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.
Third Sunday of Advent - C
Children's Liturgy and Story
Luke 3:7-18
Janice B. Scott
John the Baptist called people to turn to God for help and support. In our worship today let us follow his advice and turn to our Lord.
Invitation to Confession:
Lord Jesus, we are sorry for the times we turn away from you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, we are sorry for the times when we ignore you.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, turn your face upon us, that we may turn again to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Luke 3:7-18
Children's Story
Luke 3:7-18
Janice B. Scott
There was a battered old caravan standing in a glade deep in the woods. The children had come across it one day, and had amused themselves peering in the gloomy windows and scrawling rude words on the dirty paintwork.
When the owner of the caravan, a derelict old man complete with long, unkempt beard, had suddenly materialised from the woods shouting and brandishing his fist at them, the children had run away laughing.
Intercession
Luke 3:7-18
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:
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Sermon
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Janice B. Scott
People stagger back to their cars with carrier bags full of Christmas parcels as we all race against time to get everything finished. The supermarkets are already getting crammed, and woe betide anyone who hasn't completed all their shopping by Christmas Eve, for the shops will probably be heaving with people but the shelves virtually empty.
Sermon
Philippians 4:4-7
Janice B. Scott
On the radio this last week, I heard about an engineering firm which has ordered its staff to wear Santa Claus hoods over the festive period. The purpose is to spread jollity and Christmas cheer amongst the firm, and presumably, amongst their customers. The penalty for anyone refusing to wear a Santa hood is the loss of their Christmas bonus.
It's Christmas. You will be happy! Or else!
Sermon
Luke 3:7-18
Janice B. Scott
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