Janice Scott ... The Village Shepherd
After being ordained in 1994 with the first wave of women priests, Janice became curate in a large city centre parish in Norwich and from there, moved to South Norfolk in 1999 as Rector of a rural benefice of six parishes. After completing her MA in Pastoral Theology with the Cambridge Theological Foundation in 2008 she was appointed Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. Janice now lives with her husband Ian just outside Norwich. In addition to her diocesan work and writing "The Village Shepherd," she is a freelance writer for Redemptorist Publications in the UK. She has also written and broadcasts "Pause For Thought" on a local radio station and has written several novels, all with a church background.
Passion Sunday - B
Children's Liturgy and Story
Mark 11:1-11
Janice B. Scott
Many churches hold a Palm Sunday procession through the streets led by a donkey if possible. A suitable hymn to sing is "All glory laud and honour to thee, Redeemer King."
Call to Worship:Let us join our voices with the crowds and cry "Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord."
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when we go with the crowd instead of standing alone,
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, when we stand stubbornly alone refusing to acknowledge the majority point of view,
Christ, have mercy.
Children's Story
Mark 11:1-11
Janice B. Scott
As I grew into a sturdy colt, I made good my vow. Whenever a human being came near me, I would kick up my back legs and race around the field. I soon got a name for being wild and untamable, and before very long all human beings kept their distance from me. Some of them would come with sweet words,
Sermon
Philippians 2:5-11
Janice B. Scott
Sermon
Mark 11:1-11
Janice B. Scott
My difficulties were further compounded when I was introduced to quadratic equations at school. Having previously thought that two and two always make four and that sums were either right or wrong, I suddenly discovered that with quadratic equations (which I remember only dimly) there were at least two correct answers and those answers were entirely different.
Sermon
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Janice B. Scott
What is The Village Shepherd?
The Village Shepherd offers sermons, bible stories, children's stories and prayers based on the Revised Common Lectionary. These inspirational sermons, stories, and prayers are sure to touch your heart, because they reflect the simple virtues and tranquil serenity that characterize Reverend Scott's English countryside pastorate. The questions "Where is God in this particular situation?" and "Where does the Gospel story cross our own human story?" are always at the heart of these meditations -- but rather than finding overt answers, instead you will be gently led to make your own connections and discover the powerful ways in which God works. Janice Scott has the unique ability to find interesting details in ordinary life that illuminate scripture, while still challenging even the most intellectual reader. And that gift is precisely what also makes her an outstanding communicator with children.
Most weeks include:
- Sermon based on the Gospel reading
- Sermon based on the Epistle reading
- Sermon based on the First reading
- Children's stories linked with the Gospel readings
- Children's liturgy and story (a different story than mentioned above)
- An intercessory prayer