Why Worry

Origin: Parallel Universe, October 1994.

Theme:
A fairly chaotic collage of video/audio/etc presenting the kind of stuff we worry about, intermingled with what God says about worry…ie not a neat progression through to a clear conclusion.
Mood:
Humorous, light
Setup:
Large rear projection screen
Plastic glasses with ‘Why Worry – Philippians 4/7’ stuck on them
Wine bottles with new labels ‘Why Worry Wine’; white wine plus non-alcoholic;
6x stewards (in ‘Why Worry?’ T-Shirts)
4x mannequins in T-s
3 Screens show scripture slogan slides whenever we decide to show them.
Gear:

Running order:
Intro – Theme Music, Visuals/logo etc
AUD – ‘Worried Life Blues’ – Eric Clapton; level drops for Welcome

1. Welcome (AUD – farting FX) See script A.

2. Glasses and Drinks served. (AUD background level up)
3. Toast to ‘Worry’ (1) (AUD – farting?) – see script B (AUD low)
4. VID – Cliffhanger opening scene — fade soundtrack for voiceover comments

(e.g. ‘Hold on Sylvester’, ‘What could possibly go wrong?’ ‘Woops!’)

5. Scripture – Rom 8/35, 37-39 CEV. See Script C
6. Music VID – ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin (Time 4.50)
7. Link eg. re McFerrin committing suicide…?

‘Do you worry about what you look like at the beach?’

8. VID – ‘Mr Bean Goes to the Beach’ (Time 3.50)
9. Computer Graphics (1) + backing track (Time 0.45)
10. Physical Symptoms of Worry Monologue– (Doctor in labcoat etc) (Time 1.00)

Intro MC ‘Have you ever worried that you might have worry? Would you recognise the symptoms if you did? Here to help you is Dr Kenelley’

11. VID – Hannah and Her Sisters part 1,

Hannah and Her Sisters part 2.

12. Toast 2 ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, please ensure that your glasses are charged for out next toast. (wait while stewards fill glasses). I give you our old friend…Worry’
13. Computer Graphics (2) (Time 0.45)
14. AUD – ‘Do I Worry?” Inkspots Track 12 (Time 2.30/5.00)

+ slow foxtrot demo – two people.
After 60 secs or so they each go and get new partners and so on.
Followspot each of original couple

• repeat song if people are getting into it.

15. Link – ‘Did you worry that you were going to be asked to dance? A big hand for our lead dancers X and Y’.

Set scene for VID to follow. ‘Worry’s a problem even for those who consider themselves very close to God.’

16. AUD – Adrian Plass clip re: Evangelist (Time 2.10)
17. VID – Ren and Stimpy (Time 3.45)
18. Computer Graphics (3) (Time 0.45)
19. VID – Absolutely Fabulous
20. Reading Luke 10. See Script D
21. VID – Lion King OUT: when AUD ends (Time 3.30.)

AUD – ‘Hakuna Matata (Lion King soundtrack)
IN: ‘Hakuna. Matata. what a wonderful phrase’ OUT: end of track
*Drop AUD during instrumental (IN: 1.45 OUT: 2.32) for VOICEOVER of MT6 – see Script E
(IN: ‘If God gives such attention..’
OUT: ‘…you’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met’)

22. Link and Final Toast (3) and Intro to Dancing
23. Dance Songs x 4 live band + Ambient Vid of TV Bloopers (Time 15.00)
24. Closing Link – Read Scripture together off slide
25. Benediction

fade in VID ‘Don’t Worry…’ or AUD Clapton.

Script A

AUD – Background music level drops for MC
‘Welcome to the Parallel Universe tonight. Through the evening we’ll be having several toasts, so if you would take a glass from a steward, and hold onto it for the remainder of the programme, stewards will recharge it as necessary.
AUD – Background music level up while glasses filled; drops for MC

Script B

Toast to Worry

Friends, we’re gathered here tonight in honour of a constant companion, a faithful friend that none of us could do without. We have come to pay tribute to that friend. I was worried that some of you might not make it, but here you all are, and I’m glad you’re with us, because there are many things that could have gone wrong. But they didn’t, and I’d like you to just sit back and relax. Don’t think about whether you turned the stove off before you came tonight; forget about the fact that exams are coming up and you haven’t really done enough study for them; clear your mind of doubts about whether your babysitter is really a child abuser or axe-murderer. Who cares if somebody is out there right now taking the stereo out of your car? Things could be worse, right? They might be removing the wheels or putting sugar in the petrol tank. So, with clear minds we come to pay homage to someone who has never left us, who is with us through good times and especially through bad times. You people sitting under those lights, could you be especially careful how you move? I don’t want to alarm you, but we’re just a tad unsure as to the strength of the brackets holding them up. Not that they’d do much damage, but there’s always the prospect of fire, and this room being basically wooden and all…the exit doors are rather narrow, aren’t they? But nothing to be concerned about, we’re here for a happy occasion, and we should just be glad that we’re all here in good health to enjoy it. Some of you may have a few flu symptoms, but that’s a trifle really – of course with meningitis it’s hard to tell these days. Even AIDS is pretty innocuous in its early stages, and I must say some of you look a little pale under these lights, but hey, no need to be anxious. At least you haven’t got a brain tumour – or at least you’re not aware of one yet. So back to our guest of honour, the silent presence without whom life would be so lacking in imagination, the one we all turn to when we hear a floorboard creaking on the verandah or our partner spends a lot of time working late. (Have you thought about that lately? Had any phone calls when the caller just hangs up? Probably nothing in it, don’t even consider it.) The one who has single-handedly created the multi-million dollar industry of insurance, who is responsible for the employment of thousands in the security business, who is currently sponsoring the drive for superannuation. Friends, charge your glasses, and let’s drink a toast to worry.

(Written by Mike Riddell)

Script C

Romans 8: 35, 37-39 CEV

Script D

(Luke 10: ‘The Message’)

Jesus said…
Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your wardrobe are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.
Has anyone by worrying before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If worrying can’t even do that, why worry at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t worry about their appearance – but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works worry over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your every day human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Script E

Matthew 6: 25-34 ‘The Message’.

Segment 10
Worry is a form of stress and has outcomes affecting all areas of the body and person.
Physiological signs include: Tension headaches
Stiff neck
Tight stomach, abdominal cramps
Unusual sweating
Rapid heart rate, palpitations, chest pain
Raised blood pressure

Fatigue

Insomnia

Pressured speech
Altered voice
Diarrhoea, constipation

Psychological effects of worry include:

Anxiety

Depression

Irritability

Poor concentration

Hypochondria

…that can show in behavioural changes such as excessive consumption of tobacco, alcohol, food, coffee, analgesics, tranquilizers, antidepressants, hypnotics…
…and lead to interpersonal problems such as hostility, withdrawal, sexual difficulties, arguing, aggression, slamming doors…
So…Why Worry?

Resources

VIDS

• TV’s Bloopers eg ‘Do you worry about – getting it right/saying the right thing/what’s going on behind your back?”
• ‘Lion King’
• Being There Peter Sellers tries to stop assault with TV remote
• Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen neurotic re Cancer (Sickness/Death)
• The Party Peter Sellers
• Absolutely Fabulous worries re: being fat (Body Image)
• ‘Cliffhanger’ opening sequence (Life/Death)
• ‘Mr Bean Goes to the Beach’ (Image)
• Video of ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ track
• Parenthood (Children)
• ‘Ren and Stimpy’ seagull/turtle; crocodile ‘Happy, Happy’
• ‘How to irritate people’ – John Cleese

AUDS (Audio tracks)

• Adrian Plass story re Evangelist IN: ‘I hear so many dreadful talks about God…

OUT: ‘You settle for the fact you’re a rat bag and get on with it.’

• Laughing Tape
• Farting Tape

SONGS

• ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ – Bobby McFerrin (EMI) Committed Suicide! (Are you sure about this? I heard it was an urban myth – B)
• Lion King
• ‘Mr Blobby’
• ‘Lean on Me’
• Why Worry Blues’ Eric Clapton
• ‘Do I Worry?’ Inkspots
• ‘Cry Wolf’ AHA
• ‘Why Worry?’ Dire Straits

VISUALS

• Zoo TV type slogan flash, ending with scripture slogan
• ‘What, me worry’ Alfred E Newman (Mad Books)
• Scriptures
• ‘You’ll understand the words better if you move your body’
• Lyrics – ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’

SCRIPTURES

• 1 Peter 5/7
• Phil 4
• Mt 6/25F
• Lk12/4-7

(Concordance word search under ‘worry’/’worries’/’’care’/’cares’ will provide ample texts to make slides for random projections. (NB. search in KJV, NIV, NRSV and then find texts in ‘The Message’ translation)

DRAMA

• Toast to ‘Worry’ – Scripture slogan on glasses

OTHER STUFF

• Toasting glasses –slogan/scripture stickers on each
• Rap + response – about mortgage rates – we worry

about nuclear war – we worry
about better sex – we worry
about any sex – we worry

Instructions to Why Worry Waitresses

There will be three toasts during the evening.
The first one is at the beginning of the service (the MC will ask guests to take a glass and hold onto it)
The second one comes after the video clip with Woody Allen, the MC will say ‘Please ensure your glasses are full’ – that’s your cue!
The final toast comes after the ‘Lion King’ Hakuna Matata
1st Toast: Adee, Pam and Andrea Please go around with tray of ‘why worry’ glasses and give one to everyone. Lyn, Raychel and Robyn – Please take two bottles each, one filled with wine and one with lemonade. Ask people if they would prefer wine or lemonade and 3/4 fill the small glass – it’s just a sip!
At the end of the 1st toast, take back to kitchen and refill with wine and lemonade, bring the bottles with you ready for the next toast. (We’ll find somewhere to put them on the night)
For toasts 2 and 3 please go in pairs, make sure each pair has one bottle of wine and one bottle of lemonade, stay together and offer each person their choice.
Fill up again in the kitchen after toast 2.
DON’T WORRY! HAVE FUN!