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.
Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Liturgy and Story
John 17:6-19
Janice B. Scott
As Jesus prays to the Creator God for us, let us join our hearts and minds and souls and voices with his today, praying for others who need our prayers.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we fail to notice those who are going astray.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we condemn those who have gone astray.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we are afraid to love those who have gone astray.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 17:6-19
Children's Story
John 17:6-19
Janice B. Scott
When he was small, Sandy's mum and dad had taught him to kneel down beside his bed, put his hands together, close his eyes and say a prayer which began, "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild," and which ended, "God bless mummy and daddy, and God bless me and make me a good boy." Now he was older, Sandy thought that early prayer was just sad. And if that was what prayer was about, he didn't want to know.
Intercession
John 17:6-19
Janice B. Scott
The Church of Christ
Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority
The local community
Those who suffer
The communion of saints
These responses may be used:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Sermon
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Janice B. Scott
Sermon
John 17:6-19
Janice B. Scott
Sermon
1 John 5:9-13
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