Good things come in small packages [Christmas drama]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church Christmas Concert - December 21, 2019

[Chris walks in, optionally whistling “We three kings”, carrying a chair and sits centre stage toward the audience. As sits down Courier comes in.]

Courier: Christmas gift for... Chris?

Chris: That’s me! Who’s it from?

Courier: Err... [looks at phone].... God?? Sign here, please.

[Chris signs Courier’s phone, a tiny gift, size of a wedding ring box, is handed over and courier leaves. Chris looks at it a little confused and then begins to try and open it, but doesn’t make any progress before Courier enters again.]

Courier: Sorry, had another Christmas gift for you too. Sign here.

Chris: Who’s this one from? [signs]

Courier: Err.... Ssss-tan?? [hands over shoe box size gift]

Chris: Who's Stan?

Christmas Birthday Speech [a fun motivational speech for those who suffer with birthdays near Christmas]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church Christmas Concert - December 14, 2019

While being asked to share a memory about Christmas i started reflecting, and the more i reflected of Christmases past, the more upset I got.
You see, there are some who are less fortunate during the annual Christmas festivities.
It is those who have birthdays around Christmas.

Is there anyone here who, like myself, has a birthday close to Christmas??
Please come up and make a stand with me, for this historic moment.

For too long, people like us have suffered during Christmas. Patiently we have waited, all year, as we celebrate everyone else’s birthdays. And when it finally comes to our birthdays, all we get are but a brief mention, and then everyone collectively moves on to Jesus' birthday celebrations. And it’s not even his real birthday date, peoples!

It is now, after all these years, that we make a stand.

Church to Bethlehem [a Christmas multi-act nativity play]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church Christmas Concert - December 7, 2019

Cast  List

  • Guide/Narrator 1
  • Guide/Narrator 2
  • Guide/Narrator 3
  • Guide/Narrator 4
  • Guide/Narrator 5
Scene 1: Mary and Joseph Find Out
  • Mary
  • Angel
  • Joseph
Scene 2: Herod and the Wise Men
  • Herod 
  • Priest
  • Wiseman 1
  • Wiseman 2
  • Wiseman 3
  • Advisor 
  • optional extra Guards
  • optional extra Palace Girls
Scene 3: The Shepherds Heard
  • Angel
  • Shepherd 1
  • Shepherd 2
  • Shepherd 3 
  • optional extra Shepherds
Scene 4: Bethlehem Inn
  • Innkeeper
  • Partner
Scene 5: The Manger
  • Mary
  • Joseph
  • Baby

Scene 1: Mary and Joseph Find out

{Room 1} 3:50min appx
[Mary, Joseph, Angel] (similar looking actors to final scene’s actors…)

Duel of Faiths [mime script]

Drama about community being the main attraction of church and the temptations of the wold drawing people away from church


(Quite, country background sounds play, soft church bell ringing.)

Good sets up a church, left side of stage (could be a small cardboard cutout)
Innocent walks on stage looking around as if wondering where they should go.
Good invites Innocent over to church. Innocent is weary but starts to move that way...

(Dramatic choir music begins [edited version of Duel of Fates])
Door opens, revealing a smokey scene.
Innocent and Good both look over curiously

(Second hit of choir singing seconds later)
Strobe light flashes in back room too

(Choir stops, orchestra starts)
Evil walks in a few paces, black attire. Cape?
Looks around audience a little, then locks gaze onto Innocent, who is just staring

(Choir starts again)
Good holds a medium size Magnet up, showing labels:
  • Music (top)
  • Bible study (bottom)


Pulls in Innocent a little


(choir starts again, higher)
Evil now holds up their larger magnet, showing :

  • Parties (top)
  • Sports (bottom)


Pulling Innocent their way now. 

Who's Leaving, What's Staying... [skit to anounce a departing leader from a club]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - November  23, 2019

Abbott: Well, it's that time of year where some new leaders will be joining our club, some leaders are staying, and sadly other leaders are leaving.

Costello: Hey, have you got a list of what each leader is doing?

Abbott: I certainly do.

Costello: Well, let's hear it, I really want to know which leaders are leaving so we can give them a gift.

Abbott: OK, I’ll tell you their names, but you need to know some of our leaders have some strange pet names, so let’s see:
[read slowly] Who’s leaving, What’s staying, and I Don’t Know is joining.

Blossom [mime script]

A beautiful, yet confronting, dancing mime about good and bad labels affecting women. This powerfully emotionally charged drama set to a harp and violin version of ‘Meditation’ by Massenet.(times listed below will vary per recording) eg youtube.com/watch?v=rNNphUmKiJw

The script is tightly synced with the music’s swells, with a trained, flowing dancer. The aim is to connect the audience to the woman, feel her pain, (some will even relate, while others will be made aware of women struggling through such things) and then feel her joy as she has victory over the depths of Satan’s evilness.

This woman is to be totally broken from these initial unfair and confronting words, to the point of despair, and then is ultimately built up from the depth of Satan’s lies and see the ultimate inspiring truth: she is a loved child of God, as is every member of the audience.

Tips For Remembering Lines

Well, you can Google for yourself methods of remembering lines, but let me share how we operate to perhaps ease any stress.

  1. Your words  
    Usually the lines in scripts are opened to some interpretation. While care was taken to get the words in the script right, generally they do not have to be stuck to word for word - as long as you keep the sentiment of the original lines and flow of the dialogue, all is fine. Adding jokes may or may not be appropriate, and some words may be written as critical references to other parts to the script, so always check first if you have changes in mind - it may add or detract from the message and you don't know it.

  2. Promptings
    There are ways you can hide scripts, or get promptings, during a presentation, but use it as security - not in replacement of learning lines. Just mention it to the director.
    Cards hidden, a computer screen facing you, someone sitting at the base of the stage to call out, an ear piece and someone prompting you (tricky, try it first) OR props written into the script that hide the script like a newspaper, or phone or inside a box.
    Just avoid reading out the lines while you act. See them, get prompted, and then look away and say them.

  3. Repetition
    Generally, repetition works. As hard as a script seems to begin with, put a bit of time in and you should start to find the words coming back to you.

  4. Sections
    Try learning little sections at a time well before moving on ot the whole script.

  5. Methods
    See if any of these work for you:
    -record the script audio and listening to it over and over.
    -draw the script in cartoon form so you can visualize where the dialogue is going.
    -filming it and watch it over and over
    -make sure you rehearse it with others, and while doing any required actions.

  6. It's not Shakespeare
    People do not know the script. So when things come out differently, or ad-libbing comes to the rescue, most of the time, no one watching ever knows! As long as you know where the drama is meant to head and what the ultimate message is just keep rolling.

Greedy-up [mime script]

A mime skit with balloons about greed and generosity

[Set to some fitting movie soundtrack music backing, like Indiana Jones's 'the snake pit']

Balloon-Creator pumps up balloons constantly, (8 in total on stage) not tying them off, just holding one once it’s pumped and waits, and hands it over each time someone approaches.

Gree-Dee, seeing the first balloon is ready, rushes to get the first balloon, and takes it.

Jen-Ross politely approached for the first balloon but missed and waits politely.

Gree-Dee snatches the second, third and fourth balloon as they are finished (before Jen-Ross can get their first balloon - reaching out politely each time to take it but missing out). Gree-Dee now has two balloons in each hand and looks smug.

Mostly Welcome [Church welcome about truth]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - September 28, 2019


Good morning everyone

We have an interesting topic for today’s sermon,

Actually could you please come up her sir, (organize someone who isn't the preacher to come up with Bible)

What is the title of the sermon today? (Mostly true)

That sounds interesting

And have you preached at Castle hill before? (No I haven’t)

Truthfully? You’ve never preached here before? (No)

Oh, well there you go. Thank you sir. Take a seat.

Well I very much look forward to today’s sermon today titled, what was it? (Mostly true)

Having been asked some time ago to welcome everyone this morning, I had enough time prepare something and run it by our legal team - because apparently I have said some things in previous welcome that are not considered, “traditional” to say during a welcome.

I know - I didn’t know what the church board was talking about either.

So here we go:

Hand Picked [Children's skit about God using 'ordinary' people]

 Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - September 14, 2019


A: Ok, line up, line up, everyone!

B: Oh, good. I see you have assembled the applicants for the next battle hero!

A: Yes, the finest in the land.

B: Who have we got?

A: Ok, well here’s the finest archer in the land: Ruth of Loxley.
Show us your shooting ability!
B: Nah, next.

A Father’s Shadow [Father's day skit on a dad's legacy/mentorship/influence]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - Aug 31, 2019

Two youths sit, scrolling through their phones (could have the script on it)
A is a modest, honest friend who's had a dad who had taught them a lot
B has a dad who hasn't taught them anything of note


B: Holidays hey, what should we do?

A: Do you want to go surfing?

B: You can surf?

A: Yeah, dad taught me.

B: Nah, can’t say I like the thought of going far out into the ocean.



A: Do you wanna come help me work on my go cart?

B: You’re a mechanic?

A: Not really, but dad taught me some stuff.

B: Oh. Well not really. All that motor stuff is a mystery to me.

Playing Through [A fun church children's story skit about golf, angels, Heaven and not giving up]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - Aug 10, 2019

[an angel, either in angel costume or golfing costume and with golf bag over shoulder, enters on the balcony]

Excuse me everybody, have any of you kids up here seen my golf ball?

Can you check under you seats please? Nope? I;m sure it should have landed around here somewhere. How about over here, can you check? No?

[looks over balcony edge]

Oh, maybe it’s down there, with all those animals. Kids, could you come down there with me and help me look for my ball? It's my favorite golf ball.

Mr Bean Resuscitates [A funny skit for a talent night]


Intro: "Can we get someone up here to adjust this mic up a bit, please?"

Verse 1 Start: Bean enters, with magazine, looking around for the music he strangely recognizes.

Verse 1 Halay: Singer waves Bean over, in time with "A-Lay-Loo-Yaas"

Chorus 1 Start: Gestures to Bean to adjust the mic up, does so but too high.

Chorus 1 Halay: Bean proud, until looks at Singer who stares at Bean unimpressed, and Bean sees problem, mildly upset at hassle and stupidity of the singer.

Verse 2 Start: Loosens, ready to adjusts down.

Verse 2 Halay: On second YAAA whacks microphone on singer's head. 'THUMP' and singer falls to ground unconscious

Everest [A fun 6 Act drama series for school week of worship]

Key Cast:

Oli - Optimist. A natural leader and optimist, he comes up with ideas and takes his friends with him on all sorts of adventures, when the going gets tough – Oli gets going.

Emma - Emma is the friend who everyone loves, kind hearted and always checking in to see how people are going. When someone is upset – they know they can come to Emma.

Fiona - Fiona can be a little shy, but she’s a great friend. She’s keen to give any adventure a try and she’s great with team work.

Steve - A Sherpa. He spends most of his days either climbing dangerous mountain sides with other people’s gear in his backpack, the other days, he hangs out a base camp with a nice warm cuppa.

Josie - Joker. Always cracking jokes and looking for something to have a laugh about, she’s a good girl at heart..

Bryan - Brains. If something is broken, or needing to be solved, Bryan is your man. Bryan is the friend who everyone goes to for answers – smart, quick, and witty.

Sherp - No one quite knows Sherp’s real name. We call call him Sherp. Sherp is a Sherpa who was born at base camp, grew up on the mountain and knows it like the back of his hand.. he can be a little pessimistic though

Image of God [A fun church children's story about God's power and being created in His image]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - June 15, 2019


Who here has herd of the story of creation?

In Genesis it it talks about God creating the heavens and the earth in how many days?

ONLY 6!!! How amazing is that!

On the first day, what did God create? (Light)

How did the create it? (Speaking)

Can anyone here make light by speaking? Stand up and show us.

Small Parts [Church children's story about everyone's talents being valuable]


Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - May 18, 2019

Before we start I have something I need you all to remember. When you hear the triangle, that means it’s time to go back to your seats.

When a band or an orchestra is playing which part do you think is most import?
Usually whoever has the solo or is playing the melody at the time. So it who’s most important can change throughout a song.

But while the melody probably has the most important part of a song, it doesn't mean the other parts are not important. Without the other parts music just isn’t as good as when everyone does their little bit to add to the music.

Let the adults come unto me [Children's skit reversing the roles of kids and adults in the Bible story]


Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - May 18, 2019

[Children actors speak and act out all parts, except the 'adults' mentioned in the story]

Narrator: One day Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and a large crowd followed Him. They followed him everywhere because they saw him healing the sick and never knew what amazing thing he’d do next. Jesus went up on a mountain side and He sat down with His disciples. Jesus saw that a large crowd was coming to Him and he said to Philip

Jesus: Go and get some bread, so that everyone may eat

Narrator: But Philip answered Him

Philip: Twenty thousand dollars worth of bread would not be enough for everyone here to even receive even a crouton each!

Narrator: Then Andrew, another of Jesus’ disciples, said to Jesus

Andrew: There is an old man here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but that is all we have a obviously isn’t enough to feed so many people.

Handling Hypocrites [Skit modernising the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector]


Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - May 18, 2019
- Based on Luke 18:9-14 - Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector

[Philip, A very formally dressed man comes in, and speaks poshly, Tanner, a shabbily dressed bikey is in their view]

Philip: Oh, my lordy! Who is that man? What is he doing in here? Is he lost, or come in here to cause trouble? Where are those deacons when you need them. I hope they're not scratching my Volvo while moving those visitor parking signs which were in my spot. I hope they come and remove that man before I give my big offering today. I wouldn't want him stealing it as it passes by him.
What's with that scribbling all over his arms. Tattoos should not be allowed in the sanctuary. Mark of the beast, indeed. You won't find a tattoo on me, except for the name of the Lord on my heart.

Presence for Mothers [Mother's day children's story]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - May 11, 2019

I’d like only the children who have ever had a mummy to come down the front please.

( while waiting: Who in the audience has ever had a mother? A grandmother? Great grandmother... related to Eve?)

Who here has, or has had a mum?

Have any of you ever made something for your mum for Mother’s Day?

Did it have hearts on it?

Why did you put hearts on your present?

If you had all the money in the world - what would you give your mum for Mother’s Day?

That's Not The Reason [Mother's day skit]


Performance: Castle Hill Adventurers - May 4, 2019

Narrator: Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to “ancient mysteries solved” - where we answer life's most difficult questions.
We trust you enjoyed our previous lessons on where missing socks go, and how you can convince them to return home.
Today we will explain an ancient mystery to do with Mothers. That is:
Have you ever wondered why mothers get breakfast in bed, and hugs and flowers and cards and crafts with love hearts on them on Mother’s day? Well, we have the answer.
You may think it’s because they spend nine months carrying a bowling ball in their tummy.

Mum: Oh my back!

Narrator: But that’s not the reason.
Often during pregnancy the mother to be can feel quite sick

Mum: Stand back everyone!! SPEW!

I Am [7 act skit series on Jesus' 'I Am' statements]

  1. I am the true vine – John 15:1-5
  2. I am the bread of life – John 6:35
  3. I am the light of the world – John 8:12, 9:5
  4. I am the gate – John 10:7
  5. I am the good shepherd – John 10:11-14
  6. I am the resurrection and the life – John 11:25
  7. I am the way the truth and the life – John 14:6
Each skit:

Two people sitting around at a retirement home, one with a newspaper (N), the other a Bible (B), with scripts on them if acting live.
Slow to speak and even slower to reply to each other for effect there could be a literal 4-5 second gap between lines as the elderly process the thought and come up with a response. Make the skit about 5 mins
Can be live or pre-recorded - Can be same or different couples - Can be any combination of genders


THE VINE


(video intro)

B: Hey [insert elderly person name]

[remember 4-5 second delay for slow thinking EVERY time...]

N: Yeah?

B: Wha-da-ya-reckon Jesus meant when He said ‘I am the true vine’?

N: Dunno.... You sure it says ‘Vine’?

B: Yeah, I am the true vine.

N: Where’s it say that?

B: In John... chapter 15.... verse 1

N: Maybe he was pointing out that he had skinny legs, like a grape vine?

N: Or maybe his skin was flaky like the bark of a grape vine... and was encouraging people to moisturise?

What a Friend [Church welcome]


Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - April 6, 2019


[What a friend we have in Jesus is sung by the church first]

What a friend we have in Jesus.

Who here IS a friend of Jesus?

I see a few of you didn’t put up your hands. You’re probably like me:

I’m keen to be a friend of Jesus, but when I went looking, I couldn’t find His Facebook account to friend him. Not an official account anyway so maybe he doesn’t really have an account.

If Jesus were on Facebook, do you think he would send a friend request to EVERYONE in the world? It’s then just up to us to accept his friend request. And we can invite others to be his friend too. Share his posts.

Safe Seats [Church welcome]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - May 18, 2019

Welcome to castle hill seventh day Adventist Church this morning.

If you’re a regular attender here, you’re probably all settled in your usual seating area by now. However...

If you’re a visitor it can be hard to know where to sit.

You know when you visit a new city and you don’t know where all the unsafe areas are.

Well, if this is your first time here you can’t possibly know where all the badly behaved people are sitting in our congregation. So I’m going to help you by holding a little survey and you can take notes.

Tips for dealing with nerves for Christian actors and performers

Be it acting, performing a musical item, taking the sermon or even giving the scripture reading, nerves can strike for many (most) when 'up the front' at church. These four tips are what calms me down and refocuses me.
  1. It's not about you!
    The first, and biggest, thing to remember for church dramas, or any on-stage activity at church, is that the performance isn't about the performer.
    Each drama is performed for the sole purpose of communicating a message that ties in with the day's theme. It's ALL about the message of the day and, ultimately, for God's glory - not yours.
    It's never about how well it's performed or in efforts to gain personal accolade or to further a career. While we want to perform our best to aid the communication of the message, it's ultimately all for the glory of God, not our own. Perhaps God's the one who should be nervous???
    So If you're nervous about how 'you'll look/perform', don't be, it's not about you!

  2. God on your side
    While we do our best to deliver a polished performance, and may often feel inadequate in their skills or rehearsal time, I believe God steps in with at least FOUR ways to help out where needed.

    -1. God assists the performer in their presentation, and if God thinks the act is needed to succeed - then it will succeed. I believe God wants us to communicate well and will assist us where needed if we dedicate our work to His glory. If we all do our earnest best in all the aspects of the presentation we are responsible for, and for the right motives, that's all we can do, and God will do the rest.

    -2. God can prompt the audience's minds with the individual message they should gain from what they see and hear. God can step in and even tailor different specific messages for different people watching the same presentation. So what might come out one way in a drama, the audience here's something different.

    -3. Errors can lead to better memorable experiences and ultimately stronger communication of a drama. So if things go wrong, don't assume it was a failure - it might be what was needed for a purpose beyond our knowledge and logic. See, a singer friend of mine, nervous as ever, had their backing track cut out half way through and they ended up finishing off the song a cappella - disaster? NO, it turned into a wondrously special moment that moved the audience more than planned.

    -4. God assists in casting too. I have seen this many times. So you have been called for this moment. (Don't be like Jonah.)

  3. Audience on your side
    The Audience want you to succeed, and will feel hurt, not rejoice, if you ever found yourself an a seemly embarrassing situation. In fact, if ever things did start to unravel, I guarantee there will be some who immediately start praying for you! (How neat is that!)
    The audience aren't (usually) paying customers, they're praying customers! The audience actually appreciates your willingness to step up, while many won't, and are your supporters.
    Don't be afraid of the audience.

  4. The Prayer
    When your heart starts thumping out of your chest as 'go time' arrives, THIS is the prayer:

    "Lord, thanks for this opportunity to share a message for YOU.
    This is ALL about you.
    Help me reach at least one person with the message you want them to hear.
    For your glory Lord, not mine."
    (I usually condense to just that last line, sometimes over and over...)
"For your glory Lord, not mine."

Cool Welcome [Church welcome for a hot day]

Performance: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - May 18, 2019

Welcome everyone to greatest church service you’ll ever attend... This morning.

Traditionally we like to give a warm welcomes here - But because we've had such a hot week, today I’ll be giving a cool welcome.

[tires to look cool and says, "eyy"]

and an extra cool welcome to the visitors here this morning

[tires to look even cooler and says in a deep voice, "How you doing..."]

Seriously, it’s our prayer you feel the love of God this morning.

I could go on, but I’d over stay my welcome!

Happy sabbath to you all. Enjoy the ride with us today.

COPYRIGHT

All items on this site are written by Scott Wegener, a multi award-winning Australian creative writer, specialising in fun Christian dramas and articles. He believes in looking on the lighter side of life while still valuing the eternal seriousness of life's decisions. This site is essentially a place Scott stores his works, sometimes without much copy-editing (do forgive any spelling/grammar creativity you spot on this site that comes free of charge due to his slight dyslexia).

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