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Village

▶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 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A

Children's Liturgy and Story

Matthew 21:23-32

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus was not afraid of anyone because his inner authority was so strong. In today's worship, let us consider how we too can develop inner authority.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, I am often unsure of myself and afraid of those with authority over me.
Lord, have mercy.

Children's Story

Matthew 21:23-32

Janice B. Scott
Double Trouble was the smallest of the litter of puppies. He was also the most mischievous. When the old lady saw him, she couldn't resist the way his ears flopped over his face or the way his tail wagged incessantly.

First of all she named him Rover, but it wasn't long before his nickname of Double Trouble stuck. Double Trouble had big paws and as the months passed, he grew to match. By the time he was six months old, Double Trouble was a big dog. Unfortunately, he didn't realise he was a big dog, so continued to try to climb up on the old lady's lap. And occasionally when he was full of joy and thrilled to see the old lady, he would jump up and put his paws on her shoulders.

Intercession

Matthew 21:23-32

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

Exodus 17:1-7

Janice B. Scott
We've had a variety of filter jugs over the years. They are all based on the same principle, a chemical centre which removes any impurities from the tap water passing through it. Some have been electrical, removing any effort whatsoever, and some have been manual, requiring just a little more effort to fill the jug. They have all produced delicious water which makes very good tea.

Sermon

Matthew 21:23-32

Janice B. Scott
Back in my days as a student physiotherapist, I remember the problems we students had when a student from the year above qualified as a physiotherapist and was then in a supervisory role over the rest of us.

It always seemed like one day we had a friend, the next a stranger who immediately threw her weight about. It was difficult to handle the change in relationships.

Sermon

Philippians 2:1-13

Janice B. Scott
I recently heard a story about a lorry driver who stopped at a roadside cafe for his tea. He was just tucking into his beefburger and chips when the door of the cafe opened and three motor cyclists swaggered in, dressed in their leathers and clearly spoiling for a fight. They strode over to the lorry driver and began to give him a hard time. One snatched his beefburger and started to eat it, another grabbed a handful of chips from the lorry driver's plate, and the third seized his coffee and began to drink it.

Without a word, the lorry driver stood up, walked quietly to the cash desk, payed his bill and walked out.

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

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Alyssa Spradlin
Nazish Naseem
Tom Willadsen
Christopher Keating
For September 27, 2026:

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Contents
“If It’s Worth Telling …” by David O. Bales
“An Over-Abundance Of New” by David O. Bales


If It’s Worth Telling …
by David O. Bales
Psalm 25:1-9

“Let me tell you a story.”

“No, no, no. That’s not the way to start a story. Try again.”

“I’ve got a great story to tell you.”

“You’re still missing it badly.”

“But I just introduced the story.”
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"Wild Oats" by C. David McKirachan
"Bed Time Stories" by C. David McKirachan

* * * * * * *

Wild Oats
by C. David McKirachan
Psalm 25:1-9

I don’t know about you but my youth was full of sin. Not the ones that make up the terrible ten, but the terrible two, the ones on which hang all the law and the prophets.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Double Trouble was the smallest of the litter of puppies. He was also the most mischievous. When the old lady saw him, she couldn't resist the way his ears flopped over his face or the way his tail wagged incessantly.

SermonStudio

Larry Lange
Zack had seen the movie. You know, the one with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston -- Bruce Almighty. Zack thought it was a pretty cheesy movie ... so predictable ... God helps the guy get the girl. But Zack was thinking, who wants a girl who wants commitment and kids? And who really wants a job? Zack didn't want a job; all he wanted was money. Even oil company executives probably had to do something to make money other than raising prices every time some Middle Eastern king had a toothache. Zack didn't want to do anything.
Wayne Brouwer
When Sadie and Bessie, the famed "Delany Sisters," were in the early years of their second centuries (103 and 105, respectively) they told interviewers, "God only gave you one body, so you better be nice to it. Exercise, because if you don't, by the time you're our age, you'll be pushing up daisies." Fitness gymnasiums ought to put the Delany Sisters on their billboards and quote them into larger profit margins.
Tempe Fussell
Curtis Fussell
Consider this list: a local restaurant under construction, a high school dropout, the cross-stitch I've been working on for six years, a young person killed in an accident. All of these have one thing in common: they describe something that has gone unfinished. A building, an education, a craft, a life. There are thousands of things and thousands of people around us that go unfinished. Some people start something and stop because they can't take criticism. Others stop because they're content with what they've done to that point.
William J. Carl, III
I don't know about you, but I don't think much of the choices Jesus offers in this passage. Think about it with me for a moment. Two sons. The father tells each one to go and do a little work in the vineyard. It's not much to ask, like mowing the lawn every once in a while. Parents don't ask their children to do that many chores around the house. Besides, it's the least they can do to earn their keep. So, says Jesus, this particular father asks his two boys to help out a little around the vineyard.
John R. Brokhoff
The parables are like mirrors. You can see yourself in them. You look at the characters and listen to their responses and you can see and hear yourself. This was the case when Nathan told a parable to David about a rich man's taking a poor man's pet sheep for a banquet. Nathan did not have to say, "You are the man," for David seeing himself as the guilty one confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord."
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: God became an infant
All: so we would become God's children.
One: God walked the earth, telling stories
All: so the words would guide our choices.
One: God became poor
All: so our riches would help others.
One: God became foolish
All: so we would be wise enough to follow.
One: God turned the world upside down
All: so we would find our way home.

Prayer Of The Day
You nourish us,
Rock-Splitter,
H. Burnham Kirkland
Theme: Testing Our Profession Of Faith By Our Deeds

Call To Worship
Come, let us sing praises to the Lord. For the Lord is our strength and our salvation. His presence is among us, and his Spirit empowers us to be his people.

Invocation

Emphasis Preaching Journal

William H. Shepherd
They rang the church doorbell insistently. "We want to speak to the pastor!" they yelled over the intercom.

I met them at the glass doors and asked how I could help them.

The tall thin one with the long hair, granny glasses, and floppy leather Bible announced that they had a message from "Our Lord Jesus Christ" (the other one was small, tubby, had short hair, but the same floppy Bible).
The scenario continues from a week ago. Then it was complaining for lack of bread and meat. Now it is water that is scarce. But now the intensity of discontent is deeper. Whereas they had merely "complained" before, now they are in open rebellion. Mumbling has broken into quarreling. Moses is at his wits' end. He fears he will be stoned, a sign that a mob mentality is beginning to take hold.

CSSPlus

Good morning! How many of you like to play a musical instrument? (Let them answer.) Music is so much fun! I like good music! I love the music our children's choir makes when they sing in worship. Music is a real joy. It makes people happy.

Now, let me ask you a question. See if you like the music I'm going to play on this piano. (Play some dissonant chords.) Do you like my music? Now be honest here. (Let them answer.) I can understand that you might not like that music. In fact, we wouldn't even call it music because it's really just noise!
Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Words alone are not enough. Action is needed.

The Lesson: Good morning, girls and boys. It is great to have you come up and share this time with me. Thank you.

Every time I see a broom (show broom) I remember a learning moment in my life. I was just a little older than you are. And in our home I had certain chores to do. Chores are things that I was responsible to do to help in my family. One of those chores was to clean my room by hanging up my clothes and sweeping the floor.

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