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.
Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Liturgy and Story
John 15:1-8
Janice B. Scott
Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 15:1-8
Children's Story
John 15:1-8
Janice B. Scott
"It has come to our attention," the letter began pompously, "that two members of your team are female. I enclose a copy of the current rules. You will see that rule 6a, paragraph h states that "after the age of thirteen years, no club may field a football team comprising members of both sexes."
"There is now a very good Womens' League which will welcome your two female players. Please offer them our best wishes and hopes for their future in football."
The letter was signed by the president of the Clubs' League.
Intercession
John 15:1-8
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
Genesis 22:1-18
Janice B. Scott
It's only later that we begin to realise that parenthood isn't that easy. Children have a habit of being themselves, which may be very different from the way we want them to be. This becomes most apparent during the teenage years, when children begin to really assert their independence. Some youngsters rebel so much that they seem
Sermon
1 John 4:7-21
Janice B. Scott
Her parents had worked so hard on her limbs that they had managed to keep them supple. The consultant had congratulated them, for he said that most children who suffer similar brain damage end up with stiff limbs which not only refuse to work, but also refuse to bend.
Sermon
John 15:1-8
Janice B. Scott
There was also, to our astonishment, a vine, gently creeping up the wall. A somewhat small and delicate vine to be sure. One which had been all but choked by the daisies, but a vine nonetheless.
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