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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Ahmed's Gift -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Call to Worship:
The End Of Their Lives -- Matthew 9:9-13; 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Call to Worship:
The New Boy -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Call to Worship:
Jasmine's Special Christmas Present -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
A Father's Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Call to Worship:
The Braying Of A Donkey -- Matthew 27:11-54 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
Call to Worship:
Oh Dear, Roly! -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: In Jesus, the kingdom of God has come near. Let us turn to him and
Jasmine's Christmas Present -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Tarika And Amy -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Call to Worship:
The Bible Club -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Call to worship:
The Dove's Tale -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Call to Worship: God said, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well
James' Barbeque -- John 10:22-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Call to Worship:
John's Train Journey -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Call to worship:
The Apple Pip -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Call to Worship:
Rupert's Shame -- John 1:43-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus says, "Follow me." Like Philip, let us find our friends and
Holly And Michael -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Call to Worship:
Mrs Round Bakes Some Cakes -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
Stamp Collections -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
Call to Worship:
Lonely Joe -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Follow me and I will help you to connect with
Hannah's Homework -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Call to Worship:
The Wandering Minstrel -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
Spiky Is Transformed -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Call to Worship:
Grandma's Pendant -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Call to Worship:
Mrs Cluckabut's Chick -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
Silas The Thief -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Griselda's Turbulent Life -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Griselda had a turbulent life. She always blamed her name.
Princess Lightfinger -- Luke 8:22-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C
This is a story about a princess who finds herself in terrible trouble.
Mike's Great Disappointment -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
Mike was fed up.
The King Is Coming? -- John 18:33-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
The jungle was abuzz with excitement.
Tracey's Temper -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Tracey was afraid. They were all playing Truth or Dare, and Tracey didn't know which was worst.
Why Should I? -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
"Where's Ruth?" asked Jamie's mother.
Gotcha! -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Steven couldn't believe his luck.
Praxis' Special Job -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Praxis, the pixie whose skin changed colour according to his moods, was a beautiful, bright oran
Michael's Snow -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
When Michael woke on New Year's Day, he gasped.
The Holy Grail -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
This is a story about a boy who is tormented by bullies, but his life is transformed when he makes a
Tony's Experiment -- John 6:24-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
"Do you want a sandwich?" asked Tony's mum.
Winston's Race -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Winston was determined to win the race.
God's Messenger -- Luke 2:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
"Oi!" said the angel.
Praxis' Mother Has A Headache -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Praxis' mother was uptight, which was unusual for her.
Mary Louise And Her Silent Companions -- John 16:12-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Mary Louise was a little bit lonely. Not completely lonely, but just a little bit.
The Hermit In The Woods -- John 17:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Old Jack lived in a caravan in the woods.
Toby's Box -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
Toby was playing with his favourite toy.
Riding On A Donkey -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - B
I hadn't long been born when I first saw my mother being savagely
Friar Tuck's Decision -- John 3:1-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - A
Friar Tuck was worried.
Praxis Turns Scarlet -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Praxis, the pixie who changed colour according to his feelings, was a bright and healthy pink.
Mandy's Cloth -- John 14:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Mandy was only four when she started school.
The Great Chess Game -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Stephen started playing chess when he was quite small.
Tim Takes Up His Cross -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Tim was never allowed to go anywhere with his big brother, Fred.
Pinning The Tail On The Donkey -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Those who think they can see everything are often the ones
Fluffy Cat And Toby Mouse -- John 6:56-69 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Fluffy Cat and Toby Mouse lived together in the same house.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Risen And Living God... -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Bountiful God... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Inclusive God... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Creator God... -- John 3:1-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Rescuing God, Your Sense Of Grace Is Outrageous... -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Caring God... -- John 10:22-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Law And Order... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, You Gave Us Laws... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Astute And Understanding God... -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Generous God... -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Self-Giving And Self-Emptying God... -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Whisper... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Powerful God, When Your Church Is Filled With Your Spirit... -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God, Temptation Is Nasty... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Universe... -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, How Can I Love Everyone I Meet... -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Loving And Tolerant God... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Refining Fire... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Humility... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Courageous God... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Dear God, Sometimes I Hardly Dare Say What's In My Mind... -- John 17:6-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Overwhelmingly Generous God... -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, You Call Your Church To Take Up Their Cross... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Transforming God... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- All Saints Day - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

The Pursuit Of Wisdom -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
The USA probably has the right idea. Americans only allow their presidents to remain in office
Curiosity And Courage -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
According to personality indicators such as Myers-Briggs, there are a number of different
Fashionable Clothing -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Every week the Sunday Times has a magazine devoted to style. It's
Passing Over -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
At the moment it is a
Experience Or Tradition? -- James 1:17-27 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
I'm presently reading an excellent book by Marcus Borg, entitled,
The Culture Of Blame -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
According to the media, there is a shortage of surgeons in the US. The reason for this is that
God's Gift Of Speech -- James 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
In a previous incarnation (as it were!) I used to work as a
Laws For Life -- Exodus 20.1-4,7-9,12-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
The psychologist Scott
Trust In God -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
There has been an inspiring
While The Cat's Away.... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
As churches which enter interregnum know, there can be an uncertainty when organizations
Certainty -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
On the death of a loved one
Is It Fair? -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
There is a church on the top
Sheep -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
We English are renowned as a nation
The Covenant -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
The Gentleman's Agreement is
Who Needs Rescuing? -- Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
There seems to be something of an outbreak of modern slavery throughout the world. In the UK in
Laws For Life -- Exodus 20.1-4,7-9,12-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
The psychologist Scott
God's Call -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
At a recent seminar on
God's Kingdom -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
I once attended a meeting where the Liberal Democrat Shadow
Say 'no' To Strangers? -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
I remember an occasion in a Church service some years ago, when a young man stood up to read the
Learning To Love -- John 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Just before Fiona our eldest daughter was married, we dug out the old cine films, and the whole fa
Do You Not Perceive It? -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
My grandmother, who died way back in 1960, used to listen to "The Archers" on the radio.
The Good Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
There was a farmer living in a remote part of the Norfolk countryside who had been burgled a num
The Value Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Several years ago, 38 members of the "Heaven's Gate" religious cult in California drank poison in
God's Power -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
It sometimes seems to me that our world is based upon power.
What Is Love? -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
John Humphrys, the radio and television journalist of forty years' experience, has written a boo

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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