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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.

Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B

Sermon

John 3:1-17

It's said that one of the things which distinguishes human beings from animals, is the use of humour. On most occasions, when a small group of people gather together for almost any reason, humour is part of the agenda.

On moving to a new area and meeting new people, many of those who start as strangers to each other tentatively experiment with mild attempts at humour, often in the form of gentle teasing. As the relationship develops so confidence develops too, so that really good friends can say almost anything to each other, and can even appear to outsiders to be quite rude.

One test of how well you feel you know someone is whether or not you dare to tease them.

Sermon

Isaiah 6:1-8

The highlight of the famous Alpha course is the Holy Spirit weekend, although it has to be said that our parishes have not yet managed a weekend. But we have consistently managed a Holy Spirit day. Having started out as something of a skeptic about the Holy Spirit day, I have emerged as a convert, for I have witnessed some amazing transformations through the experience.The Holy Spirit day comes just over half way through the Alpha course, after around 6-7 weeks of discussion and thought about God and Jesus.

Intercession

John 3:1-17

Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:



These responses may be used:




Let us pray for the Church and for the world, and let us thank God for his goodness.

Almighty God our heavenly father, you promised through your Son Jesus Christ to hear us when we pray in faith.

Children's Story

John 3:1-17

In this story, Mary Louise's dolls come to life on Mid-Summer's Eve, because Mary Louise herself gives them a kiss. She discovers something of herself in each of her dolls, but only one doll acts in exactly the way Mary Louise would have wished. The allegories to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are hopefully obvious!

Mary Louise was a little bit lonely. Not completely lonely, but just a little bit. With no brothers or sisters, Mary Louise spent quite a lot of time playing by herself. Although not completely by herself, for Mary Louise had a number of silent companions, who were a great comfort to her.

Children's Liturgy and Story

John 3:1-17

Call to Worship:

Let us join together today in worship of the three-in-one God; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Invitation to Confession:

Father God, forgive our misuse of your Creation and our apathy towards our planet.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, Son of God, forgive our failure to follow you along the difficult path that leads to Calvary,
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, forgive us for the way we ignore you, the God within us.
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

C. David Mckirachan
Contents
“Snake Bit” by C. David McKirachan
“Burned Out” by C. David McKirachan


Snake Bit
by C. David McKirachan
John 3:1-17

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.... (v. 16a)

Good morning children,

How are you this lovely morning? I'm _______ and so delighted to be here with you.

I love sharing God's word. And I love your listening ears. Does everybody have your listening ears on? Open eyes too? Thinking cap on?

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Ron Love
George Reed
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Bethany Peerbolte
For May 27, 2018:
  • Religious but not Spiritual by Dean Feldmeyer -- Try as we might, we all have “blind spots” that, if not treated, can block us from being the faithful Christians we aspire to be.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Victor Hugo called his masterpiece Misérables, a religious work. So it is. The story echoes the gospel message at nearly every turn.

The main character, Jean Valjean, has been beaten hard by the cruel twists of fate. He has seen the sham of hypocrisy on all sides. So he casts the name of the Lord to the ground like a curse. What does God know of him, and what does it matter?
Mark Ellingsen
Bob Ove
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Ron Love
Psalm 29
This is a lesson to highlight the glory of God; such glory is associated with the mystery of the Trinity. Modern Reformed theologian Karl Barth well describes this glory:
In view of what has been said so far, this ‘in the highest’ means quite simply that he is the one who stands above us and also above our highest and deepest feelings, strivings, intuitions, above the products, even the most sublime, of the human spirit. (Dogmatics in Outline, p.37)
Great Puritan leader Jonathan Edwards extols God’s majesty this way:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The highlight of the famous Alpha course is the Holy Spirit weekend, although it has to be said that our parishes have not yet managed a weekend. But we have consistently managed a Holy Spirit day. Having started out as something of a skeptic about the Holy Spirit day, I have emerged as a convert, for I have witnessed some amazing transformations through the experience.The Holy Spirit day comes just over half way through the Alpha course, after around 6-7 weeks of discussion and thought about God and Jesus.

SermonStudio

William G. Carter
In his autobiography, actor Alec Guinness tells a story that might keep every pastor and church school teacher awake at night. He was a teenager and it was the morning of his confirmation. The classes were finished. The students' heads had been filled full of Bible stories and theological doctrines. Guinness says Holy Trinity Church in Eastbourne was crammed with confirmation candidates, their parents, friends, schoolteachers, and sponsors.

Special Occasion