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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Wind, Clouds And Sun -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Call to Worship:
Rosie Diamond Sulks -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Call to Worship:
When Simon's Dad Went Away -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Gets Rich -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: As we listen today to the story of Jesus driving people out of the
Gordon The Groundhog -- John 10:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
You Can Do It, Emily! -- John 5:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Call to Worship:
Praxis Throws A Party -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
When Anna Died -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
The Beautiful Red Balloon -- John 12:20-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: If we wish to see Jesus, we must be prepared to follow him so that
God's Son Returns -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Paul's Holiday -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Call to Worship: Let us join together to use this time for rest and relaxation
Praxis Takes Care -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
Call to Worship:
Tom Can't Be Bothered -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Jesus Our King -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - B
Many churches hold a Palm Sunday procession
God's Love -- John 14:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Gemma's Worst Day -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes a little child in my name welcomes
Praxis Receives Power -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - C
Call to Worship:
Toby's Dive -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Call to worship:
Broody's Chick -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
The liturgy can start with a procession in which
Fluffy Cat Meets Toby Mouse -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Call to Worship:
Tegan's Sale -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Call to Worship: Jairus begged Jesus, "Come and lay your hands on my daughter, so
Praxis Meets Blue Squirrel -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
Toby Hears The Call -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Call to Worship:
Tom's Doubts -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: When Jesus appeared, he said "Peace be with you." Let us take hold
Fluffy Cat Gets Wrong -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

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
Father Time Takes A Tumble -- John 3:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Old Father Time was feeling not only old, but tired and lonely and very, very cold.
Praxis Looks For Justice -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Praxis the pixie was ordering the other pixies around.
Luke's Grandpa -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
When Mary used a jar of very expensive ointment to anoint Jesus' feet, other people condemned he
The Fiery Princess -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
John the Baptist told his followers that the Messiah (Jesus) would baptise with fire.
Thomas And The Cave -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited.
The Search For Kingship -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
This is a story about a royal prince, who was sent by
Double Trouble -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Double Trouble was the smallest of the litter of puppies. He was also the most mischievous.
Praxis In The Dark -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Praxis the colourful pixie was feeling very blue.
Lone Star -- John 1:6-8; 19-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Lone Star planted his front paws firmly on the rock at the top of the hill, threw back his head,
The Day Of The Storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
The first thing Jack saw when he walked into church on the Sunday morning was a bright red o
Thomas And The Cave -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited.
Dragon Fire -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dominic Dragon lived in a cave in the Welsh hills.
Praxis Finds Himself -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Praxis had a problem. It wasn't a problem shared by any of the other pixies, it was his alone.
Living Like Animals -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Timmy and Angela glared at each other.
The Christmas Thorn Of Glastonbury -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
After baby Jesus grew up to be a man, he got into terrible trouble, and wicked people killed him.
The Worst Pixie In The World -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
In today's reading, Jesus showed that God's forgiveness is always available, although sometimes
Donovan's New Life -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Don’t I Know You? -- John 1:43-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
"Don't I know you?" asked the man. He wasn't much to look at, small and quite old.
Praxis Brings Some Friends -- John 12:20-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Praxis the colourful pixie was a bright shining pink, with a tinge of orange around the edges.
Lame Ducks -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Jane's mother wasn't very pleased. Jane had come home cradling a tiny kitten inside her coat.
The Church That Nearly Died -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
"I think," said the Archdeacon, "the time may have come to close this Church.
The White Bib -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Clarence was always very particular, even as a fledging only just out of the nest.
Mary Louise And Her Silent Companions -- John 3:1-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
In this story, Mary Louise's dolls come to life on

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

God Of The Vine... -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Forgiving God, It's Not Fair... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - 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:
Creator God... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God, I Really Do Want To Know You In A New Sort Of Way... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Life, It's Difficult To Be Grateful... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God, Sometimes Your Church Feels A Bit Like Those Pharisees... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Immense Love... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Universe... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Good Shepherd, The Image Of You With A Lamb... -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Compassionate God... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Compassion... -- James 2:1-10, 14-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Multi-Faceted God... -- John 1:29-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God, The Center Of My Being... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - 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 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Challenging God... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Understanding, You Know All There Is To Know About Me... -- John 6:56-69 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Knowing God... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Forgiveness... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Glory... -- John 12:20-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Direct And Honest God... -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Believing In You Isn't Easy, Amazing God... -- John 6:51-58 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love... -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Outcast And The Unkempt And The Drop-Out... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Humility -- Or A Lack Of Self-Worth? -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
I recently heard a story about a lorry driver who stopped at a roadside cafe for his tea.
Did The Cross Really Work? -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
In any daily newspaper there are always catalogues of horrific
The Lakeside -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
I've recently spent several hours by the lakeside, for I've been in retreat this past week in the
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
How Intelligent Is Intelligence? -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
There once was a report in "The Sunday Times" about the claims of Francis Crick to have located
The Value Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Several years ago, 38 members of the "Heaven's Gate" religious cult in California drank poison i
Leadership Through Service — Is It Possible? -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
When I was a student physiotherapist, those students who were considered to be the best in the
Night Precedes Day -- Amos 5:18-24 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
One thing about live
The Risk Of Baptism In The Holy Spirit -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Some years ago, Japanese game shows were quite popular on television.
What Is Sin? -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Samantha is married and in her early twenties, but with no children yet.
God's Breath -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
I read an article recently about the spiritual life of people with mental health problems (The Bible
Sin - What A Drag! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Ash Wednesday - A
When children are baptised in the Church of England, their parents and godparents make three
It's All Relative -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
A group of us from South Norfolk have recently returned from pilgrimage in Greece and Turkey, follow
About Death -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
One of the world-wide (or at least Western world-wide) effects of the attacks on the Twin Trade To
Faith -- Genesis 15:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
One year, our church was approached by the chairman of the local council to see whether we could off
Sarah Laughed -- Genesis 18:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Perhaps one of the characteristics which endeared Princess Di to the nation, was her ordinariness.
Beyond Outward Appearances -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
The Bible doesn't have too much to say about women, and those it does mention are very often there
God And Wealth -- Deuteronomy 30:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
There was a series of programmes on British television recently under the heading, "God Is Black." I
How Much, In The Cold Light Of Day? -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
The evangelist Billy Graham was away from home a great deal when he was in his heyday of large eva
The End Of The World? -- Matthew 24:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott
I was visiting a 98-year-old lady recently who said to me, "I'm glad I could never see into the
How To Wake Up To A Life Of Radiance -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Anyone who lives in the country will know that there's a particular quality to the darkness of n
The Unexpected Delights Of God -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
We have a number of woodland visitors to our lovely garden.
Land Rights -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
For centuries, an Englishman's home has been regarded as his castle.
Waiting -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Jane was in her sixties, looking
The Vine, The Branches And The Grapes -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
One of the joys of moving house is making interesting discoveries in the garden.

Worship

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Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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