Based on Psalm 100: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

With a funny take on the Psalm, a group of students misinterpret the overall meaning and "heart" of the scripture, as they are all waiting to enter into His gates and courts:

-Fred is dressed as a pilgrim and has a picnic basket full of thanksgiving dinner items because he can't think of "entering his gates with thanksgiving" with any more spirit than this

-Fiona feels giving praise means showering those around her with compliments

-Sherry goes overboard in her thankfulness, being thankful from everything from her feet to how wonderfully a basket is woven

-Louis is dressed and ready to play basketball because he thinks God's "courts" are basketball courts, while Barb is ready to play tennis, and Kurt is preparing a case for a courtroom

-Leah randomly shouts out strange but silly words, while trying to make joyful noises

-And Ben sings crazy songs at random because he believes he should enter God's presence with singing

Meanwhile, Mona is trying quietly to read a book, but when she notices her friends acting "nuts" she feels it necessary to step in and set them straight on the TRUE meaning of the scriptures.  But the friends aren't buying it and think she's the crazy one for not being fully prepared.

 (The excerpt below was taken from the middle of the skit)

It seems all Don can do is complain: it's too hot it's; too cold; it's too dry; it's too wet etc.  He has trouble finding the bright side of anything, which is why his wife, Kay, has "dragged" him to see a doctor.  Kay is hoping the doctor can give Don something to cure his attitude.  This proves to be difficult, since Don claims there is nothing wrong with him, and insists the whole visit is a complete waste of time.  After speaking with Don for a few short minutes, it becomes clear to the Doctor what Kay is talking about.  After running a few "tests," the Doctor diagnoses Don with a severe case of Ingratitude Syndrome, as well as finding a large mass of negativity surrounding his heart.  If things don't change soon, Don is told he has only 2-3 months of quality life left - he's not physically dying, but soon any friends and family he has left will have deserted him due to his negativity.  The Doctor gives Don some simple tips on how to change his behavior, and in the end, Kay is ecstatic with Don's new results.

When three friends sit around and do nothing but complain, the surrounding rocks can't take it anymore and decide to cry out.  The rocks point to the scripture that when God's people remain silent, even the rocks will cry out.  When one of the kids points out the fact that they weren't being silent, one of the rocks responds, telling her that sometimes complaining is worse than being silent.  The "glory rocks" as they are called, help the kids see the error of their ways, and give examples of how to be thankful, no matter what the situation. 

When a group of elementary students devour a table full of Thanksgiving food, their teacher relates it to being hungry for God's word.

When Linda answers her door to find a policeman standing there, she automatically assumes the worst; however, after several assurances that her family members are alive and well, she finds the real reason the policeman is at her door.  It seems Linda and her family have not been thankful enough over the last several months (and in some cases years), and the Department of Thankful Living has sent an officer to their home to investigate.  The officer opens his record book and begins to find a list of "crimes," mainly due to ingratitude and negativity.  For instance, the teenage daughter failed to be thankful for the new haircut that finally got her noticed by the boy she likes at school; Linda complained about having to buy a new wardrobe after her recent weight loss ("I look like a Shar-pei puppy when I get dressed!") instead of being thankful for her new physique; and Dan complains about everything from the neighbor's barking dog to the fact that his wife spends too much money.  Once the officer compiles the evidence, the family is charged with various crimes such as "Petty Theft" and "Robbery"--Stealing the smallest joys out of life and robbing yourself and others of true happiness and contentment; and "Attempted Murder": Attempting to kill thankfulness by smothering it with negativity. In the end, the family must pay for their "crimes" in jail and learn to be rehabilitated.

When Molly wishes for a thankful heart, she didn't expect a guy dressed like a big, red heart to show up and follow her around.  Now, at every turn she finds the "thankful heart" correcting her negativity and pointing out the finer aspects of what it means to be thankful.  Molly never realized how much negativity she carried with her and now that it continues to be pointed out to her, she's regretting her initial wish.  In the end, Molly finally understands how to be thankful, no matter what, and she even becomes grateful for her thankful heart.

Four women, each in need of a blessing, listen and obey the Holy Spirit's leading.  Jaycee needs a babysitter; Pam needs assurance God has not forsaken her; Fran needs help writing a research paper; and Lorna needs a main course to serve the dinner guests she's about to have any minute.  In each situation, the Holy Spirit guides the women to be a blessing to each other.  In the process of giving a blessing, each woman also receives the very blessing she was seeking.

Four women who are each facing a specific challenge in their life, have mysteriously been called to a conference room by Connie, who some know only as "the crazy cup lady." The women all attend the same church but do not know each other, and none of them know why they have been told to meet in the room. It doesn't help that when Connie appears she performs some strange "ritual" with her coffee mug, talking to it and patting it.  The women begin to think Connie is nuts, but when she gives each woman her own cup and instructs them to begin filling it up, they decide to play along. In the end, the women realize Connie is not as crazy as she appears to be: the "cup" is only a symbol of each woman's soul and spirit and represents the idea that if we trust God, He will fill our "cups" until they overflow with His blessings.

When Beth prayed and asked God to give her a grateful heart, she didn't expect God to send a guy dressed like a big, red heart to follow her around.  Now, at every turn she finds the "grateful heart" correcting her negativity and pointing out the finer aspects of what it means to be thankful.  Beth never realized how much negativity she carried with her and now that it continues to be pointed out to her, she's almost regretting her initial prayer.  In the end, Beth finally understands how to be thankful, no matter what, and she even becomes thankful for her grateful heart.

Liza is writing a story of what it would have been like to have Christmas on the ark.  Noah and Mrs. Noah couldn't be more thrilled that the holy day has finally arrived but their sons and their wives, aren't in the Christmas spirit. All they can think about is the gloom the rain brings, along with frizzy hair, and the stench of the animals or the itchiness of the hay.  Even their Christmas carols are things like "Rain, rain go away" and "Raindrops keep falling on my head."  The whining and complaining continues until Noah and Mrs. Noah have had enough.  They set the record straight about the real meaning of Christmas, and the ability to be thankful no matter what situation you find yourself in.  By reminding the family that Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by animals, and Joseph and Mary didn't seem to complain about the stench or the itchy hay, the family begins to realize they truly do have much to be thankful for and that getting into the Christmas spirit, even on an ark, isn't as hard as they originally thought.

Lori has been sitting on the hill with her umbrella for 8 hours, awaiting the "showers of blessings" that God has said He will send to His people.  When her friend, Beth, shows up, the girls decide to wait together.  As the girls ponder what the scripture might actually mean, they begin to reminisce about their lives over the past few weeks.  Through their discussion, the girls begin to realize that they are already in the midst of the shower of God's blessings, and that it has nothing to do with a downpour of rain.

This is a "female" version of my skit "Deep in My Heart."  It is similar in content, however it deals with issues more appealing to women. Paula has lost her joy and can't seem to find it anywhere.  She's looked in the refrigerator, near her  famous cheesecake; in the closet, where her brand new Donna Karen designer coat hangs; and even inside her cute little shoes!  But no matter where Paula looks, her joy is nowhere to be found.  Not even a call to the 911 operator can help her.  After all else fails, Paula finally looks in the least likely of places and discovers her joy wasn't missing at all, just misplaced.

It's a big night in Bethlehem: it seems a new King has just been born and KJOY News Reporter, Carol Jensen, is trying to get the scoop. Trouble is, her Anchorman boss, Jim Banks, wants nothing to do with the story. As far as he's concerned, pursuing the story is a huge waste of time! But as Carol persists, she interviews the Innkeeper (a Bronx-like tough guy) and little Donkey who came all the way from Nazareth carrying a very special lady. A breaking news story begins to unfold and Carol begins to dig a little deeper, much to the dismay of her boss. Interviews with the Shepherd "Dudes", a gnarly sheep, a "diva" Northern Star, and some lost Wise Men further convince Carol this is a story worth airing. But when Carol sees the baby Jesus for herself, she realizes that while this is the biggest story to date, some things are meant to be held as sacred and holy. Deciding not to air the story, Carol instead simply breathes in the most holy night of all. The ending to this skit has the opportunity for the manger scene to be presented, and the director has the choice to end it there or sing any song or hymn of his/her choice.

How would the Christmas story have been different if Jesus had been born in our world today? That's what Gramps and his granddaughter, Meg, are trying to find out. Meg thinks life may have been easier for Mary if she had more of the "comforts" of today, and "Jesus wouldn't have to be born in a barn with a bunch of smelly animals!"  Using their imaginations, Gramps and Meg begin to think what this "alternate Christmas story" would have been like.  It doesn't take long to discover that it wouldn't be pretty.  The three Wise Men have been replaced by Oprah, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz; Jerry Springer tries to prove the paternity of the baby Jesus; the Shepherds aren't afraid of the Angel at all and instead want to call Ghosthunters so they can be on tv; and Mary doesn't understand why all her friends are "unfriending" her on Facebook.  As Gramps points out, "That wouldn't be the humble beginnings God had in mind, and the focus wouldn't be where it needed to be: on God's love for us.  In the end, Meg discovers she likes the original Christmas story much better and asks Gramps to tell it to her one more time, allowing the true Christmas story to unfold for the audience. 

Chaos ensues in a normal family household, when members of a nativity set begin to clash with the more traditional decorations of Christmas. Everything was going fine at first: Tree felt that since nearly every household has a tree where everyone gathers on Christmas, then the holiday must begin and end with him. The Red and Green Ornaments, along with the Christmas Lights felt they make everything in the season more beautiful, while the Gifts were sure they were the best part of Christmas.  Even the Nutcracker felts he played an important role because it's his job to watch over and protect everyone, keeping all the holiday decorations safe. But when they all witness the new addition of the nativity set being added to the decor, everyone shows concern, since they have no idea who these people are. Only the Angel atop the Christmas Tree is delighted with their presence, since she has been awaiting their arrival in the household for a long time. As the nativity characters begin to tell their story (with comedic undertones), the other decorations begin to see why the baby lying in the manger is the real star of Christmas, and they learn how there can be room for all of them at Christmas.

Based off of Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," this skit is about a boy who takes matters into his own hands and decides to "steal" Christmas from his greedy and selfish friends.

When Sam hears his friends talking about all the "STUFF" they've asked for at Christmas, he becomes sickened by their greed and selfishness.  It becomes especially difficult in light of another friend's situation: her family, who was struggling to get by financially has learned that her father has had to take a pay cut or lose his job entirely.  What was already a "just getting by" situation has become much more serious.  This, contrasted to his other friends, who are asking for 4-wheelers, expensive gaming systems, and fur-lined boots make Sam decide to teach his greedy friends a lesson.  With the help of his younger sister, Maddie, Sam plans on "stealing from the rich and greedy, and giving to the poor and needy."  But his plans go awry when he gets caught. Sam must then face the consequences of his own sinful actions, and set right what was not his to judge in the first place.  He is told "Jesus came to give everyone a better life, not just those who deserve it."  In the end, Sam and his friends learn some valued lessons about greed, friendship, and love. 

This skit was originally written for entertainment purposes without a "spiritual" theme; however, the main idea of the skit is to be yourself and let your own unique abilities shine.  This would be perfect for a school setting or a Christmas program outside of church.

Everyone at the North Pole is cranky trying to get ready for Christmas Eve: the elves are behind on their toy making, the reindeer don't want to do their flight training, Santa can't find his hat, and Mrs. Claus can't find her gumdrops for her gingerbread cookies.  But all of that changes when Gingie, one of the gingerbread cookies magically comes to life.  Suddenly, everyone is happier and in a better mood.  As Gingie looks around, he notices everyone at the North Pole has a job to do except for him, so he tries to find a way to help out.  After a series of mishaps, Gingie learns that the best thing he can do for the North Pole, is just to be himself. 

The time is nearing for Jesus' introduction to the world and God has requested His angels find a way to announce the news to the humans involved, like Joseph, Mary and the shepherds.  So Zuriel, the head angel, calls a meeting with three other angels to discuss the best way to approach the humans with this great news. The only problem is they are having a hard time coming up with an idea that will not appear scary, creepy, freaky, strange, weird, or bizarre to the earthlings.  One angel wants to send Mary a letter announcing “You may have already been selected to carry God’s child! and another angel thinks impersonating a sheep to tell the shepherds about Jesus' arrival is a good idea.  In the end, one angel suggests simply appearing to them and telling them not to be afraid might be the best solution.  Zuriel likes the idea but the others feel the humans will never "go for it,"  so Zuriel is left to take matters into her own hands.

When two adult sisters and their families spend Christmas Eve together, the conservation turns to exploring what life would be like today if Jesus had never been born. As one character states, "It would be like winter year round but never Christmas." Others remark that all hope would be gone, and we would be lost and separated from God.  A few of the characters share their past circumstances and lament on how different their lives would have been if it were not for the hope and love of Jesus. 

When the Gingerbread Man finds a torn sign, he sparks a discussion between Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and Rudolph as to who is the most important holiday icon. But when the owner of the torn sign finds them, they are surprised to learn what is the true reason for the holiday season: Love.

It would be a quiet night at the stable in Bethlehem except that the animals can't sleep. It seems that a bright and mysterious light is shining through the window; not to mention the large crowd of people that have gathered in the city over the last few days.  With a strange "vibe" felt in the air, Mac (horse), Buford (cow) and Sheba (sheep) wonder what's going on.  Then Remmy, a small donkey from Nazareth, enters the building.  She's tired after her long journey and looks forward to her bed of hay. However, when her masters, Joseph and Mary, also show up in the stable, it seems Remmy has some explaining to do to the other animals. Remmy begins to clear up the mystery of why a bright star has suddenly appeared in the sky: "It's sign," she says, "that a King is coming." But the other animals misunderstand Remmy's reference to a "King" and they begin to prepare for a visit from Royalty, by polishing their hooves and combing their wool.  When the animals discover that the "King" is a baby, they are disappointd at first but then realize they are witness to a historical event: the birth of a savior. 

Told from the animal's point of view, before the wise men or shepherds came, the Christmas Story, is presented in a completely unique and different way, yet the overall meaning remains the same: Jesus birth is truly a miracle to behold.

This traditional Christmas story is told with a bit of humor, including Joseph who thinks Mary's "surprise" involves a new 4-wheel drive off-roader wagon and an innkeeper who speaks only in rhyme.  Throw in a "directionally challenged" Star who can't seem to find the stable, two clueless shepherds, a sheep who thinks her wool makes her look fat, and three Wise Men who are trying to prove how smart they are by playing "Jeopardy," and you've got the makings of a traditional story told in a non-traditional way.  The skit ends on a more serious note but the rest of the story is presented in a laid back and fun way, while keeping the original theme and message in tact. 

When the Gingerbread Man finds a torn sign, he sparks a discussion between Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and Rudolph as to who is the most important holiday icon. But when the owner of the torn sign finds them, they are surprised to learn who is the true reason for the holiday season: Jesus.

Who is more popular at Christmas: Santa or Jesus? Well, that's exactly what Santa intends to find out.  Santa has been up all night doing research on his computer.  Mrs. Claus is horrified to find out Santa has "googled" Jesus.  "Is that even allowed?" she wants to know.  But according to Santa, anyone can be googled, even Jesus.  After all, Santa believes it's important to keep an eye on his competition.  His research shows gift giving is down and letters to Santa have slacked off, while more people are saying prayers and attending church instead of Christmas shopping. Santa feels more and more people are relying on Jesus instead of him, and he doesn't like it one bit! So, he sets a meeting with Jesus to discuss who should have the rightful place of honor at Christmas.  After all, Santa feels that while Jesus may have laid claims to the holiday first, he (Santa) has really made it into what it is today.  Through their discussion, Santa begins to realize he has lost the focus of what Christmas really is and he learns that Jesus isn't so bad after all, and that perhaps their is room during the holidays for the both of them. 

It's a typical winter afternoon: Mom is addressing Christmas cards, Dad is reading the paper and their daughter, Sally is painting her nails.  With each turn of the newspaper, Dad feels more and more that Christmas has become commercialized and the society has taken "Christ" out of Christmas. He feels society in general thinks the only good presents are the biggest and most expensive, and that no one thinks of anyone but himself.  In the midst of all his musings, the family discusses many upcoming activities like distributing winter coats their neighborhood has collected, sending phone cards to military personnel overseas, a live nativity and "adopting" a family for Christmas; however, the family seems oblivious to all the "Christ-like" activities they and many others are actually participating in. This begs the question, while commercialism does play a part in our society, have we completely taken Christ out of our Christmas?

It's time to decorate for Christmas and Jen has just taken out her box of Christmas lights.  The lights are anxious to get on the tree and begin to shine, as they were created to do.  However, one seemingly innocent comment from Jen sends the lights spiraling into a "fade out."  Orange doesn't think he belongs in a "Christmas set," Yellow thinks she'll never be as pretty as Purple, and Blue seems destined to have a "blue Christmas."  By the time the Christmas Star arrives three lights have already burned completely out, and those that remain are fading fast.  Star begins to shine his light through the others and soon all the lights begin to glow like they never have before.

Blue is a happy snowflake content to roll and bounce in the Winter Wonderland wind.  She sings and dances, and in general enjoys life.  That is until one day when a strong wind blows her to a new part of town.  Then all of a sudden she feels "different"--all the other snowflakes are white, not blue.  Some of the snowflakes laugh and make fun of Blue, calling her foreign names like "freak" or "weirdo." Before you know it, Blue has lost her song and the joy in her heart.  Then  Father Snow, the creator of Wonderland, comes along to teach Blue how special she is. 

As a newlywed couple begins planning their first Christmas together, they realize their expectations for the event differ dramatically.  The husband refers to his wife as a "princess," while she thinks he is a "country hick."  Eventually, these two must work out their differences.  But how?  Told in a two part-skit,  this skit illustrates the value of compromise and uniting as "one."

A group of "high society" folks think they are making sacrificial and unselfish New Year's Resolutions by vowing to give up things like: "designer" outfits, diamonds, cars, home theater systems etc.  But when they meet Maggie, a person whose resolution is to help make a difference in more people's lives, they are shocked to find theirs my pale by comparision.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." --Eleanor Roosevelt   This skit is about how famous African Americans overcame the age-old addage "You can't," and turned their dreams into realities. From humble beginnings, people like Madame CJ Walker, George Washington Carver, Sidney Poitier and Mohammed Ali, all had a dream: to make a better life for thelmselves and to follow their passions. Because of the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr., it paved the way for the Michael Jackson's, Whitney Houston's and Mae Jemison's (first black woman in space) of the world.  Without dreams, there is no hope.  Using the lives of those mentioned previously, this skit shows how the dreams of each individual came true and the impact they had on our world today, as well as challenges the audience to dream their own dreams and see them through to fruition.

President Obama is feeling down: his health care reform hasn't gone as he had hoped and his approval rating is low.  While talking with First Lady, Michelle, Barack begins to question whether or not he should have ever run for a second term.  On some days, he would like to go back to being a "normal" person again. Michelle tries to convince him that change takes time and that he is exactly where he needs to be right now.  Unconvinced, Michelle wishes that Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. were here to talk some sense into her husband.  After all, she tells Barack, "where would the world be today if they had given up during hard times?" Suddenly, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. are standing in the same room, causing Mr & Mrs Obama to faint.  When the President comes to, he embarks on a conversation about perseverance and fighting for what you believe in, with two of history's greatest leaders. This skit is about hope in the face of struggle, and standing up to fight for what is right, no matter what current situation you are in. 

April 4, 1968 was a tragic and historic day in our history, marking the end of Martin Luther King Jr's life.  Told through the eyes of the witnesses who were there on the day he died, this skit depicts the humanity of one of our country's greatest leaders. Plagued with death threats, bomb scares and even a physical stabbing, Dr. King often contemplated giving up his dream for a more "normal" life.  He even predicted he would not live to see his 40th birthday. See what took place on that fateful day in Memphis as told by the men who were there to witness it: Jesse Jackson, Billy Kyles, Ralph Abernathy, James  Bevel, Andrew Young, and James Orange.  Then see how Dr. King's dream lives on in each of us, and why Rev. Billy Kyles believes God put him there to witness such a tragic event. 

Told by using actual events, this skit will transport you to that tragic day in Memphis and give you a glimpse into the real life and death of Martin Luther King Jr. (Includes a brief transcript of the "I've Been to the Mountain Top" speech.)

When Sarah Breedlove's hair starts falling out and developing red, flaky patches, she decides to develop a new hair care formula, which was given to her in a dream.  She doesn't think it sounds too crazy but her sister Louvinia (Lou) and her husband, Charles Walker, aren't so sure.  Arguing that Sarah can barely read and knows nothing about hair products, Lou and Charles try to dissuade her.  However, Sarah doesn't give up that easily.  She knows she was given the hair formula for a reason and figures if she can change her name to something that sounds more official, people will listen to her and buy her products.  In the end, she says goodbye to Sarah Breedlove and hello to Madam C.J. Walker.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

On New Year's Eve, 1863, a group of young people gather inside a church to pray and speculate as to whether or not President Lincoln will sign the much anticipated Emancipation Proclamation.  While three of the teens are hopeful, three are not. Towards the end of the skit, an appearance is made by President Abraham Lincoln himself, giving a short narration on the details of his afternoon, leading up to signing this very important piece of historical documentation. 

 Jen and Casey are two youngsters who find playing games with just two people isn't that much fun, especially games like "tag" and "red rover." They are thrilled to hear more kids are on their way to play, however, they change their tune once they see them: one boy has a green face, another wears bright blue eye shadow, a girl is bright pink and has feathers in place of hair, and two kids have heads in the shape of a cone, not to mention one of them is orange! With such a "weird" mix, Jen and Casey decide there's no way they can play with these people. "They're not normal!" But when an adult friend points out God made us all different for a reason and that being different is necessarily a bad thing, the kids begin to see their new-found friends in a whole new light. They begin to explore the uniqueness of each of God's creations, as well as discover that "deep down we're really not all that different. We all have the same needs and wants." Told with humor, this skit points out that diversity is all a part of God's plan, and that you can't always judge people by what's on the outside.

Jen and Casey are two youngsters who find playing games with just two people isn't that much fun, especially games like "tag" and "red rover." They are thrilled to hear more kids are on their way to play, however, they change their tune once they see them: one boy has a green face, another wears bright blue eye shadow, a girl is bright pink and has feathers in place of hair, and two kids have heads in the shape of a cone, not to mention one of them is orange! With such a "weird" mix, Jen and Casey decide there's no way they can play with these people.  "They're not normal!" But when an adult friend points out that we are all made differently for a reason and that being different isn't necessarily a bad thing, the kids begin to see their new-found friends in a whole new light. They begin to explore the uniqueness of each other, as well as discover that "deep down we're really not all that different.  We all have the same needs and wants."  Told with humor, this skit points out that diversity is all a part of the "big picture," and that you can't always judge people by what's on the outside.

Mrs. K wants to do something a little different with her class, so she sends them on a scavenger hunt to find clues about peanuts and the "Father of the Peanut Industry," George Washington Carver.

When Oprah's staff wants to surprise her with a special "tribute" show, they end up taking a trip down memory lane, remembering highlights from various past shows.  Alhtough a few are ficticious, the majority of the highlights in this skit are real, including references to Tom Cruise (jumping on the couch), Dr. Oz (and the human intestines), Tina Turner (dancing on stage with Oprah), Gayle King (and the adventure road trip), Mary Tyler Moore (showing up to surprise Oprah), Diana Ross (when Oprah dressed up like her), and several others.

This is a fun skit teens would enjoy performing, and a simple way to pay tribute to the life work of Oprah. 

Teenagers Ike and Jetta are forced to spend some time in a Civil War museum because their parents feel they need to experience more history.  Little did they know, they would soon be experiencing it in a most unusual way, when the statues in the room come to life! Soon, Civil War soldiers and spies are sharing their "war" stories and Ike and Jetta find out what it was really like to be an African American soldier back in the 1800's.  Stories include those of: Robert Smalls (captain of the steamer ship, the Planter, who escaped to help the Union; Andre Cailloux, the 1st African American war hero who helped change the views of black soldiers; William Carney, who despite being shot 4 times, would not let the American flag fall during battle; Cathy Williams, the first documented African American woman soldier; C-Fed, a conglomeration of all the African American soldiers who fought for the Confederacy; and Harriet Tubman and Mary Elizabeth Bowser, who were spies for the Union.

"When Oprah Gail Winfrey was born to unwed parents in a samll town in Mississippi, the world didn't take much notice.  No one could have predicted that a small, poor, black girl would grow up to be one of the richest, most powerful and influential women in history." 

And so begins this skit, a tribute to Oprah Winfrey and the contributions to the world she has had made throughout her lifetime.  This skit takes you through 3 "scenes" in Oprah's life.  The first is when Oprah was 6 years old,  preparing to "preach" in her Grandma's church.  Though life on the farm with her Grandma was primitive, (there was no running water or electricity) Little Oprah was happy, reading and reciting poetry and scriptures.  But her world is about to change, as she finds out when a teenage version of herself shows up to "warn" her about events to come. It seems that in "not so distant years," events will change Oprah's happy childhood into one filled with hurt, anger and rebellion.  "But," says Teen Oprah, "the darkenss won't last forever, and you will survive.  Just remember, God is watching over you." The scene then changes to an angry teenage Oprah who wonders how God could allow such atrocities to happen to her.  Just as she is shouting her wrath at God for abandoning her, an adult version of Oprah in her 50's appears to tell her not to give up, and that help is on the way--her life is about to change once more.  Adult Oprah shares just a hint of what is on the way for this teen girl, giving her enough courage to face another day:  "One day the sun will shine on you so brightly, you will feel its warmth with you wherever you go."  The scene changes one last time, as Adult Oprah now comes face to face with the elderly version of herself at age 92.  Just when Oprah thinks she has finally been "used up," she is informed that even at age 92, there is still work to be done. 

By Oprah's own admission, she prayed a prayer at one time in her life:  "God, use me until I'm all used up."  This skit emphasizes that theme, and in the end, based on the successes and accomplishments Oprah as achieved, ponders the idea, "What would happen in our own lives, and in our world, if we ALL prayed such a prayer?"

Three famous African American icons of yesterday and today (Ella Fitzgerald, Jesse Owens, Oprah Winfrey) take the stage one at a time.  In three brief monologues, each character reflects on the struggles and accomplishments of his/her life.  At the end of each monologue, the character asks "Who Am I?", encouraging audience participation if desired.  If no audience participation is desired, the character identifies his/her self and exits the stage.  When all three monologues have been completed, a fourth character, Morgan Freeman, takes the stage and briefly re-emphasizes the notion that "those who came before have paved the way for those of today."  Names such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Rosa Parker etc. are briefly mentioned. 

Rodney and Racine's mom feels her kids don't know enough about their African American heritage, which becomes apparent when her son thinks that "heritage" has something to do with "hair extensions."   So, Mom creates a plan to help Rodney and Racine "study"  by bringing in four friends to help her out. Mom tells the kids that each person represents an important contributor to Black History.  Each person then gives various clues about his or her self, and if Rodney and Racine can correctly guess the name of each person, they can earn various prizes, such as extra dessert, a bonus in their allowance or no chores for the week.  But things don't look good for Rodney when he think's one of Alex Hailey's famous book characters was George Bush. 

Important contributors mentioned in this skit are Alex Hailey, Sojourner Truth, Bille Holiday, and Booker T. Washington. 

A group of slaves have escaped temporarily into the deep woods, out of ear-shot of their plantation owners, in order to worship the Lord in their own ways and styles.  But one young girl doesn't understand why they should gather to praise at all, asking "What has God done for us?"  Through the words and music (optional) of the others, she begins to see just how important this "church" really is and she comes to realize that no matter what it shows to the world on the outside, God can set her free on the inside.

A group of kids are sitting around listening to Michael Jackson's Thriller song, when some friends come in and imply that Michael Jackson is old news and that other entertainers are more current and "hot." A discussion then ensues about all the contributions Michael made to music and the entertainment industry, as well as the awareness he raised to various causes around the world.  Also, in a fun "spoof" the kids wonder what life would have been like for Michael had he chosen another profession.  For example, as a chef, Michael was asked what he was going to do with the egg he just cracked.  His response?  "Just beat it, beat it, beat it.  Just beat it." 

This skit offers a lighthearted look and remembrance of one of our generations greatest entertainers.

When Franklin, a slave, is beaten for a minor incident and then set to be sold and separated from his family, he enlists the help of a "Conductor" in the Underground Railroad to help them all escape.  Along the journey, we meet people like Harriet Tubman, who helped over 70 slaves escape in her lifetime, and William Still, who was born free and was educated just as any white man.  While the story is told in "real time" (the audience watches the story unfold) a Narrator helps fill in small tidbits of information in appropriate places.  This skit reminds us all of the wickedness and perils of slavery and then the awe and inspiration that comes with freedom. 

Various voices in black history share their pieces of the civil rights "puzzle." Written for elementary age children this simple skit shows how important voices from the past and present have influenced our nation.  Characters include: Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta King, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama.

Barack and Michelle Obama are enjoying a hot cup of coffee, reminiscing of their election to the White House.  Talk leads to Martin Luther King Jr. and how he and his wife helped pave the way to their success.  Barack makes an innocent remark, wishing Mr. King was around to see how far this nation has come. Suddenly, "Poof!" in walks Martin and Coretta King, to which Barack and Michelle respond by fainting.  When the presidential couple "comes to" they begin a conversation with the Kings, telling them of how they were influential in their road to the White House.  Martin is thrilled to learn the Obamas are the fulfillment of his life long dream, and quite pleased to discover Barack has a dream of his own.

Keesha and Marcus are siblings who both have presentations to do.  Marcus wants to focus on famous African American athletes but Keesha thinks that subject has been "done to death!" She thinks her topic of "black inventors" is much more interesting but Marcus thinks it's "Borrring!"  So, with the help of her new computer and the very attractive search engine, Hot Bot, Keesha sets out to prove that the world would not be the same without these courageous and intelligent inventors.  Appearances made by: George Washington Carver (peanuts & more), John Standard (refrigerator), Alice Parker (heating furnace), Frederick Jones (air conditioning), Charles Drew (blood transfusions & blood banks), Daniel Williams (open heart surgery), Henry T. Sampson (gamma electric cell), and Thomas Elkins (the toilet).  Other inventors are also mentioned by name.

What if Martin Luther King had the choice to decline his destiny?  This skit reinforces the large contribution Martin Luther made to American history by toying with the idea that after discovering what happens to his future self, he may choose an alternate life.  It all begins with a simple prayer of what direction his life should take.  Immediately, the forces of Good and Evil are on the case.  Evil shows up to try to convince Martin that his young death was tragic and could have been avoided if he had chosen another path. At the same time, Good points out the world would not be the same without his involvement and contribution, and that even though his death, while tragic, was for the greater good of mankind.  In the end, Martin must choose his destiny.  Evil says, "It only takes one wrong decision,"  but Good, knowing the character of Martin Luther King is confident he will choose wisely.   

The skit opens in the year 1685, where we find an African American mother and daughter cleaning and folding clothes.  The daughter poses the question to her mother, "Haven't you ever dreamed of being free?" This sparks a short dialogue with the mother telling her daughter not to even speak of things such as that.  The daughter is told that slavery has become their way of life and that it will never change, dashing any hopes the daughter may have for herself, her children or her grandchildren to ever be free.  The skit then switches to the narrator who briefly tells of the 13th Amendment and how in 1865 slavery was abolished.  The skit highlights various topics throughout history--freedom and slavery, being able to vote, go to college, act in movies or t.v. etc.  At each interval the characters are told "It will never happen."  The voice of the narrator then tells how each one of those things did eventually happen, highlighting the various people in history who made the events a reality.

When it comes to writing about black historical figures, Shondra has an edge: her grandmother knew Rosa Parks.  It came as no surprise then, when Shondra and her friend, Jackie were asked to write about an event in black history, they chose the story of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus.  

When Eli catches his sister and her friend in an African American inspired dance, he and his buddies think the girls have lost their minds. But through innocent teasing and a "know it all attitude," the boys soon learn they didn't know as much about their own heritage as they think they did.  The girls end up teaching them a history lesson they won't soon forget!

A fun skit told in a Dr. Seuss style - actually based on his book "Oh, the Places You'll Go."  Much of the skit is told in rhyme, and has a whimsical, fun feeling attached to it.

When a bride and groom return from their honeymoon, they begin to feel that since most of their "pre-wedding" excitement is over, the actual marriage is going to be all downhill.  They lament on all things that will be "no more:" no more first dates; no more first kisses; no more  falling in love for the first time etc., and they begin to see marriage as ordinary and plain, and something neither are very excited to be part of.  Then two unusual "people" show up, to show them just how wrong they actually are - married life isn't over, it's only just begun!

Tom and Laura are a typical couple in love with one major difference: she's s a city girl and he's a hillbilly.  Her idea of dressing up is fine silk and pearls, and his is a pair of bib overalls with no holes. Tom definitely takes some getting used to, like all his weird sayings:  "You're purtier than a mess of friend catfish," and his idea of a beautiful fresh bouquet is barnyard grass.  But still, Laura recognizes the tender heart and good nature of the man, so she's willing to overlook some of his "absurdities."  But the final straw comes when Tom gives Laura a necklace made from the dried up kidney of a frog. Love or not, she realizes they are just too different and their relationship will never work.  But then Laura is reminded of how God directed the night Tom and Laura first met and how He knows the needs of His people better than we do ourselves.  Laura soon realizes that the differences between she and Tom are not all that far apart and that compromise, love, and God's hand will go a long way in any relationship.

Linda, a coffee connoisseur, stumbles into a coffee shop, hoping to seek marital advice from the local barista.  Speaking  mostly in coffee lingo, Linda explains that she and her husband, Joe, have just a terrible argument and she feels they are drifitng apart, or as she refers to it, "percolating in separate pots."  The barista assures her that this is not uncommon in marriage, and that she and her own husband went through a similar situation years ago.  It is then that Linda finds out how marriage is like a good cup of coffee: it takes time to percolate and a lot of care and hard work is necessary to brew up the best tasting coffee.  After some consideration, Linda decides to give things one more try and will no longer settle for "instant coffee" in her relationship anymore.   

Four children wake up on Valentine's Day each having a similar dream, but none of them can remember what it was about.  As each child begins their day, however, they feel somewhat "compelled" to tell the people closest to them how much they love them. Returning to their beds later that night, they each discover a special letter from God, indicating the dream they had the night before was from Him: it was about appreciating the ones you love, which is the true meaning of Valentine's Day.  In the letter, God thanked each child for spreading that love, and reminded them that when they show others His love, they are also showing their love for God. 

This fun, light-hearted melodrama tells the story of the Woman at the Well in a completely new and different way, while at the same time keeping the original theme of acceptance, eternal salvation and love. We first meet our "pretty Woman" as she's drawing water from the well under the hot rays of the midday sun.  Under the ever watchful eye of  the handsome and suave Devil, the Woman is reminded of her "shady" past.  Just as she dreams of her Prince Charming, Jesus appears, although he confesses, "Technically I'm a king - King of Kings."  And so begins what the woman thinks is a "love triangle" - the Prince of Darkness vs. the King of Kings.  However, when Jesus offers her a drink of living water, the woman has no idea what he's referring to. She thinks he's there to be her future husband.  When Jesus reveals he is the Messiah, the Woman is embarrassed and is ready to leave, until Jesus tells her that what he has to offer "is better than any husband."  While the Devil doesn't give up easily, he is no match for the great I Am, and in the end, the Devil's plans are "foiled again!"

It's Valentine's Day and and Addie is looking forward to a night of romance with her husband Tom.  She has bought him a "fancy" key chain with an inscription on the back that reads: "To my husband Tom - the man who holds the keys to my  heart."  She is a hopeless romantic and is less than thrilled when she discovers his present to her is a blender.  She accuses him of having no sense of romance, unlike her grandparents did during the days of their courtship.  So, Tom arranges for a "do over" of Valentine's Day, this time treating her as he would if they were courting back in the days of her grandparents.  Only problem is, "back in the day" couples had to be chaperoned, couldn't touch at all, etc. and Addie soon discovers that it's not as romantic as she thought it would be.  She then realizes that Tom does a lot of little things for her every day that she simply takes for granted, and in the end she realizes he's much more of a romantic than she originally thought. 

Mike becomes suspicious when he comes home to find his wife Lisa dressed to "please," cooking his favorite meal, and offering to watch ESPN during dinner. Lisa is equally suspicious when Mike presents her with a bouquet of flowers, puts his dirty clothes in the hamper, and wants to talk and listen to every detail of her life recently. Truth is, they both want something: Mike wants to go on a fishing trip with buddies, and Lisa wants a weekend away with her gal pals.  Fearing the other will disapprove, they play mind games with each other to try and get their way instead of communicating openly.   When their schemes are finally discovered and the truth comes out, they realize being open with each other is a lot easier than playing games. We think they’ve learned their lesson, but in the end, they resort to old tricks. 

When newlyweds Carol and Dennis arrive at their honeymoon suite, they are expecting a night of romance; what they get instead is the ghost of Carol's dead Aunt Marlee and the promise that they will be haunted by the Four Seasons of Marriage: Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.  Through a series of encounters with each Season, this young couple learns that true love can only deepen and mature when it stands the test of time.

Rob and Lynn have had trouble lateley appreciating what the other does in their marriage, so Lynn decides to hire Cupid in the hopes that he can help them.  And boy does he ever! With the flick of a remote (because arrows are "old school"), Cupid has changed everything.  Anything Rob used to do in the marriage has now becomes Lynn's job, and anything Lynn used to do has become Rob's job.  If either of them try to help the other or interfere in any way, an invisible "force field" stops them. This proves bad news for Rob whose biggest cooking accomplishment was making pop tarts, and even worse for Lynn who has no idea how to fix their broken garbage disposal.  On top of the "tasks" emotions are running high too: Rob begins to cry uncontrollably while Lynn can't help finding Rob attractive at a most inopportune time.  They soon realize how the tables have turned and must find a way to break the spell of Cupid's "Arrow."

This skit is written in rhyme.  It opens with the male lead admiring the female lead, and asking her "What would it take for you to be mine?"  She pulls out a long list of "musts" like shopping and frolicking through meadows, helping with dishes etc. of which he thinks is both unreasonable and ridiculous. He then responds with his own "must" list, like going hunting, belching and watching football. She, in turn, will have none of it, to which the couple faces a "stale mate."  How will this couple resolve their differences and live in harmony with one another?  Or is it even possible?  One special book may just have the answers they are looking for.

Earl and Denise are having issues in their marriage so they seek the advice of the only person who can help them: a mechanic.  According to Denise, they've sought the help of a marriage counselor but since Earl only understands car lingo, the counselor wasn't much help.  Hence, the visit to the mechanic.  Earl claims his "car" sputters and jerks and won't move forward, and Denise claims that maybe the "car" wouldn't do that if Earl knew how to properly rev up the engine!  After the confused and befuddled mechanic realizes Earl is talking about his wife and not his car, things begin to make more sense.  Earl want to know if the mechanic can give the wife a major overhaul or if he should trade her in for a new model. The mechanic nicely reminds Earl that he is dealing with a classic car and that with all classic cars, they need a little tender loving care.  This skit is a humorous reminder that all marriages can use a tune-up every now and then and that sometimes we need to listen to the "engine" to find out how it's running.

It's Valentine's Day and Fran is sitting by her mailbox waiting for her valentine from God to arrive.  It's not until her friend, Karen, shows up that Fran realizes God doesn't need to send a card through the mail, since He shows us every single day, in many ways, that He loves us.  

When two couples set out for a night of romance in order to rekindle the fires of their marriage, they end up with two very different evenings and two very unhappy people.  Kathy has spent all day preparing for a night of romance with her husband, John, who thinks "rekindling the fires" means heading to the bedroom.  In reality, it meant she'd prepared a game that included acting out various activities like washing each other's hair, reading poetry and slow dancing. While Kathy is in heaven, John is in agony.  Rob's fate isn't much better, or so he thinks.  His wife, Dena, has arranged for them to attend a marriage seminar based on a recommendation from a man at a local bookstore.  Rob doesn't want to go but gives in to please his wife, who says it will be good for their marriage. Once they arrive, the tables are turned, however, when the Speaker announces that in order to rekindle the flames of love it's necessary to be intimate on a daily basis, prepare gourmet meals for your husband, and be sure to keep the kids busy so as to allow him a refreshing daily nap. Suddenly, Rob has found a new hero and Dena can't wait to "kill" the clerk at the bookstore.  In the end, both couples discover that while their definition of "romance" may differ, rekindling the fires of their marriage might be easier than they originally thought.

Brad's English assignment tells him to write about the meaning and definition of love. The problem is, he has no idea what love is.  His friend, Nick isn't much help--his idea of love turns out to be lust.  Brad's older sister isn't much better--she lives in a fantasy world, thinking love is all about romance and candlelight.  Brad thinks he may get some straight answers from his parents, but they seem to believe love is all about surviving the bills, the mortgage and all the endless tasks of parenthood.  It seems the only one who has a clue about real love is Brad's little sister, Meg, who's been watching and talking to her grandparents, who have been married 55 years.  With help from his little sister, Brad learns you're never too young (or old) to learn about love.

When the pastor calls Henry and Pat into his office they believe he might be asking them to lead a marriage seminar.  Imagine their surprise when the pastor suggests they attend a seminar instead.  A bit shocked and hurt by the pastor's words, Pat and Henry try to defend their relationship but instead wind up engaging in a heated argument that seems to prove the pastor's point.  The pastor then tells the couple he thinks the problem is their "big buts."  Henry and Pat take offense to what they think is a "slam" toward their physiques, while the pastor tries to explain his position: "Whenever you use the word "but" in a sentence, whatever comes before it is diminished.  For instance, I love you but you're a nag.  Which would you remember?" Eventually the couple begins to see things the pastor's way not realizing the pastor is hiding a small secret of his own.

Based on Gary Chapman's book "The Five Love Languages," this skit explores the idea that each person has different needs that must be met in their relationships.  As the skit opens we find two couples who have not been relating to each other very well.  One man seeks affirming words from his derogatory wife, while another husband yearns to be close to his wife who often feels overwhelmed by her overly affectionate husband.  The wives also seem to yearn for the kind of attention their well-meaning husbands don't provide.  When the therapist suggests a rather unconventional approach in therapy, the couples are at first jealous and enraged but soon realize the wisdom in his words.  With a little nudge in the right direction, the couples find that pleasing one another can be a lot easier than they thought, and that the benefits are worth the effort.

If God were to write a love letter to us, what would He say?  This poem/narrative explores the idea that no matter what we do, what we say or how we act, we will never tire the love of God.