Login / Signup

The Village Shepherd

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Rosie Diamond Sulks -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Call to Worship:
When Simon's Dad Went Away -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
The Harvest Loaf -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny
You Can Do It, Emily! -- John 5:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Call to Worship:
Gordon The Groundhog -- John 10:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Throws A Party -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
When Anna Died -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
Praxis Gets Rich -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: As we listen today to the story of Jesus driving people out of the
Paul's Holiday -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Call to Worship: Let us join together to use this time for rest and relaxation
God's Son Returns -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Takes Care -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
Call to Worship:
Tom Can't Be Bothered -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
The Beautiful Red Balloon -- John 12:20-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: If we wish to see Jesus, we must be prepared to follow him so that
Gemma's Worst Day -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes a little child in my name welcomes
God's Love -- John 14:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Receives Power -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - C
Call to Worship:
Toby's Dive -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Call to worship:
Jesus Our King -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - B
Many churches hold a Palm Sunday procession
Tegan's Sale -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Call to Worship: Jairus begged Jesus, "Come and lay your hands on my daughter, so
Fluffy Cat Meets Toby Mouse -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Call to Worship:
Praxis Meets Blue Squirrel -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
Toby Hears The Call -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Call to Worship:
Broody's Chick -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
The liturgy can start with a procession in which
James' Trumpet -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Call to Worship: The madman cried out to Jesus, "What have you to do with me,
Fluffy Cat Gets Wrong -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Tim Takes Up His Cross -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Tim was never allowed to go anywhere with his big brother, Fred.
Fluffy Cat And Toby Mouse -- John 6:56-69 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Fluffy Cat and Toby Mouse lived together in the same house.
Luke's Grandpa -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
When Mary used a jar of very expensive ointment to anoint Jesus' feet, other people condemned he
Praxis Looks For Justice -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Praxis the pixie was ordering the other pixies around.
The Fiery Princess -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
John the Baptist told his followers that the Messiah (Jesus) would baptise with fire.
The Search For Kingship -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
This is a story about a royal prince, who was sent by
Thomas And The Cave -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited.
Father Time Takes A Tumble -- John 3:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Old Father Time was feeling not only old, but tired and lonely and very, very cold.
Lone Star -- John 1:6-8; 19-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Lone Star planted his front paws firmly on the rock at the top of the hill, threw back his head,
Praxis In The Dark -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Praxis the colourful pixie was feeling very blue.
The Day Of The Storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
The first thing Jack saw when he walked into church on the Sunday morning was a bright red o
Thomas And The Cave -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited.
Double Trouble -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Double Trouble was the smallest of the litter of puppies. He was also the most mischievous.
Living Like Animals -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Timmy and Angela glared at each other.
Praxis Finds Himself -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Praxis had a problem. It wasn't a problem shared by any of the other pixies, it was his alone.
The Christmas Thorn Of Glastonbury -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
After baby Jesus grew up to be a man, he got into terrible trouble, and wicked people killed him.
Donovan's New Life -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
The Worst Pixie In The World -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
In today's reading, Jesus showed that God's forgiveness is always available, although sometimes
Dragon Fire -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dominic Dragon lived in a cave in the Welsh hills.
Lame Ducks -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Jane's mother wasn't very pleased. Jane had come home cradling a tiny kitten inside her coat.
Praxis Brings Some Friends -- John 12:20-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Praxis the colourful pixie was a bright shining pink, with a tinge of orange around the edges.
The Church That Nearly Died -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
"I think," said the Archdeacon, "the time may have come to close this Church.
Mary Louise And Her Silent Companions -- John 3:1-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
In this story, Mary Louise's dolls come to life on
The White Bib -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Clarence was always very particular, even as a fledging only just out of the nest.
Don’t I Know You? -- John 1:43-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
"Don't I know you?" asked the man. He wasn't much to look at, small and quite old.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

God Of Humility... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Vine... -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Forgiving God, It's Not Fair... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God, Sometimes Your Church Feels A Bit Like Those Pharisees... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Creator God... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
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:
God Of Life, It's Difficult To Be Grateful... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Compassionate God... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Compassion... -- James 2:1-10, 14-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Immense Love... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Universe... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Good Shepherd, The Image Of You With A Lamb... -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Challenging God... -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Understanding, You Know All There Is To Know About Me... -- John 6:56-69 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Multi-Faceted God... -- John 1:29-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God, The Center Of My Being... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Self-Giving And Self-Emptying God... -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Direct And Honest God... -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Believing In You Isn't Easy, Amazing God... -- John 6:51-58 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Knowing God... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Forgiveness... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Glory... -- John 12:20-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, You Offer Me Such Profound Love... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Bread Of Life, I'm So Hungry... -- John 6:24-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Did The Cross Really Work? -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
In any daily newspaper there are always catalogues of horrific
Living Water -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Last April we had a group of visitors from a parish in Northen Sweden.
Discerning God -- Genesis 18:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
On our first visit to Malta many years ago, we stayed in the rural south of the island.
What's The Point? -- Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Riding a bike is a very good way of discovering the multitude of
About Death -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
One of the world-wide (or at least Western world-wide) effects of the attacks on the Twin Trade To
Sarah Laughed -- Genesis 18:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Perhaps one of the characteristics which endeared Princess Di to the nation, was her ordinariness.
God And Wealth -- Deuteronomy 30:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
There was a series of programmes on British television recently under the heading, "God Is Black." I
It's All Relative -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
A group of us from South Norfolk have recently returned from pilgrimage in Greece and Turkey, follow
Beyond Outward Appearances -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
The Bible doesn't have too much to say about women, and those it does mention are very often there
How Much, In The Cold Light Of Day? -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
The evangelist Billy Graham was away from home a great deal when he was in his heyday of large eva
The End Of The World? -- Matthew 24:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott
I was visiting a 98-year-old lady recently who said to me, "I'm glad I could never see into the
How Intelligent Is Intelligence? -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
There once was a report in "The Sunday Times" about the claims of Francis Crick to have located
The Value Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Several years ago, 38 members of the "Heaven's Gate" religious cult in California drank poison i
Leadership Through Service — Is It Possible? -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
When I was a student physiotherapist, those students who were considered to be the best in the
The Risk Of Baptism In The Holy Spirit -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Some years ago, Japanese game shows were quite popular on television.
What Is Sin? -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Samantha is married and in her early twenties, but with no children yet.
Sin - What A Drag! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Ash Wednesday - A
When children are baptised in the Church of England, their parents and godparents make three
God's Breath -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
I read an article recently about the spiritual life of people with mental health problems (The Bible
Faith -- Genesis 15:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
One year, our church was approached by the chairman of the local council to see whether we could off
Night Precedes Day -- Amos 5:18-24 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
One thing about live
A Question Of Authority -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Back in my days as a student physiotherapist, I remember the problems we students had when a stu
Rudeness, Honesty, Humility And Healing -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Some years ago I was privileged to sit on what was then called The Norfolk Family Practitioner C
God's Selection Criteria -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Some while ago, Songs of Praise on the television featured a young woman with a very powerful st
Apocalypse Now! -- Daniel 12:1-3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
'War and Peace', Tolstoy's epic novel, covers Russian social history during the time of Napoleon.
Better To Be Myself Than To Be Artificially Good -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
King's Lynn, that small port on The Wash in North Norfolk, boasts its very own saint, or at least,

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL