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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Praxis Is Left Behind -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Tim's Time -- John 1:29-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
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
Feed My Sheep -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Call to Worship:
Zog And Ergerol -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Call to Worship: Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for
Praxis Is Apple Green -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Call to Worship:
Thin Ice -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Call to Worship:
Dandy's Choice -- John 10:11-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
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:
The White Rose -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
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
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:
The Sad Tale Of Simon Slug -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - 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
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:
The Royal Visitor -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Call to Worship:
Uncle Richard -- John 17:6-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Call to Worship: As Jesus prays to the Creator God for us, let us join our hearts
The Delivery -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Call to Worship:
Mr. Skillett's Cross -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Call to Worship:
The Quiz -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
Invitation to Confession:
May The Force Go With You -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Call to Worship: On this, the birthday of the Christian Church, let us welcome
Henry's Hurdle -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

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.
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.
King Agadir -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
King Agadir was a good and wise King.
The Christmas Cards -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Thanks, Mum, chorused Jane and Tina.
The Turning Point -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
One day, James Butler missed his stop.
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
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.
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.
The Butterfly -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Thelma was in tears.
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.
Dapple's Terror -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dapple the fawn was terrified.
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.
Junior Gangland -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Frank was against the plan from start.
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
The Trouble With Trevor Reeves -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
Trevor was in trouble again.
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.
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.
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.
Constance Caterpillar -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Constance was really scared.
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.
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.
Christopher's Breath -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A
It was very cold.
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:
God Of Love, You Offer Me Such Profound Love... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
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:
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 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:
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:
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 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 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:
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:
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:
Unpredictable God... -- John 2:13-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
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 Creation... -- John 12:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
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 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 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:
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 And Forgiveness... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - C
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:
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 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:
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, 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:
Holy Spirit Of God, I Constantly Turn Back To You... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

The Unexpected Delights Of God -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
We have a number of woodland visitors to our lovely garden.
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.
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
Serve God And Enjoy Life? -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A
She was a good Christian woman.
How To Wake Up To A Life Of Radiance -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Anyone who lives in the country will know that there's a particular quality to the darkness of n
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 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.
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
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
How Does God Come To Us? -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Those words about the flood in today's gospel reading, are particularly poignant in light of thi
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.
Arise, Shine; For Your Light Has Come -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
We generally have a family outing to the cinema over the Christmas period. There
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
Being Good, Or Being Yourself? -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
A renegade priest was recently convicted in court of stealing thousands of pounds from the PCC of
Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Originally published in 2002.
From Darkness To Light -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
The British weather is renowned for its diversity and therefore is always a good conversation starte
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
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.
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
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.
Health And Wholeness, Healing And Happiness -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
There have been some notable courtroom dramas on television over the years, Perry Mason, Rumpole
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 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
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.
Angels - Messengers Of Doom? -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
I'm told that during the war the one thing everybody dreaded was the arrival of a telegram.

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Isaiah 5:1-7
David Coffin
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? (Jeremiah 23:26)

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

Special Occasion

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