Christmas Plays for Small Churches

Christmas Plays for Small Churches
Author: David Christine
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 150
Release: 2016-09-28
Genre:
ISBN: 9781539140108

Who said small churches cannot produce quality, thought provoking Christmas programs? If you are looking for Christmas programs with a real Christian message that are designed for small stages, then this book is for you. These plays truly fit all size churches and are written in such a way as to minimize rehearsals and memorization. The book contains five plays: - "The Nativity" utilizes a liturgical format and focuses on worshiping Christ. This play works well even in churches which do not normally use formal liturgy. - "What Child is This?" is humorous yet has a strong evangelistic message. - "It's the Gift that Counts" presents an emotional presentation of the Gospel. The Christmas story is told utilizing both traditional and non-traditional Bible passages focusing on finding God's greatest gift to us. - "An Interview with Scrooge" is a hilarious play that will not only cause your audience to laugh out loud, it will challenge the audience to examine the difference between true Christianity and rote religion. - "The Christmas Surprise" is even funnier than "An Interview with Scrooge." The beauty of this play is that you cannot rehearse it. The pastor should go out of his way to advertise this play and when people ask, "who is in it and when is the rehearsal," he just replies by saying, "it's a surprise." This play seems to be random, but it has a very poignant message challenging the audience to answer God's call (be it for salvation or Christian service). In addition to the five plays, there is an interactive Church Christmas Decoration Service that can become a new Christmas tradition for those churches who do not celebrate Advent services. Also included is a chapter with helps and hints for small churches which include: - Stage Directions - Hints for Working in Small Churches - Hints for Working with Amateur Actors - Hints for Keeping the Play Moving, and - Keeping Christ in Christmas. "Remember the Reason for the Season" is not an add on cliche for these plays; Christ and the Gospel are the foundation these plays are built upon.

No Stable Too Small

No Stable Too Small
Author: Lois Anne DeLong
Publisher:
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2006-01-01
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 9780788024085

Here's a collection of humorous, down-to-earth plays that bring a fresh perspective to the Christmas story through such creative devices as imagining the thoughts and feelings of fringe characters (like an innkeeper or a servant to one of the magi) or by updating the story with contemporary settings and characters. No Stable Too Small offers a variety of practical material for any situation, ranging from shorter plays with small casts and lines that can be easily mastered by younger children to more elaborate pieces with sophisticated themes for older children and adults. And they're ideal for use with today's young people -- the dialogue reflects the way they really talk, yet never detracts from the biblical message. These flexible scenes offer a mix of speaking parts for all age groups, from preschool through adult, and are especially valuable for small congregations that lack the resources to mount large-scale productions. No sets are required, and only simple costumes and minimal props are needed. The plays can be performed by smaller churches with as few as 8-10 cast members, or parts can be easily divided to accommodate groups as large as 25-30. And with a running time of approximately 20-25 minutes each, it's easy to fit them within a Christmas Eve or Advent Sunday worship service. Some of the charming presentations include: * Love Finds a Way * It Wasn't the Hilton, You Know * Christmas Eve at Angel School * Because God Said So, That's Why * No Small Parts * "Unto Us a Child Is Born..". Next on Omar * Miracles? No Problem! ...and eight more! Lois Anne DeLong is currently a freelance writer and editor in Bay Shore, New York. She previously served 25 years in public relations, publishing, and marketing for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. A graduate of New York University, DeLong is an active member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, New York. Barbara Anne Antonucci was born and raised in Brentwood, New York, and is a lifelong member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church. A graduate of St. Joseph's College, Antonucci now resides in Monroe, North Carolina.

One Rehearsal Christmas Plays

One Rehearsal Christmas Plays
Author: Kendra Smiley
Publisher: David C Cook
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2004
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 9780781441209

One Rehearsal Christmas Plays is the answer to gaining an extra hour or two, feeling less harried and focusing on Christ while directing the church Christmas program! With One Rehearsal Christmas Plays, your Sunday school department will encourage, entertain, and enlighten the congregation as they follow the "Footsteps to the Manager" or as they present a slightly altered version of "T'was the Night before Christmas." One Rehearsal Christmas Plays features these productions and ten others with a Scriptural message and minimal preparation! Completely Reproducible!

No Time for Christmas

No Time for Christmas
Author: Valerie Howard
Publisher:
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2014-09-08
Genre:
ISBN: 9781501053269

PJ and his friends are learning that Christmas can be busy. But what happens when they get too busy to celebrate the real reason for the season? Find out in this fun, easy-to-produce play for any size church!Approx. 25 minutes running time.

The Christmas Stranger

The Christmas Stranger
Author: Charles Byrd
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1992
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 9781556734533

A Christmas play with a surprise ending! The church youth group and adult leaders prepare to practice for a Christmas program. They anticipate a visit by the church's new custodian, who will clean and lock up the building. A visitor arrives, who all believe to be the custodian. The visitor begins to help with the rehearsal. With his help, the real meaning of Christmas is clearly revealed to all. The stranger leaves. To the surprise of the cast (but not the audience) the "real" custodian finally arrives. The cast ponders: "Who was that visitor?" This simple play is easily adaptable for any size group. No special props are rquired other than a lectern and a Bible. Charles Byrd, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a United Methodist minister who has served as pastor, teacher, counselor, and staff member of the The United Methodist Publishing House. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Duke Divinity School.

Breakdown on Bethlehem Street: A Christmas Play

Breakdown on Bethlehem Street: A Christmas Play
Author: Frank Ramirez
Publisher: CSS Publishing Company
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2012-09-01
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 9780788026409

Imagine that it's Christmas Eve and you're on your way to the store before the annual candlelight service. Suddenly you find yourself transported back in time to the night of the birth of the Messiah! The places you're used to seeing are all gone; the usual trappings of modern society don't work. And, to top it off, you're placed in a situation where you have to help a young couple deal with having a baby -- with no hospital! Yikes! This imaginative chancel drama for Advent or Christmas will make the members of your congregation think about the night of Jesus' birth in a new way. A variety of ages can be used in the production from young children to older adults. The dialogue can be easily modified with local references. Suggested readings and music are included for use between scenes for additional congregational involvement. Frank Ramirez is the pastor of Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez is the author of numerous books, articles, and short stories. Frank has been a long-time writer for CSS' online subscription "StoryShare." His CSS titles include "Gabriel's Horn, The Christmas Star," "The Bee Attitudes," "Partners in Healing," " He Took a Towel," "Coming Home," "Lectionary Worship Aids "series, " "and "A Call to Worship."

Christmas Plays for Churches

Christmas Plays for Churches
Author: Lydia Sweet
Publisher:
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2020-10-29
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781716487828

A collection of 15 fun, Christmas-themed, Christian plays and sketches for use in church or Christian kids clubs and youth groups. Whether you have fifty ten year-olds, or three teenagers to accommodate, there should be a play for you in this collection. The message is kept clear and simple, so that everyone, even the parent who has never been to church in their life, can take home at least one easy message, which we hope could be a life-changing one.

A "Beastly" Christmas

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Author: John O Eby
Publisher: CSS Publishing
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2005-06-10
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 0788023829

Centering around the theme of the familiar song "The Friendly Beasts," this intriguing program depicts what the animals who witnessed Jesus' birth might really have been thinking -- if they had human minds. There's humorous interplay among camels, sheep, cows, and the donkey that carried the pregnant Mary as they share their unique perspective on the nativity. This complete presentation allows many different parts of the congregation to participate; speaking roles can be performed in a readers' theater format by adults or youth, young children can portray the humans at the manger in a silent tableau, and musical selections allow the choir to be involved, as well. This adaptable drama can be used not only in church settings, but also in schools or for children's programs. As an added feature, customers with PowerPoint and broadband capability may obtain access to a downloadable PowerPoint presentation to accompany the drama at (http: //www.csspub.com/BeastlyChristmas/). A companion coloring book for young children, based on the imagery in the PowerPoint file, is also available in packages of five. John O. Eby has been an ordained pastor for four decades, serving several Baptist congregations in California. He is currently the pastor of First Baptist Church in Porterville, California. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and American Baptist Seminary of the West, Eby is the author of more than 30 skits and plays. Natividad Briones is a member of the worship team at First Baptist Church in Porterville, California. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and merchant marine, Briones began drawing caricatures of fellow sailors. He subsequently did freelance cartooning, and he had prepared composite sketches for the Los Angeles Police Department and the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

Signs of Christmas

Signs of Christmas
Author:
Publisher: Lillenas Publishing Company
Total Pages:
Release: 2004-03-23
Genre:
ISBN: 9780834180376