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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Praxis Meets Blue Squirrel -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
Broody's Chick -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
The liturgy can start with a procession in which
Toby Hears The Call -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Call to Worship:
Fluffy Cat Gets Wrong -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Call to Worship:
Praxis Is Left Behind -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Tom's Doubts -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: When Jesus appeared, he said "Peace be with you." Let us take hold
Tim's Time -- John 1:29-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
Call to Worship:
Feed My Sheep -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Is Apple Green -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Call to Worship:
Derek And The Lamb -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Peace be with you. You are witnesses to the living
Thin Ice -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Call to Worship:
The White Rose -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Call to Worship:
Katie Cuckoo Flies South -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Matthew 15:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Call to Worship: When a woman knelt before him and said, "Lord, help me,"
Praxis And The Mushrooms -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Call to worship:
Dandy's Choice -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship:
The Sad Tale Of Simon Slug -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Call to Worship:
David's Moment Of Stupidity -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Call to Worship: Jesus saw the potential in Simon and renamed him Peter the Rock.
Poor Polly Pea -- John 17:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
Ant-Ipathy Leaves The Column -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let
The Royal Visitor -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Call to Worship:
Mel's Trouble -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Call to Worship:
Paul's Play -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Bilton's Accident -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: Jesus gave up his life for us. In our worship today let us explore
The Quiz -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Invitation to Confession:
The Delivery -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Poor Little Ted -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Jack had a huge plastic bag full of conkers.
The Christmas Cards -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Thanks, Mum, chorused Jane and Tina.
Dominic’s Tree -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dominic Owl lived in a big, old oak tree, right in the middle of the wood.
The Turning Point -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
One day, James Butler missed his stop.
King Agadir -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
King Agadir was a good and wise King.
Philip's Ears -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Philip first realised there was something odd about himself when he was quite young.
The Butterfly -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Thelma was in tears.
Divorce -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
The worst moment of Jake's life had happened some three years ago, when his parents had divorced
The Turtle And The Lamb -- John 1:29-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
Jackie thought Miss Potter looked something like a turtle.
Justin's Dilemma -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Justin sighed. It was time for yet another rugby lesson, and he hated playing rugby.
Junior Gangland -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Frank was against the plan from start.
Perry's Little Arrangements -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Perry skipped and sang as he danced his way to the Elf King's palace.
The Bully-Busters -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
"I think," proclaimed Peter, lying on his back and gazing up at the trees, "we should become bul
Dapple's Terror -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dapple the fawn was terrified.
The Trouble With Trevor Reeves -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
Trevor was in trouble again.
The Treasure Praxis Found -- John 20:19-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - A
Praxis the colourful pixie was wandering through the woods by himself, gazing at the ground.
John's Prize -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
John was hanging around the gates of the big house, hoping he might catch a glimpse of Michael.
The Big Race -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
"You coming?" Andy was putting on his trainers and was nearly ready to go.
Cyril's Taste Of Freedom -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Cyril wormed his way through the soil to his brother Toby's side.
The Tortoise And The Rabbit -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B
"Stop it!" cried the tortoise as he tried to withdraw his head back into his shell.
John's Special Summer -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
John sat on the rocks with his arms locked tightly around his knees, watching the other children in
The Boy Born Blind -- John 9:1-41 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
This is a story about a boy who was born blind.
Constance Caterpillar -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Constance was really scared.
The Tale Of A Camel -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for advent
Jo's New Teacher -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
When Jesus meets the woman by the well, he doesn't see an enemy of the state or a glorified pros

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

God Of Love... -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Bread Of Life, I'm So Hungry... -- John 6:24-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Surprises... -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Almost Unbearable Love -- John 3:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love And Understanding... -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Compassionate, Caring And Incredible God... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Who Is Coming Very Near... -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Generous God, Sometimes I Don't Even Notice Your Gifts... -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Rest And Quietness... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unpredictable God... -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Radiant God... -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Welcoming God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Huge, Overflowing Generosity... -- John 6:1-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Truth, Should I Really Be Truthful When That Will Lead Me Into All Sorts Of Avoidable Trouble? -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God - Sower, Reaper, Gardener, Harvester... -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation... -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Greatness And Glory... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, It's Tough Being A Christian... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Harvester God... -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love And Forgiveness... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Understanding, There Are Some Issues About Which I Feel So Strongly ... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Transforming God, This Is Scary Stuff!... -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God, Lover Of The Childlike... -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Women And Men And Children... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Faith -- Genesis 15:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
One year, our church was approached by the chairman of the local council to see whether we could off
Leadership Through Service — Is It Possible? -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
When I was a student physiotherapist, those students who were considered to be the best in the
Weakness Or Strength? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
The latest film version of "Tom Brown's Schooldays" was shown on television recently.
The Difficulties Of Letting Go -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun wh
Apocalypse Now! -- Daniel 12:1-3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
'War and Peace', Tolstoy's epic novel, covers Russian social history during the time of Napoleon.
God And Wealth -- Deuteronomy 30:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
There was a series of programmes on British television recently under the heading, "God Is Black." I
The Power Of The Spirit -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - C
Back in the sixties in the UK, town planners and builders and architects thought that it was a good
Serve God And Enjoy Life? -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A
She was a good Christian woman.
The Vine, The Branches And The Grapes -- John 15:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
One of the joys of moving house is making interesting discoveries in the garden.
How Can We Love One Another? -- John 15:9-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Do you love anyone enough to offer them your last Rolo?
A Question Of Authority -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Back in my days as a student physiotherapist, I remember the problems we students had when a stu
Better To Be Myself Than To Be Artificially Good -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
King's Lynn, that small port on The Wash in North Norfolk, boasts its very own saint, or at least,
How Do You Know? -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
The Harry Potter books are perhaps one of the first success stories of this millennium.
The Transience Of Transfiguration -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
When Bishop Peter visited our parish on his pilgrimage around the diocese in the winter of 1996, h
Rooted, Built Up And Established -- Colossians 2:6-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Alison (Paul's wife), Norman (Steer) our Reader from here at Starston, and I recently attended an Al
Will You 'Open That Sack Called Your Heart, And Share...'? -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
I want to read you a poem. It's called "Santa's Secret Wish",
Even Though You Make Many Prayers, I Will Not Listen. . . -- Isaiah 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
There is a lot of angst in the Anglican Church at the moment.
Land Rights -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
For centuries, an Englishman's home has been regarded as his castle.
We Have An Obligation -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
There's been a lot of trouble in recent years over politicians receiving gifts.
The Day Of The Lord -- Malachi 4:1-2 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
It's well known that delicious and delightful aromas invoke good memories for most people, so smells
Christ The King -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
We seem to live in the Age of the Celebrity.
God's Selection Criteria -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Some while ago, Songs of Praise on the television featured a young woman with a very powerful st
What Is Sin? -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
George and Doreen lived in a prefab. They'd lived there for sixty years.
Rejoicing In Suffering? -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Quite often I'm offered books to read, mostly religious books.
The Value Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
At the end of last year there was feverish speculation over what the press termed the "race" to beco

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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