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Janice B. Scott

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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:
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 Potato Race -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Call to Worship:
Henry's Hurdle -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Call to Worship:
Molly's Silver Bracelet -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - 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 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 Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - 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 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:
Maximus Hart -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - 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 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:
Maths! -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
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 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:
Magda's Trouble -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Call to Worship:
What Does "Eternal" Mean? -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Call to Worship: In our worship today, let us come to Jesus to drink at his
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
Lucy Leaf's Fear -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

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
Jo's New Teacher -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
When Jesus meets the woman by the well, he doesn't see an enemy of the state or a glorified pros
The Big City -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
When Tracy was going on fifteen, her family decided to move to the city from the sleepy mark
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 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.
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 -- 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.
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 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.
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 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
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 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.
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.
Beatrice The Bee -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Beatrice knew she was a princess, for her mother was Queen Bee.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

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 Women And Men And Children... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
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:
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:
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... -- 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 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - 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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
God Of The Heart As Well As The Mind... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Courage And Integrity... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

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.
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,
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)
The Nature Of Temptation -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
I've never been very clear about the difference between temptation and sin.
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
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.
Be Sincere In Love... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Many years ago at the age of eighteen, when I started training as a physiotherapist, we had to s
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,
The Spread Of The Kingdom Can't Be Stopped -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
I remember watching a television documentary on BBC 2, on St Paul's Cathedral.
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
Pilgrimage -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Our churches have been on a number of pilgrimages.
God's Christmas Gift -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
I heard the story recently of a little boy who wanted to meet God.
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.
Water Into Wine -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
The novelist Catherine Cookson was born in East Jarrow, Tyne and Wear (England) in 1906.
Has God Been Tamed? -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Years ago in the physiotherapy department of most hospitals, artificial sunlight was used in the tre
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 Cost Of Caring -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
There have been a number of terrible tragedies at US Schools over recent years, which have left th
Where Is God? -- Genesis 28:10-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
When the first astronauts went into space, they were awestruck by the strange beauty of all they saw
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
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!
The Marriage Covenant -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Britney Spears can now claim the shortest marriage on record.
Identifying God -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
I used to be quite good
Love -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Some years ago I baptised a beautiful child.
Baptism Of Fire -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Many years ago, when Ian and I were first married, we lived in a house without central heating.
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
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Thanksgiving
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 1
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 2
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: A shovel, rake, or hoe, or all three.

* * *

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

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Jean sat by the hospital bed watching her brother sleep. She was relieved that the pain medication they gave Vic was working and he was finally resting. This all seemed so sudden. His health had been poor this past year but she hadn’t realized how sick he really was until she got the call that he had been rushed to the hospital.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4
Both of these scriptures (as well as the New Testament lesson) give us guidance preparing for the holiday. I am taking these insights from the Charting the Course Installment I wrote for this week.
Frank Ramirez
Ready or not, the holidays are rushing upon us. In many ways I’m sure they are already here. The question is – how should one prepare, and what attitude is required? Will this be just a holiday, or will it also be a holy day?

Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For December 8, 2024:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

As John the Baptist called people to prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah, so let us prepare ourselves in our worship today for the coming of the Messiah into our hearts and lives.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are often unprepared to meet with you.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, help us to repent and turn to you again.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, make us clean.

Lord, have mercy

Reading:

SermonStudio

Richard A. Jensen
Terry Anderson is probably the best known of the American hostages kept in Lebanon. Anderson, an Associated Press journalist, was held hostage for 2,454 days! His ordeal began innocently enough on March 16, 1985. As he dropped off his tennis partner after a morning match he noticed a green Mercedes pulled up just ahead of where he was stopped. Suddenly three young men came charging out of the car. Each had a 9-mm pistol hanging loosely on their hip. In a flash they were at Anderson's car window. "Get out," one of the men shouted. "I will shoot." Anderson got out.
John A. Tenbrook
Thespian Theological Thoughts

Very often, John the Baptizer is portrayed as a loud, abrasive, in-your-face kind of guy -- and when he confronted the hypocrites, he probably was loud and abrasive and in-your-face.

But what if there had been electronic mass media in John's day? And what if a Larry King had invited John to be on his show? Isn't it at least possible that John would have delivered God's message with a little of that wild honey on his tongue?

I don't know. What do you think?
Schuyler Rhodes
Jesus has many names. Even a brief pause to imagine it conjures up an ever-lengthening list. The task would be an interesting one, but not our focus just now. The one particular name for Jesus that comes to mind in this Advent time is "Prince of Peace." Taken from Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 9:6), this name heralds one who can and will lead us to peace, if only we would let him. Into a world fractured with the horrors of war, this baby Jesus comes to "guide our feet into the way of peace," as the prophecy of Zechariah puts it. But the real question is, will we let ourselves be guided?
John T. Ball
The congregation at the Macedonian city of Philippi was the first church established by Paul in Europe. Like all our "firsts" it had a special place of affection. We remember fondly our first car, our first job, the first home and community in which we lived, and our first romance. We still can recall our first excitement with hearing the first song or rock band that gained our attention, and those first moments when Christ became both a frightening challenge, as well as an abiding consolation.

Mary S. Lautensleger
Preparing the way can become an all-consuming endeavor. Unforeseen obstacles often have a way of getting in our way to hamper progress and sidetrack us. Then, Murphy's Law goes into effect: "If anything can go wrong, it will." Plans for the Paris subway system were begun in 1845, but the actual work was not begun until much later. A civil engineer, Fulgence Bienvenue (1852-1936), was assigned the task of preparing the way. His first big task was to dig the network of underground tunnels for the trains.

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