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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Kit -- John 9:1-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Call to Worship:
Boris In The Forest -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Call to Worship:
The Quiz -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." In
Joe's New School -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Call to Worship: A leper said to Jesus, "If you choose, you can make me clean." As
Mr. Skillett And Mrs. Round Make Changes -- Luke 2:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Call to Worship: In our worship today, let us praise and glorify God for all we h
Puzzle Corner -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Call to Worship:
Rory's Bark -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Call to Worship:
Pippa Wants A Phone -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
Call to Worship:
Henry's Hurdle -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Call to Worship:
Trevor's Pets -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Call to Worship:

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Consequences -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
As Newton's Third Law of Motion tells us, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Symbols And Idolatry -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Present day icons tend to be stars — football stars, film stars, models and so on.
The Great Antitheses -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2011
Jane had marriage problems.
Being Christian -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2011
An abiding memory of my childhood is of my father in the garden.
Does Anybody Tell the Truth Anymore? -- Mark 3:20-35 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2011
Note: There is no content for Proper 5 / OT 10 / Pentecost 3 from The Village Shephe
When The Oil Runs Dry -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
When we first discovered that there was oil beneath the North Sea in 1965, it was a cause for
All Things Work Together ... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Perhaps one of the harder lessons which Christians have to learn is that bad things happen t
No Strings Attached -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2011
I remember, as a child, the loathsome task of writing thank you letters after every birthday and Chr
Grow Up! -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
The best way to jump-start your spiritual life, according to a recent survey, is to serve others in
Forgive As You Have Been Forgiven -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2009
Note: This is a substitute for missing content from The Village Shepherd.

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Jason's Stand -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
It wasn't until the early summer of his first year that Jason Court felt really fed up with his
Jamie's Uncle Jim -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
When Jesus walked seven miles to Emmaus with two of his friends, they failed to recognise him.
James Jacobs, Taxman -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
James Jacobs hated the story of Matthew the tax collector.
Jack's Hen -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Jack was grief stricken. His favourite hen had died.
I Believe... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Michael was both excited and scared all at the same time.
Oscar's Courage -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
When Jesus chose that particular passage from Isaiah, he went to the heart of his gospel - an op
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
He Who Laughs Last -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Henry Hyena had a problem.
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!
I Want To Be -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- All Saints Day - C
Casper's aunt was visiting.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Transforming God, This Is Scary Stuff!... -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Holy Spirit Of God, I Constantly Turn Back To You... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Dear God -- John 1:6-8; 19-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding And Loving God... -- John 14:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God... -- John 17:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Wilderness God... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Mystery -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Impossible... -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God, I Really Do Want To Know You In A New Sort Of Way... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God... -- John 1:43-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Preaching

Prayer

Children's sermon

Worship

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:

CSSPlus

Wesley T. Runk
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Good morning boys and girls. Does anyone here remember someone saying, “I am the greatest?” I remember hearing it many times by a prize fighter named Ali. Does anyone here remember Muhammed Ali? He used to say a lot of things and he was a very good boxer. He told everyone that he saw that he was “the greatest of all time.” Wow! Not many people say those kind of things about themselves.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
What is a saint?

According to the Roman Catholic church, a saint is a holy person who has been elevated by God to heaven, there to pray for those of us who need their help. There is a three-step process: the request by those who knew the person in life, and who attest to their holiness; a witness by at least two people that they asked the candidate to pray for them and their prayer was granted in a miraculous way; and an investigation by the Vatican into all this evidence. The declaration is made by the pope.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17

SermonStudio

Mary S. Lautensleger
"Surprise! You're adopted!" If you were to hear those words from a trusted relative, surprise would be an understatement, I'm sure. Total shock would probably be more descriptive terminology for your emotional state as you examined the official court record and your original birth certificate. "Adopted" does describe each of us though, because we have been adopted by God into God's family. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
James L. Killen, Jr.
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about the person in the middle of the inquiry. What can we believe about ourselves? We don't often ask that question but it is a very important one. Some people are oppressed by low self-esteem. Others are led astray by exaggerated images of themselves. It is important to get a realistic understanding of who we are -- and of who we can be. The Bible has something to say on the subject that may surprise you. Are you ready? Hold on to your hat. The Bible says you were created and called to be saints.
Argile Smith
At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and chuckle over every time he saw it.
Joseph M. Freeman
Maybe both the best and the worst of us in humanity are far better preachers than we are doers and deliverers of what we preach and teach. And maybe maturity has everything to do with our genuine willingness to bring a greater congruity between our esteemed words and those actions compatible with, not contradictory of, those words. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, loved and valued not just the right deeds, but also the right motives and attitudes.
Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier
Commotion At The Communion Rail

Tommy didn't budge.

When everyone else got up to leave the communion rail, he stayed kneeling. His folded hands were perched on the rail, and his little head was bowed so far down that his forehead was squinched against his thumb knuckles. His eyes were closed hopefully, as if he were waiting for a big present.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
As the movie Contact opens, the audience sees a precocious girl named Eleanor learning how to use a ham radio. Nicknamed "Sparks" by her father, she has reached a man in Florida, and is excited that her radio lets her speak with someone so far away. In a later scene she asks her father wistfully if she can call her deceased mother on the radio. He responds sadly that no antenna is big enough.
George L. Murphy
You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"? We see examples of that again and again in life. During the war in Iraq, Hampton Sides, a journalist who had been slated to be "embedded" with one of our frontline Marine battalions, gave an interview on NRP (National Public Radio). At almost the last possible moment, Sides decided not to go with the Marines, but instead to report from Central Command in Qatar.
Richard C. Brand
It seems fair to say that the saints of the Lord have always shown us what it is to be worthy of God. It is why we remember them and rejoice for them. They have shown us what a life worthy of God might look like. To talk about the saints, we may talk about Kagawa in Japan, about Mother Teresa, about Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela, about D. T. Niles in India, and about Saint Patrick in Ireland. To know the stories of Dorothy Day in New York City and Oscar Romero in Latin America is to have examples of what it means to lead lives worthy of the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
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