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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Fluffy Cat Gets Wrong -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Call to Worship:
James' Trumpet -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Call to Worship: The madman cried out to Jesus, "What have you to do with me,
Praxis Is Left Behind -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Thin Ice -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Call to Worship:
Derek And The Lamb -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Peace be with you. You are witnesses to the living
Feed My Sheep -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Is Apple Green -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Call to Worship:
The White Rose -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Call to Worship:
Dandy's Choice -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship:
Katie Cuckoo Flies South -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Call to Worship: When a woman knelt before him and said, "Lord, help me,"
Praxis And The Mushrooms -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
The Sad Tale Of Simon Slug -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Call to Worship:
Ant-Ipathy Leaves The Column -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let
David's Moment Of Stupidity -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Call to Worship: Jesus saw the potential in Simon and renamed him Peter the Rock.
Poor Polly Pea -- John 17:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
The Royal Visitor -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Call to Worship:
Bilton's Accident -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: Jesus gave up his life for us. In our worship today let us explore
Mel's Trouble -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Call to Worship:
Paul's Play -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Mr. Skillett's Cross -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Call to Worship:
The Quiz -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Invitation to Confession:
Uncle Richard -- John 17:6-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: As Jesus prays to the Creator God for us, let us join our hearts
The Delivery -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Call to Worship:
Mr Skillett Is Very Worried -- Luke 8:21-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C
Call to worship:
The Potato Race -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

The Turning Point -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
One day, James Butler missed his stop.
Dominic’s Tree -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dominic Owl lived in a big, old oak tree, right in the middle of the wood.
Poor Little Ted -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Jack had a huge plastic bag full of conkers.
King Agadir -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
King Agadir was a good and wise King.
The Christmas Cards -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Thanks, Mum, chorused Jane and Tina.
The Turtle And The Lamb -- John 1:29-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
Jackie thought Miss Potter looked something like a turtle.
Divorce -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
The worst moment of Jake's life had happened some three years ago, when his parents had divorced
Philip's Ears -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Philip first realised there was something odd about himself when he was quite young.
Justin's Dilemma -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Justin sighed. It was time for yet another rugby lesson, and he hated playing rugby.
The Butterfly -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Thelma was in tears.
The Trouble With Trevor Reeves -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
Trevor was in trouble again.
Dapple's Terror -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dapple the fawn was terrified.
Perry's Little Arrangements -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Perry skipped and sang as he danced his way to the Elf King's palace.
Junior Gangland -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Frank was against the plan from start.
The Bully-Busters -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
"I think," proclaimed Peter, lying on his back and gazing up at the trees, "we should become bul
The Treasure Praxis Found -- John 20:19-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - A
Praxis the colourful pixie was wandering through the woods by himself, gazing at the ground.
Cyril's Taste Of Freedom -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Cyril wormed his way through the soil to his brother Toby's side.
John's Prize -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
John was hanging around the gates of the big house, hoping he might catch a glimpse of Michael.
The Big Race -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
"You coming?" Andy was putting on his trainers and was nearly ready to go.
The Tortoise And The Rabbit -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B
"Stop it!" cried the tortoise as he tried to withdraw his head back into his shell.
Constance Caterpillar -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Constance was really scared.
John's Special Summer -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
John sat on the rocks with his arms locked tightly around his knees, watching the other children in
The Boy Born Blind -- John 9:1-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
This is a story about a boy who was born blind.
The Tale Of A Camel -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for advent
Christopher's Breath -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A
It was very cold.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

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:
God Of Love, You Offer Me Such Profound Love... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
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:
Generous God, Sometimes I Don't Even Notice Your Gifts... -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Almost Unbearable Love -- John 3:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love And Understanding... -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Compassionate, Caring And Incredible God... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Who Is Coming Very Near... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Rest And Quietness... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unpredictable God... -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Radiant God... -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Welcoming God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Huge, Overflowing Generosity... -- John 6:1-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Truth, Should I Really Be Truthful When That Will Lead Me Into All Sorts Of Avoidable Trouble? -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God - Sower, Reaper, Gardener, Harvester... -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation... -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love And Forgiveness... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Greatness And Glory... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, It's Tough Being A Christian... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Harvester God... -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God, Lover Of The Childlike... -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Understanding, There Are Some Issues About Which I Feel So Strongly ... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Transforming God, This Is Scary Stuff!... -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Accepting And Welcoming God... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Rudeness, Honesty, Humility And Healing -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Some years ago I was privileged to sit on what was then called The Norfolk Family Practitioner C
Serve God And Enjoy Life? -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A
She was a good Christian woman.
Even Though You Make Many Prayers, I Will Not Listen. . . -- Isaiah 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
There is a lot of angst in the Anglican Church at the moment.
Weakness Or Strength? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
The latest film version of "Tom Brown's Schooldays" was shown on television recently.
The Difficulties Of Letting Go -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun wh
The Power Of The Spirit -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - C
Back in the sixties in the UK, town planners and builders and architects thought that it was a good
God's Selection Criteria -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Some while ago, Songs of Praise on the television featured a young woman with a very powerful st
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.
A Question Of Authority -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Back in my days as a student physiotherapist, I remember the problems we students had when a stu
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
How Does God Come To Us? -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Those words about the flood in today's gospel reading, are particularly poignant in light of thi
Arise, Shine; For Your Light Has Come -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
We generally have a family outing to the cinema over the Christmas period. There
Being Good, Or Being Yourself? -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
A renegade priest was recently convicted in court of stealing thousands of pounds from the PCC of
Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Originally published in 2002.
Christ The King -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
We seem to live in the Age of the Celebrity.
The Transience Of Transfiguration -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
When Bishop Peter visited our parish on his pilgrimage around the diocese in the winter of 1996, h
Rooted, Built Up And Established -- Colossians 2:6-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Alison (Paul's wife), Norman (Steer) our Reader from here at Starston, and I recently attended an Al
Rejoicing In Suffering? -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Quite often I'm offered books to read, mostly religious books.
Follow My Leader? -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
There are always difficulties in Christian ministry, at whichever level you're involved in it, f
We Have An Obligation -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
There's been a lot of trouble in recent years over politicians receiving gifts.
The Day Of The Lord -- Malachi 4:1-2 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
It's well known that delicious and delightful aromas invoke good memories for most people, so smells
What Is Sin? -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
George and Doreen lived in a prefab. They'd lived there for sixty years.
From Darkness To Light -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
The British weather is renowned for its diversity and therefore is always a good conversation starte
The Value Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
At the end of last year there was feverish speculation over what the press termed the "race" to beco
Angels - Messengers Of Doom? -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
I'm told that during the war the one thing everybody dreaded was the arrival of a telegram.

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

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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?

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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