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The Village Shepherd

Janice Scott ... The Village Shepherd

After being ordained in 1994 with the first wave of women priests, Janice became curate in a large city centre parish in Norwich and from there, moved to South Norfolk in 1999 as Rector of a rural benefice of six parishes. After completing her MA in Pastoral Theology with the Cambridge Theological Foundation in 2008 she was appointed Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. Janice now lives with her husband Ian just outside Norwich. In addition to her diocesan work and writing "The Village Shepherd," she is a freelance writer for Redemptorist Publications in the UK. She has also written and broadcasts "Pause For Thought" on a local radio station and has written several novels, all with a church background.

Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B

Children's Liturgy and Story

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Let us join together to use this time for rest and relaxation within the preence of our Lord.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are lazy and don't do what you want us to do.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are too busy and wilfully refuse to take time off.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to manage our time and our own physical and emotional needs.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Children's Story

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Janice B. Scott
Jane's mother wasn't very pleased. Jane had come home cradling a tiny kitten inside her coat. It was a dear little thing, all fluffy and warm, but Jane's mother didn't want the hassle of yet another new kitten in the house.

The trouble was, Jane was always finding lost kittens or injured hedgehogs or birds with broken wings, and once a duckling with a broken leg. Jane's mother quite liked animals, but as she kept telling Jane, she wasn't a vet and didn't know how to look after them properly.

Intercession

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Sermon

2 Samuel 7:1-14a

Janice B. Scott
The man's mother had died recently and he wanted to bring her back to her childhood for burial. The local church was very accommodating. The vicar agreed to lead the service and the PCC agreed that the lady could be buried in the churchyard, even though she hadn't lived in the village for a number of years.

The funeral went well and the man was deeply grateful. A few months later, he turned up at the church again, this time bearing a two foot high crucifix. He wanted to give it to the church in memory of his mother.

The church didn't want a crucifix. It was plain inside the church building with just one cross on the altar, and that's how the people liked it. They didn't want candles, let alone a crucifix.

Sermon

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Janice B. Scott
I recently watched a documentary of Prince William's life, made to celebrate his twenty-first birthday, his final coming of age. Soon after their mother died, both the princes went with their father to Canada, where the young Prince William had a rapturous reception from thousands of screaming teenage girls.

Although the young prince was very pleasant and polite to all the onlookers, as soon as he escaped the public gaze by going indoors, according to the documentary he said, "Phew! Thank goodness that's over!"

Sermon

Ephesians 2:11-22

Janice B. Scott
We all eagerly followed the progress recently of Siamese twins from Iran who were joined at the head. The twenty-nine-year old women had obviously spent their entire lives almost as one person, although they were very clearly two distinct individuals with individual thoughts and preferences. Now they felt that the time had come for a separation, and they were prepared to risk death as a result of this long and delicate procedure, in order to become two separate people. An eminent and skilled work force of six international experts and 18 specialists and around 100 support staff worked together to effect the separation, but it was still a very dangerous procedure, and both twins were aware that it could mean death for one or both of them.

What is The Village Shepherd?

The Village Shepherd offers sermons, bible stories, children's stories and prayers based on the Revised Common Lectionary. These inspirational sermons, stories, and prayers are sure to touch your heart, because they reflect the simple virtues and tranquil serenity that characterize Reverend Scott's English countryside pastorate. The questions "Where is God in this particular situation?" and "Where does the Gospel story cross our own human story?" are always at the heart of these meditations -- but rather than finding overt answers, instead you will be gently led to make your own connections and discover the powerful ways in which God works. Janice Scott has the unique ability to find interesting details in ordinary life that illuminate scripture, while still challenging even the most intellectual reader. And that gift is precisely what also makes her an outstanding communicator with children.

Most weeks include:

  • Sermon based on the Gospel reading
  • Sermon based on the Epistle reading
  • Sermon based on the First reading
  • Children's stories linked with the Gospel readings
  • Children's liturgy and story (a different story than mentioned above)
  • An intercessory prayer
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 9
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
28 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 10
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 11
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Frank Ramirez
In each of these scriptures it is up to recognize who is the star of the show. We might be surprised. David thinks he is honoring God by building a temple, but isn’t he really honoring himself as the typical conqueror who builds temples to the gods as a testimony to his accomplishments as a ruler?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord... So I will attend to you for your evil doings... Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands... I will raise up shepherds over them... and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. (vv. 1-5)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Let us join together to use this time for rest and relaxation within the preence of our Lord.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are lazy and don't do what you want us to do.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are too busy and wilfully refuse to take time off.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to manage our time and our own physical and emotional needs.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Julia E. Bland
It is through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, that we become part of his flock.

Scripture: John 10:9

Background Devotions: Psalm 23

Visual Aids: Medicine, a large cup, perhaps a cane. If a cane is used, you will need to explain that the staff was shaped something like a cane but it was much longer and the rounded part was bigger.

Handouts: Activity sheets; star stickers for the color page of the activity sheet, if desired
John E. Sumwalt
Patricia M. Thaker
In February of 2000, my grandfather, Lloyd Dings, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away just twelve days later. My grandparents were married 56 years. The legacy he leaves behind is a wonderful wife and a beautiful family
Kristin Borsgard Wee
Four years ago this week, I was walking through an African village in Namibia with my friend, Solveig Kjeseth. We stopped to look at a strange tower formed out of earth. It was about five feet high, crooked in shape, wide at the bottom and coming to a point at the top. I thought it looked like the top of a giant, rumpled witch's hat, only it was gray instead of black. Solveig informed me, much to my surprise, that it was an anthill. I was even more surprised when we came across many more, some of which towered over my head. They were huge!
William J. Carl, III
Have you ever noticed how some families move a lot? Some are corporate moves, some are military, and some are United Methodist pastors. Whatever the case, every time they move they have to find new lodging. In the military, quarters are often provided. The same may be true for clergy if churches own a manse or a parsonage. But, sometimes you have to look for a new home, which means spending some time with real estate agents traveling here and there to find the perfect house. Of course, no house is ever perfect. When you own a home, no matter where you sit you see something that needs fixing.
Mark Ellingson
On this last Sunday of the Church Year (we call it Christ the King Sunday) our attention is directed to the reign of Christ -- to his glorious reign which has already begun with the resurrection on Easter. It is a Sunday to think about salvation, because where Christ reigns salvation is effected. These themes are especially evident in our First Lesson.
Mark Ellingson
On this last Sunday of the Church Year (we call it Christ the King Sunday) our attention is directed to the reign of Christ -- to his glorious reign which has already begun with the resurrection on Easter. It is a Sunday to think about salvation, because where Christ reigns salvation is effected. These themes are especially evident in our First Lesson.
Through Christ, God has solved the problem of conflict between races.

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