Sunday School Rally Day Program
Featuring
"A Dirty Story for Seedy People"
		A drama based upon the parable of the sower

In preparation for the day you will need:
•	Bulletins printed with the words to songs, teachers' names, program participants, agenda, etc.
•	Nametags for all in shape of a leaf, flower, etc.  You could use plain nametags on which you have glued different seeds
•	The props for the drama, listed below
•	A bag of soil for each class (including the adults), cups, plastic wrap to cover with rubber bands, masking tape and markers to label with students' names, string bean seeds (they grow quickly)
•	Refreshments for all

Have the students report to their classes and then assemble together in a large area for the program, sitting with their classes.

Begin by singing together some songs that are familiar to all.

At the close of the singing time, teach the song "The Farmer Plants the Seeds" as a way of introducing the drama.

A DIRTY STORY FOR SEEDY PEOPLE

CAST: 	Narrator
	Larry, a farmer
	Cheryl, his sister
	Cheryl, his other sister
	Seeds #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8
	Birds #1, #2
	Thorns #1, #2

COSTUMES:	Bib overalls, etc., for Larry, Cheryl & Cheryl; brown garbage bags for the seeds; make bird wings with cloth hanging from extended arms; have thorns sticking out all over on the thorns.  Be creative!

PROPS:	three buckets, at least four grocery sacks filled with empty cereal boxes; either a bulletin or songsheet with the words to "The Farmer Plants the Seeds" on it.

SET:		The narrator speaks off to the side with the action taking place center stage. You could construct a farmhouse as part of the scenery or maybe just a farmy look with a picket fence, scarecrow, rake & hoe…Scenery can be from very elaborate to none at all.	

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(Before beginning the skit, have the audience sing through the song, "The Farmer Plants the Seed" so they will be able to sing it at the appropriate place.)

Narrator: 	LISTEN NOW TO A "SEEDY STORY FOR DIRTY PEOPLE"…ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE LAND OF PARABLES, THERE LIVED THREE FARMERS…

(enter Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl)
Larry:	HI.  I'M LARRY.  THIS IS MY SISTER CHERYL.  AND THIS IS MY OTHER SISTER, CHERYL.  WE'RE FARMERS.

Cheryl: 	WE DIG IN THE DIRT.

Cheryl: 	WE PLANT SEEDS.

Larry: 		SOMETIMES THEY EVEN GROW.  (The three exit.)

Narrator: 	LARRY, CHERYL AND CHERYL WERE NOT THE WORLD'S GREATEST FARMERS.  THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO PLOW THE FIELDS IN ROWS OR FERTILIZE OR IRRIGATE.  WHEN THEY PLANTED THEIR SEEDS THEY USUALLY JUST THREW THEM UP IN THE AIR AND LET THEM LAND WHEREVER THEY FLEW.

(Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl return with buckets in hand.)

Larry: 	WELL, CHERYL, IT'S TIME TO PLANT THE SEED.  WHERE DO YOU THINK WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO THROW THEM THIS YEAR?

Cheryl: 	I SAY WE JUST DO WHAT WE ALWAYS DO.  LET'S JUST THROW THEM UP 
IN THE AIR AND LET THEM LAND WHEREVER THEY LAND.
Cheryl: 	YEAH, AND LET'S GET A MOVE ON IT.  OUR FAVORITE TV SHOW WILL BE ON IN A FEW MINUTES AND WE'RE GOING TO MISS THE BEGINNING.

Larry:		OH, MY, IS IT THAT NIGHT AGAIN ALREADY?

Cheryl:		YES, IT IS.

Cheryl:	IT'S TIME FOR OUR FAVORITE SHOW, "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME DISASTERS."

Larry:		WHAT ARE WE WAITIN' FOR, CHERYL.  LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH.

(Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl quickly pretend to throw seed all around.  As they do, the audience joins in singing, three times, to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell":

THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEEDS,
THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEEDS.
HE PLANTS THEM ALL AROUND THE GROUND;
THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEED.

During the third time through the song, Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl exit.)

Narrator: 	AND SO LARRY, CHERYL AND CHERYL PLANTED THEIR SEEDS AS THEY ALWAYS DID, AND THEY HURRIED INTO THEIR HOUSE TO WATCH THEIR FAVORITE TV SHOW, "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME DISASTERS."  WHAT THEY COULDN'T SEE WERE THE SEEDS FLOATING AROUND OUTSIDE…

(All eight seeds "float" on stage.  Thorns also find their places.)

Seed #1:	THIS IS IT, GUYS.  WE'RE BEING PLANTED.

Seed #2:	WE KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

Seed #3:	WE HAVE TO GO FOR THE GOOD SOIL IF WE WANT TO GROW!

Seed #4:	SAYS WHO?  WHY?

Seed #5:	IT'S A SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN FACT.

Seed #6:	SCIENCE, SCHMIENCE!   THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WE GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

Seed #7:	THAT'S RIGHT.  WE DON'T WANT TO DRY UP AND BLOW AWAY.

Seed #8:	LET'S GET DOWN AND GET DIRTY!

Narrator:	AND SO THE SEEDS LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO GET DOWN AND GET DIRTY.  TWO OF THEM WENT FOR THE FIRST PLACE THEY COULD SEE…RIGHT ALONG A WELL-WORN PATH.

Seed #7:	LOOK HERE.  THIS SPOT LOOKS GREAT.  A WELL-TRAVELED AREA.  PEOPLE WON'T FORGET ABOUT US HERE.

Seed #8:	ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?  IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE HARD TO GET DOWN INTO THE DIRT HERE.

Seed #7:	TRUST ME!  THIS IS A CHOICE SPOT.

(Seeds 7 and 8 squat down.)

Narrator:	SOME OTHER SEEDS WENT FOR THE ROCKY SOIL…

Seed #6:	I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I THINK WE COULD END UP WASTING A LOT OF TIME SEARCHING FOR GOOD SOIL.

Seed #5:	BUT WE NEED GOOD SOIL TO GROW IT.

Seed #6:	TRUE, WE NEED SOIL.  BUT ANY SOIL WILL DO.  LOOK HERE.  THIS SOIL IS GREAT.

Seed #5:	I DON'T KNOW, IT LOOKS KIND OF ROCKY TO ME.

Seed #6:	YEAH, BUT IT'S CLOSER AND WE CAN GET GROWING RIGHT AWAY.  LOOK AT ME, I'M ALREADY STARTING TO TAKE ROOT.

Seed #5:	HEY, YOU'RE RIGHT.  THIS IS GREAT.  I'M GROWING!

Seed #6:	AND ISN'T THIS A GREAT PLACE TO CATCH THE SUN'S RAYS!

Seed #5:	WE'RE GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST PLANTS IN THE GARDEN.  

(The seeds squat down.)

Narrator:	TWO OTHER SEEDS MET SOME STRANGERS ON THEIR JOURNEY…

Seed #3:	DON'T STOP NOW.  WE'VE GOT TO KEEP LOOKING FOR THE GOOD SOIL.

Seed #4:	I'M WITH YOU, FRIEND.

Thorn #1:	PSST!  HEY, YOU, LITTLE SEEDS.  OVER HERE.

Seed #4:	EXCUSE ME.  WERE YOU TALKING TO US?

Seed #3:	DON'T LISTEN TO HIM.  WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK TO STRANGERS.

Thorn #2:	ARE YOU SEEDS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GROW?

Seed #4:	WELL, YES WE ARE.  CAN YOU TELL US HOW TO FIND THE GOOD SOIL?

Thorn #2:	THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.  YOU'RE STANDING ON IT.

Thorn #1:	THIS IS THE BEST SOIL ON THE FARM.  LOTS OF MINERALS, GOOD SUNLIGHT…

Thorn #2:	AND FRIENDS LIKE US TO KEEP YOU COMPANY.

Seed #3:	GEE.  I GUESS THIS IS THE PLACE WE WERE LOOKING FOR.

Seed #4:	HOME SWEET HOME!  (both squat down)

Thorns 1 & 2:	(laugh devilishly)

Narrator:	OUR LAST TWO SEEDS SEARCHED AND SEARCHED FOR THE GOOD SOIL UNTIL FINALLY THEY FOUND IT…

Seed #1:	IF WE DON'T FIND THAT GOOD SOIL SOON I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO DRY UP AND BLOW AWAY.

Seed #2:	HANG ON.  I THINK THIS IS IT.

Seed #1:	YES, IT IS!  THIS IS THE SOIL WE WERE LOOKING FOR.  OH, WONDERFUL, GOOD, RICH SOIL.

Seed #2:	ALL RIGHT!  LET'S GET DOWN AND GET DIRTY!

Both:	AH!  (as they squat down)

Narrator:	AND SO ALL THE SEEDS FOUND HOMES.  TWO ALONG THE PATH.  TWO IN ROCKY SOIL.  TWO IN WITH THE THORNS.  AND TWO IN THE GOOD SOIL.  NOW WHEN THE FARMERS CAME BACK TO CHECK ON THEIR SEEDS THEY EXPECTED TO FIND TALL PLANTS BEARING GRAIN.  BUT THEY NEVER EXPECTED TO FIND WHAT THEY DID…

Larry:	LET'S CHECK ON OUR GARDEN.  IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOME OF THE SEEDS LANDED OVER HERE ALONG THE PATH…

(birds enter from behind the audience and walk down the aisle)

Bird #1:	I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'M STARVING.  WE'VE BEEN FLYING AROUND FOR HOURS AND HAVEN'T FOUND A BITE TO EAT.

Bird #2:	DON'T WORRY.  WE'LL FIND SOMETHING SOON.  MAYBE UP HERE ON THIS FARM…YES!  DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

Bird #1:	WHERE?  WHERE?

Bird #2:	UP AHEAD, ALONG THAT PATH. IT'S SOME SEEDS.

Bird #1:	LUNCH!

Seed #8:	 WAIT A MINUTE!  I'M NOT YOUR LUNCH!

Seed #7:	YOU AND YOUR BRIGHT IDEAS!  (both seeds are carried off by the birds)

Narrator:	LARRY, CHERYL AND CHERYL STOOD BY AND WATCHED THEIR SEEDS BEING CARRIED OFF…

Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl: (sing song to the tune of "Where Oh Where Are you Tonight" of Hee Haw fame…)

		WHERE OR WHERE ARE OUR SEED,
		WHY CAN'T WE SEE HOW MUCH THAT YOU'VE GROWN.
WE SEARCHED THE WORLD OVER AND THOUGHT WE'D FIND PLANT LIFE,
		BUT YOU WENT TO THE BIRDS AND * NOW YOU'RE GONE.

Narrator:	LARRY, CHERYL AND CHERYL FOUND THE SEED IN THE ROCKY SOIL AND NOTICED HOW TALL IT HAD GROWN…(seeds stand tall)

Larry:	LOOK, CHERYL.  THIS SEED IN THE ROCKY SOIL HAS DONE QUITE NICELY.

Seed #6:	THAT SUN SURE IS BEATING DOWN HARD TODAY AND I'M GETTING PRETTY THIRSTY.

Seed #5:	ME TOO.  I WISH WE HAD SOME ROOTS HERE.  THE SOIL ISN'T DEEP ENOUGH AND WE'RE GOING TO DRY UP.

Seed #6:	WATER!

Seed #5:	WATER!  (both plants wither and die)

Cheryl:	I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED.  THEY WERE DOING SO WELL.

Cheryl:	NOT ANY MORE.
		
Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl:  Sing song as above with the final line…

		BUT YOU WENT IN THE ROCKY SOIL * AND NOW YOU'RE GONE

Narrator:	QUICKLY, LARRY, CHERYL AND CHERYL RAN TO THE SEEDS THAT HAD BEEN PLANTED IN THE THORNS…

Larry:	CHERYL!  OVER HERE IN THE THORNS!

(the seeds stand tall beside the thorns)

Seed #3:	DO YOU THORNS THINK YOU COULD GIVE US A LITTLE SPACE HERE?

Seed #4:	YEAH.  WE CAN HARDLY BREATH.

Thorns 1 & 2:	(both laugh devilishly and choke the seeds so they drop dead)

Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl: sing song with the final line…

	BUT YOU WENT TO THE THORNS AND * NOW YOU'RE GONE.

Larry:	YOU KNOW, CHERYL, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY GOOD CROP OF CEREAL THIS YEAR.

Cheryl:	WELL, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE HAVE SOME MORE SEEDS SOMEPLACE.

Cheryl:	I WONDER WHERE THEY ARE.

Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl sing:

	WHERE OH WHERE ARE YOU OUR SEED,
	WHY CAN'T WE SEE HOW MUCH THAT YOU'VE GROWN
	WE SEARCHED THE WORLD OVER AND THOUGHT WE'D FIND PLANT LIFE,
	BUT YOU WENT…(searching)
	BUT YOU WENT…(searching)

Seed #1:	YOO-HOO!  LARRY!  CHERYL!  CHERYL!  OVER HERE!  OVER HERE!  (seeds are standing up with grocery sacks full of boxes in their arms.)

Seed #2:	LOVER HERE.  IN THE GOOD SOIL!

Larry:	LOOK!  OVER HERE IN THE GOOD SOIL, CHERYL!

Larry, Cheryl and Cheryl sing:

	BUT YOU WENT TO THE GOOD SOILD AND * HERE YOU ARE!

Cheryl:	LARRY, LOOK AT ALL THE CEREAL THEY HAVE GROWN.

Cheryl:	(pulling some boxes out of the bags)  WOWEE!  CHERRIOS, WHEATIES, BOO-BERRY…

Larry:	JUST LOOK AT WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN SEED IS PLANTED IN SOIL.

Cheryl:	LARRY, I'VE GOT A GOOD IDEA.  NEXT TIME, WHY DON'T WE PLANT ALL OF OUR SEED IN GOOD SOIL.

Cheryl:	JUST THINK OF ALL THE CEREAL WE COULD GROW.

Larry:	WE'D BE ABLE TO OPEN A CEREAL STORE.

Cheryl:	AND WE COULD CALL IT LARRY, CHERYL AND CHERYL'S CEREAL STORE.

Larry:	LET'S GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

(as the three march off in single file, all sing…

	THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEEDS
	THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEEDS
	HE PLANTS THEM ALL AROUND THE GROUND
	THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEEDS.

The cast continues to sing the song as they take a bow.)

Scripture reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

Leader:	God's word is the seed.  If the seed is going to grow it needs good soil.  We pray that our Sunday School may provide all the nutrients, the water, the warmth and the sunshine that the Word needs to grow in our hearts.  Please join me as we pray the litany found in your bulletins.

Leader:	Lord, your Word is like good seed that is planted within our hearts.

People:	THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD SEED, LORD.

Leader:	Forgive us, Lord, for the times when we fail to provide fertile soil for your Word.

People:	WHEN OUR FAITH IS SHALLOW AND YOUR WORD WITHERS AND DIES.

Leader:	When our hearts are so hardened that your Word cannot penetrate them.

People:	WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED WITH CONCERNS THAT OVERSHADOW THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR WORD IN OUR LIVES.  FORGIVE US, LORD.

Leader:	Forgive us and make us good soil for your Word.

All:	PLANT YOUR WORD WITHIN US, LORD, AND MAKE IT GROW FOR YOU.
	AMEN.

Hymn	LBW #234	"Almighty Good, Your Word is Cast"
				Or
	LBW #236	"When Seed Falls on Good Soil"

Closing activity:  Talk a little bit about the good soil that you want to provide in your Sunday School this year.  As you introduce each of the teachers and the classes, have the teachers come forward to receive a bag of soil for their classes.  After all have been introduced and received their soil, allow time for each person to plant seeds in cups, using the soil.  Send these home with the students.  Conclude with refreshments for all.

Nancy Kraft Ferris, NEO Synod
Submitted by Lutheran Resource Center, Clear Lake, Iowa