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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

The Best Present Ever -- Luke 2:8-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Call to Worship: Come, let us go even now to Bethlehem with the shepherds and the
Jonquil's Daffodils -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
David And Jonathan, Best Friends -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Call to Worship:
The Folk From The Street Help Out -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Call to Worship:
The Friends From The Street Want To Swim -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said that whoever is not against us, is for us. Let us
John And The Power Within -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Call to Worship:
Daisy Loved To Dance -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
The Family -- Matthew 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Call to Worship:
Bushman's Acorn -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "What God has joined together, let no one separate."
A Page Boy's Story -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Call to Worship: With the kings, on this feast of the Epiphany let us come to
John And Jane -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- All Saints Day - A
Call to Worship:
Bunker Stands Alone -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Call to Worship:
The Ermine Cloak -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Call to Worship:
Mr. Tweedie, The Organist -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Call to Worship: They said to the blind man, "Take heart; get up, he is calling
Lazy Linda -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Keep awake, for you do not know either the day or the
Jo's First Camp -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Call to Worship:
Ahmed's Gift -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Call to Worship:
The End Of Their Lives -- Matthew 9:9-13; 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Call to Worship:
Mo's Love For God -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus told us to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
The New Boy -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Call to Worship:
Jasmine's Special Christmas Present -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
A Father's Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Call to Worship:
The Braying Of A Donkey -- Matthew 27:11-54 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
Call to Worship:
Honesty Really Is The Best Policy -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Call to Worship: Jesus refused to answer Pilate or any of his accusers, even
Oh Dear, Roly! -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Call to Worship: In Jesus, the kingdom of God has come near. Let us turn to him and

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Holly's Worry -- Matthew 6:25-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A
Holly stared at her face in the mirror. She couldn't believe it!
Roly Poly Prickle Faces The Music -- John 6:51-58 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Roly Poly Prickle was in something of a mess.
More Trouble For Praxis -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Praxis the pixie was in trouble again. In fact, Praxis was rarely out of trouble.
The Parable Of Bamboo -- John 20:1-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - C
Once upon a time in the heart of a certain kingdom, lay a beautiful garden.
What Shall I Do? -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
James was really miserable.
After Grandma Died -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Death is difficult for anyone to understand and accept, and particularly difficult for children
He Who Laughs Last -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Henry Hyena had a problem.
Roly Interprets The Signs -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Roly lay on the stone floor with his head on his paws.
Molly's Family -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"I'm never going to get married," declared Molly.
The Moment Of Truth -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
I'd never met my cousin John, although I'd heard plenty about him from my mother.
What Matters? -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
When Lucy Dingall moved to a new house, she was very excited.
Adrian's Swimming Coach -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
There wasn't much that Adrian was good at, except swimming.
Happy Families -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middl
Robert's Choice -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Even after being warned that Herod was out to kill him, Jesus was still determined to go to Jeru
Mole's Great Escape -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Mole shouted his warning to Fox and rabbit, but Fox hardly paused as he chased rabbit, and rabbit
The Mystery Of The Marshes -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Cley marshes (pronounced Cly), are rich in wild life, especially sea birds.
We Piped To You And You Did Not Dance? -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
He was such a nice man.
Whose Job Is It Anyway? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church.
Greater Love Hath No Man? -- John 10:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
During World War II, a number of British regiments from this part of East Anglia were sent to th
Richard's Mum -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The prodigal son's father could equally have been his mother, since mothers too are never quite
Molly The Milk Molecule -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Molly the milk molecule was scared.
The Marble King -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Charlie Baker was thrilled. He'd just been given a bag of marbles from his grandmother.
Uncle Sol's Visit -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Ben was excited. It was a cold winter's day, but Uncle Sol was coming to visit.
Why Doesn't It Work? -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
They were huddled together leaning against straw stacks in a corner of the old barn, where they
Griselda's Turbulent Life -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Griselda had a turbulent life. She always blamed her name.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Advent God... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Servant King... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Broken God... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Healing And Compassionate God... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing And All-Knowing God -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unexpected God, Awful Times In My Life Occur Out Of The Blue... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The World Is Preparing Once Again -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Triumphant -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God... -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Perfect Community... -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Listening God... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, I Find It Almost Impossible To Really Love Outside My Own Family -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, Every Branch Of Your Church Tends To Think It Has The Whole Truth... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Living... -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, You Promised To Comfort Those Who Mourn... -- John 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Highest Heavens... -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Matthew 24:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Joyful God, it's your birthday... -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, Enable Your Church So To Hear Your Voice... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God... -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Healing God... -- John 5:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Bountiful God... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Light Of The World... -- John 9:1-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

The Possible Dream -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Note: This is a substitute for missing content from The Village Shepherd.
The Lord Looks On The Heart -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2006
Many years ago when I was at Primary School, an Australian girl joined our class.
Things Change -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 4 / OT 9 / Pentecost 2 from The Village Shepher
Parades And Crosses -- The Challenge Of Ministry -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 4 / OT 9 / Pentecost 2 from The Village Shepher
Looking To The Unseen -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 5 / OT 10 / Pentecost 3 from The Village Shephe
Risking Relationships That Redeem -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2005
Note: This sermon fills a slot that is not currently filled by The Village Shepherd.
God, Please Send Some Lofty Thoughts -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
E-mail From: KDM To: God Subject: Truly Human, Truly God's
Let Sleeping Dogmas Awake! -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
There are many doctrines in the Bible that receive light billing today.
The Illusion Of Neutrality -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Robert A. Beringer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1992
Charlie Moran, the old National League baseball umpire, always regarded himself and his decisions hi
The Israelites Looked Back -- Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
In John Osborne's famous play, "Look Back In Anger", first produced in the post-war
Shout It From The Rooftops! -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Years ago, politicians were regarded as the epitome of authority
The Faithfulness Of Mothers -- John 19:25-27 -- Janice B. Scott
To us in England, the fourth Sunday in Lent is always Mothering
The Prophet -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
The hypnotist Paul McKenna
Humility And Courage -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Walking home from work one evening, a young man was attacked by five thugs. Instead of just
The God Within -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
When my father was dying,
The Day Of The Lord -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
In the "Manchester
What About Isaac? -- Genesis 22:1-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
If any of us ever stopped to really consider the implications and responsibilities of being a
God's Word Will Succeed -- Isaiah 55:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
It's difficult to know what to do with old buildings such as Victorian schools. Many Victorian
A New Beginning -- Ezekiel 36:24-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
The Oprah Winfrey television show started in 1986 and will continue until at least 2011 because
A Web Of Deceit -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We human beings so often
Worry! -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A
I remember as a teenager feeling extremely irritated
Shameful Realisation -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
God must receive a
The Beat Of A Butterfly's Wing -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
It's now well known although hardly comprehensible to me, that a single beat of a
Sins Of The Fathers -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The relationship between fathers and sons can be difficult. The relationship between famous
Potential -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
This is a year for babies in

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great!

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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