Easter 5B
May 10, 2009

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Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Acts 8:26-40
Roman Catholic reading: Acts 9:26-31

Psalm 22:25-31
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 22:26-32
Episcopal reading (RCL): Psalm 22:24-30

1 John 4:7-21
Roman Catholic reading: 1 John 3:18-24

John 15:1-8

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:
    • Ethiopian Eunuch
    • The Conversion of Paul
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Interconnectedness
    • Conversion
    • Clean/Unclean
    • Baptism
    • Call
    • Love
    • Sacrifice
• Special Day Resources: Mother's Day
  • Mother's Day, Lectionary Commentary, Worship Resource, Cultural Resource, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  • Mother's Day Prayer: A 21st Century Worship Resource, the Rev. Jane Sommers, United Methodist Church GBOD, 2009.
  • A Litany for Mother's Day, Peggy Emerson, United Methodist Church GBOD, 2009.
  • Mother's Day Liturgy. Easter 5, 2009. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Mother's Day, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Commercial Site: Mother's Day, video, The Work of the People.
  • Prayer for Easter 5B/Mother's Day, Revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
• 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, 2009. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Terence E. Fretheim, Shauna Hannan, Richard Carlson, and Sarah Henrich.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Easter 5, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Mother's Day, Lectionary Commentary, Worship Resource, Cultural Resource, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  • "Abiding in Love," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org, 2009.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Easter 5, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Commentary and Reflections, Easter 5, Lawrence Moore, Disclosing New Worlds, 2009.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Easter 5B, 2009, Russell Pregeant, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • "The State's Budget as a Moral Document," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • SAMUEL, Easter 5, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Preaching Helps (Easter 5, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Commitment or Belief? Part IV: In Vino, Veritas," Easter 5, 2009, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Easter 5, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for May 10, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Easter 5, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Jesus Now, Easter 5B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Lectionary Study, Easter 5B, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • Text Studies, Easter 5, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Preaching Helps, Currents in Theology and Mission, 2003.
  • "Bearing Fruit," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 10 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 8:26-40
  • Psalm 22
  • 1 John 4:7-21
  • John 15:1-8
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Rooted in Relationship," 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, "Me to We" Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • Sermon Starters, Easter, 2009, Donna Schaper, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • "God's Inclusive Vision," Charles Allen, Wil Gafney, Holly Hearon, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
  • "In Divine Desertion, A Human Presence: Saintly Wisdom from Two Teresas," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009. 2006.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2006.
  • "Gardening with Love," Liz Zivanov, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2006.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Easter 5, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • Daily Reflection, Easter 5, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2009.
  • "Praying and Pruning," Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Insitute, ELCA, 2009.
  • "Pruning Time," Brian Volck, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • Articles at The Christian Century:
    • "On the Vine," Stan Wilson, 2006.
    • "Kingdom Come," Andrew Warner, 2003.
    • "Unless Someone Guides Me," William Brosend, 2000.
    • "Abide in Me," F. Dean Lueking, 1997.
    • "Abiding, Even under the Knife," Walter Wink, 1994.
  • "Living the Word," at Sojourners:
    • "Branching Out," Michaela Bruzzese, "Christian Community 101," 2009.
    • "An Ethical Love," Robert Roth, "Choosing to Love," 2006.
    • "Bearing Fruit," 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):
  • "Neither Heaven Nor Hell," the Rev. Benjamin Anthony, Day 1, 2009.
  • Selected Sermon, Easter 5 (RCL), the Rev. Angela V. Askew, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2009.
  • "Church of the True Vine," Revd David Jenkins, former moderator, THe United Reformed Church General Assembly, disclosing new worlds, 2009.
  • "In the Assembly of the People," Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • "A Love Song for God's Vineyard," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Easter 5, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Suffering Servants," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Suffering," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005. (Acts 8)
  • "Singing with the Psalter," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006. (Psalm 22)
  • "We Have Never Seen His Face," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Suffering," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005. (Psalm 22)
  • "Connected to Christ," 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 5B, 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 5B, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Easter 5, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Worship Resources, Easter 5, 2009, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "There is No Such Thing As a Private Faith," Easter 5, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. 2006 resources.
  • "The State's Budget as a Moral Document," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches.
  • Mother's Day, Lectionary Commentary, Worship Resource, Cultural Resource, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Easter 5B, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgies Online, Easter 5, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Easter 5, 2009. (Mother's Day) Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Easter Season Liturgy, Easter Season Reflection (emphasis on Easter in the Southern Hemisphere), Rev. Bosco Peters.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Easter 5, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "The Glory of the Father - Fruitful Disciples of Jesus!" 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 5. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Outside the Box, Easter 5, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker.
  • Lector's Notes, Easter 5, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Prayers - My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me, Mental Health & Disabilities Program, Mennonite Central Committee, Canada.
  • A New Great Thanksgiving for Eastertide, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church GBOD, 2009.
  • A Prayer for Easter 5, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2009.
  • God Who Is Love Invites Us: Festival of the Christian Home, Service Prayers for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Worship Ways, UCC, 2009.
  • Mother's Day Prayer: A 21st Century Worship Resource, the Rev. Jane Sommers, United Methodist Church, 2009.
  • A Litany for Mother's Day, Peggy Emerson, United Methodist Church GBOD, 2009.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 5, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Offertory Prayers for May, 2009, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Worship Resources, Easter 5B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Starters for Sunday, 10 May, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Prayers of the People, Easter 5, 2009, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, Easter 5, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the End of Enclosure.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayer for Easter 5B/Mother's Day, Revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Hermanoleon Clipart, Easter 5B. 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 15:1-8, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Easter 5 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.
  • 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 5/Mother's Day, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "There is No Such Thing As a Private Faith," Easter 5, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. 2006 resources.
  • You Tube videos: Vine and Branches (Muddy River Media), I Am the Vine (Causeway Coast Vineyard), I Am the Vine (Ken Medema).
  • Commercial Site: I am the Vine (John 15:1-8), Mother's Day, Visual liturgy / videos for Easter 5B, The Work of the People.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below
  • SAMUEL, Easter 5, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • "You're Included!" reflection by Dorette Saunders, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Easter 5, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • Hymn for Easter 5B, Alan Hinton, 5.5.5.4.D possible tune: Bunessan, Disclosing New Worlds, 2009.
    • "Rave," "Bow Down," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Easter 5B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Easter 5, 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 5, 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 5, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Gathering, Easter 5, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Together to Celebrate, Easter 5, 2009, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 5, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Starters for Sunday, 10 May, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Suggested Hymns from the New Century Hymnal, United Church of Christ, 2009.
    • Sing for Joy, Easter 5, 2009. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Easter 5, 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 5, 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 5, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Easter 5B, 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.
• 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)
  • Mustard Seeds, "There is No Such Thing As a Private Faith," Easter 5, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia. 2006 resources.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.