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The Village Shepherd

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.

Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A

Sermon

Exodus 16:2-15

According to the media, there is a shortage of surgeons in the US. The reason for this is that it has now become difficult for surgeons to afford the cost of insurance because of the litigation culture of the US. Such huge payouts follow any undesired outcome of surgery, whether or not the surgeon was to blame, that the insurance costs have reached sky high proportions and are forcing some surgeons to quit the job. Unfortunately the surgeons so affected by this are mostly those who give much of their time to working for the poor. They finance their work for the poorest in society by the rest of their work for those who can afford to pay, but this work is no longer financially viable.

Human

Sermon

Matthew 20:1-16

Recently I noticed in the media that the government are planning to give each teenager in England a gift of up to 10,000 pounds on reaching the age of eighteen. My first reaction was one of horror, imagining what most teenagers of my acquaintance would do with that kind of money!

But of course, on closer study it became apparent that none of the youngsters would actually see any cash, that the money could only be used as a deposit on a house or for further education, and that only the poorest of the poor would ever see anything approaching 10,000 pounds. If this scheme should ever become law!

Sermon

Philippians 1:21-30

Many years ago in the rural area where I was living, a monastery set up an experiment. Two young monks wanted to live a kind of hermit existence, living within the local community yet somehow set apart from it. They wanted to develop a sort of open house, where people could come from miles around and talk or receive advice or simply share spirituality.

Intercession

Matthew 20:1-16

Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

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.

Children's Story

Matthew 20:1-16

Timmy and Angela glared at each other. When Angela's Dad's and Timmy's Mum had moved in with each other taking the children with them, they had thought they were starting a new, happy family. Angela and Timmy were more or less the same age, so it had seemed like a perfect arrangement. But it hadn't worked out quite like that, for Angela and Timmy had hated each other on sight.

Children's Liturgy and Story

Matthew 20:1-16

Call to Worship:

Sometimes life can seem unfair, because we are unable to see the big picture. But God always sees the big picture and always does what is right for us. In our worship today, let us consider a story which Jesus told and which at first glance seems unfair.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, I get angry when I think I've been treated unfairly.
Lord, have mercy.

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

New & Featured This Week

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Redefining Fair" by Peter Andrew Smith
"How Great Thou Art!" by John Fitzgerald

Redefining Fair
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 20:1-16

“Are you boys finished with your chores yet?” Linda called out from the kitchen.

Paul put two full bags of plastic containers next to the garage door. “I finished everything and Joey is almost done.”

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
In this week’s lectionary gospel passage, Jesus tells a parable that at first glance seems antithetical to modern sensibilities. A vineyard owner is hiring day laborers to work in his fields, and early in the day he hires several workers at the usual going daily rate. Later in the day, the owner sees additional workers still standing at their gathering place, hoping for even a small job, and he tells them to go to the vineyard as well. Yet at the end of the day, the workers who labored for only a few hours receive a full day’s earnings.

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
...I chose to give to this last the same as I give to you...so the last will be first and the first will be last. (v. 14b, 16)

Good morning boys and girls,

It's so fun to see you here at church and especially to see you come up and sit and visit with me. Thanks for listening. How are you? You look wonderful and happy.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Bob Ove
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Exodus 16:2-15
“God will provide.” We’ve all heard that expression. Probably we’ve said it a few times too. Those are the easy parts, hearing it and saying it. Trusting that he will can be a different matter. I read the following story in a missionary magazine, and thought it would be a great way to illustrate this passage.
David Kalas
I heard a story once of a custodian who worked at a certain university. Among his responsibilities, he emptied the wastebaskets in the administration building where the president of the university had his office. The school underwent a change in presidents during this custodian’s time there, and he found that his experience of his job changed. “I didn’t mind emptying Dr. Wilson’s garbage,” he remarked, referring to the former president.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Recently I noticed in the media that the government are planning to give each teenager in England a gift of up to 10,000 pounds on reaching the age of eighteen. My first reaction was one of horror, imagining what most teenagers of my acquaintance would do with that kind of money!

SermonStudio

Jerry L. Schmalenberger
So this fellow up in Sonoma County, not far from wine-growing Napa County, anxiously watched the weather forecast. Heavy rains of November were on the way across the Pacific. The grapes were mature and ready for harvest. Having no regular work crew, he went in to the union hall to get day laborers to do the picking. They agreed to work for ten dollars per hour. But the work didn't go fast enough and the sky was darkening with black clouds. Several times during the day he added more and more workers until the harvest was safely in the winery's barn.

Special Occasion