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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.

Easter Day - A

Children's Liturgy and Story

Matthew 28:1-10

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
The angel said, "Jesus has been raised from the dead, and is going ahead of you." Jesus still goes ahead of us today. In our worship, let us find out where Jesus is going and follow him.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, help me to listen for your voice.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, call me and enable me to hear you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me in the way in which I should go.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:
Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)

Children's Story

Matthew 28:1-10

Janice B. Scott
Jack was grief stricken. His favourite hen had died. Jack didn't know quite what had happened to Polly, he had simply discovered her one morning shortly before Easter, a broken bunch of feathers. Jack's Mum wondered whether a fox had got into the little hen run, as there were signs of blood and a few scattered feathers. That had made Jack even sadder, for it was bad enough that Polly had died, even worse to think of her suffering.

Intercession

Matthew 28:1-10

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

Matthew 28:1-10

Janice B. Scott
I wonder whether Jesus knew there would be a glorious resurrection when he hung there nailed to cross? Through all that pain and sadness and suffering, did he know things would be all right in the end? Was there a hint of resurrection to come? Or was the agony of it all made even worse by the conviction that this was the end, that even God had deserted him - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

It seems to me that human beings can never be absolutely sure that things will be all right in the end. We may believe they are going to be all right, we may have faith in the future, but there's always that nagging doubt. And there are times that are so awful that we may be convinced things will never be all right again.

Sermon

Jeremiah 31:1-6

Janice B. Scott
In the film, "Man Dancin'", one of the conditions of Jimmy's parole from prison is that he attends anger management classes. Brought up in the slums of Glasgow, Jimmy is a very angry person whose response to any problem is violence. As it happens, the anger management classes are run by the local priest, who does a deal with Jimmy. Instead of attending anger management classes, Jimmy can help the church out by taking part in the local passion play which they are preparing.

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
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
George Reed
For April 5, 2026:
  • Rattled by Resurrection by Chris Keating. Jesus’ resurrection becomes the earth-shattering good news which reshapes our understandings of power, inequity, and hope.

CSSPlus

Bethany Peerbolte
There are many things in faith that only make sense if we understand the connection. Things like loving one another is the same as loving God, or God’s voice may come to us through the physical voice of a parent or close friend. Making connections in faith is important.
Mary Kay Eichelman
How many of you like to have a snack before you go to bed. Some kids like to eat cereal not only for breakfast but also for a nighttime snack.

There was a family of four hungry boys and every night they would eat cereal before going to bed. But this one night they accidently left the milk jug out on the counter. OOPS! Mom came into the kitchen in the morning and was not very happy. She had planned to make pancakes for everyone but the milk was all spoiled as it had been left out on the counter all night.  

SermonStudio

Marian R. Plant
David G. Plant
You and I come here for a variety of different reasons this Easter morning. For some, you come because of a deep abiding expectation that yearns to be reminded that our Lord died, but then out of death, God granted life. And in turn you know, therefore, that nothing is impossible with our Lord.
Thomas A. Pilgrim
Bishop Walter L. Underwood wrote a book a few years ago called Being Human Being Hopeful. The last chapter is on the subject of death. He refers to a statement made by actor Woody Allen, who said, "I don't want immortality through my work. I want immortality through not dying."1 I read that book with great interest. Then I learned that Bishop Underwood died not long after I had read his book, and I went back and read that last chapter again. It is a great affirmation of our faith in the face of life's greatest question.
Tony S. Everett
What a joyful day! Throughout the world Christians are gathered to celebrate resurrection... new life emerging from the grave; new light bursting forth from a darkened tomb.
Schuyler Rhodes
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you!

May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you!
Lee Griess
There once was a majestic cathedral in Northern Europe that was known for its magnificent organ. Unlike the pipe organs and electronic organs of our day, the organs in the old churches of Europe depended upon air pumped by hand to produce sound. When they had services or wanted to play the organ, an assistant to man the pumps was needed in addition to an organist to press the keys.
Richard L. Sheffield
The Lord is risen!

He is risen indeed!

The Lord is risen!

He is risen indeed!

The Lord is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Indeed he is! Really is! For real!
You know about the only place anybody ever says "indeed" is in church. Let's say it like we really mean it. Like we would say it anyplace else.

I'll say, "The Lord is risen!" You say, "He really is!"
Let's try that: "The Lord is risen!" ("He really is!")
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Tradition is an integral part of being human. All nations, peoples, cultures, and families celebrate many traditions in special and unique ways. In the United States there are many traditions, some of which have become so much a part of what we are as a nation that we don't even think of them as traditions. For example, we use a Roman form of law where the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty. Under our system of law people have rights guaranteed to them by the law of the land, the Constitution.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Once in a far-off land there was a great king whose dominion extended far and wide. His power and authority were absolute. One day a young man, a commoner, committed a grave offense against the king. In response the king and his counselors gathered together to determine what should be done. They decided that since the offense was so grave and had been committed by a commoner against someone so august as the king, the only punishment that would satisfy justice was death.
Albert G. Butzer, III
As part of my preparation for ministry, I participated in a program called Clinical Pastoral Education, or C.P.E. for short. The purpose of C.P.E. is to teach clergy to become more effective pastors: to make better hospital visits, to counsel people who are dying, to comfort those who are grieving. One day during class our instructor asked us to take out a piece of paper and a pen. Then he gave us these instructions:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
All of the texts for this Easter’s celebration of the resurrection direct us to consider the resurrection’s reality and impact. This will lead to sermons focusing primarily on Sanctification.

Acts 10:34-43
The first lesson (Acts 10:34-43), which may also serve as the second lesson, reports on Peter’s confession of the gospel justifying his efforts to convert the Gentile Cornelius in Caesarea. The message of this lesson is a good example of Luke’s concern to highlight the universal outreach of Paul’s mission (1:8).

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
Call to Worship:
The angel said, "Jesus has been raised from the dead, and is going ahead of you." Jesus still goes ahead of us today. In our worship, let us find out where Jesus is going and follow him.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, help me to listen for your voice.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, call me and enable me to hear you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me in the way in which I should go.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Craig Kelly
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"No Respecter of Persons" by Craig Kelly
"The Difference the Third Day Makes" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


No Respecter of Persons
by Craig Kelly
Acts 10:34-43

Aden clutched the paper bag a little tighter as he walked down the street.

Try to look calm. You have nothing to hide.
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Get Your Boots On" by C. David McKirachan
"The King Is Dead..." by C. David McKirachan
"Washing One Another's Feet" by Larry Winebrenner
"Repaying God" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Garden at Twilight" by Keith Hewitt
"Jesus in His Disturbing Disguise" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * * *


Get Your Boots On
by C. David McKirachan
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Contents
"Get Your Boots On" by C. David McKirachan
"The King Is Dead..." by C. David McKirachan
"Washing One Another's Feet" by Larry Winebrenner
"Repaying God" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Garden at Twilight" by Keith Hewitt
"Jesus in His Disturbing Disguise" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * * *


Get Your Boots On
by C. David McKirachan
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14

Special Occasion

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 5
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Palm/Passion Sunday
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
30+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Maundy Thursday
15+ – Sermons
70+ – Illustrations / Stories
20+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
15+ – Worship Resources
10 – Commentary / Exegesis
and more...
Good Friday
16+ – Sermons
70+ – Illustrations / Stories
20+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
15+ – Worship Resources
10 – Commentary / Exegesis
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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