Scripture Reference: 1Corinthians 11:17-34
Cast:
MELISSA – cannot
stop talking and fidgeting during Communion.
COREY
– clowns around during Communion trying to make MELISSA laugh.
HANNAH
– knows the proper way to celebrate Communion.
NARRATOR
– controls and comments on the action.
ALEX – usher serving Communion; not
impressed with MELISSA and COREY's antics.
Props:
Communion
elements
(Scene opens with MELISSA, COREY, and HANNAH
sitting as if in church facing the audience.
MELISSA and COREY can be seen
playing around and talking, but we cannot hear them. HANNAH is sitting quietly. The NARRATOR stands behind them.)
NARRATOR: Presented for you consideration. Three young people preparing to celebrate
Communion: the Talker, the Clown, and
the Worshipper. Let's see how each takes
the Communion bread.
(MELISSA and COREY are so busy talking that MELISSA does not
notice ALEX trying to serve the bread.
Finally, ALEX nudges MELISSA who takes the tray. MELISSA picks through the tray to find just
the right piece. She finally takes one
and passes the tray to COREY. MELISSA
fiddles with her bread, passing it from one hand to the other.
COREY takes one, tosses it the air, and tries to
catch it in his mouth. He then takes
another and tries it again. After
several attempts, COREY sees the dirty looks from HANNAH and ALEX. COREY takes one and passes on the tray to
HANNAH. COREY sticks the bread in his
pocket.
HANNAH takes a piece, hands the tray to
ALEX, and sits quietly holding the bread in her closed hand.
MELISSA eats her bread.
MELISSA and COREY start talking again while HANNAH sits quietly.)
NARRATOR: So kids, who did the bread correctly? (Wait
for responses.)
(Standing behind MELISSA.) Who are we suppose to pay attention to during
Communion? (The pastor.) Do we touch all
the bread before taking a piece? (No.)
(Standing behind COREY.) Are we suppose to play with the bread? (No.) What are we suppose to do with the
bread? (Hold it in our hand.)
(Standing behind HANNAH.) We are suppose to pay attention to the pastor
and be ready to take the tray when it is handed to us. We don't play with the bread. We hold it in our hand and wait for the
pastor to say that we can eat it. (Looks at MELISSA, who looks sheepish.)
After
the pastor says they can eat the bread (HANNAH
eats the bread)… (Looking at COREY,) AFTER THE PASTOR SAYS
THEY CAN EAT THE BREAD… (Startled, COREY removes the bread from his
pocket and eats it.) After the
pastor says they can eat the bread, the juice is served.
(MELISSA and COREY are so busy talking again, that MELISSA doesn't
notice ALEX standing next to her with the juice. ALEX finally has to nudge her. MELISSA takes a very long time trying to pick
just the right cup. She finally picks
one, takes the tray, and pass it to COREY.
MELISSA holds her cup in the air looking at the light through the cup.
COREY nearly spills the tray trying to
balance it while finding the cup he wants.
COREY then holds the tray for HANNAH but keeps moving it as she tries to
take a cup. COREY sees the dirty looks
from HANNAH and COREY then finally holds the tray still for her to take a
cup. COREY and MELISSA start comparing
notes on their juice.
HANNAH pass the tray
to ALEX then sits quietly holding her cup.)
NARRATOR: So kids, who did the juice correctly? (Wait
for responses.)
(Standing behind MELISSA.) Are we suppose to be talking to our friends
during Communion? (No.) Is there any difference
between the cups? (No.) No, just take one.
(Standing behind COREY.) Grownups can usually handle holding the tray
and taking a cup. It is a good idea to let an adult hold the tray for
you and pass it on.
(Standing behind
HANNAH.) We are suppose to be quiet
and be ready to pick a cup of juice when it comes to us. Just take one, they are all the same. We hold the cup in our hand and wait for the
pastor to say that we drink it.
The pastor then says they can drink the juice (MELISSA and HANNAH drink the juice – MELISSA
tosses her cup over her shoulder; HANNAH holds her cup)… (Looking
at COREY,) THE PASTOR THEN SAYS THEY CAN DRINK THE JUICE… (Startled,
COREY holds the cup with his lips and throws his head back to drink the
juice. MELISSA laugh then notices that
no one else is laughing. She faces
forward and looks serious. COREY cracks
the cup in his mouth then takes it out.
HANNAH rolls her eyes.)
(Standing behind MELISSA.) What are we suppose to do when we are through
drinking the juice? (Hold on to it.)
(Standing behind COREY. Pauses.
Looks down at COREY. Shakes his
head and rolls eyes.) Don't even
think about it.
(Standing behind HANNAH.) We are suppose to hold our cup until everyone
is finished. We then pass the cups to
the center aisle where the usher will pick it up. (MELISSA
crawls on the floor to retrieve her cup and passes it to COREY. COREY puts is crushed cup in MELISSA's and
passes it to HANNAH. HANNAH stacks her
cup and passes them to ALEX.)
NARRATOR: Communion is suppose to be a
celebration. We are suppose to be joyful
as we reflect on the awesome gift of God's grace. But it is also a serious time as we reflect
on Jesus' sacrifice. That means we can
be happy – we can be very happy – but
we don't play around. If we'll all do
that, Communion will be more enjoyable and meaningful for you and those around
you.
Let's give a hand to Melissa, Corey, and Hannah for all
their help.
