Proper 21A/Ordinary 26A/Pentecost +20
September 28, 2008

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Church in the World
Weekly biblical reflections
for the gospel in all of life
(Aug0809)

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

Exodus 17:1-7 or Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Roman Catholic reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
United Methodist & ELCIC reading: Exodus 17:1-7

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 or Psalm 25:1-9
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 25:9-14
United Methodist & ELCIC reading: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

Philippians 2:1-13
Roman Catholic reading: Philippians 2:1-11 or Philippians 2:1-5

Matthew 21:23-32
Roman Catholic reading: Matthew 21:28-32

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:
    • Water from the Rock
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • A Simple Plan (1998) - which of these two sons did the will of the Father?
    • Moses/Exodus
• Special Day Resources: Season of Creation 4A
• 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.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Anathea Portier-Young, Nancy deClaissé-Walford, David E. Fredrickson, Ira Brent Driggers.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Ordinary 26, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Proper 21, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +20, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 21, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 21, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • "Public Education," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2008.
  • "God's Sustaining Presence," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org.
  • "It's the Economy, Stupid," Proper 21, 2008, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Jesus Now, Proper (Ordinary) 26A, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +20, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Proper 21, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Lectionary Study, September 28, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation.
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +20, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Proper 21, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 20A, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for September 28, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • "Between Saying and Doing," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Starters for Sunday, 28 September, 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:
  • Exodus 17:1-7 / Ezekiel 18:1-32
  • Psalm 78 / Psalm 25
  • Philippians 2:1-13
  • Matthew 21:23-32
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Fear and Trembling," 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, "Let's Get Small" Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Where God Grows," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • "Obey," lectionary haikus, Among the Hills.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2008.
  • "Tax Collectors and Prostitutes," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Harsh and Dreadful Love," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "Is God Among Us or Not?" Michael Joseph Brown, Shonda Jones, Bridgette Young, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • "Repentance: Cleaning Up the Messy House," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Faith, Hope, and Personal Responsibility," Kirk Woodward, lectionary reflections for August, The Living Pulpit, 2008.
  • "Race," Lane Denson III, Out of Nowhere, 2008.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 21. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Trinity +19, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 26, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • "The Obedient Son," Susan Pendleton Jones, The Christian Century, 1999. At Religion Online.
  • "The Agitating Word," 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 from Sojourners OnLine, 1996.
  • "Work Out Your Own Salvation," Edgar Krentz, Christian Century, 1996.
  • "Building Community Amid Troubles, Delores S. Williams. The Christian Century, 2001. Religion Online.
  • 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)
  • "A Passion for Christ's World," the Rev. Dr. Michael Foss, Day 1, 2008.
  • Ordinary 26A, Rev. Jim Schmitmeyer, The Pastoral Preaching Web Site. Sponsored by the Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 21A (RCL), the Rev. Debbie Royals, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • "Imitating Jesus Is Not Enough!" Selected Sermon, Proper 21, the Rev. Debbie Royals in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
  • "The Good Son," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Pentecost 20, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Fear of the Lord," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Where Wisdom is Found," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. (Psalm 25) Focus article, "Fear of the Lord," Russell Reno.
  • "Introducing Children to Worship," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Catechesis," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003. (Psalm 78)
  • "School District Quickly suspends Controversial Policy," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • "Challenges of Discipleship: Responsible Living," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 26, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Early Fall, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Bible Study - Ordinary Time 26 - 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 +20, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +20, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Worship Resources, Pentecost +20, 2008, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Proper 21, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "The God Who Comes to Us / Attitude," Proper 21, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "Public Education," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2008.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Creation 4A/Pentecost 20A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 26, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Spera in Deo, 20th Sunday after Pentecost. Resources for the Traditional Latin Mass.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 26, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Actions Speak Louder than Words," Ordinary 26. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Doing the Father's Will," 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, P21/OT26, 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 26, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Offertory Prayers for September, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Starters for Sunday, 28 September, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • A Prayer for Pentecost 20, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Worship Resources (prayers, etc.), Proper 21A, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost +20, 2008, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 26, 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. (Common Worship C of E)
  • 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 26, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 21:28-32, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 26 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 20, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "The God Who Comes to Us / Attitude," Proper 21, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "Where God Grows," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • "Obey," lectionary haikus, Among the Hills. (Great photo!)
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost +20, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +20, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Humbly Serve," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +20, 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 +20, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Starters for Sunday, 28 September, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, September 28, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 26, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Proper 21A, 2008, Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Pentecost 20A, 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 21. 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 +20, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 26, 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, Early Fall, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 26, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • "Having an Attitude," "Looking Ahead in Faith," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • "Riddle Me This," 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.