The puppeteers and their puppets during a practice prior to the service.
Often the puppets like to interact with children and adult people,
in this case the pole holders.
Behind the scenes during practice.
Most often the puppet theater is used. This picture is a typical
children's sermon with puppets.
|
The Puppets of St. Paul Lutheran Church
Several years ago there was a dream at St. Paul to create a puppet ministry.
The early attempts were paper mache heads on sticks. This wasn't
quite what we were looking for so we eventually developed the flannel large-mouth
puppets we have today. This has been a learning and growing process
for the adults and puppeteers.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes before you see a puppet
presentation. We try to find or write scripts that match the gospel
for that Sunday. The kids choose the puppet they like and then rehearsal
begins. There are so many things to think about behind that curtain;
the puppet's position, moving the mouth and body, and reading from the
script, and all at the same time. The fact that your arm hurts from
holding it in that position doesn't help! As the kids practice, these
things becomes easier and the performance becomes more polished.
We are looking forward to the future of the puppet ministry at St. Paul.
We plan to improve our theater and make more puppets. We welcome
anyone in the 5th grade and older to join this ministry. Puppets
can teach the word of God in a way that can be learned and enjoyed by people
of all ages.
Puppet closeups!
Scenes from the earlier days of puppets at St. Paul.
|
