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The Village Shepherd

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The Village Shepherd

Living Stones -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
In an episode of "Stargate", the television science-fiction drama, the main characters found the
Clever Words -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
I rather enjoy television courtroom dramas, such as "Kavanagh QC", partly because the goodies alwa
The Holy Spirit - Gifts Or Emotionalism? -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - A
This year, we've been running Alpha courses for the first time in our group of parishes.
Open Wide Your Hearts -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
There was a story in our local paper recently about a local television newsreader who had visite
How Do You Find God? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
In the film, "Bruce Almighty", Bruce Nolan, a 'human interest' television reporter is discontented w
Encounters With Angels -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
I've just finished reading an unusual novel,
The Power Of The Holy Spirit -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
I usually have a class from the local primary school coming into church once each year, to learn
Whole-Hearted For Christ -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
I first saw the Children's Charter when my own children were quite small, so it's been around for
God's Breath -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Ascension of the Lord - C
I read an article recently about the spiritual life of people with mental health problems (The Bible
Pray For All In Authority -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
A week last Wednesday, the day when we all awoke to discover that the events of the day before wer
What Is Truth? -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Soon after I arrived as a relatively inexperienced priest in a previous parish, I was called out
How Do We Know? -- Jeremiah 23:23-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
All prospective Church of England clergy are obliged to attend a three day selection conference to d
Be Joyful Always... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Years ago when I was at college, there was a strong Christian movement in our year.
Strong Feelings -- Integrity Or Fear? -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Over the past few weeks there have been discussions up and down the country about the new Bishop
Justice Or Forgiveness? -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
During the 1987 Remembrance Day ceremony in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, a bomb planted by the I
Cast All Your Anxiety Upon Him -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
I've worked with a number of priests in my time, and often wondered how some of them are able to
The Holy Spirit -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - C
In Mary Shelley's famous horror story of "Frankenstein", the mad scientist creates a robot-like cr
Micah And Matthew -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
While I consider myself to be very much in tune with the modern era, well into technology and all th
A Different Agenda -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
When I watched the highly acclaimed film, "The Queen", which dealt mainly with the Queen's reaction
Encountering The Risen Christ -- John 20:1-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - C
Very early in the morning on that first Easter Day around 2000 years ago, Mary Magdalene went to t
The Perfect Pattern? -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
When young Englishman Justin Rose nearly won the open golf championship a couple of years ago, i
Why Not Work Within The Law? -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Some years ago, probably in the eighties, when women were only permitted to be deaconesses within
God's Astounding Generosity -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
I remember a few years ago, the furore caused by Social Services when they adopted a scheme of sen
Sibling Rivalry -- Genesis 25:19-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
There can be few families where feuding has not played some part at some time.
Were His Prayers Heard? -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
When I went over to Sweden in February with a Diocesan party of ten priests, I was amazed to

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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

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For September 28, 2025:
  • Money! Money! Money! by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. “This is the even-handed dealing of the world! There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!” — Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind. He had a very healthy self-image and wasn’t concerned about how people might take him. At one of the graduation ceremonies, he stood at the podium, looked out over the huge crowd of people, shook his head, and said to himself (right into the microphone, of course), “All these Christians in one place, and no one’s taking an offering!”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The lesson makes clear that God is present in the world of business, in our daily work.  John Wesley offered thoughtful reflections on the nature of work; he noted:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (vv. 14-15)

One morning last October, Bruce Klemm got up and sang a song to his wife, Virginia, as he has done every morning of the 42 years they have been married. Little did he know that within a few hours, he would be calling her to say goodbye.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar to illustrate the way in which we fail to notice those who are poor. In our worship today let us remember the poor and ask God to teach us a real concern for them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail notice some people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we deliberately leave people out.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we care only about ourselves.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)

The writer of this psalm deftly employs a striking image, that at once offers us hope in times of trouble -- but at the same time, redefines for us what it means to be a human being in the world.

Schuyler Rhodes
Many Christians can be heard in or out of worship these days as they lift up their voices and say, "Praise the Lord!" The phrases are familiar, almost rote. Mouths open and words emerge. Pastors and liturgists remind the faithful that this God is not only worthy of our praise; this God sort of requires it of us. This God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) who brooks no competition from other gods we might pursue. Yes, God is worthy of praise. Right?
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money. With salaries that are often in the millions, they feel underpaid unless they are at the next level. I heard one player say to a reporter on Sports Center, "It's not about the money. It is about respect." A few moments later, the host of the show made the comment, "When they say it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Chrysanne Timm
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at the companion text from the book of Lamentations, a common thread begins to emerge. It is the thread of grief. Jeremiah has been called by God to a truly thankless job -- that of accompanying the people of his homeland into a time of loss and grief. Because of decades of idolatry and treaties with neighboring nations, the people of Judah will lose the land God once graciously gave to their ancestors.
R. Robert Cueni
The lesson for today continues the discussion on the proper use of material possessions by describing what happens when a person tries to "serve both God and wealth" (Luke 16:13). Today's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus leaves us repulsed by the gory details, puzzled by the literal description of eternal life, and hopeful that the Lord didn't really mean all those terrible things about the punishment due us "Haves" for our treatment of the "Have Nots."

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. I brought some coins with me this morning. (Show the coins.) How many of these coins would it take to be rich? (Let them respond.) I think it would take millions of these coins before you would really be rich. How many of you would like to be rich? (Wait for show of hands.) I think most of us would like to be rich. What would you think if you had a wish that everything you touched turned to gold? (Let them respond.) You would soon have lots and lots of gold and you would quickly be very, very rich. There's a famous story about a man who had

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