Hannah

Hannah’s Monologue – Children's Church Presentation

Character Description

• Hannah is in period costume, appearing in her mid-twenties.
• She should come across as a mother—tender and loving.
• She must "stay in character" at all times but should engage with the congregation by looking around as she speaks to the children.
• The performance should be entertaining and exciting but not comedic—it should maintain a dignified, sober sincerity.
• Upon entering the sanctuary, she will sit on a chair or the edge of the platform to be at the children’s level.

Pronunciation, Meaning & Background

• Hannah (Hebrew: Channah, pronounced khan-naw') means "grace".
• She was the mother of Samuel and one of the wives of Elkanah.
• The root word chanan (khaw-nan') means:
  • Mercy, gracious, merciful, favor, supplication, pity, fair, favorable, favored.
  • Variations in meaning:
    • (Qal) To show favor, be gracious.
    • (Niphal) To be pitied.
    • (Piel) To make gracious, be favorable.
    • (Poel) To direct favor to, have mercy on.
    • (Hophal) To be shown favor, show consideration.
    • (Hithpael) To seek favor, implore favor.

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Performance Cues & Dialogue

Pastor’s Introduction (before Hannah enters)

(At this time, the pastor invites the children to the front of the church.)

Pastor:
"This morning in church, we are going to learn about another person in the Bible who served God. And you know what? You are going to learn about that very same person! We have a very special person coming to talk to you in Children's Church this morning."

(At the words “very special person”, Hannah enters from the side door.)

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Hannah’s Entrance & Monologue

Hannah: (cheerfully, looking at the children)
"Good morning! My name is Hannah. I see that many of you are here with your families this morning—that’s wonderful! You see, I am a proud parent too, and today, I want to talk to you about my child."

"You may have heard of my son—his name was Samuel. In Children's Church this morning, we are going to talk about how I prayed to God for a son. And not just once! I prayed continually and with perseverance."

(Pause, leaning in slightly.)
"Perseverance. That’s a big word, isn’t it? Well, do you know what it means?"

(Pause for responses, then continue.)
"It means that when you do something, you don’t stop after the first time if things don’t seem to be going right. You keep going! So when I prayed to God to give me a son, I didn’t just pray once—I persevered! I prayed many, many times."

(Hannah smiles warmly and continues engaging the children as the lesson unfolds.)

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