Easter A
March 23, 2008

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(April 07-08)

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

Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6
Roman Catholic reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43
United Methodist reading: Acts 10:34-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Roman Catholic reading: Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43
Roman Catholic reading: same as above or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
United Methodist reading: Colossians 3:1-4

John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10
Roman Catholic reading: John 20:1-9

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 calendar, Year A, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings.
  • 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.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Resurrection
    • Mary Magdalene
    • Mary Magdalene - Noli Me Tangere
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Resurrection
    • Rebirth/New Life
    • Mary Magdalene
    • Seeing/Not Seeing
    • Conversion
• Special Day Resources:
  • Resources for Easter Sunrise Services at Bass Mitchell's Special Days and Services site.
  • The Blessing of Easter Food and About the Resurrection Services on Easter at Byzantine.Net (Byzantine Catholics on the Web).
  • Easter and Easter Controversy, from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
  • John Chrysostom Easter Sermon.
• 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), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Triduum (Easter), 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Matt Skinner, Walter F. Taylor, Jr., and Arland J. Hultgren.
  • Homily Service, Easter Issue, available as Free Sample Issue. Click "Online Sample," and then "register now" at bottom of page.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Easter Day, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Easter Sunday, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Easter Sunday, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Easter, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Jesus Now, Easter Day. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "What Does It All Mean?" Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Easter Sunday, 2008, Russell Pregeant, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Sermon Nuggets, Easter Sunday, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, Easter, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor." (although the heading at the page says March 16, these seem to be the readings for Easter)
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Easter Day, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • SAMUEL, Easter Sunday, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, sermon seeds, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Easter 1, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • "The Resurrection of Jesus," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Starters for Sunday, 23 March 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• Lists of recommended articles available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Acts 10:34-43 / Jeremiah 31:1-6
  • Psalm 118
  • Colossians 3:1-4
  • John 20:1-18 / Matthew 28:1-10
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Encountering the Resurrection," Blogging toward Sunday, Craig T. Kocher, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, 'Roll Away the Stone' Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Out of the Garden," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • "'Their Words Seemed Like Nonsense,'" The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Mary Magdalene," Laurel A. Dykstra, "Word on the Street," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "Belonging and Restoring," Kimberly R. Peeler, Leah Lewis, Sheena Mayrant, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • "And the Flesh Became Word," Daniel Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2008.
  • "Off Balance through Lent and Easter," Rev. Maren C. Tirabassi, Reflections on the Lectionary for March, 2008, The Living Pulpit.
  • A Poem for Easter, Rev. R. Preston Price, United Methodist Church, GBOD.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Easter Day A. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Easter Day, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • "The Second Turn," Larry Patten. And Yet: "Faithful & Foolish Reflections Served Weekly," 2008.
  • Daily Reflection, Easter Sunday, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • Opening the Bible Blog, iucc.
  • Homiletical Hot Tub, preaching blog at Lectionary Homiletics, 2008.
  • The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions, Volume 2, and Homilias Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P., 2008
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity, 2008.
  • Education for Justice Lectionary Reflections, 2008, Fr. John Bucki, SJ, "Promoting Global Justice and Peace Since 1971".
  • COSLC Grace Notes, Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK. Meditations & poetry, 2008
  • Reflections of the Spirit, Gary Sims, First United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, NM. Daily studies & devotions on the lectionary texts, 2008.
  • Common Reading, Anthony B. Robinson, 2008.
  • "This Is the Message," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
  • "What Can You Expect?" V. Gene Robinson, Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2005.
  • The Bad News of Easter, the Rev. J. Barry Vaughn, PhD, merechristian.org.
  • "A Mysterious Joy," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • Environmental Reflections from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota's Environmental Stewardship Commission: General Easter Reflection and General Reflection on the Easter Lectionary Readings.
  • 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)
  • "Power for Ministry," Rev. Richard Lischer, Duke Divinity School, 2009.
  • "It's How You Believe," Nathan Mattox, Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Optimist.
  • "The Insecure Tomb," the Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Easter Day (RCL), the Most Rev. David Moxon, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • Easter Sermons, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
  • "Christ on the Loose," the Rev. Dr. George Mason, Day 1, 2005.
  • Selected sermon, Easter Day, by the Rev. Anthony F.M. Clavier, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
  • "From Death's Door to the Path of Life," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
  • "Easter: The Manifestation of Undefeated Love," the Very Rev. Nathan Baxter, Day 1, 1996.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily, Palm Sunday, 2005.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Easter Sunday, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Entertaining Angels," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Hospitality," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
  • "Discipleship: An Instrument of Life," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Easter Sunday, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Easter, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Bible Study - Easter Sunday - 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

• Resources and Images on The Text This Week's Easter Resources page.
• Lent and Easter links at Rev. Richard J. Fairchild's A Holy Easter.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • A List of Easter Sunrise Service Liturgies.
  • Worship Planning Helps (Easter Day, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Easter, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Easter Day, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Easter, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "What Keeps Us Captive?" Easter, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "Mystery and Mercy: Resurrection," Easter Sunday, Metropolitan Community Churches, 2008.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Easter Day, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Easter Sunrise / Easter A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Quem Quaeritis Trope (an Easter morning entrance rite) from the ELCIC.
  • Festival Eucharist for Easter Day (after Easter Vigil), Festival Eucharist for Easter Day (with blessing of the Paschal Candle), Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Resources for Easter Sunrise Services at Bass Mitchell's Special Days and Services site.
  • Worship Resources by Lisa Frenz, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, OR:
    • Easter Morning: a service of the dawning of new light with Holy Communion.
    • Easter Day: All Things Are Made New: a service of light with Holy Communion.
  • Life After Death, Easter Sunday, 2005. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • "He Is Risen!" The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Easter Vigil/Easter Morning liturgy from The Church of England in An Anglican Liturgical Library.
  • Easter Season Liturgy, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada:
    • "This Morning," Easter Sunrise
    • "Looking into the Tomb"
    • "Raised with Christ"
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Easter, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Easter Sunday, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Lector's Notes, Easter Sunday, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Prayers of the People, Easter Day, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Creative Closing, Easter Sunrise, George Hartwell, at Richard J. Fairchild's Sermon & Lectionary Resources.
  • "God Calls, and We Respond," Weekly Invitations to the Offering, 2008. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
  • Offertory Prayers for March, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Starters for Sunday, 23 March 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • An Easter Prayer, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Prayers for Easter Sunday, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Easter Sunday, 2008, the Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman Davis, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Triduum (Easter), 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Prayer of the Church, Easter Sunday, 2008, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Easter Sunday, Lectionary Clipart, Hermanoleon Clipart.
  • Clip Art, Easter Sunday, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Easter, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • 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.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Easter, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "What Keeps Us Captive?" Easter, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "Out of the Garden," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. Translating Easter into a Southern Hemisphere context.
  • SAMUEL, Easter Sunday, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, sermon seeds, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Easter Day, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Go and Tell," reflection by Barbara Bernstengel, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," by Charles Wesley. Choral setting, Tom Council, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise," Jackson W. Henry, new setting and tune for familiar Easter text. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Lift the Light," Linda Dickson and George Mann, Eastertide Response for SSATB Choir, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," PowerPoint hymn version for projection, The United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship. (.ppt file)
    • "Before an Open, Empty Tomb," Easter Hymn by R. Richard Garland. Tune: DUKE STREET.
    • "Listen Sisters, Listen Brothers!" hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Based on 1 Corinthians 15. Tune: BEACH SPRING.
    • "Lift the Light," Linda Dickson and George Mann, Eastertide Response for SSATB Choir, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "To the Tomb on Easter Day," David Ourisman, original hymn based on the Markan Easter narrative. Available for free download and use. Copyright notice must be kept intact.
    • "Be Present Now Dear Risen Lord," a Hymn for Easter Eucharist by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia. Tune: Tallis Canon, 88.88.
    • "The Angel Rolled the Stone Away," for a capella SATB choir by Sandy Willard Rogers. United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • "On Friday, When the Sky Was Dark," the Rev. Andrew Pratt. United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • "Go, Mary," Sandy Willard Rogers, Huntersville, NC.  United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Easter, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Easter Sunday, CanticaNova Publications.
    • 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.
    • Gathering, Easter, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc
    • Starters for Sunday, 23 March 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, March 23, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Classical Music playlist for Holy Week & Easter, Revgalblogpals.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Triduum (Easter), 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Sing for Joy, Easter A, 2008. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Easter Day. 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)
  • Gathering, Easter, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc
  • "Measuring God's Love," Children's Sermon from Sermons4kids.com.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Easter Sunday, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older Children, Easter, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Ideas and Talks for Easter, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
• Drama (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "Whom Do You Seek?" A Drama for the Opening of Easter Worship, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Am I Forgetting Anything?" Dave Marsh, Stage Right: Dramas for Today's Church.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.