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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Mr Skillett Is Very Worried -- Luke 8:21-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C
Call to worship:
May The Force Go With You -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Call to Worship: On this, the birthday of the Christian Church, let us welcome
The Poisonous Plants -- John 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Call to Worship:
Rory's Bark -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Call to Worship:
Molly's Silver Bracelet -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Call to Worship:
A Very Special Person -- John 3:1-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Call to Worship: Let us join together today in worship of the three-in-one God; God
The Odd Bunch In The Street -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Call to Worship:
Pippa Wants A Phone -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
Call to Worship:
Molly's Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Call to Worship:
Clarice Faces The Storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Call to Worship: Even storms calm down when we ask Jesus to help. In our worship
The New Girl -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Call to Worship:
Puzzle Corner -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Call to Worship:
Maximus Hart -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Call to Worship:
Hurricane Hare Makes A Promise -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Call to Worship: In our worship today we look at promises and at a man who made a
The Maze -- John 14:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Trevor's Pets -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Call to Worship:
Maths! -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Call to worship:
A Terrifying Walk -- John 6:1-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus was able to produce enough food to feed all the people, and
The Little Tree -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - C
The liturgy can start with a procession in which a child carries the Easter candle from the West
The Neighbours From Hell -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Call to Worship: Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all was to love God
Magda's Trouble -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Call to Worship:
Tim Wants More -- John 6:24-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus offers us the Bread of Heaven and the Water of Life. Let us
The Life-Saver's Badge -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Call to Worship:
Pusska -- Who Wasn't Ready -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "What I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." Let us
Lucy Leaf's Fear -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Christopher's Breath -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A
It was very cold.
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
The Straight Furrow -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Sam was the envy of all his friends. His dad was a farmer, so he drove a tractor.
Jenny And The Missing Calculator -- John 5:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Jenny was having fun. Her friend Martha had brought a graphical calculator into school.
The Annual Nativity Play -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Roddy was plunged into gloom.
Cat And Mouse Games -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Fluffy Cat was very miserable.
The Spider's Web -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
When wise men from the East travelled many miles to see the new baby Jesus, they first visited K
Jenni's Patrol -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Jenni was very excited. It was Guides tonight, and she was Patrol Leader.
That's Not What You Told Me! -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Nutman the squirrel was sitting quietly at the feet of Wise Owl.
Carnival Day At The Street -- James 2:1-10, 14-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Mr Skillett, who was as thin as two pieces of paper stuck together and as tall as a bus, always
The Spider's Web -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
When wise men from the East travelled many miles to see the new baby Jesus, they first visited K
Jem's Baptism -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Jem was exceedingly nervous.
Team Spirit -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
The football team were furious.
Buzter’s Busy, Buzzy Day -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Buzter hummed to himself. He was happy in his work, and he always hummed when he was happy.
The Smallest Duckling -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Timothy Duckling was big and strong.
Jason's Stand -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
It wasn't until the early summer of his first year that Jason Court felt really fed up with his
Terry's Dream -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
Terry had a dream.
Bushman's Pride -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Bushman was busy grooming his bushy, luxuriant tail.
The Special Christmas Gift -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Matty was very excited.
Jamie's Uncle Jim -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
When Jesus walked seven miles to Emmaus with two of his friends, they failed to recognise him.
Stepping Out Into Space -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last!
Ben's Dilemma -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
"Are you coming?" shouted Tim breathlessly.
The Skateboarding Park -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
"It's not fair," announced Kendra angrily.
James Jacobs, Taxman -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
James Jacobs hated the story of Matthew the tax collector.
Stella Martin's 'second Sight' -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Stella Martin first became aware of her unusual gifts when she was quite small.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Holy Spirit Of God, I Constantly Turn Back To You... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
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:
God Of Forgiveness... -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Mystery, Long Ago The Church Said That You Are Three Persons... -- John 3:1-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God... -- John 1:43-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Vulnerable And Self-Effacing God... -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God who blesses the poor... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Calming And Reliable God... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Forever... -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Vulnerable And Self-Effacing God... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Caring God, why are you asleep when the Church is tossed about by storms?... -- Luke 8:22-25 -- Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Redeemer God, Sometimes I Long For Mountaintop Experiences... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Impossible... -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unconventional And Surprising God... -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unexpected God... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Prince Of Peace... -- Luke 2:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
A Prayer For The Golden Jubilee... -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Faithful God, you never give up on human beings... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Loving God, I'm A Mere Speck Compared With You... -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Dear God -- John 1:6-8; 19-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Three-In-One God... -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Giver Of Gifts, You Founded Your Church As The Body Of Christ... -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Universal God... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Mystery -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

How Do You Know? -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
The Harry Potter books are perhaps one of the first success stories of this millennium.
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.
Heavenly Peace -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
In the film, "Big Fish", the hero Edward Bloom stumbles into a dark and terrifying swamp-like wood,
Hope For The Future -- Isaiah 65:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
When the Seniors at the local golf club arranged their summer barbeque for a Sunday afternoon, a chu
The Transfiguring Effect Of Silence -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Some years ago I remember talking with a teacher who was responsible for religious education thr
Rising Above The Sea Of Life -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
One of the most memorable lines in "Jesus Christ Superstar" is by King Herod, who cuts a comic f
Identifying God -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
I used to be quite good
Loving The Unlovely -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
When our eldest daughter was four, she crazed us to have a dog.
A Vision For The Future -- Revelation 5:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
When we decided to form a Ministry Team in our Benefice (group of six parishes working together)
Encountering The Risen Christ -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
The story of the road to Emmaus is perhaps one of the strangest of the resurrection appearances,
Was It A Birth, Or Was It Death? -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
I've always found the final verse of T. S.
The Darkness Of Despair And Depression? -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
I remember, many years ago, attending a most extraordinary Parochial Church Council meeting.
Priorities, Energy And Work -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A
When my father was dying. he started to give away all his possessions.
Being Authentic -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Some years ago I remember being rivetted by a film based on a true story.
God's Christmas Gift -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
I heard the story recently of a little boy who wanted to meet God.
The Outrage Of Grace -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
I've recently been reading a most fascinating book,
How Can We Love One Another? -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Do you love anyone enough to offer them your last Rolo?
Indiscriminate Generosity - It's Hard To Take -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Recently I noticed in the media that the government are planning to give each teenager in Englan
Jesus The Christ -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
NOTE: This sermon is also used for Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 of Cycle B.
The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Back in the heady days when women had just been ordained and I was a new curate, I was in the vestry
Retail Therapy -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
I went to the Royal Norfolk Show this year, with my daughter.
The Role Of The Messenger -- Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
In Greek mythology, Hermes ("pile of marker stones") was the god of boundaries and of the travellers
Love -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Some years ago I baptised a beautiful child.
A New Year's Resolution? -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
So it's all over bar the shouting and we've survived!
Eternal Life -- For The Childish, Or The Childlike? -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Here in England we're now well into the wedding season, in which many young couples will follow

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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
and more...
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
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

CSSPlus

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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