Proper 26A/Ordinary 31A/Pentecost +25
November 2, 2008
(many churches use readings for All Saints)

With thanks to page sponsor:
Kathi McShane
(sept0809)

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

Joshua 3:7-17 or Micah 3:5-12
Roman Catholic reading: Malachi 1:14 - 2:2, 8-10
United Methodist & ELCIC reading: Joshua 3:7-17

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 or Psalm 43
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 131:1-3
United Methodist & ELCIC reading: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Roman Catholic reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13 (see also study page for 1 Thess 2:9-13)

Matthew 23:1-12

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 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:
    • Joshua
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Judgment
• 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 Carolyn J. Sharp, Ralph W. Klein, Richard Ascough, Jeannine K. Brown.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 26 by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Proper 26, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +24, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 26, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • "Partners in Service," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org, 2008.
  • Jesus Now, Proper (Ordinary) 31A, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +25, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Proper 26, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • "Parousia - The Coming of the Lord - Part 2," Proper 26, 2008, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Text Studies, Proper 26, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 25A, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for November 2, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Lectionary Study, November 2, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation.
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +25, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Starters for Sunday, 2 November, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• 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.
  • Joshua 3:7-17 / Micah 3:5-12
  • Psalm 107 / Psalm 43
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
  • Matthew 23:1-12
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Saints and their source,", Blogging toward Sunday, Brent Laytham and Michele Clifton-Soderstrom, 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, "What's my #1 strength? My humility, of course" RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Greatest Waiter," Laurel A. Dykstra, "Consumption, Charity, or Change?" Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2008.
  • "Authentic Leaders, Discerning People," Vernice Thorn, Jacki Belile, Greg Carey, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 31, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • "A November Full of Thanksgiving," Rev. Dr. Neil Mosser, lectionary reflections for October, The Living Pulpit, 2008.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 26. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • "Reforming the House of God," Anthony B. Robinson, The Christian Century, 1993.
  • "Living the Word," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • Living the Word by Peter B. Price. 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 26A (RCL), the Rev. Mary K. Morrison, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 26, Harry Denman in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
  • "Job Description for Church Leaders," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Pentecost 25, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Mother Teresa: Great Saint or Great Fraud?" Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • "Challenges of Discipleship: Humility" John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Late Fall, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Bible Study - Ordinary Time 31 - 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 +25, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +25, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Worship Resources, Pentecost +25, 2008, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Proper 26, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Saints Shine God's Light into a Dark World," Proper 26, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 31, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 31, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Pentecost 25A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • "Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Made Great," Ordinary 31. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • 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.
  • Prayers of the People, P26/OT31, 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.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Lector's Notes, OT 31, 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 25, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Starters for Sunday, 2 November, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Offertory Prayers for November, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Worship Resources (prayers, etc.), Proper 26A, 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 Images: Matthew 23:1-12, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 31 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.
  • "Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Made Great," Ordinary 31. Flash presentation of this week's texts.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Pentecost 25, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Saints Shine God's Light into a Dark World," Proper 26, 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, Ordinary 31, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada. At Richard Fairchild's Sermon & Sermon - Lectionary Resources.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost +25, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Practice What You Preach," reflection by Barbara Bernstengel, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "In Times of Great Decision," hymn for election year by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, tune: AURELIA 76.76 D.
    • "Let Them Come," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +25, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • 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.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
    • Gathering, Pentecost +25, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Together to Celebrate, November 2, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Starters for Sunday, 2 November, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Proper 26A, 2008, Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Pentecost 25A, 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 26. 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 +25, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 31, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Younger Children & Older Children, Late Fall, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • "All Puffed Up!" Children's Sermon from Sermons4kids.com.
  • "All Hallow's Eve," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
• 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.