This Year's Most Distinguished Water Person Contest
Children's program
WHO - ME? DO A PROGRAM? Volume 2
Program Resources For Congregational Events
Leader's Helps
Participants
Master/Mistress of Ceremony Miriam
Moses Big Fish
Deer John
Sauna Lady
Props
Master/Mistress of Ceremony: Crown
Miriam: Dresses in bathing suit, carries a tambourine
Moses: Dresses as a Hebrew, carries a staff
Big Fish: Dresses as a fish, netting over head or around body, fishing pole in net
Deer (can be a pair or single): Antlers as headpiece, hankies
John the Baptist: Dresses as a prophet, carries a bucket of water to baptize with and bounces a basketball
Sauna Lady: Dresses in swimsuit, wrapped in towel, tin mug with water in, dishpan
Optional Extras
The following characters may enter when MC talks about them after John.
Shepherd from Psalm 23: Dresses as shepherd, carries sheep
Tree: Person dressed as a fruit--bearing tree with Psalm 1 sign around neck
Nicodemus: Dresses as an Israelite with John 3 sign across sash
Samaritan Woman: Dresses in robe and carries a bucket
Program
This Year's Most Distinguished
Water Person Contest
MC: Greetings in the name of God, the Creator of the Universe. Tonight we come together to crown the (Year) Most Distinguished Water Person of (name of church/camp).
The contestants have gathered here from various parts of the Bible and different times to compete for this coveted title. They are all uniquely qualified, but it is you - our audience - who will be the judges on who shall wear this beautiful crown. Our first contestant comes to us from the region of the Red Sea. Miriam will be competing in the bathing suit finals. Miriam, tell us why you think you should win the title of this year's Most Distinguished Water Person.
Miriam: Well, I've been around water a lot. It was I who put baby Moses into the Nile in that basket to be picked up by Pharaoh's daughter. It was I who stood at the water's edge when that grown--up Moses parted the Red Sea. It was I who took my tambourine and led the women in song as God drowned those Egyptians with the waters of that sea. Yes, I am quite at home with water. God chose me as an instrument to save my brother and declare his praise. So, judges, why not choose me?
MC: Well, Miriam, take your spot up here on contestants' row, and let's see what our next Bible character has to say about his association with water.
Moses: Well, I'm Moses, the guy that was drawn from the waters of the Nile, who parted the Red Sea with my staff, and led the Israelites through them to safety. You'd think after all that they'd trust me to come across with water for their thirst.
MC: Well, did they? It seems to me I recall that they grumbled and complained a lot about dying from thirst in that desert and wanted to go home.
Moses: That's what got them and me into trouble. I got fed up with their murmuring and struck a rock instead of speaking to it in order to get a water fountain going for them. Quite a miracle that was - just one more to add to God's line during his deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt. But this miracle wasn't without a price. I disobeyed God. He told me speak and I hit, and that boo--boo cost me dearly. I couldn't enter the Promised Land. God let me see it but not go in. So, judges, I'd appreciate winning this contest since water changed my life considerably back then. Okay?
MC: Well, Moses, take your place with Miriam up there on contestants' row. Seems to me water has played a big part in both of your lives. God chose you both to be instruments of his Good News that water saves. But what is this we have next?
Big Fish: Talk about being an instrument of deliverance. That's me - the Big Fish from the story of Jonah. I did my part for God. Swallowed up that rebellious prophet from Israel and let him sit in my tummy while I swam toward Nineveh. Water and I go fin and foam together. Ha! Ha! Little joke there. But then God soured my stomach, so I spit Jonah up on the shore, right where God wanted him. So, judges, God used me, a fish in and out of water (another little joke) to deliver Jonah so he could save Nineveh. I think that qualifies me to be a winner. By the way, is there a comedy category in this contest?
MC: Well, if there is, Big Fish, you certainly rank up there in points. But look! I see two other creatures coming, and they look hot. In fact, they're panting.
Deer: And, boy, are we thirsty! We represent those deer from Psalm 42, the ones that pant for streams of water like your soul is to thirst for God. We've also cried lots of tears, too, over the condition of all those lost souls. The waterfalls and waves of sin have broken over so many in life. Oh, my, anyone got a hankie? (Dab eyes.) Yes, water and we deer are spiritually as well as physically connected.
MC: Poor little deer. Don't fret so. We see your tears and thirst for God. Just take your place in that lineup next to that fish who saw lots of tears of repentance in her neck of the woods and waters. And speaking of water and repentance, here comes our next contestant. What is your name?
John: Just call me Jordan Johnny, not to be confused with that Michael Jordan guy. I practically lived in the water baptizing all those folks and preparing the way for Jesus. (Sprinkles audience with water from bucket.) Are you baptized? God chooses us to be his children in baptism, you know. God chose me to be his instrument just like all those other contestants up there. Heads up, everyone, here I come. (Lines up with other contestants). Yep, I even lost my head because of my principles, but that's another story. Vote for me, John the Baptist, the one who used water for the cleansing of the soul. (Splashes contestants with water.)
MC: Well, judges, this is a tough one. If we look in every place where water is mentioned in the Bible we can come up with more qualifiers for this title: the shepherd who leads his sheep beside still waters from Psalm 23 (optional: shepherd enters), the tree planted by streams of water yielding its fruit in due season from Psalm 1 (optional: tree enters), Nicodemus who found out you had to be born of the water and the Spirit (optional: Nicodemus enters), the Samaritan woman who drew water for Jesus at the well (optional: Samaritan woman enters), and many more. But we have one final contestant to judge. And here she comes, Ms. Sauna Lady. Ms. Sauna Lady, why should you win this title?
Ms. Sauna Lady: Well, for lots of reasons. I sweat water as I sit in the sauna with my friends, crying tears of sadness over things I've done that I shouldn't have, tears of laughter at the fun we have as we enjoy Christian fellowship at retreats, tears of joy at being part of the family of Christ, offering others a cup of cold water to refresh, jumping into the cool waters of life with glee, and rinsing my dirty feet off in the dishpan before starting all over again. But mostly I think I should win because I represent all of you - the baptized children of God who drink from the living water of Christ - and who go to our baptismal waters daily knowing we need to have the dirt cleansed from our lives and begin each day with Jesus' love and forgiveness. (Takes her place with contestants.)
MC: Well, thank you all, but now it's time for you, the judges, to decide who has won our contest of this year's Most Distinguished Water Person. Clap to show your vote.
#1 - Miriam, God's instrument of praise, who represents all those who rejoice at being rescued from the waters of sin.
#2 - Moses, God's instrument of deliverance, who represents all those who goof but can still be used by God.
#3 - Mr. Big Fish, God's vehicle, who carried Jonah to preach repentance to others and reminds us that God shares his message of love with those he chooses and asks us to cooperate in telling others of that Good News.
#4 - Our Panting Deer, who cry over lost souls and thirst for God.
#5 - John the Baptist, God's top man who lost his head for the Kingdom of God but brought many to repentance through his preaching and gave them God's gift of forgiveness in the water.
And finally #6 - Ms. Sauna Lady, who represents all of us saved sinners, saved by grace in our belief in Jesus Christ and who are renewed by coming daily to our baptism waters. Judges, who is the winner? (Crowns the one who has had the most applause.)
Our congratulations to our winner and to all who are washed in the waters of their baptism and the blood of the lamb. Go in peace and be cleansed by the waters of salvation. (All exit throwing water on all around from buckets.)
Participants
Master/Mistress of Ceremony Miriam
Moses Big Fish
Deer John
Sauna Lady
Props
Master/Mistress of Ceremony: Crown
Miriam: Dresses in bathing suit, carries a tambourine
Moses: Dresses as a Hebrew, carries a staff
Big Fish: Dresses as a fish, netting over head or around body, fishing pole in net
Deer (can be a pair or single): Antlers as headpiece, hankies
John the Baptist: Dresses as a prophet, carries a bucket of water to baptize with and bounces a basketball
Sauna Lady: Dresses in swimsuit, wrapped in towel, tin mug with water in, dishpan
Optional Extras
The following characters may enter when MC talks about them after John.
Shepherd from Psalm 23: Dresses as shepherd, carries sheep
Tree: Person dressed as a fruit--bearing tree with Psalm 1 sign around neck
Nicodemus: Dresses as an Israelite with John 3 sign across sash
Samaritan Woman: Dresses in robe and carries a bucket
Program
This Year's Most Distinguished
Water Person Contest
MC: Greetings in the name of God, the Creator of the Universe. Tonight we come together to crown the (Year) Most Distinguished Water Person of (name of church/camp).
The contestants have gathered here from various parts of the Bible and different times to compete for this coveted title. They are all uniquely qualified, but it is you - our audience - who will be the judges on who shall wear this beautiful crown. Our first contestant comes to us from the region of the Red Sea. Miriam will be competing in the bathing suit finals. Miriam, tell us why you think you should win the title of this year's Most Distinguished Water Person.
Miriam: Well, I've been around water a lot. It was I who put baby Moses into the Nile in that basket to be picked up by Pharaoh's daughter. It was I who stood at the water's edge when that grown--up Moses parted the Red Sea. It was I who took my tambourine and led the women in song as God drowned those Egyptians with the waters of that sea. Yes, I am quite at home with water. God chose me as an instrument to save my brother and declare his praise. So, judges, why not choose me?
MC: Well, Miriam, take your spot up here on contestants' row, and let's see what our next Bible character has to say about his association with water.
Moses: Well, I'm Moses, the guy that was drawn from the waters of the Nile, who parted the Red Sea with my staff, and led the Israelites through them to safety. You'd think after all that they'd trust me to come across with water for their thirst.
MC: Well, did they? It seems to me I recall that they grumbled and complained a lot about dying from thirst in that desert and wanted to go home.
Moses: That's what got them and me into trouble. I got fed up with their murmuring and struck a rock instead of speaking to it in order to get a water fountain going for them. Quite a miracle that was - just one more to add to God's line during his deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt. But this miracle wasn't without a price. I disobeyed God. He told me speak and I hit, and that boo--boo cost me dearly. I couldn't enter the Promised Land. God let me see it but not go in. So, judges, I'd appreciate winning this contest since water changed my life considerably back then. Okay?
MC: Well, Moses, take your place with Miriam up there on contestants' row. Seems to me water has played a big part in both of your lives. God chose you both to be instruments of his Good News that water saves. But what is this we have next?
Big Fish: Talk about being an instrument of deliverance. That's me - the Big Fish from the story of Jonah. I did my part for God. Swallowed up that rebellious prophet from Israel and let him sit in my tummy while I swam toward Nineveh. Water and I go fin and foam together. Ha! Ha! Little joke there. But then God soured my stomach, so I spit Jonah up on the shore, right where God wanted him. So, judges, God used me, a fish in and out of water (another little joke) to deliver Jonah so he could save Nineveh. I think that qualifies me to be a winner. By the way, is there a comedy category in this contest?
MC: Well, if there is, Big Fish, you certainly rank up there in points. But look! I see two other creatures coming, and they look hot. In fact, they're panting.
Deer: And, boy, are we thirsty! We represent those deer from Psalm 42, the ones that pant for streams of water like your soul is to thirst for God. We've also cried lots of tears, too, over the condition of all those lost souls. The waterfalls and waves of sin have broken over so many in life. Oh, my, anyone got a hankie? (Dab eyes.) Yes, water and we deer are spiritually as well as physically connected.
MC: Poor little deer. Don't fret so. We see your tears and thirst for God. Just take your place in that lineup next to that fish who saw lots of tears of repentance in her neck of the woods and waters. And speaking of water and repentance, here comes our next contestant. What is your name?
John: Just call me Jordan Johnny, not to be confused with that Michael Jordan guy. I practically lived in the water baptizing all those folks and preparing the way for Jesus. (Sprinkles audience with water from bucket.) Are you baptized? God chooses us to be his children in baptism, you know. God chose me to be his instrument just like all those other contestants up there. Heads up, everyone, here I come. (Lines up with other contestants). Yep, I even lost my head because of my principles, but that's another story. Vote for me, John the Baptist, the one who used water for the cleansing of the soul. (Splashes contestants with water.)
MC: Well, judges, this is a tough one. If we look in every place where water is mentioned in the Bible we can come up with more qualifiers for this title: the shepherd who leads his sheep beside still waters from Psalm 23 (optional: shepherd enters), the tree planted by streams of water yielding its fruit in due season from Psalm 1 (optional: tree enters), Nicodemus who found out you had to be born of the water and the Spirit (optional: Nicodemus enters), the Samaritan woman who drew water for Jesus at the well (optional: Samaritan woman enters), and many more. But we have one final contestant to judge. And here she comes, Ms. Sauna Lady. Ms. Sauna Lady, why should you win this title?
Ms. Sauna Lady: Well, for lots of reasons. I sweat water as I sit in the sauna with my friends, crying tears of sadness over things I've done that I shouldn't have, tears of laughter at the fun we have as we enjoy Christian fellowship at retreats, tears of joy at being part of the family of Christ, offering others a cup of cold water to refresh, jumping into the cool waters of life with glee, and rinsing my dirty feet off in the dishpan before starting all over again. But mostly I think I should win because I represent all of you - the baptized children of God who drink from the living water of Christ - and who go to our baptismal waters daily knowing we need to have the dirt cleansed from our lives and begin each day with Jesus' love and forgiveness. (Takes her place with contestants.)
MC: Well, thank you all, but now it's time for you, the judges, to decide who has won our contest of this year's Most Distinguished Water Person. Clap to show your vote.
#1 - Miriam, God's instrument of praise, who represents all those who rejoice at being rescued from the waters of sin.
#2 - Moses, God's instrument of deliverance, who represents all those who goof but can still be used by God.
#3 - Mr. Big Fish, God's vehicle, who carried Jonah to preach repentance to others and reminds us that God shares his message of love with those he chooses and asks us to cooperate in telling others of that Good News.
#4 - Our Panting Deer, who cry over lost souls and thirst for God.
#5 - John the Baptist, God's top man who lost his head for the Kingdom of God but brought many to repentance through his preaching and gave them God's gift of forgiveness in the water.
And finally #6 - Ms. Sauna Lady, who represents all of us saved sinners, saved by grace in our belief in Jesus Christ and who are renewed by coming daily to our baptism waters. Judges, who is the winner? (Crowns the one who has had the most applause.)
Our congratulations to our winner and to all who are washed in the waters of their baptism and the blood of the lamb. Go in peace and be cleansed by the waters of salvation. (All exit throwing water on all around from buckets.)
