitor joins WORSHIP LEADER)

VISITOR: Thank you. Change can and will happen in any church, it's how it happens that matters. Read my book, attend the conference and you will learn how to see change as healthy.

WORSHIP LEADER: I'm sure many of us will. Thank you for joining us.

VISITOR: It's my pleasure but, I have one more thing I need to say.

WORSHIP LEADER: Go ahead.

VISITOR: (pointing to pew) That is not my pew!

The End

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