Proper 18A/Ordinary 23A/Pentecost +17
September 7, 2008

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journeywithjesus.net
Daniel B. Clendenin, PhD
A weekly webzine for the global church - lectionary essays, books, film, and poetry.
(Jul0809)

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

Exodus 12:1-14 or Ezekiel 33:7-11
Roman Catholic reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9
United Methodist & ELCIC reading: Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 149 or Psalm 119:33-40
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 95:1-9
United Methodist reading: Psalm 149 or Psalm 148

Romans 13:8-14
Roman Catholic reading: Romans 13:8-10

Matthew 18:15-20

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • 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 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:
    • Plagues of Egypt
    • Moses
    • Exodus
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Moses/Exodus
• Special Day Resources: Season of Creation 1A
• Special Day Resources: Anniversary of 9/11
• 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, Ordinary 23, 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 Anathea Portier-Young, Dennis Olson, Mark Reasoner, Clayton Schmit.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 18, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Proper 18, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +17, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 18, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • "Remember, Restore, Renew," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org.
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +17, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Jesus Now, Proper (Ordinary) 23A, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +17, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Yes, But...," Proper 18, 2008, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Proper 18, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Text Studies, Proper 18, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Lectionary Study, September 7, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 17A, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for September 7, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Starters for Sunday, 7 September, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • "Correcting Straying Disciples," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
• Lists of recommended articles available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Exodus 12:1-14 / Ezekiel 33:7-11
  • Psalm 149 / Psalm 119
  • Romans 13:8-14
  • Matthew 18:15-20
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Shaping Heaven," Blogging toward Sunday, Kristin Swenson, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Sermon Brainwave. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matthew Skinner discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Church 101 Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "For What Binds Us," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • "Seven Years Later: Remembering 9/11," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "In Place of Vengeance," Michael Joseph Brown, Marvin Ellison, Linda Thomas, Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • "Love in Action," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Harsh and Dreadful Love," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "Justice," Lane Denson III, Out of Nowhere.
  • "Conflict Resolution," Lectionary Haikus, Among the Hills.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 18. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • "Faith, Hope, and Personal Responsibility," Kirk Woodward, lectionary reflections for August, The Living Pulpit, 2008.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Trinity +16, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • "Drawing Big Circles & Coloring Outside the Lines," Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, ELCA, 2008.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 23, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • "When Faith Is Hijacked," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2005.
  • "Unforgiven," William L. Hawkins, The Christian Century, 2002. (Scroll down.)
  • "The Agitating Word," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • "Obedience in Context," commentary by Luke Timothy Johnson from The Christian Century, 1990. At Religion Online.
  • Living the Word by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary based scripture commentary from Sojourners OnLine, 1996.
  • 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)
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 18A (RCL), the Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 18, the Rev. Ken Kesselus in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
  • "Tough Love," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Pentecost 17, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "There Is No Health in Us," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Health," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007. (Psalm 119)
  • "Irrigating Deserts with Moral Imagination," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Inklings of Glory," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004. (Psalm 119)
  • "Permanent Things," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Inklings of Glory," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004. (Psalm 119)
  • "Can't We All Just Get Along?" Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • "Challenges of Discipleship: Conflict," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Early Fall, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 23, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Bible Study - Ordinary Time 23 - 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 Pentecost Resources Page contains resources and images.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Pentecost +17, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +17, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Proper 18, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Pentecost +17, 2008, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Our God of New Beginnings and Second Chances," Proper 18, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 23, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Spera in Deo, 17th Sunday after Pentecost. Resources for the Traditional Latin Mass.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 23, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Forgiveness and Reconciliation," Ordinary 23. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Creation 1A/Pentecost 17A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Regaining a Member of the Church," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, 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.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Prayers of the People, P18/OT23, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Outside the Box: Litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church. Katherine Hawker.
  • Lector's Notes, OT 23, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • A Prayer for Pentecost 17, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost +17, 2008, the Rev. Dr. Eugene Blair, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Offertory Prayers for September, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 23, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Starters for Sunday, 7 September, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayers of the People, Proper 18, 2008, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • Worship Resources (prayers, etc.), Proper 18A, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • 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.
  • Clip Art, Ordinary 23, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 18:15-20, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 23 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.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Pentecost 17, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • "For What Binds Us," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Our God of New Beginnings and Second Chances," Proper 18, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
• 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, Pentecost +17, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • "Teach Us, Lord, the Words of Life," reflection by Barbara Berstengel, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Accountability," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +17, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, 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.
    • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
    • Gathering, Pentecost +17, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Together to Celebrate, September 7, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 23, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Starters for Sunday, 7 September, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Proper 18A, 2008, Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Pentecost 17A, 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, Proper 18. 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, Pentecost +17, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Younger Children & Older Children, Early Fall, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 23, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Cleaning Up," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 23, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • "One Plus One Equals Three," Children's Sermon from Sermons4kids.com.
• Drama (see listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.