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Click on Scripture Lessons below
for
study links and resources:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Roman
Catholic reading: Isaiah 35:1-6,
10
Psalm 146:5-10 or
Luke 1:47-55
Roman Catholic
reading: Psalm 146:6-10
Episcopal RCL reading:
Psalm 146:4-9
United Methodist reading:
Luke 1:47-55
Matthew 11:2-11
Image: "Magnificat," © Jan Richardson.
Reading and Studying the Text This Week
- Texts:
- Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
- Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: Traditional 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.
- Lutheran lectionary readings, Year A, from the ELCA site.
- United Methodist lectionary readings.
- Free Church version for Baptist, Reformed, and Congregational use Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
- ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
- Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
- Images and Movies:
- Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art
Concordance, with the following themes:
- Advent/Waiting
- John the Baptist
- Links to general Advent images:
- Healing
- Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie
Concordance, with the following themes:
- John the Baptist Types
- Prophecy
- Wilderness (see also great "wilderness" images in Cast Away)
- Healing
- Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art
Concordance, with the following themes:
- Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- Textweek Blog and Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
- Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Preaching This Week, commentary by Paul S. Berge, Dirk G. Lange, Ben Witherington and Osvaldo Vena at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2010.
- Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Advent 3A, 2010. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Español.
- "Heartbeat of Justice," Kate Huey, ucc.org: Sermon Seeds, lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, bulletin back page, 2010.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Advent 3A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Preaching Helps (Advent 3A). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
- John Shearman's Lectionary, Advent 3A, 2010, Post-Modern Sermon and Bible Study Resource, Oakville, ON, Canada.
- Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Advent 3, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
- Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Advent 3, 2010, Jeanyne B. Slettom, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
- Lexegete, Advent 3A, David Buehler, 2010.
- Sermon Nuggets, Advent 3, 2010, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
- Preaching Peace commentary, Advent 3, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin. 2007 commentary, Paul S. Nancarrow.
- Third Sunday in Advent, December 16, 2007, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and Mission.
- Text Studies, Advent 3A, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
- Starters for Sunday, 12 December, 2010. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
- Social Justice Lectionary, Bruce Sweet.
- Stewardship Sermon Starter, Stewardship Now. ELCA, 2010.
- World Hunger Sermon Starters, ELCA, 2010.
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas.
- Lectionary at Lunch: MP3, Windows Media, and Real Audio files of lectures by professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS).
- Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Lectionary Reflections,
Discussions & Weblogs:
- Textweek Blog and Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
- Sermon Brainwave, Advent 3A, 2010. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org.
- "Name-calling", D. Brent Laytham, Blogging toward Sunday, Century Blog, 2010. 2007 reflection by Erin Martin.
- Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Patience Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2010.
- "Do You See What I See?" David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2010.
- Leave the GPS at Home, Fr. Rick Moley, a garden path, 2010.
- "When Faith Falters," Advent 3A, Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2010.
- Lectionary Blogging, Matthew 11:2-11, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
- "A Child in a Foul Stable / Where the Beasts Feed and Foam," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2010. "My Soul Proclaims: Submission and Subversion in Mary's Magnificat," guest essay by Sara Miles, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2007. 2004 reflections by Dan Clendenin.
- "When Prison Bars Bed Light," Jan Richardson The Advent Door, 2010. Use of Images.
- Holding Hope: Knowing Joy, Ashley-Anne Masters, Expecting at Advent, Week 3, Kira Dault, Church Health Reader, 2010.
- "Waiting Patiently - An Advent Lectionary Meditation," Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2010.
- "Advent Outdoors," Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections, 2010.
- Think About It, Sermon Notes/Themes on current topics with complimentary PowerPoint images, Rev. Dorothy Okray, 2010. Sermon by Father Jerry Fuller, with PowerPoint.
- A Life-Giving Christmas, Rev. N. Neelley Hicks, United Methodist Communications: Sermon starters, practical application, individual challenge, outbound challenge, congregational response, social media, multimedia, reflection questions. (.pdf)
- Advent Reflections, Ron David, The Beatitudes Blog, 2010.
- "The Advent Spiral," Advent 3, Jan Richardson, The Advent Door, 2010. (Use of images.)
- "Impossible Possibilities," Christine Smith, Randall C. Bailey, Marvin M. Ellison, Out in Scripture, Human Rights Campaign, 2010. (LGBT)
- Grounded and Rooted in Love, Advent 3A, Matt & Laura Norvell, 2010.
- Lectionary Ruminations, Presbyterian Bloggers, 2010.
- Daily Reflection, Advent 3A, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2010.
- "Go and Show and Tell," Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life, ELCA, 2010.
- "Third Word - Tears," Larry Patten, And Yet, 2010.
- This Sunday's Readings, (Advent 3A) Martin Warner, Church Times, 2010.
- "Jon Stewart, the End Times and the Season of Advent," Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections, 2010.
- "My Soul Proclaims: Submission and Subversion in Mary's Magnificat," guest essay by Sara Miles, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2007. 2004 reflections by Dan Clendenin.
- Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Advent 3A, 2004. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
- The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2007.
- "Hope in the Toxic Wilderness," David Selzer, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2004.
- "Are you the one...?" Pilgrim Preaching, Keeping company with biblical texts and the people who hear and preach them, a weblog for preaching, by Mary Hinkle, Luther Seminary.
-
The Christian Century:
- "Cellmates," Frederick Niedner, 2004.
- "A Desert in Bloom," Ruth A. Meyers, 2001.
- "Exposed and Waiting," Rosalind Brown, 1998.
-
Sojourners "Living the Word," archives:
- "The Jesus Revolution," Walter Brueggemann, "Have You Heard the Good News?" 2010.
- "Signs of God's Reign," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Prophetic Call," 2007.
- Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
- Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
- Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked
in listings at top of page)
- "What's the Plan?" the Rev. Daniel Matthews, Jr., Day 1, 2010.
- "Sample Sermon," Kate Huey, ucc.org: Sermon Seeds.
- Sermons that Work, Advent 3A, the Rev. Steve Kelsey, ECUSA, 2010.
- "Are You the One Who Is to Come?" the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Day 1, 2007.
- "Rejoice in the Lord!" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2004.
- "Voice from a Galilean Jail," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2001.
- Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
- Lectionary Notes, Advent 3, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
- Heartbeat of Justice, Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, UCC.org, 2010.
- "Wilderness," FaithElement discipleship system "setting the Bible free," 2010.
- "What Should We Say about Mary?" study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Women and the Church," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus article: "What Should We Say about Mary?" Carole L. Baker. (Luke 1:26-45)
- "Who's Hungry and Who Cares?" Psalm 146, study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Food and Hunger," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004. (Psalm 146)
- Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Advent A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
- Proclaiming Faith, Advent 3A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
- Bible Study - Advent 3 - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
- Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
- 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 Advent Resources Page.
- Richard and Charlene Fairchild's comprehensive "A Holy Christmas".
- Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
- Worship Planning Helps (Advent 3A): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
- Gathering, Advent 3A, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010-2011. (Terms of Use)
- A Life-Giving Christmas, Rev. N. Neelley Hicks, United Methodist Communications: Sermon starters, practical application, individual challenge, outbound challenge, congregational response, social media, multimedia, reflection questions. (.pdf)
- LCA Worship Resources, Advent 3A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia. (.rtf file)
- LCA Worship Planning Page, Advent 3A, 2010, "Everything lay-readers need to prepare worship".
- Worship Resources, December, 2010, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection. (scroll down)
- Mustard Seeds, "Healing and Transformation," Advent 3A, 2010. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- Lectionary Liturgies, Advent 3A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2010.
- Worship Resources, Advent 3A, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
- Worship and Liturgy Resources, Advent 3, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Liturgies Online, Advent 3, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Advent 3A, 2010. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Liturgy for Advent, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. Adapting Advent to the Southern Hemisphere.
- Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
- Advent Candle Liturgies
- Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
- Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Advent 3, 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.
- The Billabong, Advent 3, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
- Prayers of the People, Year A - Advent 3. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
- Lector's Notes, Advent 3, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
- Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Advent 3A. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
- Lighting of Advent Wreath Litanies for Year A, The Rev. Sheila N. McJilton, St Philip's Episcopal Church, Laurel, MD. Free use, please attribute to author.
- "Liturgy: prayer reflection", (NZPB & Common Worship CofE) reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. BCP TEC USA.
- Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- Advent Wreath Candlelighting Meditations for Home and Church, 2010, Dean McIntyre, UMC GBOD.
- Prayers for Advent 3, Isaiah 35, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2010.
- Confession RCL, Advent 3A, 2010, Bill Wessner.
- Call to Worship, December 12, 2010, Mary Jane Konings, Timaru, New Zealand.
- Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 3A, 2010. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Español.
- 21st Century Worship Resources, Advent 3A, UMC GBOD.
- Offertory Prayers, Advent 3A, UMC GBOD.
- Starters for Sunday, 12 December, 2010. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
- Prayers of the People, Advent 3A, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
- Prayers of the People, Advent 3, 2010, RMC Morley, a garden path, 2010.
- "A Burning and a Shining Lamp,", Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure, prayers and meditations, 2010.
- "Sunday Prayer," RevGalBlogPals, 2010.
- Graphics and Multimedia:
- Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
- HermanoLeón Clipart, Advent 3a. Free clipart, backgrounds, slides, etc.
- Free Public Domain Clipart for Church Bulletins: Isaiah 35, John the Baptist, Luke 1, Mary, Church Bulletin Resources.
- Clip Art, Advent 3, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Clip Art Images: Matthew 11:2-11, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Advent 3 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
- Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
- Mustard Seeds, "Healing and Transformation," Advent 3A, 2010. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- Jacob's Well Advent Films and mp3 sermons.
- CHURCH PowerPoint, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
- "The Advent Spiral," Advent 3, Jan Richardson, The Advent Door, 2010. (Use of images.)
- "Wilderness," FaithElement discipleship system "setting the Bible free," 2010.
- Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins,
below):
- "Building Hope with Bricks of Justice," Paul Bellan-Boyer, eBulletins reflections, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
- Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
- Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Advent 3, 2010, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
- SAMUEL, Advent 3, 2010, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
-
Hymns and Music:
- Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
- Advent Hymns, some set to traditional Christmas melodies.
- Are You the One Who is to Come? , Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: ST. LOUIS 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 ("O Little Town of Bethlehem"), The Presbyterian Outlook magazine.
- Mary Gladly Told Her Cousin,Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: IRBY 8.7.8.7.7.7 ("Once in Royal David's City"), The Presbyterian Outlook magazine.
- Mary Heard the Angel's Message,? Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: BEECHER 8.7.8.7 D ("Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"), Presbyterians Today Outlook magazine.
- "The Lord's Messiah Comes,", a hymn for Advent by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "Hearts," "Stand Firm," "How Long We've Waited," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, new hymns set to traditional tunes.
-
Psalm Settings:
- "Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord My Soul!" (Psalm 146) lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
- Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms, Psalm 146:5-10 set to St Thomas (SM 66 86).
- Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
- Hymn and Song Suggestions, Advent 3A, 2010, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
- Lectionary Hymns, Advent 3A, UMC GBOD, 2010.
- Shepherd Sounds, Advent 3A, Choral Evensong. Advent 3A. Background information for hymns and choral music following the lectionary from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas, by Eric Mellenbruch and David Zersen.
- Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
- Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
- The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
- 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.
- Sing for Joy, Advent 3A, 2007. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
- Gathering, Advent 3A, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010-2011. (Terms of Use)
- Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 3A, 2010. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Español.
- Starters for Sunday, 12 December, 2010. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
- Together to Celebrate, Advent 3A, 2010, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
- Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
- Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual
scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- Lectionary Puzzles, Advent 3. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
- With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," December 12, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2010. Connections: Isaiah 35:1-10 and The Return of the Buffaloes by Paul Goble, James 5:7-10 and Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray, Matthew 11:2-11 and Messenger, Messenger by Robert Burleigh.
- Worshiping with Children, Advent 3A, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Ordinary 25, Carolyn C. Brown, 2010.
- I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Anna Shirey, Anna's Hosannas, Children's Lesson for Advent 3A, 2010.
- Gathering, Advent 3A, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010-2011. (Terms of Use)
- Ideas and Talks for Advent, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
- Drama (see listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- "Life Sentence," Nadine Laughlin, dramatix.
- A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

