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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Jonquil's Daffodils -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
The Best Present Ever -- Luke 2:8-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Call to Worship: Come, let us go even now to Bethlehem with the shepherds and the
The Folk From The Street Help Out -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Call to Worship:
David And Jonathan, Best Friends -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Call to Worship:
The Friends From The Street Want To Swim -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said that whoever is not against us, is for us. Let us
John And The Power Within -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Call to Worship:
The Family -- Matthew 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Call to Worship:
Daisy Loved To Dance -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
Bushman's Acorn -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "What God has joined together, let no one separate."
John And Jane -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- All Saints Day - A
Call to Worship:
A Page Boy's Story -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Call to Worship: With the kings, on this feast of the Epiphany let us come to
The Ermine Cloak -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Call to Worship:
Bunker Stands Alone -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Call to Worship:
Mr. Tweedie, The Organist -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Call to Worship: They said to the blind man, "Take heart; get up, he is calling
Jo's First Camp -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Call to Worship:
Lazy Linda -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Keep awake, for you do not know either the day or the
The End Of Their Lives -- Matthew 9:9-13; 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Call to Worship:
Ahmed's Gift -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Call to Worship:
Mo's Love For God -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus told us to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Jasmine's Special Christmas Present -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
The New Boy -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Call to Worship:
The Braying Of A Donkey -- Matthew 27:11-54 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
Call to Worship:
A Father's Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Call to Worship:
Honesty Really Is The Best Policy -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Call to Worship: Jesus refused to answer Pilate or any of his accusers, even
Jasmine's Christmas Present -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

The Parable Of Bamboo -- John 20:1-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - C
Once upon a time in the heart of a certain kingdom, lay a beautiful garden.
When Jodie Was Lost -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
It was Jodie's first holiday at the seaside, and she loved it.
Alice And The Angel -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Alice was lying on her back on the grass gazing up at clouds meandering gently overhead when she
Holly's Worry -- Matthew 6:25-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A
Holly stared at her face in the mirror. She couldn't believe it!
Roly Interprets The Signs -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Roly lay on the stone floor with his head on his paws.
Molly's Family -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"I'm never going to get married," declared Molly.
The Moment Of Truth -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
I'd never met my cousin John, although I'd heard plenty about him from my mother.
What Shall I Do? -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
James was really miserable.
After Grandma Died -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Death is difficult for anyone to understand and accept, and particularly difficult for children
He Who Laughs Last -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Henry Hyena had a problem.
Robert's Choice -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Even after being warned that Herod was out to kill him, Jesus was still determined to go to Jeru
Mole's Great Escape -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Mole shouted his warning to Fox and rabbit, but Fox hardly paused as he chased rabbit, and rabbit
The Mystery Of The Marshes -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Cley marshes (pronounced Cly), are rich in wild life, especially sea birds.
What Matters? -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
When Lucy Dingall moved to a new house, she was very excited.
Adrian's Swimming Coach -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
There wasn't much that Adrian was good at, except swimming.
Happy Families -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middl
Richard's Mum -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The prodigal son's father could equally have been his mother, since mothers too are never quite
Molly The Milk Molecule -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Molly the milk molecule was scared.
The Marble King -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Charlie Baker was thrilled. He'd just been given a bag of marbles from his grandmother.
We Piped To You And You Did Not Dance? -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
He was such a nice man.
Whose Job Is It Anyway? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church.
Greater Love Hath No Man? -- John 10:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
During World War II, a number of British regiments from this part of East Anglia were sent to th
Princess Lightfinger -- Luke 8:22-25 -- Janice B. Scott
This is a story about a princess who finds herself in terrible trouble.
Mike's Great Disappointment -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
Mike was fed up.
The King Is Coming? -- John 18:33-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
The jungle was abuzz with excitement.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Advent God... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Broken God... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing And All-Knowing God -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Healing And Compassionate God... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Courageous God, You Took Such A Huge Risk... -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Triumphant -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The World Is Preparing Once Again -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God... -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Listening God... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Perfect Community... -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unexpected God, Awful Times In My Life Occur Out Of The Blue... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, Every Branch Of Your Church Tends To Think It Has The Whole Truth... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Living... -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Highest Heavens... -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, You Promised To Comfort Those Who Mourn... -- John 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, I Find It Almost Impossible To Really Love Outside My Own Family -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, Enable Your Church So To Hear Your Voice... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Joyful God, it's your birthday... -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God... -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Healing God... -- John 5:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Matthew 24:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Light Of The World... -- John 9:1-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Loving And Forgiving God... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

The Possible Dream -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Note: This is a substitute for missing content from The Village Shepherd.
The Lord Looks On The Heart -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2006
Many years ago when I was at Primary School, an Australian girl joined our class.
Things Change -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 4 / OT 9 / Pentecost 2 from The Village Shepher
Parades And Crosses -- The Challenge Of Ministry -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 4 / OT 9 / Pentecost 2 from The Village Shepher
Looking To The Unseen -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 5 / OT 10 / Pentecost 3 from The Village Shephe
Risking Relationships That Redeem -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2005
Note: This sermon fills a slot that is not currently filled by The Village Shepherd.
God, Please Send Some Lofty Thoughts -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
E-mail From: KDM To: God Subject: Truly Human, Truly God's
Let Sleeping Dogmas Awake! -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
There are many doctrines in the Bible that receive light billing today.
The Illusion Of Neutrality -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Robert A. Beringer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1992
Charlie Moran, the old National League baseball umpire, always regarded himself and his decisions hi
The Israelites Looked Back -- Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
In John Osborne's famous play, "Look Back In Anger", first produced in the post-war
Shout It From The Rooftops! -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Years ago, politicians were regarded as the epitome of authority
The Faithfulness Of Mothers -- John 19:25-27 -- Janice B. Scott
To us in England, the fourth Sunday in Lent is always Mothering
The Prophet -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
The hypnotist Paul McKenna
Humility And Courage -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Walking home from work one evening, a young man was attacked by five thugs. Instead of just
The God Within -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
When my father was dying,
The Day Of The Lord -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
In the "Manchester
What About Isaac? -- Genesis 22:1-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
If any of us ever stopped to really consider the implications and responsibilities of being a
God's Word Will Succeed -- Isaiah 55:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
It's difficult to know what to do with old buildings such as Victorian schools. Many Victorian
A New Beginning -- Ezekiel 36:24-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
The Oprah Winfrey television show started in 1986 and will continue until at least 2011 because
A Web Of Deceit -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We human beings so often
Worry! -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A
I remember as a teenager feeling extremely irritated
Shameful Realisation -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
God must receive a
The Beat Of A Butterfly's Wing -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
It's now well known although hardly comprehensible to me, that a single beat of a
Sins Of The Fathers -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The relationship between fathers and sons can be difficult. The relationship between famous
Potential -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
This is a year for babies in

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

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.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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