Short Skits: Thanksgiving Mouse

Thanksgiving Mouse

Cast:  1 person—adult or youth—who does not mind scurrying around on the stage.

Equipment:  Wireless microphone.  Costume optional

Hello,  It’s me again.  Your friendly neighborhood church mouse.  Looks like most of the crowd has wandered out.  You wouldn’t believe what people say in these pews when they don’t know I’m listening.

I don’t know what health insurance is, but I am glad I don’t have any.  I mean, what are they going to do if my leg get’s caught in a trap?  Send for an ambulance?  I think that costs extra any way.  In any case, people sure do complain a lot about it.  I don’t have it.  I don’t complain.  I am glad just to live indoors.

Wow!   [Scurries to a spot on the stage].  O Boy, O boy, O boy.  One of the kids dropped a piece of candy.  [Puts into mouth].  Mmmmm.  Peanut butter cups, my favorite.

And the election.  Boy that was something.  You would think that the end of the world was coming.  Can you believe it?  People get to vote for who they want to lead and they complain about the choices.  I can’t vote and I don’t complain about it. I’m just glad to get out of the cold.

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!  [Moves to another spot on the stage].  Goldfish.  I love Goldfish, especially the colored ones.  Yum, yum, yum.

And the weather, really, these people complain about the weather.  It’s too hot or too cold.  The wind blows too much or too little or out of the wrong direction or the rain comes at the wrong time or the snow drifted in front of the doorway.  Man, I am just glad to be alive to enjoy whatever the weather is.  This is a pretty good life, hot or cold.

OMG!  Can it be?  [Moves carefully to another spot on the stage].  PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSING FLOW…   Yes, it’s a piece of a cheese cracker.  It’s a little dry but when you are a mouse, any cheese is good cheese—well except when they put it in the middle of a sticky trap.  At least with the old style lever traps it was over in an instant, but not with these new sticky jobs.  It’s rodent crucifixion, that’s what it is.  But you won’t catch me complaining.  I am too wise for that sort of temptation.  I am thankful for what is provided—crackers, crumbs, or candy—I am thankful to have it.

You should have heard the people complaining about property taxes a few minutes ago.  I can’t imagine owning my own house.  I just find places to hide in them.  It seems like paying taxes because you own a whole big house would be something exciting.

Now what is that over there?  Oh, it’s money.  I don’t think I can use this, except to chew it up and insulate my nest for the winter.  I think I will drop it into the offering plate.  I think these people need it more than I do.  I mean, they are always complaining about not having enough of it.

Complain, complain, complain.  I guess that is what human life is all about.

What’s that you ask?

Oh, today’s message, it was about thanksgiving.  Good stuff, you know.  I think it must rank right up there somewhere behind complaining.

I know that I am thankful.  Thanksgiving means big meals and lots of food dropped on the floor.  I am not just a church mouse.  I am a thankful mouse.

[Exit stage singing]

Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the holy one, gives thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ his Son…

--The End.

I will live for God and give thanks, just not today...

T’was the night before Thanksgiving and all through the town

Hams and turkeys cooked through the night ‘til they were all brown,

To be served the next day to family and friends

Who would gather and feast, and feast to no end.

There were casseroles and stuffing and oh so many pies,

To go with the rolls, biskets, and the occasional surprise

Some like their turkey browned on the outside but still moist inside,

But these days folks might just want to get them deep fried.

It is a day made for eating and watching football

By mid afternoon it feels like we ate it all

But there is more food for seconds and thirds and more

Got to rest up to head out to the stores.

From a full dining room table to lines circling the block

I must save that ten dollars on that Frozen Alarm Clock

Or is Ninja Turtles who are in this year?

Better get the right stuff and fast before it disappears.                     

Thanksgiving and Black Friday have merged into one

Food, food, and more food and shopping, some call that fun.

That fifty inch TV would look great in my home

Though really I watch most of my shows on my new phone.

And  all in a moment, the year turns into a blurr

Christmas comes upon us and we buy more stuff to serve

And then cry quite the river when the bills all come in

And swear to ourselves we will never do this again.

Serve the master of money, stuff, and credit card debt

We promise to live for God and not greed nor all we can get

But next year comes upon us and we are in the same boat

For we sought not the Lord nor the words that he spoke.

So we come upon another year without giving thanks

We don’t feel alone, there are many in our ranks

Who chose the world over God and like it that way

But we know full well that there will be a day…

A day of accounting, judgment, and all

We don’t want to think about it for there is surely a fall

In store for those who choose to rebel

Oh I can’t pray to God but I pray there’s no hell.

For I know that I have lived only for my selfish self

And have not loved God with my life or my wealth

These people they tell me to repent and believe

But I don’t want a God who comes before my TV…

And before my idols of football and fame

I want what I want and don’t want to believe on the Name

That is above all names and calls me again

There must be a catch, I feel safer in sin.

For there is a catch, but not what you think

It is a harvest of people that will come in a blink

Of the eye, yes in a moment, we all will be changed

Some relieved off all burdens and some who remain

Slave to sin and death and darkness and sorrow

They lived for themselves and saved naught for tomorrow

They stored their treasures in barns they would lose

Because it was greed and not God when it came time to choose.

This sadness and sorrow need not be the end of the line

For the One who made the heavens also made time

And in a single moment even in the worst strife

A few and simple words bring those who are dead into life.

Yes, your heart may be pumping and your blood is bright red

But without the Lord of Lords your body is already dead

For the King of kings came as a child and died on a cross

So that the worst among us would never be lost.

To Satan and sin and rebellion and death

As in the beginning, life comes in the Spirit’s breath.

We must die to this world and be born of God’s Spirit

Or this Kingdom of Heaven –we’ll never get near it.

This is a sad sort of thought on Thanksgiving Day

Why can’t I just eat and watch football and fall asleep as I may?

It is the God who made me and made me to live

Who is calling me to repent and believe and forgive.

And to do it today and not wait any longer

When I confess my own weakness he just makes me stronger

And in whatever state or circumstance I endure

I will learn to give thanks and be always thankful.

But I can’t do that now, Lord, though I  know that I should

I am so, so afraid that I will miss something good

I can’t put you first though I know it the right thing to do

But I can’t bear the words, “I never knew you.”

So just one more day or week or year’s all I ask

Of life without purpose or meaning while wearing this mask

That’s says I know what I am doing without this God stuff

Don’t mess with me now, my words might get gruff.

My heart it grows hard and it will be harder to break

Though many have tried, I am a very good fake

And so I spin the words of truth, love, and life.

And pray you don’t come like a thief in the night.

And pray you don’t come like a thief in the night.

Are you thankful or bitter this year?

The last Thanksgiving basket went out moments ago.

No one stood in line.

Each was given out with God's love.

This was about being transformational and not transactional.

There were some who didn't want any of this God business and declined to go an area church and meet with a family of faith.

There were a few who wanted the vending machine back.  Just fill out the form and get the turkey and keep God and being thankful to him out of the picture.

Those who received baskets were blessed.

Those who choose to worship the god of this age are bitter, and empty, and disconnected from the family that would love to bless them.

It is time to do what Joshua told his people long ago.

Choose this day whom you will serve.

Serve the god of disconnection.

Serve the god of “it’s all about me.”

Serve the god of “what do I have to be thankful about?”                               

Or….

Choose the one true God and come worship him and serve him and learn to love him by loving others.

Many have chosen the one true God and have been blessed this day.

Many have been faithful to the god of this age (Satan).  We pray that their blindness is lifted and they have eyes to see a God of love.

We pray that they have ears to hear that the one true God is a jealous God and will not be mocked by people who choose to worship another master or try to worship two masters.

God has done everything that is needed for you to be in right standing with him.

That “everything” came in the blood of Christ Jesus poured out on the cross as an atonement for our sins.

Jesus paid it all!

Our part—our small part—is to profess Jesus as Lord and live in loving obedience to him.

Many have done this and know life, life abundant, and life eternal.

This Thursday, many will be compelled by the joy of the Lord to give thanks to God in celebration of a special meal, a meal that usually runs the course of two meals.

Some will just say, “The vending machine is broken.  No turkey this year.”

This Friday, many will fight crowds to get the stuff that they can’t live without.

This Friday, many who gave thanks to God on Thursday will begin Friday the same way, giving thanks to our Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and to the God that we know as Love itself.

As we consider our lives, we might find a parallel to the pair of thieves on the cross.

One was bitter and mocked Jesus wanting the Kings of Kings to get him out of his mess.

The other had eyes to see the unblemished Lamb dying beside him and sought a relationship with this Jesus.

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, perhaps we should first assess which side of the cross we are on.

Are we bitter because we got ourselves into a bigger mess than we can handle and God doesn’t seem to be doing things our way?

Are we thankful for the relationship with God that we know through Jesus?

Which side of the cross are you on?

Are you bitter because you have mocked God all year?

Are you thankful for blessings too numerous to count?

There is no sugar coating here.

You love God and follow Jesus, worshipping him, trusting him, obeying him, and loving others.

Or you don’t.

Where do you find yourself this Thanksgiving?

If it is not loving God and following Jesus and living as a vital part of the Body of Christ, may I suggest that you change that by the New Year.

It is not just about where you spent eternity.  It is about knowing what real life, abundant life, and eternal life really is in the here and now.

Move worshiping God and following Jesus to the top of your list and know life!

Thanksgiving Checklist

Turkey – check

Dressing – check

Ham -check

Mashed potatoes – check

Squash casserole – check

Green bean casserole – check

Sweet potatoes - check

Rolls – check

Butter – check

 Cranberries – check

All sorts of pies – check

Whipped cream – check

Seems like that should cover it?

Something is missing?

What is it?

What is it?

Thanksgiving!

Ouch!

What is all of this without real thanksgiving?

Answer:  About 2500 calories or more.  It is just calories that will be burned up or stored.

Ouch!

What if we redo the list and start with being thankful?

Now there is a list to thank God by.

Give thanks everyday but especially this Sunday.

See you at worship.

Come and give thanks!

Let’s get this Thanksgiving week started by giving thanks to God!