Also available:

Easter Programs for the Church (021520509)Church Programs for Special Days (021520709)

780784 7235249All Ages021520609

ISBN 978-0-7847-2352-4

Easy to use

Entirely reproducible

All new material

Appropriate for children to perform

Plays, poems, and ideas for a joyful celebration!

EASTERPROGRAMS

for childrenEASTER PROGRAMS

for childrenBring joy and new life to your Easter celebrations! Easter Programs for Children is full of plays and poems to meet your church’s needs for worship services and programs this holiday season.

RELIGION / Christian Ministry / General

www.standardpub.com

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compiled by Elaina Meyers

EASTERPROGRAMS

for children

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Permission is granted to original purchaser (you or someone in your church or organization) to reproduce these materials for ministry purposes only within your church or organization—not for resale.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®.

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version.

Editorial team: Dawn A. Medill, Elaina Meyers, Courtney RiceCover design: Brigid NaglichInside design: Bob Korth

Published by Standard PublishingCincinnati, Ohiowww.standardpub.comCopyright © 2009 by Standard PublishingAll rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-7847-2352-4

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Contents

DRAMAS & SKITSM-I-N-E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Carol S. ReddEaster story about a little lamb who was unloved and unwanted until he met the shepherd who changed his life.

Easter Lesson in Nursery Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Dixie PhillipsSeveral nursery rhyme characters discover the difference between fairytales and the biblical truth of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

The Planning Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Diana C. DerringerAn Easter planning committee meets to finalize Easter preparations.

Noah’s Easter Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Carol S. ReddA child uses the account of Noah to help us understand the purpose of Easter.

Roses Will Bloom Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Dixie PhillipsGrandma rose and abiGail have a special bond, and because of that abiGail learns an eternal lesson.

The Empty Egg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Diana C. DerringerAfter finding only one empty plastic egg at an Easter egg hunt, a disappointed child learns about Jesus’ empty tomb.

Jesus Loves Me—How Much? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Carol S. ReddAn Easter reminder of how much God loves us, and what we should do about it.

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READINGSOne And All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Carolyn R. Scheidies

You Crossed Jesus’ Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Dixie Phillips

Happy Easter Morning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Dixie Phillips

Crowns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Dixie Phillips

When I Consider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Carolyn R. Scheidies

Easter Morning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Carolyn R. Scheidies

Accepting His Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Carolyn R. Scheidies

POEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4 Contents

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M-I-N-ECAROl S. REDD

Summary: Easter story about a little lamb who was unloved and unwanted until he met the shepherd who changed his life.

Characters: story teller

Little children listening to storyshepherd

little spotted lamb

six little White lambs: Wooly WiGGle, curley Q, lambie pie, lizard lamb, licky lamb, beautiful baa baa

narrator

sinGer—This drama is very powerful if it ends with someone singing the song “You Are Mine” by David Haas or any other appropriate song.

Setting: Rocking chair is on stage where story teller sits while reading to the little children. children are dressed in pajamas and holding their favorite stuffed animal or blanket while sitting on the floor around the story teller. When it is time for the shepherd he will enter down the center aisle from the back of the auditorium with all the Little White Lambs following him at various speeds. The little spotted lamb enters at a distance behind the other lambs so they do not see him and he hides to one side when he gets to the stage area.

Props: rocking chair, large storybook with the title “M–I–N–E” clearly taped to the front cover, BibleCostumes: pajamas, stuffed toys, blankets for the Little children Shepherd costume and staff for the shepherd

White lambs costumes can consist of cotton balls attached to ski caps or shower caps and cotton balls attached to white plastic trash bags cut out like vestsspotted lamb costume is the same as the other lambs’ with some black or multi-colored pom-poms mixed in with the white cotton ballsRunning Time: 15 minutes

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As drama begins, Little children are randomly seated on floor around the Story teller who is sitting in rocking chair holding the storybook. Story teller: OK, boys and girls, I’ll read you one more story, but then

you must go to bed because tomorrow is Sunday and we need to get up on time for church.

[Children all nod in agreement and settle down for the story. The Shepherd and lambS act out the story as it is being read. As the Shepherd speaks to each lamb, she should approach the Shepherd so he can pet and hug her. Then they sit around the Shepherd in a half circle.]

Story teller: Once upon a time there was a shepherd who loved and cared for six little lambs. One sunny morning the shepherd said, “Come little lambs up here to where it’s grassy and safe so I can continue reading to you as I did yesterday.”

[The little White lambS follow the shepherd down the aisle. The little Spotted lamb enters down the aisle behind the others but stays partially hidden and watches the others intently.]

Story teller: Now Little Lambs come close. Gather around me so I can make sure we haven’t lost anyone along the way. Hmm-m-m-m maybe I should call the role, just to make sure.

Let’s see, Wooly Wiggle, where are you? Ah, there you are. Just look at you, so cuddly and covered from head to toe with all that wonderful wool. And you’re so much fun to watch because you wiggle as you run and play. Oh, Wooly Wiggle, you certainly are one of my favorites!

And Curley Q, are you here? Oh, there you are! If you aren’t the cutest little lamb I ever did see! And just look at how curly you are. I just love to pet your curls. You are such a delight and certainly one of my favorites!

And where is Lambie Pie? Oh here she comes! Just look at that sweet face. You are very adorable. I’m so glad to be your shepherd, and you are most definitely one of my favorites!

What about little Lizard Lamb? Now where did he wander off to? Oh,

6 M-I-N-E

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here he comes. Little Lizard Lamb, you are so dear to me. Why, I’ll never forget the time you wandered away from us and slid down into that crevice, just like a little lizard. I was so terrified that we had lost you forever, but here you are full of life and joy! You will always be my little Lizard Lamb and you certainly are one of my favorites!

And what happened to Licky Lamb? Oh, here she comes, as cute as a button and, as always, licking everything in sight. What would we do without our little Licky Lamb? She’s so much fun and such a great friend to us all. No doubt about it, Licky Lamb, you are absolutely one of my favorites!

Wait a minute. We’re missing someone. Oh, there she is! Beautiful Baa Baa, where have you been? I thought we were going to have to go out searching for you, and we would have, you know. You never have to worry about that Beautiful Baa Baa. If you are ever missing, I will find you. You’re so beautiful Beautiful Baa Baa and you are most definitely one of my favorites!

OK, now that we’re all here and accounted for, let’s begin our reading.

“Let’s see, now where are those verses?” the Shepherd asked as he began searching through his Bible. “I thought you might enjoy them because they are about a shepherd [smiling] and his sheep!”

All the little lambs happily danced around and said “baa . . . baa . . . baa!”

“Oh, here’s the first one. It’s in Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.’

“And then there’s this one in Isaiah: ‘The Lord tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.’

“And in the book of John it says: ‘The watchman opens the gate for [the shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.’

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“And later in the same chapter of John, Jesus the Son of God said: ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.’

“Wow!” said the Shepherd, “those are such beautiful words about a shepherd and his sheep. Most importantly, the Lord is the greatest shepherd of all.”

All the little lambs excitedly nodded in agreement. Just then, a little spotted lamb slowly began edging closer to the shepherd and all the other little lambs.

When the shepherd noticed the Little Spotted Lamb moving toward them he said, “Well, look over there. Who is that coming our way? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him around here before.”

And the Little Spotted Lamb quietly asked, “How do you know I’m a lamb?”

And the shepherd replied, “Well, I happen to be a shepherd, and shepherds know all about lambs. And you, well you look like a lamb.”

“I do?” asked the Little Spotted Lamb meekly.

“Of course you do! Why would you ask such a question?” responded the Shepherd.

“Well” said the Little Spotted Lamb, “because my friends told me I am too ugly to be a lamb.”

“Ugly?” asked the Shepherd, “Why, I think you are beautiful!”

“But I have spots,” the Little Spotted Lamb told the Shepherd.

And the shepherd responded, “And I think your spots are beautiful too! Now where is the rest of your herd, you know, your friends and family? They must be frantically searching for you.”

“No,” said the Little Spotted Lamb very sadly. “They sent me away.”

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“They sent you away? But why?” asked the Shepherd.

“Because,” answered the Little Spotted Lamb, “I have spots.”

And then the Shepherd softly said to the Little Spotted Lamb, “Well, let me tell you something little lamb, we would love to have you join our family.”

All the other little lambs excitedly nod in agreement.

Then the Shepherd continued, “So now, you are one of us! Come along with us. We were just getting ready to go for a nice walk down the hillside. Come follow me. Come along Wiggle Wooly. Let’s go Curley Q. Come on Lambie Pie, Lizard Lamb, Licky Lamb, and Beautiful Baa Baa.”

And Curley Q said to the Shepherd, “Just like the Bible said, you are our shepherd and you know us by name!”

“That’s right,” said the Shepherd.

Then the Little Spotted Lamb looked up at the Shepherd and said, “But you don’t know my name.”

“Why you are absolutely right,” replied the Shepherd, “Now what is your name?”

And the Little Spotted Lamb softly answered, “I don’t know.”

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“What?” asked the Shepherd who was shocked at what he heard. “You don’t know your own name?”

“No” said the Little Spotted Lamb. “No one ever gave me a name.”

Saddened, the Shepherd responded, “Well then, I shall give you a name. Let me see, it must be a great name because you are such a great little lamb. Let me think. I’ve got it! I shall call you Mine.”

Surprised and confused, all the little lambs asked, “Mine?”

“That’s right,” said the Shepherd firmly, “Mine!” And as he looked at the Little Spotted Lamb, the Shepherd continued, “From this time on, you shall be known as Mine. M-I-N-E. Mine. You are Mine. Get it? You shall never feel lonely again because you are Mine. You will always be part of my family. You will always belong to me because you are Mine. And you most certainly are one of my favorites!”

Narrator: Isaiah 43:1 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Singer closes by singing “You Are Mine” by David Haas.

10 M-I-N-E

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