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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.

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

Children's Liturgy and Story

Matthew 4:12-23

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:
Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)

Children's Story

Matthew 4:12-23

Janice B. Scott
Jenni was very excited. It was Guides tonight, and she was Patrol Leader. She'd been a Guide for three years now, and was the oldest member of her patrol, although Ruth was only a month or two younger.

Intercession

Matthew 4:12-23

Janice B. Scott
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.

Sermon

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Janice B. Scott
There are always difficulties in Christian ministry, at whichever level you're involved in it, from church cleaner to the Archbishop of Canterbury. There's always someone who'll find fault, and if like the Archbishop, you're a subject of media interest, then I should imagine Christian ministry can be very difficult indeed and perhaps something of a burden.

Sermon

Isaiah 9:1-4

Janice B. Scott
The British weather is renowned for its diversity and therefore is always a good conversation starter. "Nice day!" we say to passing strangers in this part of rural England, whenever the sun shines. The diversity also makes it quite difficult to predict the weather, so our weather forecasts are not always entirely accurate and cannot be made more than a few days in advance. And the weather around here is remarkably local, so pouring rain in one village might be brilliant sunshine in the next village, only a mile or so away.

Sermon

Matthew 4:12-23

Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

I can't remember the end of the story, but I have a vague recollection that try as she might, the young nun was quite unable to comply with that order and passed her exams with flying colours. As far as I remember, eventually everything ended happily ever after, for she fell in love with a handsome young man and left the order.

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
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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Epiphany 3 | OT 3
27 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 4 | OT 4
29 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 5 | OT 5
26 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
22 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 6 | OT 6
26 – Sermons
90+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
23 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Bethany Peerbolte
As Jesus calls his disciples it seems like he has a criterion for the people with which he wants to surround himself. It may not always be obvious in the Biblical account, but Jesus is careful to choose people who are really committed to his message. With their help, Jesus will be able to do more and spread the word about God farther.

The Immediate Word

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Dean Feldmeyer
Ron Love
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Bethany Peerbolte
For January 26, 2020:

StoryShare

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Peter Andrew Smith
“Well that should do it for out here.” Paul shoveled the last of the snow on the walkway. “Do you suppose there’s much to be done inside?”

“Does it really matter? I don’t think anyone is going to show up.” Luke looked at the sky. “The storm coming is supposed to be a bad one.”

“It won’t start for a few hours. When it gets underway, we can close up.”

“No seriously man, why are we opening the food bank this morning? I doubt that anyone will show up and most of the town is closed because of the weather.”

“But what if there is someone?”

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Mark Ellingsen
The texts for the Third Sunday After Epiphany are that God goes before us.

Isaiah 9:1-4
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 9:1-4

The Village Shepherd

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Janice B. Scott
There are always difficulties in Christian ministry, at whichever level you're involved in it, from church cleaner to the Archbishop of Canterbury. There's always someone who'll find fault, and if like the Archbishop, you're a subject of media interest, then I should imagine Christian ministry can be very difficult indeed and perhaps something of a burden.

SermonStudio

Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Mark Wm. Radecke
In today's Gospel text, Jesus calls for repentance, expects Peter and Andrew to drop their nets and follow him, and calls James and John to leave their Father Zebedee in the boat without so much as a "So long, see you later."

My task today is to issue that same call to repentance, that same call to radical obedience and decisive discipleship. For that call is urgent and cries out to be issued in all of its majesty and might.

Special Occasion