The Fellowship of Suffering: A Responsive Reading

 

The Fellowship of Suffering

A Responsive Reading

 Reader One: The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

 Congregation: This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

 Reader One: Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

 Reader Two: His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Congregation: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

 Reader One: For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of a procession, like men condemned to die in the arena.  We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.

 Congregation: A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.  If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household.

 Reader One: We are fools for Christ...to this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.  We work hard with our own hands.  When we are cursed, we bless.  When we are persecuted, we endure it.  When we are slandered, we speak kindly.  Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

 Congregation: All men will hate you because of me.  If the world hates you keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

 Reader One: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.  And who is equal to such a task?

 Reader Two: Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

 All: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Soul Anchor: Marketplace Skit

 

Marketplace

 Cast:

            Salesman

            Foreign Shopper

            Judgmental Shopper

            Guilty Shopper

            Distracted Shopper

 Setting: 

            A sales booth in a marketplace with a stack of Bibles.  Sign reads “Better Than” Bookstore.

 _________________

Salesman:  (to audience, as if they were part of a busy marketplace)  Ho, everyone, listen to me!  Are you hungry for something real?  Are you thirsty for something to satisfy your soul?  I have a product that is guaranteed!  (pause to show a Bible)   This is it!  It’s all right here!  This book tells you about a Savior for your soul!   I’ve tried Him myself.  I’ve never been so satisfied…

(Judgmental Shopper enters as Salesman continues)

Salesman:  I don’t care what you’ve tried before.  Jesus is better.  He can meet your need.  (pause)  No money, no matter!  This offer is free!

Judgmental Shopper:  Free! Then how can what you offer be worth anything?

Salesman:  My friend, if you will just give your time to this book you will see what I mean!  This product is so expensive that if you had to pay for it, even the richest could not afford it.

Judgmental Shopper:  (doubting)  You’ll have to tell me more…

(Foreign Shopper enters hurriedly)

Foreign Shopper:  (eager and interrupting):  Excuse me, sir, excuse me!  I have traveled a great distance to learn about Jesus.  We have nothing like Him where I live.  Our myths and superstitions leave us empty.  We offer sacrifices again and again, but we are sure our gods do not hear us.  We are afraid.  We have no purpose.  Everything is bleak!  I have heard you have answers.  Please tell me!

Salesman: (smiling) You’ve come to the right place, my friend!  This book tells you about Jesus.  He is all you need.  (hands him a Bible, then a few more bibles) Here is your Bible and I will send some for your friends.  Jesus really is Good News. 

Foreign shopper:  (relieved) Oh, thank you, sir.  You’ve made such a difference.  Our lives will never be the same!  (Foreign Shopper bows profusely and exits with his Bibles)

Judgmental Shopper:  (scoffing)  I see you will just give away your product to anybody.  Even the likes of a foreigner.  Ok, I’m a little bothered with my standing before God.  But how can a free product available to anyone do any good?

Salesman:   One taste and you will be convinced.  Jesus is better than anything else.

(Guilty Shopper enters)

Salesman:  (continuing both to audience and new shopper)  Jesus is better than any sacrifice you make or work you do.  He can remove your sin and its penalty and give you rest.

Guilty Shopper:  (desperately) Rest?  You have a product that will give me rest.  Please I must have it!

Salesman:  Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice, once for all, for the forgiveness of your sin and mine.

Guilty Shopper:  If only He could give me rest!  I toss and turn every night.  The things I’ve done!  I can’t get them out of my mind.  I can’t escape them no matter what I try.  Can He really forgive me?  Completely?  Can I rest in that?

(Distracted Shopper wanders in)

Salesman:  Jesus is the answer for all your sins.  Every sinful thought, every angry word, every wayward action will be cleansed and forgotten.  Nothing is better at giving customers true peace.  (hands Guilty Shopper a bible)  Jesus is better because he can give you rest.

 (Guilty Shopper takes the Bible and exits)

Distracted Shopper:  You seem to be doing a brisk business!  Everyone seems to be coming here.

Judgmental Shopper:  (to Distracted Shopper in a disgusted tone)  Everyone indeed!  I thought for a minute he had something, but it can’t be true.  He gives his product away- to guilty people, foreign people, anybody.  (to Salesman)  You show no deference to the discriminating shopper.   That’s no way to run a business! (exits)

Salesman: (to Distracted Shopper)  He’s right.  What I offer is free.  But if you need forgiveness and peace, and purpose, and joy, there is no better, no other, place to go.

Distracted Shopper:  (wanders about stage aimlessly, talking to herself)  I can’t say I couldn’t use a little forgiveness.  I’m not perfect… but who is?   On the one hand, I could use some peace.  On the other hand, I’d have peace if people didn’t bug me so much.  And everyone could use a little joy.  Of course, I’m pretty happy now… when I’m not thinking about my life.  Maybe I’ll try it.   How much is it?

Salesman:  (begins to pack up his wares and take down his sign)  Jesus is free, but you have to act now.  I don’t know how much longer I can offer this amazing deal.  You are only promised today.  (holds out Bible)

(Distracted Shopper continues to wander and mutter.  Salesman folds up his shop and begins to go)

Salesman:  I’m really going to need an answer.  I’ve got to go. 

Distracted Shopper:  Maybe I’ll try Jesus soon… (Salesman exits)   … or yoga!  (freezes)

Soul Anchor: Pen Pals Skit

 

Pen Pals

 Cast:

            Karee- a sponsored child in a closed country

            Uncle- a student who has become a sponsor

            Narrator- the unseen voice of the mission agency

 Scene:  Two desks (or chairs and pads of paper) on opposite sides of the stage where the two pen pals are writing.  Narrator is off stage.  This sketch is based on real letters from Southeast Asia to a student in the United States. 

 ___________

Narrator:  (Official-sounding, yet friendly) Dear Sir, thank you for your kind sponsorship of Karee.  Children are full of potential and the joy of living.  With you as our partner, we can help free this child from the frustrations of poverty and bring her hope for a better future.

 Uncle:  (as if writing)  Dear Karee, my name is Ed.  I am a student, studying to be a pastor.  I love reading and gardening.  I look forward to getting a note from you.  Please tell me about yourself…

 Karee:  (also writing) My name is Karee.  My father is a night watchman at a medical clinic.  My mother takes care of the house.  I am the eldest child and a sixth grader.  I have to look after my grandma who is paralyzed after a stroke.  My school has not yet reopened.  I pray that you and your family will receive much blessings from God…

 Uncle:  Dear Karee, thank you for your letter.  I am enclosing a picture since I received one of you.  I have two jobs and study a lot but will always make time to write.  Your letters make my day…

 Karee:   My dear loving uncle, God has provided me with a kind sponsor from a faraway place and I feel so happy.  Thank you for sending me the gift money.  The flowers that I have planted in front of the house are starting to bloom now.  Every morning when I smell their sweet fragrance I feel happy and am reminded of uncle who loves gardening too.  I also pray for success in your work.  My grandma sends her greetings to you.  My mother and father are thankful to you too.  I have decided to serve God when I grow older.

 Uncle: Dear Karee, I received your letter today.  I cannot read your language, but you have the best handwriting!  I’m glad they translate your letters.  Exams are coming soon, but then vacation!  I hope you are doing well.  Write when you can.

 Karee:  I answered well on the first term test.  I still have to improve my spoken English.  Thank you for your interest in learning our language.  I think it will be best if we can talk face to face.  I am thinking how I should teach you.   May God bless you in your various works.

 Uncle:  Dear Karee,  I have good news!  I am graduating in the spring and moving to Korea.  I will be a pastor and teacher…

 Karee:  My dear loving uncle, My grandma here is in her bed.  She is very glad to know that you have become a pastor.  Thank you so much for the gift money.  I intend to use it to attend the summer Bible class to be opened in a village about three miles from our town.  It would be very nice to have you give us some lectures in the Bible class.   

 Uncle:  Dear Karee, Seoul is beautiful.  I am sending you a postcard and a picture of our church.  I think you would like it.

 Karee:  I think you are accustomed to living in Seoul.  In Geography class, we have been taught that Seoul is the biggest city in Korea and is near the sea.  The picture of Seoul is very pleasant.  I am thankful to uncle for patiently explaining things to me.  It is like you are teaching me world geography.  For one who has not been anywhere, it is all strange and fascinating.

 Uncle:  Thank you for your letters.  I am sorry it takes so long to forward them here.  Your letters travel to the United States before they come here.  I always love getting them, no matter how long.

 Karee:  We have finished taking the first term test.  My grandma who has slept in Jesus always wanted me to become a nurse.  After I finish my schooling, I intend to join the nursing college so that I can tell my patients about God’s love.  I am now praying that my hope will come true.  Uncle, what do you want me to be?

 Uncle:  Karee, I think nursing is a great idea.  You took care of your grandma and have real compassion for others.  I would be glad to see you become whatever God wants you to be.

 Karee:  I am thankful to God for coming to know you.  There is one thing I want to know.  How are we to prepare ourselves to welcome the second coming of Christ?  We attended a short Bible course at our church.  The teachers taught us about the Good News.  They explained to us the meaning of any bible verse we wished to know. 

 Narrator:  (seriously) Dear Sir, I’m writing you today with important news about your sponsorship.  Karee’s country has become more closed to foreigners.  Our director is more and more restricted in his travel.  Karee and her family have been moved.  We are concerned that we are unable to provide the level of benefits once given.  We feel these issues are serious and require prayer…

 Karee:  Our new satellite town is slowly improving.  We now have plenty of water for use.  Some parts do not have electricity yet.  People there have to use kerosene lamps.  Primary and secondary schools have been opened here.  With your gift money, I have bought for myself exercise books and ball pens for school use.  I am studying hard.  I pray for you that you can serve God well and I will try my best to become someone like you.

 (Uncle holds an official-looking letter with a concerned expression)

 Narrator:  Dear sir, the situation in Karee’s country has worsened.  Our auditors are unable to visit.  It is becoming unfeasible to continue to work in the country.  Karee has moved again.  We will contact you with more information as the situation develops.

 Karee:  My family has to move some miles from the town like other families in the area.  We will be given a plot there.  At this moment we have no facilities yet.  But by next year this place will be a nice place to stay.

 Narrator:  As we wrote you recently, because of the political situation, numerous restrictions have been placed upon our work.  We have been unable to travel, visit projects, inspect records or meet with children.  Because we cannot carry out work that enables us to be good stewards of your support, we reluctantly made the difficult decision to end our work there.  We are all grieved about this situation.

 Uncle:  Karee, I don’t know what to say…  You have been a part of my life since college…  I will continue to pray for you and your family… 

 Karee:  (with strength)  My dear loving uncle,  I have read your letter which I was expecting.  Even though things have changed, our love for each other will remain unchanged.  You are my strength given to me by God and I am a reward for you.  I always pray for you.  With much love,  Karee.