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 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Children's Liturgy and Story
Mark 10:17-31
Janice B. Scott
The rich man asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" As we explore that question in our worship today, let us open ourselves to Jesus and listen for his response to us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we hang on so tightly to the things that we want, that we don't leave room for you.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we're unaware when our centre is firmly fixed on something other than you.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, help us to let go of everything that prevents us from truly embracing you in our hearts.
Lord, have mercy.
Children's Story
Mark 10:17-31
Janice B. Scott
Intercession
Mark 10:17-31
Janice B. Scott
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.
All-seeing God, we need you to be at the very centre of the church's life, yet so often we are beset by money problems. We spend hours trying to work out how to make ends meet, and often we suffer a subsequent loss of spiritual energy. All-seeing God, show us our destructive patterns so that we can change and through our difficulties, grow ever closer to you.
Sermon
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Janice B. Scott
Sermon
Mark 10:17-31
Janice B. Scott
We've had some interesting results in our time. Many of my so-called shortcuts have taken us miles out of our way, because my sense of direction has never been particularly well developed. Often, when we've been on foot, the "shortcut" has been exceedingly arduous, struggling through difficult terrain, and taking a long time about it.
Sermon
Hebrews 4:12-16
Janice B. Scott
In this particular programme, all but one of those who had "died" had found it a very enriching experience. They all described a feeling of such love and peace suffusing them that they didn't want to return to this earth. One young man in particular was very angry when he regained consciousness, for he had felt himself being pulled back and he definitely didn't want to come!
But it was the man who talked about judgment who
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