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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 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A

Children's Liturgy and Story

Matthew 14:22-33

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
After he had been deep in prayer, Jesus was able to walk on the sea. In our worship today, let explore the relationship between prayer and God's response to us.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I dismiss prayer as not working, yet I know I've never really prayed as you prayed.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I can't believe in miracles, yet I know I've never really prayed as you prayed.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I am so terrified that I forget to keep my eyes on you, yet I know I've never really prayed as you prayed.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)

Children's Story

Matthew 14:22-33

Janice B. Scott
Griselda had a turbulent life. She always blamed her name. For as long as she could remember, Griselda had been called Grizzy. Griselda wasn't sure whether this sounded like a bear or just a really miserable person, so she was generally a cross between the two. Sometimes she was angry for no particular reason, so she snarled and roared like a bear. At other times she felt so miserable her mouth would drag down at the corners, and she felt like crying for no particular reason. Whichever it was, everybody kept their distance. Some of them were rather afraid of Griselda, and others thought they would be dragged into her heavy cloud if they went near her, so they all kept away.

Intercession

Matthew 14:22-33

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

Romans 10:5-15

Janice B. Scott
One of our local village halls is in crisis, because nobody will sit on the committee. One of the committee members has reluctantly taken on the role of Chair just to keep the hall open, but the committee is struggling, because there are too few of them to cope with all the work involved. They'd really like to build a new hall and there are grants available for that, but no-one from the village is willing to take on the responsibility of such a major fund raising project.

It's not that the village wants to lose the hall, for it's well used. But nobody is willing to commit themselves in order to ensure its survival.

Sermon

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Janice B. Scott
Our particular age seems to be suffering considerably from what might be called the effects of dysfunctional families. These are the families which for some reason produce children who are anti-social and who cause trouble and mayhem to others. No doubt society has always suffered from such social disruption, but when the population was smaller and people lived in smaller communities the problem was less noticeable and was usually dealt with by the community.

Sermon

Matthew 14:22-33

Janice B. Scott
One of the most memorable lines in "Jesus Christ Superstar" is by King Herod, who cuts a comic figure in this rock opera version of the Jesus story. He sings, "Jesus Christ, you're no fool, walk across my swimming pool" - and the audience roars with laughter.

Why is that so funny? Perhaps partly because Herod is interpreted as a kind of overblown clown in his many indulgences and in his over-the-top lifestyle. Perhaps partly because it reduces something awesome (the sea) into something manageable (the swimming pool). But perhaps also because it gently mocks a feat which is impossible and which can be a source of difficulty for many Christians, to say nothing of the rest of the world.

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

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For August 9, 2026:

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“...and he cried out, “Lord save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and saved him.” (30b, 31a)

Good morning boys and girls,

How are you today? Thinking about school yet? For some of you it will soon be time for going back to classes, seeing your friends and having new experiences, won't it?

I am happy to see you here at worship this morning.
Good morning! Today I want to talk about beauty. I have with me a beauty kit that people use to make themselves more attractive. Many people put this on themselves. Have you seen people put on lipstick before? (Let them answer.) What part of the body gets the beauty treatment? (Let them answer.) The face gets most of the attention. When we look at people, we usually look at their faces. Our faces are important.

The Village Shepherd

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.
Janice B. Scott
Griselda had a turbulent life. She always blamed her name. For as long as she could remember, Griselda had been called Grizzy. Griselda wasn't sure whether this sounded like a bear or just a really miserable person, so she was generally a cross between the two. Sometimes she was angry for no particular reason, so she snarled and roared like a bear. At other times she felt so miserable her mouth would drag down at the corners, and she felt like crying for no particular reason. Whichever it was, everybody kept their distance.

StoryShare

Sandra Herrmann
Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Where's Your Jesus Now?" by Sandra Herrmann
"God Is Still Speaking, But Are We Listening?" by Alex Gondola


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
Keith Wagner
Contents
"My Sisters Were Saints" by C. David McKirachan
"Why Do You Preach?" by C. David McKirachan
"Against the Wind" by Keith Wagner
"Grateful and Gracious" by Keith Wagner


* * * * * * *


My Sisters Were Saints
by C. David McKirachan
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

SermonStudio

Dallas A. Brauninger
1. Text
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Faith always involves an element of risk.

Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Joseph Is Sold Into Slavery
E. Carver Mcgriff
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 (C)
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
They said it couldn't be done. People for decades had said it was impossible for a human being to run a mile in less than four minutes. The great American miler Glenn Cunningham had held the world standard of 4:06.4 in 1934, but it was a Swedish runner, Gunder Haag, who clocked an amazing time of 4:01.4 in 1945, a record which stood for nearly a decade.
Tempe Fussell
Curtis Fussell
Grandparents are some of the most well-balanced people on the face of the earth. They have to be. After all, they have to spend the same amount of time with each grandchild. They have to get something for every grandchild on every trip. And, of course, Christmas gifts must at least look like they cost exactly the same. Jacob has a long way to go in mastering that finesse. He picked a favorite wife and he chose a favorite son. Joseph was the special son who got extravagant gifts and extra attention. He got to stay at home when the brothers had to travel with the herd.
Marilyn Saure Breckenridge
Introduction
Arley K. Fadness
It's art class. The student potter, under the watchful eye of the artist--instructor, carefully fashions, spins, and shapes a lump of green clay into a beautiful Grecian chalice. The clay figurine is then fired, soon to be painted and glazed. The potter and the mentor watch through the glass door of the oven as the fire heats the new creation toward a hardy sturdiness - durable and strong.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Sing Praise To God (NCH6, CBH59, UM126, PH483)
Immortal Love, Forever Full (NCH166, CBH629)
Here, O God, Your Servants Gather/Sekai No Tomo (NCH72, CBH7, PH465)
When The Storms Of Life Are Raging (CBH558, UM512)
O Sing A Song Of Bethlehem (NCH51, UM179, PH308)
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (CBH575, NCH472, UM474, PH404)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (CBH582, NCH18, 19, UM127, PH281)
O Day Of God, Draw Nigh (PH452)

Anthems
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 105:1-4)

One: O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.

All: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.

One: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

All: Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.


Collect

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I grew up as a football-and-basketball guy, but the girl I married came from more of a tennis-and-golf family. The only golf I had played prior to vacationing with her family was the kind of golf that features windmills, bumpers, and loops.

Never having played on a real golf course before, I found it quite intimidating. As I tried to do what I had never done before, however, I gained a new appreciation for the skill of the people who were good at it.
R. Craig Maccreary
The longer I go in life the more I become fascinated with words: how we use them, where they come from, how their use changes over the years. The Christmas carol, "Deck The Halls" now takes me to a different place when we get to the line, "Don we now our gay apparel." I don't mean to be overly cute, rude, or crass but it is an example of how language can go off in directions that we never anticipated.

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