Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: forgery, counterfeit, copy, sham, fraud, hoax, imitation, mock-up, dummy, reproduction, lookalike, likeness, charlatan, quack, mountebank, humbug, impostor, pretender, masquerader, hoodwinker, hoaxer, cheat, cheater, deceiver, dissembler, trickster, confidence trickster, fraudster, forged, fraudulent, false, bogus, spurious, pseudo, artificial, synthetic, simulated, replica, ersatz, plastic, man-made, mock, so-called, feigned, faked, put-on, assumed, improvised, invented, affected, insincere, unconvincing, forge, falsify, feign, mock up, reproduce, replicate, pretend, simulate, put on, make-believe, affect

Antonyms: genuine, authentic, true, real, sincere, honest, actual, legitimate, veritable, natural, heartfelt, candid, bona fide, frank, truthful, unfeigned, straightforward, unaffected, valid, factual, original, open, literal, artless, pure, proper

Showing 1 to 25 of 278 results

1. A LITURGICAL DRAMA FOR PENTECOST

Drama

Tom Eberle

... the tune of Jesus Shall Reign) Act of Confession [The three voices are seated at various positions in the congregation.] Voice 2: I could tell you about this child I know. He is not out of the ordinary - growing up in a world of make-believe, pretending to be famous persons. This child believed in a world of angels and demons, mysteries and miracles. Going the way of many children, he learned the scientific names of mysteries, and the complex explanations of miracles. Becoming an adult, this person decided ...

2. Stilling The Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... : Every one of us is vulnerable. Even so, God meets us where we are and offers strength. We disciples see Jesus as our protector. We also protect him when he tires. Sharp as he was with us, Jesus did quiet the storm. Asker: This was not make-believe or exaggeration of reality. You were in danger on those waves. What about your waking Jesus and saying, "Teacher, don't you care that we are perishing?" Disciple: I look back now and wonder at my self-protecting words. Here we were Jesus' protectors, and we ...

3. Eternal Echo Of Easter - Part 2

Matthew 28:1-10

Drama

Esther R. Russ

... spotlight should be positioned so that it lights up the greatest part of the stage. We found that it was adequate for all the narrations and the lengthy readings of the two Marys, and far more comfortable! MAKING BELIEVABLE COSTUMES The Women Two possibilities exist for making believable costumes: (1) draping with five or six yards of material over an undergarment; (2) utilizing a main garment with a contrasting colored cumberbund and headcover. Draping Approximately five to six yards of 36-inch or 45-inch ...

4. Peace Please

Drama

Dave Marsh

... stay calm. Stay calm! I’M NOT STAYING CALM! We’ll move! We’ll move to the outback somewhere where there are no boys! We’ll be hermits or monks or something! Kaitlin: (enters) Daddy? Dave: (looks up) Oh… hi honey. Daddy’s just playing make believe. Heh heh. What’s up, honey? Kaitlin: Daddy, do you remember the big screen TV? Dave: (holding it back) What do you mean “Remember” honey? Kaitlin: Well, there was an accident. Dave: (forcing a smile) An accident? Kaitlin: It’s not so big anymore ...

5. The Elevator

Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... anything. NANCY: (GETTING A BIT SCARED) Are you sure? SAM: Sure, I'm sure. That's just in the movies ... and then Charlton Heston comes to rescue us ... NANCY: But they always die in those movies. SAM: That's just the point. It's just the movies. It's just make-believe. NANCY: We couldn't die? SAM: Not really. They'll get it fixed in a few minutes. NANCY: I hope so. I'll admit it, I'm scared. (ELEVATOR LURCHES) Sam, I am scared, now. Definitely scared. SAM: (SHOWING NO COMFORT TO NANCY) It's all right. I'll ...

6. WE ARE THE BELIEVERS: TESTIMONIES

Drama

Marcia Miller

As the lights come up, the characters who participate are seen with their backs to the audience. The first speaker turns to the audience and begins to speak. The next speaker turns toward the first speaker, begins, and then directs his speech to the audience. This same technique should be followed throughout the remaining testimonies. If possible, the speakers should be standing on different levels. If this isn’t feasible, the characters should be in a staggered line with, perhaps, one sitting on the floor ...

7. Making A Christian

Mark 1:9-13, Mark 1:1-8

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Depending on the leading of the Holy Spirit is better than some pattern. Summary: Sam is telling Bill how to evangelize and forces him to do some unnatural things. Amazingly there is some fruit. Playing Time: 4 minutes Setting: Anywhere Props: None Costumes: Contemporary, casual Time: The present Cast: Sam Bill Will SAM: (SAM AND BILL ENTER) Are you a Christian? BILL: Yes. I am. SAM: Get anybody born again yet? BILL: Well, no. I haven't. I'm not so good ... SAM: Not so good at that, are you? BILL: ...

8. The Women

John 20:1-9

Drama

William Grimbol

Setting: Five women gathered in a courtyard garden for conversation Time: Christ's ministry Characters: Shirlee Diane Nancy Carol Karen Patti SHIRLEE: Nonsense! DIANE: Quit acting as though you are the only intelligent person present (Pause) ... please. SHIRLEE: Oh, good grief, don't be so offended, but really, miracles? Every year there is some new magician, some new mystic, some awesome miracle worker. (Standing, assuming a mocking tone.) I will make the blind see. I will make the deaf hear. I will ...

9. A SUNDAY OF THE PASSION [PALM SUNDAY] SERMON-DRAMA

Drama

Tom Eberle

The Sunday of the Passion [Palm Sunday] Modern reformers of the church calendar suggest that the observance of the passion of Christ be limited to Holy Week instead of extending it through the Lenten season. Because of this emphasis, the Sunday before Easter is designated the "Sunday of the Passion" rather than "Palm Sunday." The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem might appropriately be used as part of the processional on Passion Sunday, but the focus of the day should be on the inauguration of the week ...

10.

Drama

David E. Ullery

CAST (in order of appearance) Claudia: The wife of Pontius Pilate, Procurator of Palestine. She has been influenced by Jesus. Rachel: A Jewish servant-girl in Pilate’s household. Joanna: Wife of the chief steward in Herod’s household. She is a follower of Jesus. Pilate: Pontius Pilate, the strong-willed Procurator, symbol of the hated Roman conquerors. Sergius: A Roman soldier, personal body-guard of Pontius Pilate. Caiaphas: Chief Priest and leader of the Jewish Sanhedrin, an evil and crafty man - a ...

11. Miracle In the Bethlehem Inn

Drama

Program for Worship Bulletin "And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7) Welcome Prayer Carol "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" Scene I Joshua, Miriam, and their children Adam, Lela, Lydia and Susanna arrive in Bethlehem where they expect Joshua's brother, Aaron, to put them up in his inn. They, like most people in town at that time, are there to be enrolled for the census. They arrive outside ...

12. Mary: After The Angel

Drama

Arlys M. Winkler

A Christmas Play Notes This play explores the thoughts and feelings of Mary, her peers, her parents, and Joseph as they learn that Mary is expecting a child. Each act takes place in someone's house, making the changing of props simple (for example: different tablecloths would signal a change of location). Programs could provide scene changes as well. Simple wooden tables and stools and costuming of the period are all that is needed. All scripture quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version of the ...

13. The Bridge

John 1:1-18, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 1:26-38, Genesis 3:1-24

Drama

H. J. Hizer

Narrator: Opening: Genesis 3:8-15 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him "Where are you?" And he said "I heard the sound of thee in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat ...

14. The Remote

John 14:5-14

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: "Show us the Father." Summary: Susan is getting ready to watch television after a hard day's work. She is interrupted by a strange person who invites her to think instead of just accept all the world hands her. Playing Time: 9 minutes Setting: Susan's television room Props: Susan -- a small remote Fly -- a large remote Costumes: Susan -- contemporary, casual Fly -- fright wig, tutu, tennis shoes Cast: Susan -- a normal average person Fly-- an industrial-strength entity 11 voices on the television ( ...

15. The Youth

Drama

William Grimbol

SETTING: Three scenes, in a courtyard garden, where two young people are engaged in conversation TIME: Christ's ministry Scene One MEGHAN: You don't care about anything. You never take a stand. You never have an opinion. You are always Mr. Charm, Mr. Warmth ... everybody likes you ... DEAN: Is there something wrong with that? MEGHAN: Yes. If nobody really knows anything about you. If nobody cares about anything you are, except being very, very nice. DEAN: What do you want? I don't even know where this ...

16. A SERMON DRAMA FOR CHRISTMASTIDE

Drama

Tom Eberle

Christmas The historical development of the Christmas festival in the late third and early fourth centuries had a distinctly theological intention. [Oscar E. Cullmann, The Early Church, edited by A.J.B. Higgins, (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1956), p. 25] The nativity festival was celebrated in response to those heresies that did not accept the fullness of God’s presence in the humanity of Jesus. Through the festival of Christmas the orthodox branch of the church affirmed the fullness of ...

17. Proper 8

Mark 5:21-43

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

WHAT'S HAPPENING? By interjecting the story of the woman who suffered from hemorrhages into the middle of the story of Jairus' sick daughter, the writers suggest these two miracles are designed to be studied together. First Point Of Action As a crowd gathers around Jesus, who had just crossed the water, Jairus, a synagogue official, comes to Jesus and begs him to save his sick daughter. Jesus goes with him, the crowd following and pressing in on him as he goes. Second Point Of Action In the middle of this ...

18. Saturday Night And Sunday Morning

Drama

Pamela Urfer

(Maria, Salome, Magdalena and Joanna are sitting together, talking. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is sitting quietly in a corner, praying.) Maria: (Jumping up and beginning to pace up and down.) Where is Peter? I don’t understand it. Shouldn’t he have been here by now? Magdalena: Don’t fuss so! You’re making me nervous. Joanna: Maria’s right. I’m worried too. Do you think they might have caught him? Maria: They could have, Joanna. They’re all over Jerusalem looking for any followers of Jesus who are still in ...

19. A LITURGICAL DRAMA FOR LENT

Drama

Tom Eberle

Lent In its historical development, Lent was an outgrowth of the fasting prior to the annual observance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. In addition, those who were to be baptized into the Christian faith on Easter Sunday underwent a period of disciplined training before their baptism. With the ascendancy of the Christian Church in major areas of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, a new problem was encountered. Discipline was no longer imposed upon the church from the outside in the ...

20. That Heavenly Call

Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Mary and Joseph -- Accepting God's Call This four-part drama may be presented as a unit or as individual scenes. Written to portray Mary and Joseph's calling as very personal and self-sacrificing, this wonderful story is placed in a setting to which a modern congregation can relate. This series may be utilized as a preparation for Christmas: one segment per Sunday during Advent, or sprinkled throughout the year and culminating near the holiday season. Scene I: Luke 1:26-33 Setting: Modern Nazareth ...

21. Joseph

Drama

Charles L. Koester

INTRODUCTION: [This portion is read from the lecturn by the introducer or narrator.] Of all the persons involved and related to the Advent, the coming, of Christ, there is one who is the "forgotten man" of the Nativity. Even the great artists of the world, many of whom have lavished their imagination upon the scene of the Nativity, have been content to make him part of the dark backgrounds of their paintings. Yet, this man was much more than just a piece of fleshly furniture. As his wife, Mary, was chosen ...

22. Herod and Jesus

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting The private sitting room in the palace in which Herod is staying in Jerusalem. A throne-like chair, perhaps with a gold or violet throw covering it, should be provided for Herod; this chair should face the audience. A simple chair or stool should be placed in front of the chair so that Jesus, when he sits down, may face Herod but not the audience. Other appointments to the room may be added for effect: potted palms, a small table with a wine carafe and fresh fruits, and anything else appropriate to ...

23. The One Who Made His Cross

Drama

Production Notes "The One Who Made His Cross" may be presented at a worship service of the congregation, or it may be produced in an area of the church building where more elaborate staging is a possibility. In the second case, it may well be that the drama would be offered as a program rather than a worship segment. Characters may costume themselves in first-century attire. While costumes are not required, they will add to the effectiveness of the presentation. Appendix 1 provides a suggested stage ...

24. A LITURGICAL DRAMA FOR ALL SAINTS’

Drama

Tom Eberle

A LITURGICAL DRAMA FOR ALL SAINTS’ [Placed in the chancel area of the sanctuary is a large cardboard box, about two to three feet high, with a chair setting in it. At the end of the prelude "Box" takes his place on the chair. Immediately in front of the pews, on both sides of the center aisle, is an arrangement of candles. Five candles are necessary for the chancel drama, plus a candle for each member of the congregation who died in the past 12 months.] Prelude Box: Before we go any further, let’s lay all ...

25. EPISODE 4: THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT

Drama

Robert Clausen

ACT II EPISODE 4: THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT JOHN MARTHA JESUS MARY SECOND CLERGYMAN LAZARUS (Non-speaking: PETER, THOMAS, JUDAS) [MARTHA is alone. JOHN enters to her.] JOHN: Martha! MARTHA: John ... you’ve finally come? JOHN: We didn’t know how bad things were. MARTHA: But we sent word to Jesus days ago. JOHN: I know. It’s very strange. He didn’t seem ... MARTHA: He didn’t seem to care? JOHN: No. Not that at all. I can’t explain it. MARTHA: Where is he now? JOHN: Just up the street. MARTHA: Isn’t he...? JOHN ...

Showing results