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:
- Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
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.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
- 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.
- Rumors, for May 3, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
- 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.
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.
Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
- "God Provides," Blogging toward Sunday, Ken Carter, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 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)
- "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.
- "The Good Shepherd," Debra Dean Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 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.
- "Living the Word," at Sojourners:
  - "Practicing Good News," Michaela Bruzzese, "Christian Community 101," 2009.
  - "A Shepherding Love," Robert Roth, "Choosing to Love," 2006.
- 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.
- 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)
- "Inspired by Compassion," The Path of Discipleship, John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2009.
- 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:
- Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2012. (Terms of Use)
- Mustard Seeds, "Love Is a Verb," Easter 4, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- "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.).
- 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.
- 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.
- Meditation Prompts and Prayers, Easter 4, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the End of Enclosure.
- Worship Resources, Easter 4B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
- 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.
- Mustard Seeds, "Love Is a Verb," Easter 4, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
- "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:
  - Hymns of the Spirit Three, Easter 4B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
- Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
  - 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.
  - Choral Anthem Project, Easter 4, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
  - 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.
  - Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2012. (Terms of Use)
With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Easter 4, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
- "God's Loving Care," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
- Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2012. (Terms of Use)
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.

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

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