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Janice B. Scott

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

The Ladder -- John 6:51-58 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus is the living bread, and those who eat this bread will live
The Life-Saver's Badge -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Call to Worship:
Pusska -- Who Wasn't Ready -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "What I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." Let us
Lucy Leaf's Fear -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
The Great Run -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Call to Worship:
The Advent Candle -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: With John the Baptist, in our worship today let us prepare the way
Little Lester -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Call to worship:

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Will My Hamster Go To Heaven? -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Call to Worship:
Daisy Loved To Dance -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
Feed My Sheep -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Call to Worship:
Magda's Trouble -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Call to Worship:
Katie Cuckoo Flies South -- 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,"
Pusska -- Who Wasn't Ready -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "What I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." Let us
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
The Black Cave -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: John the Baptist came as a witness to the light. In our worship
Grandma's Computer -- John 16:12-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Call to Worship:
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
Praxis Is Left Behind -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Call to Worship:
Jesus Our King -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - B
Many churches hold a Palm Sunday procession
John and Jane -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
Call to Worship:
Praxis Meets Blue Squirrel -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
God's Son Returns -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Call to Worship:
The Advent Candle -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Call to Worship: With John the Baptist, in our worship today let us prepare the way
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
Lonely Joe -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Follow me and I will help you to connect with

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

The Skateboarding Park -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
"It's not fair," announced Kendra angrily.
Beatrice The Bee -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Beatrice knew she was a princess, for her mother was Queen Bee.
Jack's Hen -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Jack was grief stricken. His favourite hen had died.
St. Peter's Pool -- John 10:22-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Sarah was on holiday in Malta with her parents.
The Show -- John 6:1-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
It was nearly the week of the show and Christopher's heart was beating very fast.
Basil's Journey -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Basil was lonely and cold and very, very tired.
I Will If I Want -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Mrs Bushman sighed. "Don't pick up such large walnuts, Will," she scolded.
St Mark's Mission -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
St Marks were a lively, go-ahead crowd. At least, some of them were.
The Search For Kingship -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Jesus was an unusual king, with none of the pomp and ceremony generally associated with kingship.
Barbie Five -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
"Have you seen it?" whispered the Barbie doll to her next door neighbour.
'i'm Not Afraid.....' -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Andrew was hanging about on the age of the group, as usual.
Simon's Shoes -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
For his tenth birthday, Simon's uncle George gave him a pair of shoes. Simon was quite excited.
The Scientist -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
John Jones knew he wanted to be a scientist from the age of four.
Awkward Jennifer -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Nobody liked Jennifer.

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I'm Not Afraid... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Andrew was hanging about on the age of the group, as usual.
Lame Ducks -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Jane's mother wasn't very pleased. Jane had come home cradling a tiny kitten inside her coat.
The Straight Furrow -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Sam was the envy of all his friends. His dad was a farmer, so he drove a tractor.
Carnival Day At The Street -- James 2:1-10, 14-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Mr Skillett, who was as thin as two pieces of paper stuck together and as tall as a bus, always
The Tale Of A Camel -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for advent
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.
Dragon Fire -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dominic Dragon lived in a cave in the Welsh hills.
The Search For Kingship -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Jesus was an unusual king, with none of the pomp and ceremony generally associated with kingship.
Dapple's Terror -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dapple the fawn was terrified.
Alice's Ambition -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Alice loved ballet.
The Prayer Diary -- John 17:6-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Sandy wasn't very good at prayer.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

God Of Mystery -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Heart As Well As The Mind... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Almighty God Our Heavenly Father... -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Fire And Earth And Sea... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Wilderness God... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
A Prayer By Cardinal Mercier... -- John 20:19-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Day of Pentecost - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

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Wilderness God... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - 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 Courage And Integrity... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

The Coming -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Today, as well as being Advent Sunday is also the first day of year 3 of the Revised Common Lectio
Identifying God -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
I used to be quite good
If Jesus Conquered Death, Why Do We Die? -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
You may have seen on television a while ago, those heart-rending adverts for Cancer Relief .
Baptism Of Fire -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Many years ago, when Ian and I were first married, we lived in a house without central heating.
Eternal Life -- For The Childish, Or The Childlike? -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Here in England we're now well into the wedding season, in which many young couples will follow
The Marriage Covenant -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Britney Spears can now claim the shortest marriage on record.
The Spirit Of Wisdom -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
I'm not what you might describe as an inveterate traveller, but whenever I've visited other countrie
The Spread Of The Kingdom Can't Be Stopped -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
I remember watching a television documentary on BBC 2, on St Paul's Cathedral.
Love -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Some years ago I baptised a beautiful child.
Floating On The Flood -- Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
"It never rains," said the old lady, "but it pours." She wasn't referring to the weather.
Visions -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
In "Valley of Bones", a thriller by Michael Gruber, one of the main characters is an intriguing mix
Nurture And Care -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
We're off on holiday soon, travelling up to Northumberland to crash out for a while, just walkin
Hang On In There -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Although I love reading, I've never been a great lover of biographies.
Your Challenge, Your Choice -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
What a challenge Jesus gave Peter in today's gospel reading.
Rejection - The Cost Of Discipleship? -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
The Church of England seems to hold an unlikely fascination for the media.
When Will He Come? -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Some years ago when our children were very small, we took advantage of one of those holiday
Accepting Responsibility -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The story was told in the press recently of two teenage sisters who befriended an elderly widow.
The Christian Use Of Anger -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
There was an incident some years ago, when an elderly lady in some village parish in England was
Is This The End? -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Today is Advent Sunday, the first day of the New Year.
Baptism In The Spirit -- Acts 8:14-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
I was very disturbed to read in the papers recently about those two teenage girls who both died, a
Every Member Ministry -- And Judgment? -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Here in England, despite being constantly told of the drop in church attendance, the Church cont
The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
I once heard a definition of original sin as being like walking through a network of treacle.
The Sin Of Adam -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
It always strikes me as strange that St Paul puts so much emphasis on Adam's sin, but that t
The Distress Of Death -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Surprisingly, most
Little Girl, Get Up! -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
When I was growing up, there was considerable stereotyping of boys and girls.
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
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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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