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.
Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Liturgy and Story
John 15:9-17
Janice B. Scott
Jesus gave up his life for us. In our worship today let us explore how to love one another as he has loved us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes our love for each other is thin and pale.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we pretend to love but fail to care.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we don't know how to love.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 15:9-17
Children's Story
John 15:9-17
Janice B. Scott
"Come on, John," shouted one of the boys. But John shook his head and called back, "I'm sun-bathing. Too cold down there for me! While you're all getting wet, I'm soaking up the sun and developing a very good suntan." With that he stretched out on the rock and closed his eyes.
Intercession
John 15:9-17
Janice B. Scott
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
Isaiah 55:1-11
Janice B. Scott
A village in East England found itself in just such a position. The school there had been started in the 16th century, then added to by the Victorians. But in the 1980s it was declared unsuitable for school children who were all moved to a new school a mile or so away.
Sermon
John 15:9-17
Janice B. Scott
Or you might of course, love Terry's chocolate orange, and feel it's something which would be good to share. But at the last moment, like cuddly Dawn French, you'd say, "No, it's mine, not Terry's, it's all mine!"
Sermon
1 John 5:1-6
Janice B. Scott
Words of Jesus which could prove difficult, such as "no-one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6), then became easier, for "through me" could be seen as following the same cleared track. This left room to come to God via other faiths and other means, for Jesus is simply clearing the way for us.
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