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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.

Christ The King (Proper 29) - B

Sermon

Revelation 1:4b-8

Janice B. Scott
I sometimes catch those programmes on television which offer people an evening out with the celebrity of their choice, or at least, ask people who they would choose if they could have that choice. Film stars and pop stars usually come at the top of the list, closely followed by royalty, especially the younger and handsomer members of the royal family.

When I see some of the choices I find myself shuddering and wonder what on earth people can see in such a person. But I suppose the choice is usually based on good looks and charm, which is probably reasonable if you only have one evening out with a celebrity. But I often wonder which celebrity people would choose if they had to spend the rest of their life with that person and what they would

Sermon

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Janice B. Scott
We seem to live in the Age of the Celebrity. Or at least, there is a very definite cult of the celebrity around. Celebrities of every description, whether sports stars or royalty or stars of television and screen, are big news and we seem to have an expanding number of magazines devoted to their lives with endless gossip about them. Even the fact that we refer to such people as 'stars' says something about how brightly we expect them to shine in our lives.

Sermon

John 18:33-37

Janice B. Scott
It seems to be true throughout life that those who are different are difficult to understand, and therefore rather scary. This has often been the basis of national phobias and hatred, such as anti-Semitism and racism.

It's difficult enough when one person stands out from the crowd, but in that case there are often (although not always) sufficient "normal" people around to enable the different one to be tolerated. But when there's a whole crowd or a whole nation of different people, they are often perceived as a threat and treated accordingly. And as time goes on, prejudices deepen until people are hated for no apparent reason.

Intercession

Revelation 1:4b-8

Janice B. Scott
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.

Servant King, through the ages your Church has found it difficult to be both servant and leader. Remind us that together, we are the Body of Christ, and that different parts of that body may be called upon to exercise different functions. But remind us above all that your kingdom is not of this world and that you are not an earthly king.

Children's Story

John 18:33-37

Janice B. Scott
The jungle was abuzz with excitement. The whisper went round from animal to animal, from bird to bird, from insect to insect, from flower to flower, from tree to tree, until everyone had heard the news, "The King is coming!"

Some of the more timid animals were terrified. Kings were big and powerful and important, and sometimes they ate little furry creatures for breakfast. There was much hurrying and scurrying as the little creatures rushed around to their friends and neighbours, urging them to find good hiding places before the king's arrival.

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

The Immediate Word

Bethany Peerbolte
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
Ron Love
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For November 22-25, 2018:
  • Alphas and Omegas by Bethany Peerbolte -- We choose the “alphas” and “omegas” of our lives from a long list of possibilities. Sometimes the priorities we establish for ourselves bear no resemblance to the priorities of the reign of God.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Contents
“Pilate’s Point Of View” by David O. Bales
“Priests for Whom?” by David O. Bales


Pilate’s Point Of View
by David O. Bales
John 18:33-37
Peter Andrew Smith
Morris stared at the plain white tiles of the hospital ceiling and wondered how much longer he would have to wait for the nurse to come and get him. He looked around at the curtains surrounding the waiting area and pulled the blanket over his feet. He sighed loudly.

“Bored?” a voice asked from the other side of the curtain.

“Yeah,” Morris replied. “I just want this over.”

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Bob Ove
Ron Love
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:21-27 and Psalm 126
That psalm could be for someone who was out of work who the Lord finds a job for. They can rejoice and give thanks for the Lord’s restoration. They will have a happy thanksgiving. Even those still out of work have a Lord who is keeping them alive until a more permanent answer arrives.

We can all find something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is at least one time when we can make a list of all those things. Some take paper and pen and do that.

Bob Ove
Ron Love
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
2 Samuel 23:1-7 and Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
Do what’s right. David says it this way, “One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.” These are some of David’s final words and, as such, they are significant. It’s hard to always do the right thing.
Mark Ellingsen
The theme for the final Sunday of the church year is a reminder that Christ already reigns! We already see hints of his rule at the end of time, even today.

2 Samuel 23:1-7
Frank Ramirez
In the book “Through the Looking Glass,” by Lewis Carroll, the chess pieces come to life, including the befuddled White Queen who in response to Alice’s assertion that one can’t believe in things that are impossible, replies, “I daresay you haven’t had much practice. When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

The lectionary scriptures cut the number in half and ask us to believe in three, if not quite impossible, then certainly improbable things.

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“My kingdom is not from this world” (v. 36a)

Good morning girls and boys,

Have your parents ever told you “always tell the truth?” (children respond)

Of course what they mean, to tell the truth, is be honest, don't lie, tell it like it is.

Truth is a tiny word with only 5 letters -- T-R-U-T-H, but has a big, big meaning.

When Jesus was on trial he was asked by governor Pontus Pilate “what is truth?”
Arley K. Fadness
“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (v. 25b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I'm so glad to see you. It's a fun time in this wonderful thanksgiving holiday season isn't it? Let's make a list of things we are thankful for. (list items on sketch pad as children make suggestions) We have a lot to be thankful for don't we?

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I sometimes catch those programmes on television which offer people an evening out with the celebrity of their choice, or at least, ask people who they would choose if they could have that choice. Film stars and pop stars usually come at the top of the list, closely followed by royalty, especially the younger and handsomer members of the royal family.

When I see some of the choices I find myself shuddering and wonder what on earth people can see in such a person. But I suppose the choice is usually based on

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton

Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is King -- but not the sort of king the world expects.

Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 23:1-7
The Last Words Of David

William G. Carter
In the small town of Mapleville, the ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service was poorly attended. Once it was a popular event for the whole town, gathering people from a variety of denominations and faiths. In recent years, attendance had faded to a faithful few. Most of those who came in any given year were members of the host congregation. What began as a spirited occasion that brought together a variety of clergy, choirs, and congregations had shrunk in numbers and dwindled in enthusiasm.

Special Occasion