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Saturday, March 22 at Lampeter Church of the Brethren

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We (Sam Rittenhouse, Inge Koenig, Cerwin and I) enjoyed another production by The Promise Players.

Muddled Memories is a Bible Journey using a “play” on some familiar Bible stories. I will do my best to give my memories of this fun and interesting production. Cerwin said it was one of his favorite plays done by this group.

Excerpts from the Back Story inside the program guide.

God’s heart was broken when sin entered into Adam and Eve’s lives and stole away the relationship He had with them. The enemy tempted Adam and Eve to want to live like gods themselves, rather than enjoy God’s life with them. Adam and Eve cut off much of what God intended for them. It was God, as the man Jesus Christ, who came and gave the ultimate sacrifice so that mankind would again choose to invite God to reside within their hearts.

Introduction

An introduction to the play along with several housekeeping items – cell phones, bathrooms, etc.

Singing: Muddled, Befuddled

Scene 1: Garden of Sweden

I told you this production was a play on familiar Bible stories.

Adam (left) and God discussing rules of the Garden (represented by people in the background).

God telling Adam that he was going to give him a wife.

God putting Adam to sleep when creating Eve.

Eve being introduced to Adam and discussing the beauties and rules of the garden.

Eve eating fruit from the forbidden tree.

Shivering because everything in the garden changed when God withdrew from them – and being offered coats for warmth.

Eve is confused as to why everything changed.

God came to Eve and explained that he was going to send a messenger to help her understand what happened in the future due to her sin.

The messenger (left) came to Eve to tell her that she was going to take her through a few stories in the Bible. A few things that happened because sin had now entered the world.

My opinion: These two young women (Messenger and Eve) were perfectly cast and added much to the play.

Scene 2: A Talking Emu

The Messenger explained to Eve about the true Bible story of Baalam and the talking donkey.

Scene 3: Chicken Corn Soup

The story of Naomi, Orpah and Ruth – according to this production.

Ruth decided to stay with her mother-in-law and after arriving at Naomi’s homeland, went to look for a field where she could gather grain.

Singing: Harvest Time

Boas talking to one of his filed workers.

Ruth gathering grain.

Boas giving Ruth chickens to add to the corn she gathered and telling his workers to not pick corn and grain on the edges of the fields – keeping that for her and Naomi.

Adding more corn to the basket.

Cooking chicken corn soup.

A discussion between Ruth and Boaz as to why he was being kind to her.

The Messenger explained the true story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz to Eve.

Scene 4: Super Man

This was a “play” on the story of Samson

His wife trying to figure out the reason for his super strength.

Consulting with his enemies.

Like the Bible story of Samson, Superman told his wife a variety of stories for the reason of his strength – like remove my yellow belt, remove my red cape, remove my superman sign.

Finally, he said, if you wash my hair, I will lose my strength.

It worked – he lost his strength.

His enemies making fun of him.

Getting back at them by pushing over the building’s pillars.

Singing: Samson Part, 1, 2, & 3

The Messenger explaining the true story of Samson. When Eve wondered why God allowed people to make mistakes and get involved in sin, the Messenger said, “God does not want puppets, He wants people to love Him and make wise choices.”

Scene 5: Writing on the Ball

Singing: We just want to Drink

A scene at the celebration party – a “play” on the story of Daniel and Belshazzar and the writing on the wall.

He called in his wise people to translate the writing on the ball – which happened at the party. They read funny things like Spalding and words that were on the ball.

She knew a man who could tell him what it said.

Daniel was called in to the room to tell him the words. It said, “His days were numbered, ignored and divided.”

Explaining the true Bible story and introducing the next scene.

Scene 6: Lion’s Den

Telling the ruler that Daniel would not bow to him and only prayed to God.

This cute girl came on stage every now and then to announce: “A few days later”, or “The next day”, etc. She always wore something that fit with the scene. In this case she was a lion.

Daniel praying.

Being thrown into the Lion’s den. Notice the football shirts. Part of the lion’s den was the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Representing the lions.

Singing: It was faith, after Daniel was released.

Another explanation of the true story in the Bible

Scene 7: Monkey on His Back

Asking for help to get the monkey off his back.

A young girl said the monkey will leave if he spins around seven times. (A “play” on the story of Naaman)

Consultation happening here.

He thought spinning was a stupid idea, but was finally convinced to try it.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven spins – and the monkey was gone.

Talking to Elisha about a new problem. Some of the gifts that the monkey-on-his-back-man brought for the ruler were found to be missing and this young woman was charged.

The monkey returned, threatening to jump on her back.

The monkey chased her up and down the aisles and ended up on the stage.

Oh, how easily we end up with a monkey on our back due to a bad or sinful habit.

Eve had more questions which the Messenger explained with the true Bible story of Naaman – when he was asked to dip in the river seven times for his leprosy to be removed.

My opinion. This was my favorite scene.

Scene 8: An Opera

A poor woman giving money to the apostle John

This man lied about the amount of money he gave the apostle.

He died before he could leave the room.

Being taken from the room.

His wife came and told the same story, not realizing what had happened to her husband.

She also died before leaving the room.

Being taken from the room.

John and Peter reacting to the happenings of the day – “play” on the story of Ananias and Sapphira

Scene 9: Homeless Heart

Cornelious, a godly Centurian, praying.

An angel came to him, praised him for his gifts to the poor and asked him to call for Peter.

Peter, could not in good conscience accept the gifts from the poor girl.

God convinced him that it was okay to eat from her gifts.

While Peter was still thinking about it, three people came looking for him. He eventually felt free to eat the food.

Singing: We Are Set Free

Curtain Call

Fabulous job!

The Promise Players came through again.