Pod the Alien Sketch : ‘Thanksgiving’

New opening titles! (No narration needed. Pod bangs on the door, Compere opens the door, Pod enters)

Ta-raaah!
Hello Pod, it’s good to see you again
Yeah, but hey! But what about the entrance!
Yes it was … spectacular; great fun to watch
That was nothing. It was even more fun being in it. I always thought I should be on the big screen.
I noticed that you have a jingle now as well
Excuse me! ‘Theme tune’ if you don’t mind. And if you all practice your singing we might even be on for a ‘sound-track album’.
Well, so much for the entrance. You’re here now. What is it you wanted to ask us about?
Hold your horse. There’s no need to rush. We’ve got the whole morning ahead of us. I made sure I got here early this week.
Yes, I did notice. Why have you come so early?
I wanted to see the whole thing. I love special occasions … and apples.
I don’t think I understand, Pod. What’s the special occasion?
You know, the special thing that happens when it gets autumnal. And people start baking bread in the shape of a big bunch of grass.
Do you mean Harvest Festival, Pod?
Yes, yes of course I mean harvest festival. ‘We plough the fields and scatter’, and ‘all things bright and beautiful’. I’ve heard a lot about it. And I especially wanted to see yours… And, and look at their faces! Some of them have forgotten to bring anything. But I remembered – I did, and that’s why I’m here.
Oh, I’m sorry Pod, but we don’t do harvest festival here.
(pause) …Oh. But I thought all churches did harvest festival. You did one last year didn’t you?
No, we didn’t have one last year either.
But that was just ‘cause of the Foot and Mouth, right?
No.
I did wonder why there weren’t many tins around… I guess I won’t be needing this, then. (dropping tin on floor)
I’m sorry Pod, but we don’t have many farmers or market gardeners round here. And as we want to be more relevant to our culture, we don’t celebrate harvest festival. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t be thankful for all the good things that God has done for us. In fact our service is going to be all about why we’ve got lots to be thankful for. One reason is because it’s our first anniversary. We’ve been going one whole year!
Ah .. a birthday. I love birthdays. I don’t know if ever told you; I myself had a birthday only this year. I had a big party…
Yes, it’s something of a party for us, too.
I see. But I don’t see any presents. I mean you can’t give a church a present anyway, can you? So I don’t see why you should be thankful?
No you’re quite wrong there Pod, There are loads of reasons to be thankful to Jesus. He invited us to join his family, and gave us all special abilities and jobs to do in his family business.
I don’t see why that’s anything to be pleased about. It just seems a lot of hard work for nothing to me. No, I don’t buy that at all. You’re getting me all puzzled, and I come her to get unpuzzled. You’re really no good at explaining are you, Wendy. Not like Sara. Now she’s very good at explaining. Where is Sara anyway?
Now don’t start all that again, Pod. You see for us being part of God’s plan is the most wonderful thing. People in this world do all sorts of important jobs, but for those of us that are involved in God’s plans, we are building something that will last forever, and ever: God’s kingdom.
You make it sound very grand, but church is a people thing isn’t it. I’m not sure that it’s not just something you decided to do, yourselves.
Oh no Pod. Church was Jesus’ idea in the first place. It was the way that he wanted us to show Him to the world. The bible even calls us ‘His body’. And even this little church wasn’t our idea either. Jesus told us about his plans for us though visions and prophesies, and by speaking into the hearts of those of us that founded it, just a year ago.
Wow, I guess that does make you special. But what about all these short ones, I can’t see that they can do anything useful.
You have got a lot to learn Pod. They’re part of God’s plan as well. And God has special things in mind for each of them, and they are starting to find that out already. They are building the kingdom that will last forever, too.
Really? Now that is exciting. You know, “church” doesn’t seem a big enough word for it! But I have learnt something new on this visit, that you are each special to God, and being involved in his plans is the most important job that anyone can have. And that is something to be thankful for! Well I’ve taken up enough of your time, I’m sure you’ve got lots more to do.
You’re not going are you, Pod? I thought that you were going to stay for the whole service this time.
Yes, but I haven’t got time to stay now. I’ve must find something for lunch from somewhere. I had been hoping to pick up a few vegetables whilst I was here. See you soon, good-bye.
Good-bye, Pod.

Standard exit (leaves. Spaceship takes off on DVD to accompanying sound effects through PA.)

© M Day 08-Oct-2002