Hold Me, by Marvin Lansverk

Season of Easter. Acts 8:26-40: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Evangelism and conversion.

Puppets: Fodder
People: Man—as Servant, Woman, as Ethiopian Treasurer, and Kids
Props: Rolled up note; costumes for Servant and Ethiopian: headpiece for Servant, and silky scarves for Ethiopian; blue sheet, as water; Bible

[Set up blue sheet between pulpit and puppet bench, as if it’s a pond]

[Fodder is up front on bench by himself. Servant and Ethiopian are back by pastor’s chair, ready to come on. Servant has on headpiece, Ethiopian wearing the scarves.]

Fodder, as Philip: Goood morrrrning Methodists!!! Whaaat’s happenin? [Look around] mm. Looks like nothin’s happenin, actually. Oh well. You see, this week Barnabas, Olivia, and I have been pretending we were early apostles—some of the risen Jesus’s earliest followers. Barnabas is being….Barnabas. Olivia is Eunice. She looks like she could be a Eunice, doesn’t she? And I’m, well…I’m Philip. Pfffhilip! Ffffodder! They sound kind of the same, don’t they?

Anyway. I guess Barnabas and Eunice are off spreading the Good News somewhere else this morning. So it’s just me, here. [Note drops from the sky] Wait a minute. What’s this? It looks like I’m getting an a-mail. [Sing-songy to yourself] You’ve got mail. [To kids] A-mail is kinda like email, except it comes from angels, instead of computers. [Looking up] THANK YOU! [To kids again] We early apostles couldn’t have functioned without it. Let’s see. It says: “Get up and go toward the south, on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza—into the wilderness. You are to wait there for further inspiration.” Wow. Sorry, got to go. Duty calls. I wonder what God wants me to do this time. [Start humming Mission Impossible theme, for a minute or so, enthusiastically, and weirdly, while you pretend to get ready to go.]

Man, as Servant: [Wearing headpiece, carrying Ethiopian, in veils, who is reading: Carry her up to the front, by the pulpit, and set her down, next to the blue sheet.] I’m getting a bit tired of this mode of travel. We’re a long way from Ethiopia, you know.

Woman, as Ethiopian: Well, I can’t help it if the chariot broke down. But you don’t expect the Treasurer of All Ethiopia to walk, do you? It wouldn’t be becoming.

Man, as Servant: Becoming? It’s my arms that are becoming tired. In fact, they were already tired—back about Egypt way. Couldn’t we have rented a camel there?

Woman, as Ethiopian: They make me sneeze. Besides, I’m saving money. This isn’t a state funded trip, you know. I’m just taking a few days of personal leave, to try to figure this out [shake Bible].

Man, as Servant: Figure what out? You’ve been looking at that book the whole way. What is it?

Woman, as Ethiopian: It’s called the Book of Isaiah, in the Bible. I found it in our royal library, in the prophecy section, and I know it must be important. But I just don’t get it.

Man, as Servant: [Looking at book, then turning it rightside up; Ethiopian goes back to reading] So why have we come here?

Woman, as Ethiopian: We’re nearing Jerusalem. This is their book. Maybe someone here will be able to explain it. [Reading out loud]

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
And like a lamb silent before its shearer.”

[Pause, snap fingers and gesture to the book so Servant will turn the page; he does so]

“Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

Fodder, as Philip: [Interrupting, excitedly] Do you understand what you’re reading?

Woman, as Ethiopian: How can I, unless someone helps me?

Fodder, as Philip: I’ll help. I’m Philip. I’m an apostle. And this must be why I was sent on this mission here—to help you.

Woman, as Ethiopian: So who is the Bible talking about? Who is the lamb, and who is…this Messiah?

Fodder, as Philip: [Standing up, as if just coming up to them] Ah. It’s talking about Jesus, our Lord, the Lord. The Messiah. God’s son. Who holds us, who carries us, who cherishes us. Here let me show you. [Both continue to point to the text and talk animatedly for a bit.]

Woman, as Ethiopian: I see. I see. Amazing! Hey, look! Here is some water. What is to prevent me from being baptized? Right here! Right now? [Servant grins at congregation, “pushes” her into the puddle]

[Fodder then pantomimes baptizing Ethiopian, still sitting in the puddle, and Servant, standing above it]

Woman, as Ethiopian: [Still sitting in the puddle] It’s amazing. We’re Christians! We are followers of Jesus! And we’re called to share Jesus’ love with others! I can’t wait to get back home and share Jesus’ love in Ethiopia. Let's go. [Snap fingers, reach up to Servant, as if to be picked up…then think for a minute, and stand up yourself.] [To Servant] Hey, I’ll bet you’re tired. How about if I give you a turn? [Start to pick him up].

Man, as Servant: [Grin for a moment, then] Now is this a great day or what?