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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 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A

Children's Liturgy and Story

Matthew 16:13-20

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus saw the potential in Simon and renamed him Peter the Rock. Then Jesus promised to build his church on this rock. In our worship today let us offer ourselves and our potential to God for his use.
Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I denigrate myself because I feel inferior.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I denigrate myself because then less is expected of me.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I denigrate myself because I'm lazy and don't want to make any effort.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:

Children's Story

Matthew 16:13-20

Janice B. Scott
One day, James Butler missed his stop. It was very unusual, for James Butler was a person of habit who always kept strictly to the same timetable. So much so, that the milkman, the postman and the paperboy all set their time by him. "There he goes," they'd mutter as they watched him stride towards the station, "we must be on time today."

The journey into London took three quarters of an hour, just long enough for James Butler to read his newspaper from cover to cover, fold it into a convenient oblong, take out his Parker biro (a birthday present from his aunt), and complete exactly half the crossword puzzle.

Intercession

Matthew 16:13-20

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 1:8--2:10

Janice B. Scott
This is a year for babies in our family. Nephews and nieces, sons and daughters are all producing offspring of their own, with all the attendant excitement that produces. Although we are already pretty sure of the sex of all these babies thanks to modern technology, apart from that we have no idea of how they will turn out. We don't know how big they will be, what they will look like, whether they will have hair or no hair, what their colouring will be, whether they will be placid or fractious. And we certainly don't know what sort of characters they will be or how they will grow up.

Sermon

Matthew 16:13-20

Janice B. Scott
What a challenge Jesus gave Peter in today's gospel reading. "What are they saying?" asks Jesus. "What's that talk? Who do people say I am?" And then he goes on to say, "And you. Who do you say I am?" And Peter responds. Almost as though the words are dragged out of him, dragged out of the depths, Peter responds on behalf of all the disciples.

It was a tremendous moment because it was a huge leap of faith. Until that time, Jesus had been regarded as a brilliant leader and teacher, but no more. By his response, Peter acknowledged that Jesus was divine, the human face of God himself, the promised Messiah. And Jesus acknowledged that God was working through Peter to enable him to respond in such a way.

Sermon

Romans 12:1-8

Janice B. Scott
Reading the letter pages of the "Church Times" can be a depressing experience. I had two weeks to catch up on when I returned from holiday, but two week's worth of typical "Church Times" letters can be somewhat indigestible.

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

Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For August 23, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One day, James Butler missed his stop. It was very unusual, for James Butler was a person of habit who always kept strictly to the same timetable. So much so, that the milkman, the postman and the paperboy all set their time by him. "There he goes," they'd mutter as they watched him stride towards the station, "we must be on time today."

StoryShare

David O. Bales
John E. Sumwalt
Craig Kelly
Contents
What's Up This Week
"It was a Long Time Ago" by David O. Bales
"The Snare is Broken" by John Sumwalt
"A Rose and a Scarf" by Craig Kelly


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Sandra Herrmann
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Gilly, a Diligent Leader" by John Sumwalt
"A Conspiracy of Women" by Sandra Herrmann
"Showing Our Belief" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Gilly, a Diligent Leader
by John Sumwalt
Romans 12:1-8

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Growing Up Adams" by Frank Ramirez
"More Than That" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * *


Growing Up Adams
by Frank Ramirez
Romans 12:1-8

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
-- Romans 12:2

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
(See Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

"Kids," as old-time television host, Art Linkletter, used to observe, "say the darndest things." That's what one mother found out, when her son turned to her one morning at the breakfast table and asked, "Mom, is it true that God's not only up in heaven, but also here with us on earth?"

"Why, yes," replied his mom.

"Then, is it also true that God is right here in this town?"

"It certainly is," replied Mom (beginning to get his drift).
Mariann Edgar Budde
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 1:8-2:10 (C)
Larry Lange
The year I knew Jack, one of the cattle he had raised was awarded the title "State Champion Steer." The big brown-eyed animal, nonchalantly chewing straw, unaware of his celebrity status, was adorned with a blue ribbon, purchased by the highest bidder, slaughtered, sliced up into steaks and roasts, and ground up into burgers.
Wayne Brouwer
Appearances can be deceiving. John Wayne, for instance, acted the part of a genuine cowboy in dozens of motion pictures and fired make-believe rifles and revolvers hundreds of times. Even his last starring role in The Shootist had him portray an aging western gunslinger. Yet, here is what Wayne had to say about his skills with a firearm: "I couldn't hit a wall with a six-gun, but I can twirl one. It looks good!"
William J. Carl, III
It is said that Winston Churchill never liked talking to subordinates. He always wanted to go to the top because he figured that was the only way he could get any action. So, as the story goes, when Churchill went to heaven, he met St. Peter at the gate and said, "Who are you?" When Peter said, "I'm St. Peter," Churchill said, "To hell with you, get God!"
Marilyn Saure Breckenridge
Introduction

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I should confess that I do not begin with a prejudice in favor of nonconformists. Some people do, of course. Some people, I think, have protest hardwired into their souls, and so they applaud almost any personal stand against whatever the prevailing mores happen to be. But by temperament I am not of the camp.
Cathy Venkatesh
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose would by any other name smell as sweet." Shakespeare's Juliet bemoans Romeo's family name of Montague and begs him to cast it off, but all who have seen the play know that is not so easily done. Names have power, both the names we are given and the names that we choose. Each of our lessons today touches on the power of names and naming in our lives of faith. Are there names we need to cast off? Are there names we need to claim? Today's readings offer much to ponder.

Exodus 1:8--2:10

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever thought about how blessed you are to be able to speak words? (let them answer) You don't whistle or grunt, you don't bark or meow, instead you say words and other people understand you. Our language is called English, and it is made up of thousands of words. With those words you can ask questions, tell a story, get directions, praise God, and many other things.
Good morning, boys and girls. Isn't it wonderful how God made us different? He gave us so many gifts that we can use to build his church and bring peace to the world. All of us have gifts. What are some of your gifts? (let them answer) Those are all wonderful. The one gift I really like to share is encouragement.

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