Easter 4B
May 3, 2009

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Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Acts 4:5-12
Roman Catholic reading: Acts 4:8-12

Psalm 23
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 118:1-29

1 John 3:16-24
Roman Catholic reading: 1 John 3:1-2

John 10:11-18
 

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • NRSV Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • 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.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year B, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings, Year B.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year B.
  • 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.
  • PCUSA - Daily/Weekly Lectionary Readings.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Good Shepherd
    • Sheep/Shepherds
    • Peter
    • Pentecost/Holy Spirit
    • Ezekiel
    • Love
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Good Shepherd
    • Difficulty Recognizing Evil
    • Satan
    • Community
    • Interconnectedness
    • Prayer
    • Miracles
    • New Life/Rebirth
    • Love
    • Sacrifice/Sacrificial Death
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2009. Commentaries on lectionary readings by F. Scott Spencer, James Howell, David Bartlett, Susan Hedahl.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Easter 4, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Enfolded by Love," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org, 2009.
  • Preaching Helps (Easter 4, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Easter 4B, 2009, Russell Pregeant, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Commentary and Reflections, Easter 4, Lawrence Moore, Disclosing New Worlds, 2009.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Easter 4, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • "Interfaith Connections," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches.
  • Jesus Now, Easter 4B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "Commitment of Belief? Part III: Fair Use," Easter 4, 2009, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Easter 4, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • SAMUEL, Easter 4, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Easter 4, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for May 3, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Lectionary Study, Easter 4B, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • Text Studies, Easter 4, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Easter 4, from Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Preaching Helps, Currents in Theology and Mission, 2003.
  • "Living in the Spirit of Jesus: Giving Our Lives!" The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 3 May, 2009. 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 4:5-12
  • Psalm 23
  • 1 John 3:16-24
  • John 10:11-18
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "God Provides," Blogging toward Sunday, Ken Carter, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
  • Sermon Brainwave. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Rolf Jacobson, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "Who's Inside?" RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • "Jesus without Borders," Holly Hearon, Wil Gafney, Charles Allen, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
  • Sermon Starters, Easter, 2009, Donna Schaper, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • "The Only Way to the Only God?" The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2006.
  • "On Shepherds, Samaritans, and Other Scapegoats," Nigel Taber-Hamilton, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
  • Daily Reflection, Easter 4, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2009.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Easter 4, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • "Why Seeing is Part of Believing," Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Insitute, ELCA, 2009.
  • "Witness," Lane Denson III, Out of Nowhere, 2009.
  • "The Good Shepherd," Debra Dean Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Easter 4, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • Articles at The Christian Century:
    • "Ties that Bind," Stan Wilson, 2006.
    • "Hooked on War," Andrew Warner, 2003.
    • "Sheep on the Run," Craig Barnes, 2002.
    • "Shepherding," F Dean Lueking, 1997.
    • "Those Obstreperous Idiots," Walter Wink, 1994.
  • "Living the Word," at Sojourners:
    • "Practicing Good News," Michaela Bruzzese, "Christian Community 101," 2009.
    • "A Shepherding Love," Robert Roth, "Choosing to Love," 2006.
    • "Shepherds to the World," Michaela Bruzzese, "Peace Be With You," 2003.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year B. 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 Visitor, a Mapmaker and a Banquet," the Rev. Benjamin Anthony, Day 1, 2009.
  • "Tough Love," Lawrence Moore, Director, The Windermere Centre, disclosing new worlds, 2009.
  • Selected Sermon, Easter 4 (RCL), the Rev. Kirk Alan Kubicek, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2009.
  • "I'll Take Care of It!" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • "Poor Little Sheep Who Have Found the Way," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Easter 4, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "A School of Christian Love," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Friendship," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008. (1 John 3)
  • "Untamed Hospitality," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Hospitality," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007. (Psalm 23)
  • "Required Accessory: A Knife for Butchering Sheep," Faith Lens, ELCA, 2009.
  • "Inspired by Compassion," The Path of Discipleship, John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2009.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Easter, Year B, The Episcopal Church, 2009.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Easter 4B, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings. (Scroll down past chart of CEV 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.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Easter 4B, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Easter 4, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Worship Resources, Easter 4, 2009, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Love Is a Verb," Easter 4, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. 2006 resources.
  • "Interfaith Connections," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Easter 4B, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Easter 4, 2009. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Easter 4, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Shepherd Liturgy for use on Easter 4, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Liturgies Online, Easter 4, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Easter Season Liturgy, Easter Season Reflection (emphasis on Easter in the Southern Hemisphere), Rev. Bosco Peters.
  • "Living in the Spirit of Jesus: Giving Ourselves to Spread the Gospel," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year B, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
• 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, Year B - Easter 4. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Outside the Box, Easter 4, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker.
  • Lector's Notes, Easter 4, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • A New Great Thanksgiving for Eastertide, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church GBOD, 2009.
  • A Prayer for Easter 4, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2009.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 4, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Good Shepherd Sunday, Service Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Worship Ways, UCC, 2009.
  • 21st Century Worship Resources, Easter 4, 2009, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, Easter 4, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the End of Enclosure.
  • Offertory Prayers for May, 2009, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Worship Resources, Easter 4B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Starters for Sunday, 3 May, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Sunday Prayer for Easter 4B, Revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Hermanoleon Clipart, Easter 4B. Free clipart, backgrounds, slides, etc.
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art Images: John 10:11-18, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Easter 4 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.
  • Clip Art, Easter B4, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year B index.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Easter 4, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Love Is a Verb," Easter 4, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. 2006 resources.
  • "Joy," free film from Work of the People.
  • Commercial Site: "Joy," (1 John 3:16-19) Visual liturgy / videos for Easter 4B, The Work of the People.
  • "The Lord Is My Shepherd," from John Rutter Requiem, YouTube video.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Easter 4, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Easter 4, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Easter...So What?" reflection by Philip H. Towner, PhD, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • Hymn for Easter 4B, Alan Hinton, possible tune: Blaenwern, Disclosing New Worlds, 2009.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Easter 4B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Easter 4, 2009, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • Lectionary Hymns, Easter 4, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
    • 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 Two: Lent-Easter, Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • Choral Anthem Project, Easter 4, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Gathering, Easter 4, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Together to Celebrate, Easter 4, 2009, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 4, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Starters for Sunday, 3 May, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Sing for Joy, Easter 4, 2009. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Easter 4, 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
• With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Gathering, Easter 4, 2009, 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, Easter 4, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Easter 4B, 2009 - 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 B, The Episcopal Church, 2009.
  • "God's Loving Care," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text (html) formats.
• 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.