Reading and Studying the Text This Week

Texts:
- Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary.
- Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
- 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, 1999.
- Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year A.
- 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.
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.
- Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2011.
- "Epiphany Celebration," Kate Huey, ucc.org: Sermon Seeds, lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, bulletin back page, 2011.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas 2A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas 2, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
- Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Christmas 2A, 2010, Bruce Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
- Preaching Peace commentary, Christmas 2, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
- John Shearman's Lectionary, Christmas 2, 2010, Post-Modern Sermon and Bible Study Resource, Oakville, ON, Canada.
- "That Advancing Light of Love," Barry Robinson, Keeping the Faith in Bablylon at Richard J. Fairchild's Sermons & Sermon Lectionary Resources.
- Sermon Nuggets, Christmas 2A, 2010, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
- Lectionary Analysis, Christmas 2A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada. At Richard Fairchild's Sermon & Sermon - Lectionary Resources.
- Social Justice Lectionary, Bruce Sweet.
- Stewardship Sermon Starter, Stewardship Now. ELCA, 2011.
- World Hunger Sermon Starters, ELCA, 2011.
- 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.
Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
- Textweek Blog and Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
- Sermon Brainwave, 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.
- "Muscle Memory, David Dragseth, Blogging toward Sunday, Century Blog, 2011.
- Homiletical Hot Tub, preaching blog at Lectionary Homiletics, 2011.
- The Good Word, A Blog on Scripture and Preaching, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2011.
- Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2011.
- ""Is the Stage Too Big of the Actors?"" The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2011. 2004 reflection.
- "No One Has Seen God," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2011.
- Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
- Think About It, Sermon Notes/Themes on current topics with complimentary PowerPoint images, Rev. Dorothy Okray, 2011. Sermon by Rev. Mary K. Morrison, with PowerPoint.
- Daily Reflection, Christmas 2A, Eileen Burke-Sullivan., Creighton University, 2011.
- This Sunday's Readings, (Christmas 2) Martin Warner, Church Times, 2011.
- Bloomingcactus, Todd Weir, 2011.
- Pilgrim Preaching, Mary Hinkle Shore, 2011.
- Break Open the Word, Michael T. Hiller, 2011.
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Bible, Andy Doyle, Episcopal Dicese of Texas, 2011.
- Quadratos, Alexander J. Shaia, 2011.
- The Hardest Question, 2011.
- Visual Theology, Faithful Images, Dave Perry, reflections and images usually tied to RCL texts, 2011.
- Sunday's Child, Daily Lectionary and Reflections on Scripture and World, Una Malachica, 2011.
- Kairos-Milwaukee UCC Blog, Reflections on the RCL by Rev. Rick Skidmore, 2011.
- Stillspeaking Daily Devotional, UCC.org. Daily devotional for Twitter. (Daily RCL)
- Unfolding Light, Daily Reflections leading toward Sunday readings, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, 2011.
- Chmod, Lectionary Journal of Andy Gay, 2011.
- Daily Reflections on the Christian Faith (lectionary texts), conversations between Mark Smith and David Owen, England Public School Chaplains.
- Fishhooks for Preaching, Rick McCracken-Bennett, 2011.
- Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Dialogue, Wesley White, 2011.
- Homily Blog, Michael Hudson, 2011.
- Church in the World, Steve Godfrey, 2011.
- Living the Lectionary, Daily RCL reflections, Pr. Phil Heinze, Fort Worth, TX, 2011.
- The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions, Volume 2, and Homilias Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P., 2011.
- SacraConversazione, discussion of the texts in terms of traditions of interpreters, from a postmodern perspective, 2011.
- COSLC Grace Notes, Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK. Meditations & poetry, 2011.
- Lectionary Scripture Notes, Dr. Norman Beck.
- Panoramic Views of Faith and Health, Butch Odom. Daily lectionary thoughts and prayer, 2011.
- Common Reading, Anthony B. Robinson, 2011.
- "Another Way," Christmas 2, Bill Wylie-Kellermann, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2004.
- The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2005.
- Christmas 2 - What Star Is This? Merechristian.org, an online journal by the Rev. J. Barry Vaughn, Ph.D., 2004.
- 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)
- "Feel the Buzz," the Rev. Wendy Porter Cade, Day 1, 2010.
- Epiphany Celebration, Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, UCC.org, 2011.
- Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2010.
- A Christmas Tsunami, Nathan Nettleton, Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia.
- Sermon for the Second Sunday of Christmas, Year A, the Rev. Ben E. Helmer, Sermons that Work, 2004. ("This sermon is written for use the Sunday after the tsunami disasters in the Indian Ocean.")
Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
- "Looking for God," FaithElement discipleship system "setting the Bible free," 2011.
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 Christmas Resources Page.
Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
- Gathering, Christmas 2A, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010-2011. (Terms of Use)
- LCA Worship Planning Page, Christmas 2, 2011, "Everything lay-readers need to prepare worship".
- LCA Worship Resources, Christmas 2A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
- Mustard Seeds, "Special Children," Christmas 2A, 2011. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- Worship Resources, Christmas 2A, 2011, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
- Lectionary Liturgies, Christmas 2A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Liturgies Online, Christmas 2, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Christmas 2A, 2011. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
- Worship and Liturgy Resources, Day of Epiphany (Christmas 2), by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
- Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Christmas 2, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
- Prayers of the People, Year A - Christmas 2. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
- The Billabong, Christmas 2, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
- Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Christmas 2A. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
- Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- A Prayer for Christms 2, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2010.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 147:12-20, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2010.
- Prayers of the People, Christmastide, 2010, RMC Morley, a garden path, 2010.
- "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
- "The Word Made Flesh,", Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure, prayers and meditations, 2011.
- Prayers for Worship, David von Schlichten, Lectionary Homiletics.
- World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world news.
Graphics & Multimedia:
- Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
- Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
- CHURCH PowerPoint, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
- Mustard Seeds, "Special Children," Christmas 2A, 2011. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- "Looking for God," FaithElement discipleship system "setting the Bible free," 2011.
- Visual Theology, Faithful Images, Dave Perry, reflections and images usually tied to RCL texts.
- Agnus Day, Lectionary cartoon by James Wetzstein.
- Scripture Pics, Weekly RCL-related image.
Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
- SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
- Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Christmas 2, 2011, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
Hymns and Music:
- Hymn and Song Suggestions, Christmas 2A, 2010, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
- Shepherd Sounds, Christmas 2A. 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.
- "At the Start There Was the Logos," TEXT: Mark Ryman (2004) based on John 1:(1-9), 10-18. TUNE: "Erie," by Charles D. Converse (1868). New Hymns for the Lectionary.
- 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.
- Hymns of the Spirit Three, Christmas 2A, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
- Gathering, Christmas 2A, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010-2011. (Terms of Use)
- Together to Celebrate, Christms 2A, 2010, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- CatholicMom.com: Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, and Word Search based on weekly gospel text.
- Children's Activity Sheets: Activities for Children, based on the Revised Common Lectionary, by Dorothy A. DeBisschop, Great Hill UMC, Seymour, Connecticut. At Bass Mitchell's homiliesbyemail.com.
- Activity Sheets for Children, Fun for all Creatures Great & Small, UCC, 2010. (pdf)
- Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of page.)
- Lectionary Puzzles, Christmas 2. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
- Gospel Puzzles for the Lectionary, John 1:1-18, Mark Ryman, edoxy.com.
With Children (see also listings "With Children" at individual scripture pages, linked above):
- Worshiping with Children, Christmas 2A, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Ordinary 25, Carolyn C. Brown, 2011.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," Jan 2, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2011. Connections: Jeremiah 31:7-14 and December by Eve Bunting, Ephesians 1:3-14 and The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans, John 1:(1-9), 10-18 and Old Turtle and the Broken Truth by Douglas Wood.
- "Sermon of the Week," / "Mensajes para ninos," Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
- Gathering, Christmas 2A, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010-2011. (Terms of Use)
Drama (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- Dramatic Reading, John 1/Genesis 1, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's randon thoughts.
A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.