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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

What Does "Eternal" Mean? -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Call to Worship: In our worship today, let us come to Jesus to drink at his
The Great Run -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Call to Worship:
The Advent Candle -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: With John the Baptist, in our worship today let us prepare the way
Little Lester -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Call to worship:
The Ladder -- John 6:51-58 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus is the living bread, and those who eat this bread will live

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Beatrice The Bee -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Beatrice knew she was a princess, for her mother was Queen Bee.
The Show -- John 6:1-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
It was nearly the week of the show and Christopher's heart was beating very fast.
Jack's Hen -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Jack was grief stricken. His favourite hen had died.
St. Peter's Pool -- John 10:22-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Sarah was on holiday in Malta with her parents.
Basil's Journey -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Basil was lonely and cold and very, very tired.
The Search For Kingship -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Jesus was an unusual king, with none of the pomp and ceremony generally associated with kingship.
I Will If I Want -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Mrs Bushman sighed. "Don't pick up such large walnuts, Will," she scolded.
St Mark's Mission -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
St Marks were a lively, go-ahead crowd. At least, some of them were.
Barbie Five -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
"Have you seen it?" whispered the Barbie doll to her next door neighbour.
The Scientist -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
John Jones knew he wanted to be a scientist from the age of four.
'I'm Not Afraid.....' -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Andrew was hanging about on the age of the group, as usual.
Simon's Shoes -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
For his tenth birthday, Simon's uncle George gave him a pair of shoes. Simon was quite excited.
Awkward Jennifer -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Nobody liked Jennifer.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

God Of The Heart As Well As The Mind... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Courage And Integrity... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Almighty God Our Heavenly Father... -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
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:
A Prayer By Cardinal Mercier... -- John 20:19-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Fire And Earth And Sea... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Where Is God? -- Genesis 28:10-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
When the first astronauts went into space, they were awestruck by the strange beauty of all they saw
Little Girl, Get Up! -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
When I was growing up, there was considerable stereotyping of boys and girls.
The Nature Of Temptation -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
I've never been very clear about the difference between temptation and sin.
Be Sincere In Love... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Many years ago at the age of eighteen, when I started training as a physiotherapist, we had to s
Has God Been Tamed? -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Years ago in the physiotherapy department of most hospitals, artificial sunlight was used in the tre
Pilgrimage -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Our churches have been on a number of pilgrimages.
The Role Of The Messenger -- Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
In Greek mythology, Hermes ("pile of marker stones") was the god of boundaries and of the travellers
The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Back in the heady days when women had just been ordained and I was a new curate, I was in the vestry
The Spirit Of Wisdom -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
I'm not what you might describe as an inveterate traveller, but whenever I've visited other countrie
The Distress Of Death -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Surprisingly, most
Remembering Simple Basics -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
When three of us from our benefice here in South Norfolk went to London on an Alpha training cours
Every Member Ministry -- And Judgment? -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Here in England, despite being constantly told of the drop in church attendance, the Church cont
Visions -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
In "Valley of Bones", a thriller by Michael Gruber, one of the main characters is an intriguing mix
If Jesus Conquered Death, Why Do We Die? -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
You may have seen on television a while ago, those heart-rending adverts for Cancer Relief .
The Coming -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Today, as well as being Advent Sunday is also the first day of year 3 of the Revised Common Lectio
Accepting Responsibility -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The story was told in the press recently of two teenage sisters who befriended an elderly widow.
Floating On The Flood -- Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
"It never rains," said the old lady, "but it pours." She wasn't referring to the weather.
Where Are You Going? -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
I like to be well organised when preparing for a trip, especially when going on holiday.
Light In The Darkness -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Those who follow the police soap "The Bill" on television, will be familiar with The Bronty.
The Marriage Covenant -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Britney Spears can now claim the shortest marriage on record.
Baptism Of Fire -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Many years ago, when Ian and I were first married, we lived in a house without central heating.
Harsh Words -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
I watched my very first horror film at the age of sixteen.
Pie-In-The-Sky When We Die? -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
There's a section in the Church Times for people to write in and ask any questions they might have
Will You 'Open That Sack Called Your Heart, And Share...'? -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
I want to read you a poem. It's called "Santa's Secret Wish",
The Sin Of Adam -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
It always strikes me as strange that St Paul puts so much emphasis on Adam's sin, but that t

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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