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.
Second Sunday in Lent - B
Children's Story
Mark 8:31-38
Janice B. Scott
The next Barbie doll in line was instantly alert. There were five different Barbie dolls, who lived jumbled together in the toy cupboard but who were so jealous of each other that they rarely spoke. "Seen what?" asked the second Barbie doll, blue eyes darting all round the room.
"The Princess," replied the first Barbie with glee. "Caitlin's done her hair and it looks terrible!"
Intercession
Mark 8:31-38
Janice B. Scott
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
Mark 8:31-38
Janice B. Scott
Jesus said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." In our worship today let us explore what it means to take up our cross and follow him.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, like Peter, we don't always understand what we should do.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, we often try to avoid any suffering.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, we often deny others, but seldom deny ourselves or our own desires.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Mark 8:31-38
Sermon
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Janice B. Scott
In this country as in the USA, some couples now enter into pre-nuptial contracts before they will consider getting married, so that their interests are protected in case the marriage fails. And with the present
Sermon
Romans 4:13-25
Janice B. Scott
As well as the parents, there was a grown-up son and his fiancee, a daughter home from university, and a younger daughter aged about twelve. The son married his fiancee and they set off on their honeymoon, but on the way home from the wedding, the father had a road accident and was killed.
Sermon
Mark 8:31-38
Janice B. Scott
Death had never been mentioned either by myself or by her or by her husband. So when I arrived at her bedside late that night, I had no idea whether or not she knew that her death was imminent. And I wasn't sure how to handle it.
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
