Dramatic Reading: Acts 9

Here’s a dialogue between Saul before his conversion on the Damascus Road and afterward (as Paul).  It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws.

Dialogue between Saul and Paul

(inspired by the events in Acts 9)

I am Saul

I am Paul

I am passionate about my faith

I am passionate about my faith

I will work tirelessly for what I believe in

and I recognize that may hurt others

in order to keep the faith

I will work tirelessly for my beliefs too

and I also recognize that doing so can hurt others

but living the faith is never going to be easy

I have made a choice to put myself on the line for my faith

and if those who are out to destroy the faith get in the way,

then I will move them out the way

I have made a choice to put myself on the line for my faith

and will continue to do so

even in the face of those who want to move me out the way

I am Saul

I am Paul

Faith is everything to me.

It must be kept true at all costs.

It is too vital to my culture,

my traditions and how I understand life

Faith is everything to me.

It must stand true at all costs.

It is too vital for the Good News

for traditions and culture to stand in the way

of this new understanding of life

I will seek out those who destroy the faith

I will seek out those who limit the faith

I will keep our borders pure

and our traditions clean from contamination

I will cross every border

and welcome in Jew and Gentile, slave and free

I am Saul

I am Paul

I will work for the authorities

I will work for Jesus Christ

I will hold tight to the church

I will break open the church

I will keep the faith pure

I will keep the faith growing

I will be the death of Christianity

And I will be its life

I am Saul

I am Paul

~ written by Rev. Roddy Hamilton, Minister of New Kilpatrick Church.  Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/starters_for_sunday/ 

Readers' Theatre: Acts 9: 1-20

Here is a readers’ theatre setting of Acts 9: 1-20, the conversion of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. It is set for four voices.

Readers’ Theatre: Acts 9: 1-20

HereHereH

Narr:     Saul was uttering threats with every breath

and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.

So he went to the high priest. 

He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus,

asking for their cooperation

in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there.

He wanted to bring them—both men and women—

back to Jerusalem in chains.

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission,

a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 

Lord:    Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

Saul:     Who are you, lord?

Lord:    I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

 Now get up and go into the city,

and you will be told what you must do.”

Narr:     The men with Saul stood speechless,

for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!  

Saul picked himself up off the ground,

but when he opened his eyes he was blind.

So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.  

He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias.

The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, 

Lord:    Ananias!

Ananias: Yes, Lord!

Lord:    Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas.

When you get there,

ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul.

He is praying to me right now.

I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in

and laying hands on him so he can see again.

Ananias: But Lord, I’ve heard many people talk

about the terrible things this man has done

to the believers in Jerusalem! 

And he is authorized by the leading priests

to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

Lord:    Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument

to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings,

as well as to the people of Israel. 

And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Narr:     So Ananias went and found Saul.

He laid his hands on him and said,

Ananias: Brother Saul,

the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road,

has sent me so that you might regain your sight

and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Narr:     Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes,

and he regained his sight.

Then he got up and was baptized.  

Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 

And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues,

saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!

Prayers of the People: Come, Advent God

Here’s a prayer of intercession written by David Beswick, and posted on David Beswick’s Home Page.

Come, Advent God

Come, Advent God,
and complete the special work of love
which you began in Jesus of Nazareth.
Many are cast down with spiritual needs,
thirsting for the peace of your forgiveness
and the warmth of your healing love.
Come to them with the grace they desperately need.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Many are in despair through physical hardship,
seeking relief from their burdens
and hope in the midst of their cares.
Come to them with the help they desperately need.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Many have minds and souls filled with hatred,
lives shackled by prejudice and terrible obsession
in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Africa,
South America, Asia, and in our own Australia.
[And this year we recall also the people of East Timor]
Come to them with the conversion they so desperately need.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Your church in all the world also needs saving
from everything that threatens its mission.
Where it is persecuted, keep it faithful.
Where it persecutes, rebuke it.
Where it is seduced by affluence, shake it to its foundations.
Where it is self-satisfied, thoroughly unsettle it.
Where it is weak, poor, and meek, bless it with your joy, peace and strength.
At evening or midnight, morning or midday,
Come, Lord Jesus.

Come, Advent God,
and complete your work in Jesus Christ,
through whom we offer these prayers.

— Bruce Prewer, posted on David Beswick’s Home Page. 

For more worship resources for the season of Advent, see this index of Advent Worship Resources, or click on Advent 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.