Easter 5: Readers' Theatre

Image: The Stoning of Stephen, Gustave Dore

Here is a Readers’ Theater approach to Acts 7:55-60, the story of the stoning of Stephen.  It comes from the Leader Online website, a quarterly publication for pastors and lay leaders in the Anabaptist tradition.

This scripture reading is designed to be followed by a dramatic monologue from the perspective of the young Saul. You can find that monologue here.

Acts 7: 55-60

1:         But filled with the Holy Spirit,

2:         He gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God

3:         And Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

All:       “Look,”

1:         he said,

2:         “I see the heavens opened

            and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

3:         But they covered their ears,

            and with a loud shout all rushed together against him.

1:         Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him;

2:         and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

All:       While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed,

3:         “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

1:         Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice,

All:       “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

2:         When he had said this, he died.

For more worship resources for the fifth Sunday of Easter (May 22, 2011), click on Easter 5 in the list of “Labels” at the lower right.