The Body
Drama
Lectionary Scenes
56 Vignettes For Cycle C
Theme
Is the body of Christ able to work together in harmony because the spirit of the Lord is upon it, or is it meant to operate like any other organization?
Summary
Pastor Ralph needs some work on his car and he is also dealing with differing factions in his church. He is not having a good day. Earl, his friend and mechanic, gives him some good advice on taking care of his car and then relates it to his church -- get all the parts working together; after all, they all have the same manufacturer -- the Holy Spirit.
Playing Time
5 minutes
Setting
Earl's garage
Props
Earl -- a greasy rag and a wrench
Rev. Ralph -- a New Testament in his pocket
Costumes
Earl -- greasy overalls
Ralph -- suit
Time
The present
Cast
REV. RALPH -- pastor
EARL -- his mechanic
EARL:
(ENTERS, WIPING GREASE FROM HIS HANDS AND CLEANING HIS WRENCH. REV. RALPH ENTERS) Pastor, how are you?
REV. RALPH: Hi, Earl. Pretty good, I guess.
EARL: You guess. That doesn't sound so good.
REV. RALPH: It isn't too good. There are so many little groups who just love the power that they have in the church so they can do their own little thing. I don't know what to do. Oh, but you don't want to hear about my problems. Did you have time to look at my car?
EARL: I sure did. You've got some car problems to go along with your church problems.
REV. RALPH: Oh, yeah? What's wrong?
EARL: It's your camshaft. It's bent.
REV. RALPH: What's a camshaft, anyway? Is it serious?
EARL: Your camshaft? Well, your camshaft turns and as it turns, it opens and closes the valves on the engine.
REV. RALPH: Well, is it serious?
EARL: Are you kidding?
REV. RALPH: No. You know I don't know anything about cars. All I know is to bring it to you. Can I get along without fixing it?
EARL: Oh, sure, you can, but your engine performance will get worse and worse until the whole thing just quits some day.
REV. RALPH: How much will it cost me?
EARL: Rough estimate -- about $300.00.
REV. RALPH: Ouch! Maybe I'd better drive it a while like it is.
EARL: Like I said, you can but I wouldn't advise it. Look at it this way: what would you rather pay, $300 to fix it now or $18,000 for a new car?
REV. RALPH: Wow! I do have problems.
EARL: Let's check out what the Bible says.
REV. RALPH: What do you think -- Solomon had a chapter on "how to fix your chariot"?
EARL: No, not really.
REV. RALPH: They didn't teach us auto mechanics at seminary.
EARL: But what does Saint Paul say about the body? Where is that? You know, about the foot not wanting to be a part of the body. Where is that?
REV. RALPH: In First Corinthians, but I came to have my car fixed, not to lead a Bible study.
EARL: You got your Bible? Look it up.
REV. RALPH: What for?
EARL: Go ahead. Look it up.
REV. RALPH: (PULLING A NEW TESTAMENT FROM HIS COAT POCKET) Okay, okay, here it is. First Corinthians, twelve, let's see. The twelfth chapter, uh. Verse twelve ... "Our bodies have many parts, but the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together. So it is with the body of Christ." What does that have to do with my camshaft?
EARL: Don't you get it? Your car doesn't run well if your parts aren't functioning.
REV. RALPH: Just like the church.
EARL: If your camshaft is not functional, then your car is not going to run.
REV. RALPH: You convinced me. I'd better get it fixed.
EARL: That goes for your church, too. You'd better get that fixed.
REV. RALPH: That's not so easy. We're dealing with people, not auto parts.
EARL: But the Bible says we all have one manufacturer -- the Holy Spirit -- but we all have a different mission. We can all work together to make a smooth running car -- or church. We need the little parts as well as the more impressive ones. The oil pumps and the transmissions are as important as the interior upholstery and the paint job. No one part can operate by itself. And no car can be entirely constructed of camshafts or rear view mirrors.
REV. RALPH: I see what you mean. I'm glad I brought my car to you, Earl. I not only get my car fixed, but I get my Sunday sermon.
EARL: I can have your car ready tomorrow. I'll call you.
REV. RALPH: That sounds good to me. And thanks for the advice. I'll see you tomorrow.
EARL: Okay. I'll see you Sunday, too. I wouldn't miss this sermon for anything.
REV. RALPH: At least I won't charge you $300.00 for listening. (HE EXITS)
Is the body of Christ able to work together in harmony because the spirit of the Lord is upon it, or is it meant to operate like any other organization?
Summary
Pastor Ralph needs some work on his car and he is also dealing with differing factions in his church. He is not having a good day. Earl, his friend and mechanic, gives him some good advice on taking care of his car and then relates it to his church -- get all the parts working together; after all, they all have the same manufacturer -- the Holy Spirit.
Playing Time
5 minutes
Setting
Earl's garage
Props
Earl -- a greasy rag and a wrench
Rev. Ralph -- a New Testament in his pocket
Costumes
Earl -- greasy overalls
Ralph -- suit
Time
The present
Cast
REV. RALPH -- pastor
EARL -- his mechanic
EARL:
(ENTERS, WIPING GREASE FROM HIS HANDS AND CLEANING HIS WRENCH. REV. RALPH ENTERS) Pastor, how are you?
REV. RALPH: Hi, Earl. Pretty good, I guess.
EARL: You guess. That doesn't sound so good.
REV. RALPH: It isn't too good. There are so many little groups who just love the power that they have in the church so they can do their own little thing. I don't know what to do. Oh, but you don't want to hear about my problems. Did you have time to look at my car?
EARL: I sure did. You've got some car problems to go along with your church problems.
REV. RALPH: Oh, yeah? What's wrong?
EARL: It's your camshaft. It's bent.
REV. RALPH: What's a camshaft, anyway? Is it serious?
EARL: Your camshaft? Well, your camshaft turns and as it turns, it opens and closes the valves on the engine.
REV. RALPH: Well, is it serious?
EARL: Are you kidding?
REV. RALPH: No. You know I don't know anything about cars. All I know is to bring it to you. Can I get along without fixing it?
EARL: Oh, sure, you can, but your engine performance will get worse and worse until the whole thing just quits some day.
REV. RALPH: How much will it cost me?
EARL: Rough estimate -- about $300.00.
REV. RALPH: Ouch! Maybe I'd better drive it a while like it is.
EARL: Like I said, you can but I wouldn't advise it. Look at it this way: what would you rather pay, $300 to fix it now or $18,000 for a new car?
REV. RALPH: Wow! I do have problems.
EARL: Let's check out what the Bible says.
REV. RALPH: What do you think -- Solomon had a chapter on "how to fix your chariot"?
EARL: No, not really.
REV. RALPH: They didn't teach us auto mechanics at seminary.
EARL: But what does Saint Paul say about the body? Where is that? You know, about the foot not wanting to be a part of the body. Where is that?
REV. RALPH: In First Corinthians, but I came to have my car fixed, not to lead a Bible study.
EARL: You got your Bible? Look it up.
REV. RALPH: What for?
EARL: Go ahead. Look it up.
REV. RALPH: (PULLING A NEW TESTAMENT FROM HIS COAT POCKET) Okay, okay, here it is. First Corinthians, twelve, let's see. The twelfth chapter, uh. Verse twelve ... "Our bodies have many parts, but the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together. So it is with the body of Christ." What does that have to do with my camshaft?
EARL: Don't you get it? Your car doesn't run well if your parts aren't functioning.
REV. RALPH: Just like the church.
EARL: If your camshaft is not functional, then your car is not going to run.
REV. RALPH: You convinced me. I'd better get it fixed.
EARL: That goes for your church, too. You'd better get that fixed.
REV. RALPH: That's not so easy. We're dealing with people, not auto parts.
EARL: But the Bible says we all have one manufacturer -- the Holy Spirit -- but we all have a different mission. We can all work together to make a smooth running car -- or church. We need the little parts as well as the more impressive ones. The oil pumps and the transmissions are as important as the interior upholstery and the paint job. No one part can operate by itself. And no car can be entirely constructed of camshafts or rear view mirrors.
REV. RALPH: I see what you mean. I'm glad I brought my car to you, Earl. I not only get my car fixed, but I get my Sunday sermon.
EARL: I can have your car ready tomorrow. I'll call you.
REV. RALPH: That sounds good to me. And thanks for the advice. I'll see you tomorrow.
EARL: Okay. I'll see you Sunday, too. I wouldn't miss this sermon for anything.
REV. RALPH: At least I won't charge you $300.00 for listening. (HE EXITS)
