Actors: 2 M/F
Summary: Do we worship with one eye on the clock? Do we go through the motions? Are we really drawing close to God? We need to worship in Spirit and in Truth, opening ourselves up to God. It’s not just a sing-song. Works best when performed early in a meeting to challenge us to approach our worship in a spiritual rather than procedural way, or as part of a discussion/workshop on worship. Keywords: Worship Characters
Two male/female
Script
(Scene: Heaven. Music/singing – repeating Hallelujah. A chosen simple chant-like melody should be continued quietly (ideally a choir setting on a keyboard, for example) throughout.. Two members (Amy and Ruth) of the assembled throng are joining in the song of the angels. Ruth holds hands out open at waist height, head tilted looking slightly up, eyes closed, clearly (but quietly) lost in worship. Amy hands by side, looking around. Amy is irritable but not aggressive. Ruth is patient and solicitous throughout.)
A and R together: [singing] Hallelujah, hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah…..
Amy: [Looks sideways at Ruth] Excuse me.
Ruth: [Disturbed/surprised at the interruption] Er….yes?
Amy: [Conspiratorially] How long does this go on for?
Ruth: I’m sorry?
Amy: How long do we keep singing “Hallelujah”?
Ruth: (Clearly taken aback) Er, well…. for eternity, I suppose
Amy: What?! What happened to keeping services to one hour. I’ve got things to do, people to see.
Ruth: Well, this isn’t exactly a service – this is heaven, you know.
Amy: That’s as may be, but…well actually I could do with a…um…well, a [slowly and quietly] natural break.
Ruth: But you shouldn’t need one here. You’ve got your new heavenly and perfect body.
Amy: [Thinks, as if listening for something] Actually, you’re right, I don’t. Huh, force of habit, I suppose. Well, do we at least move onto another song, then? I mean it gets a bit repetitive, don’t you think? We could at the very least move onto another word!
Ruth: But we’re praising the Almighty Creator in the new Jerusalem. We’re meant to be worshipping with our whole heart and spirit – words don’t really matter.
Amy: Well, the Almighty Creator blessed us with a rich vocabulary. I don’t see why we shouldn’t use it.
Ruth: I don’t think you’ve quite got the hang of this yet, have you?
Amy: Look, I am a life-long worshipper you know, and this heaven stuff is great, it’s just that…. well, to tell you the truth…..I’m a bit bored, and I really miss the television.
Ruth: [Incredulous] What?
Amy: I used to watch it all the time – antiques in your garden, bargain house style invaders, cookety-cook-cook-chef. Doesn’t seem to be any telly up here at all. You’d think here of all places we’d at least be able to pick up Sky !
Ruth: Look, I know you’re new and all that, but…..
Amy: [Cranes neck to look at something in near distance] Hey, what’s that commotion over there?
Ruth: [Follows Amy’s gaze] Oh, I think that’s Jesus.
Amy: What… the Jesus?
Ruth: [Long suffering] Well, it is heaven, you know.
Amy: [suddenly panicking] Look out, he’s coming this way.
[hurriedly throws both hands ostentatiously high and wide and starts singing Hallelujah with great gusto, eyes closed. After a few Hallelujahs, opens one eye and looks around] [aside to Ruth] Has he gone yet?
Ruth: [Bewildered, but patient] You go from one extreme to the other. It’s not
about appearances. God knows what’s in your heart. He wants us to worship him in spirit and in truth, to open our hearts to him and let his Holy Spirit in.
Amy: [Falteringly] Oh, I never went in for all that spiritual stuff [looks distracted, moved]
[Music swells]
Ruth: Well, look, maybe now is a good time to try. You see when we come before God….. [Looks at Amy, who is sinking slowly to knees. When kneeling, Amy then stretches out arms in front and bows to the floor]
[Crouches down and touches Amy on back. Looks up as if hearing a voice] Sorry, Lord? My friend? Oh yes, I think s/he’s alright. [Slowly] I think s/he’s just coming to really understand the power of worship – at last. [Pause] Yes, I’m sure s/he’ll be just fine. Thank you, Lord.
EXEUNT
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© Ian Wishart 2007, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
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: