
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.
Ascension of the Lord - C
Children's Liturgy and Story
John 5:1-9
Janice B. Scott
Jesus said to the paralysed man, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." In our worship today let us explore all that paralyses us, then let us respond to Jesus' command to stand up and walk.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of ridicule that I keep my head down. Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of doing the wrong thing that I do nothing at all. Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I find it easier to criticise than to take positive action myself. Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 5:1--9 (NRSV)
Story:
Sermon
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Janice B. Scott
Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Children's Liturgy and Story
John 17:20-26
Janice B. Scott
Jesus prayed to God asking that Jesus might be within us just as God was within Jesus, so that we may become completely one with God. In our worship today let us meet with the God within us, who is waiting to welcome us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we act as though you are not within us. Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to look deep within ourselves and so can't find you. Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we prefer to be at odds with you rather than to be at one with you. Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 17:20--26
Story:
Children's Story
John 17:20-26
Janice B. Scott
"What?" said Jimmy, lazily. Karl simply rolled over, chewing at the blade of grass in his mouth.
"No, c'mon," said Peter. "Like ghost busters. We could identify all the bullies in school, then go bust them."
Karl laughed. "You mean you could! Jimmy and me'd just pick up the pieces afterwards! Anyway, how you think you're gonna bust a gang like the Robots?"
Peter shrugged. "You know what they told us at Sunday School. Good always triumphs over evil in the end. We'll obliterate them with goodness."
Intercession
John 17:20-26
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
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Janice B. Scott
Sermon
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Janice B. Scott
Sermon
John 17:20-26
Janice B. Scott
It was a 12-day training course, and Scott was in a group with fifteen other people, about half of them male and half female. They discovered they were a very diverse group of people, and spent the first three days in intense struggle. A lot of anger was expressed, sometimes rather viciously. They were all anxious, and it was often unpleasant.
But on the fourth day, there was a sudden shift. Dr Peck described it like this:
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