Pentecost

 This is an idea for Pentecost,  from a previous drama of mine called Ten Striving Christians (available for download free by clicking onto drama, then onto ‘Ready, Steady, Act Now’) The text has been altered to make it suitable for the  Pentecost theme.

Acts 2. 1-21

What if the 120 disciples had decided not to hang around waiting for the Holy Spirit to arrive in the upper room?

Where would that leave us today?

Narrator is in the pulpit.  Twelve Christians are together in what appears to be a waiting room. They all give the impression they are waiting. They all seem a little impatient; some are sitting,  some pacing the floor, some reading magazines.  All exit one by one after they have said their lines.

DIRECTOR: (Holds black and white clipboard, and uses it each time he says ‘Cut’)  Cut! I KNOW you’ve been waiting for some time, but you were told to stay here and wait and pray for the Holy Spirit to come, so don’t look quite so tense, just relax. Let’s go through it one more time, before the Holy Spirit arrives. Good! Action!

Narrator:            One hundred and twenty prayerful Christians …

DIRECTOR: CUT, Oh for goodness sake, we haven’t got time for 120, make it twelve!  From the top! Action!

Narrator:     Twelve prayerful Christians in an upper room,

                    decided they could wait no more, their hearts were full of gloom…

Number 12: Right that’s it, (looks at watch) the match kicks off soon!

Number 11: Which match is that like?

Number 12: Jerusalem versus Jericho

Number 11: Wow, can’t miss that, let’s go

Number 10: Me too! (they ALL exit)

Narrator:  Nine prayerful Christians decided not to wait, this one couldn’t give his/her all, at least not without his/her mates.

Number 9:  I was just here because of them, now they’ve gone, I’m not hanging around (Exits).

Narrator:  Eight prayerful Christians,

               their minds so full of heaven,

               that one became no earthly good,

               and then there were seven.

Number 8:       People need to know NOW about redemption and the salvivic context of atonement, justification by faith and the eschatological dimension of Christology, this is fundamental.  I must go immediately, and give my message to the world.(exits)

  (one of them walks over and  puts on the CD player and turns some music on)

Narrator:            Seven prayerful Christians began to dance and sing, one really didn’t want to know, it just was not her thing.

             (at the sound of lively music, the disciples begin to dance)

Number 7: I can’t stand all this emotion, happy clappy, mass hysteria, I’m off.  Dancing, what next? (Exits) music is turned  off)

Narrator:            Six prayerful Christians thought it all a bore,

                        one of them, a “know it all”   had heard it all before.

Number 6:       We tried all this before and it didn’t take off then, so why bother?  (Exits)

Narrator:            Five prayerful Christians began to pace the floor, one had an urgent meeting so s/he headed for the door.

Number 5:       Well I really can’t afford any more time.  I’ve got the Deanery meeting tomorrow and the E.C.C. the next night; our social committee meets over the weekend to discuss the Garden Party, I’ve got house groups, prayer groups, bible studies to go to this week. I certainly haven’t got the time to just hang around. (Exits) I’ve got the family to fit in, my sick mother, the shopping, the ironing, the cooking, pick the children up from school etc.,

                      …(voice fades)

Narrator:            Four prayerful Christians as bold as bold could be, till one began to get cold feet, and that left only three.

Number 4:        I’m afraid of where all this will take me! What will  it lead to?

                         I don’t really want to get involved.(Exits)

Narrator:            Three prayerful Christians wondering what to do, one was missing “Neighbours”*, (*or any other TV programmeso excused herself and flew.

Number 3:(Picks up What’s on TV magazine, looks at watch)

               You might well laugh, but would you miss it? (hurries out)

Narrator:            Just two prayerful Christians,   all the rest had gone,

          one felt she wasn’t good enough, that left only one.

Number 2:       I’m just not worthy for the task ahead, I will never be good enough at anything.  How can God do anything through me?  (Exits)

Narrator:  One striving Christian called to witness in the Forum,

               decided not to hang around,  supposin’ someone saw him!

 (Collar up, slides away)

Director:  CUT!  That’s a take. (The Holy Spirit rushes in dressed in white flowing garments, carrying fiery cheer leader sticks; looks around with disappointed eyes) And who are you?

Holy Spirit: I’m the Holy Spirit

Director: Sorry love, they’ve all gone, play’s over. (Holy Spirit walks out sadly)

Narrator:: We’ve a world in desperate need out there, so great the need to pray…

               Will you listen to His Spirit, let him guide you day by day?