Epiphany
January 6

With thanks to page sponsor:
Rev. Angela Lynn Shannon,
Associate Pastor for Mission,
Outreach and Evangelism,
Trinity English Lutheran Church,
Fort Wayne, Indiana.
(Oct 07-08)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:

Isaiah 60:1-6
 

Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 72:1-13
 

Ephesians 3:1-12
Roman Catholic reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Matthew 2:1-12

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • American Baptist Churches Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
  • PCUSA - Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals Scripture Reference.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Nativity
    • Magi
    • Madonna and Child/Holy Family
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Incarnation
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Epiphany, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Epiphany, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • "Halo Effect," James Alison, The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Epiphany, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Epiphany, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • "Rumors," Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Sermon Nuggets, Epiphany, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • The Epiphany of our Lord, January 6, 2008, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • Preaching Helps (Epiphany, 2008). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Epiphany, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • SAMUEL, Epiphany, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page. Now includes SERMON SEEDS.
  • Stories & Anecdotes, Epiphany, collected by Jack Lohr, Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
  • Jesus Now, Epiphany. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Epiphany, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "How Do You Know When Morning Is Coming?" Anecdotes, Stories & Humor, Epiphany, Steve Goodier, Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • "A Light for All," Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • Social Justice Lectionary, Epiphany, list of links by Rev. Dr. Bruce Sweet, United Church of Canada.
  • Text Studies, Epiphany, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Preaching Helps, Epiphany 2005, Elaine Siemsen, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • Starters for Sunday, 6 January 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Estudio Exegético-Homilético, Enero de 2008, Instituto Universitario Isedet.
• Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Isaiah 60:1-6
  • Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
  • Ephesians 3:1-12
  • Matthew 2:1-12
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Bow Before His Brightness," Blogging toward Sunday, Erin Martin, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Gifts vs. Presence Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "The Journey of the Magi," T.S. Eliot.
  • "Pagan Magi and Power Politics: The 'Disclosure' of Epiphany," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • Progressive Bible Study, Ephesians 3:1-12, Pastor Dan, Street Prophets.
  • "A Disturbing Gift," Laurel A. Dykstra, "Voices of Truth," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "You Have Choices," Randall C. Bailey, Angela Bauer-Levesque, Mary Foulke, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • Lectionary Haikus: Wise Men, Among the Hills.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Epiphany, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • "Kingly Presence," Herbert O'Driscoll, The Christian Century, 2003.
  • "Off By Nine Miles," Walter Brueggemann, The Christian Century, 2001. Religion Online.
  • "Remembering Who We Are," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • Living the Word, by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary-based scripture commentary at Sojourners Online, 1996.
  • The Reality of a Present God, by Stan Saunders. Lectionary-based commentary on the book of Matthew, Living the Word (Sojourners Online) 1999.
  • Living the Word, November/December 1998: Isaiah: A Story of Loss and Hope, by Walter Brueggemann. Sojourners Online.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2008.
  • "The Main Thing," the Rev. Randy Calvo, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Epiphany (RCL), by the Rev. Debbie Royals, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Epiphany (RCL), by Katarina K Whitley, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2007.
  • "Discovering Your Own Gifts for the Christchild," "Exploding Light," "Shooting Stars," "Where Did Christmas Go?" Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "You Light Up My Life!" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2004.
  • "More Light, Please," Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • Selected sermon, Feast of the Epiphany, by the Rev. Kirk Alan Kubicek, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2002.
  • The Feast of the Epiphany, sermon by Kwok Pui Lan, Episcopal Divinity School, 2005.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Epiphany, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • Banquet of the Word, Bible Study Based on the Sunday Readings, by Rev. Thomas Welbers.
  • "Pope Benedict urges the faithful to take time for God," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Epiphany, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Following the King of the Jews," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Epiphany, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Epiphany - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• The Text This Week's Epiphany Resources Page.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Epiphany, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Epiphany, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
  • "Let Your Light Shine: Litany for Epiphany," "Deja que Brille La Luz: Letanía de Epifanía," Worship Ways, United Church of Christ, 2007.\
  • LCA Worship Resources, Epiphany, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Sharing the Light," Epiphany, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Epiphany, (includes litanies, "artistic elements," etc), Rev. Nancy Townley, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • "Chalking the Door" Epiphany ritual. Paul F. Bosch and André Lavergne. A home ritual to be used in celebrating Epiphany. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
  • Inclusive Language Seekers Liturgies from Seekers Church:
    • "A New Dawn" (2007)
    • "Patience and Practice" (2006)
    • "The Gift of Our Imperfect Lives" (2005)
    • "Splinter the Darkness" (2004)
    • "On Love Alone" (2003)
    • "Seeing...and Not Seeing" (2002)
    • "Called by Name" (2001)
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Day of Epiphany (Christmas 2), by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Revelation of the Mystery," Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • Liturgies Online, Epiphany A, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Epiphany A, Thom M. Shuman, Greenhills Community Church, Presbyterian, Cincinnati, OH.
  • Background and Liturgy for Epiphany and the Blessing of Water at Byzantine.Net (Byzantine Catholics on the Web).
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Epiphany, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Prayers of the People, Year A - Holy Name. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • The Epiphany, from Exciting Holiness, Collects & Readings
    for the Festivals & Lesser Festivals of the Calendar of the Church of England.
  • The Billabong, Epiphany, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Epiphany, 2008, Kwasi I. Kena, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Prayer of the Church, Epiphany, 2008, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
  • A Prayer for Epiphany, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Offertory Prayers for December, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Epiphany 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayers for Worship, David von Schlichten, Lectionary Homiletics.
  • Starters for Sunday, 6 January 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "The Magi's Blessing": Benediction for Epiphany, Linda Dickson and George Mann, SATB choral benediction, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Shine," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, weekly new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
    • "The Wise Men Saw a Light Afar," Rev. Richard R. Chope, The Hymns and Carols of Christmas.
    • "Where is the Child?" Jack Lohr, Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Epiphany, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Gathering, Epiphany, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
    • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
    • Traditional Hymns for Blended and Contemporary Worship Volume One: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
    • Together to Celebrate, January 6, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Epiphany 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Starters for Sunday, 6 January 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• Graphics and Bulletin Materials
  • Clip Art, Epiphany, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Epiphany, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • SAMUEL, Epiphany, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Epiphany. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Epiphany, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Powerpoint Slide for Epiphany, Will Humes, Word and Table. Another slide for Epiphany.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Sharing the Light," Epiphany, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
• For Children:
  • Gathering, Epiphany, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older Children, Epiphany, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Epiphany, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Star Bright, Star Light," Lois Parker Edstrom, Children's Sermon, Lectionary.org.
  • Ideas and Talks for Epiphany, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Sweet Christmas!" Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Wise Men Come from the East to Worship Jesus," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Put God First," Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
• Children's Bulletins:
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Epiphany. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • The Bible and Epiphany: The Wise Men and the Baptism of Jesus, crossword puzzle, Bruce Gillette.
• Drama:
  • "The Three Wisemen: A Traditional Play," "The Three Wisemen at Schiphol Airport, Year 2000: A Modern Play," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "A Feast with the Shepherds," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.