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/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
Special Day Resources: Mothering Sunday
- Mothering Sunday, Wikipedia.
- Sunday by Sunday: Mothering Sunday. Liturgy Planner from the Royal School of Church Music. (scroll down)
- Simnel Cakes, recipes and background, Special Days Resources, Richard J. Fairchild. (From James Ashcraft: Thought you might wish to know that the first recipe is missing part of the recipe. After "pour in 1/2 batter", the next instruction should be, I believe, to roll out the almond paste between two sheets of waxed paper, and then to cut and place a sheet of the almond paste over the batter in the pan, add the other 1/2 batter to the pan and then "Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.")
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 Terence E. Fretheim, Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Richard Carlson, Sarah Henrich.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Lent 4, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
- Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
- Jesus Now, Lent 4B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
- Rumors, for March 22, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
- Text Studies, Lent 4B, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
- Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
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:
- Sermon Notes for March 18, Michael Rich, In-Formatio, 2012.
- "The Gospel vs Self-Reliance," Blogging toward Sunday, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
- "Truth Walking," Jen Glass, Greg Carey, Mona West, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
- "Freedom in God's Family," Sarah Dylan Breuer, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
- "A Powerful Name, a Gift Given," Donald Whipple Fox, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
- "Far from Over: the Costs and Consequences of War in Iraq," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009. 2006 reflection.
- The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2009.
- "For God So Loved the World," Debra Dean Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
- Articles at The Christian Century:
  - "Just As I Am," Thomas G. Long, 2006.
  - "From God to God," Fred Craddock, 2003.
  - "Provoked to Repentance," Stanley S. Harakas, 1997.
- "Living the Word," at Sojourners:
  - "John 3:16," Michaela Bruzzese, "Alone with God," 2009.
  - "Restored in Love," Robert Roth, "Covenant Living," 2006.
  - "That Old-Time Message," Lauren F. Winner, "Journeying toward Resurrection," 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):
- "What's in Your Future?" the Rev. Dr. Donovan Drake, Day 1, 2009.
- Selected Sermon, Lent 4B (RCL), the Rev. Dr. Frank Hegedus, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2009.
- "How Do I Love Thee?" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
- "Grace Abounding," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
- Lectionary Notes, Lent 4, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
- "Within the Light," 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 Lenten 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, "Unconditional Love," Lent 4B, 2012. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- Lectionary Liturgies, Lent 4B, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Worship and Liturgy Resources, Lent 4, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Liturgies Online, Lent 4, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
- 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.
- A Prayer for Ash Wednesday (and for use in Lent) by Dr. William R.G. Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Prayers of the People, Year B - Lent 4. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
- Outside the Box, Lent 4, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker. Other resources for Lent.
- Lector's Notes, Lent 4, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
- Worship Resources, Lent 4B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
- Meditation Prompts and Prayers, Lent 4, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the End of Enclosure.
- Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
- Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Graphics & Multimedia:
- Hermanoleon Clipart, Lent 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 3:14-21, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Lent 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.
- 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, "Unconditional Love," Lent 4B, 2012. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
- "Conversations by Night," reflection by Dorette Saunders, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
Hymns and Music:
- Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
  - "Giver of Gifts," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
  - Hymns of the Spirit Three, Lent 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, Lent 4B, 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, Lent 4B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
  - Sing for Joy, Lent 4, 2009. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
  - Hymn and Song Suggestions, Lent 4B 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):
- Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2012. (Terms of Use)
- Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Lent 4, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
- "The Good Gifts of God," 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.

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

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