Proper 20B/Ordinary 25B/Pentecost 16
September 20, 2009

With thanks to page sponsor:
Bill Schlesinger
Project Vida
El Paso, TX
(0910)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources: 

Proverbs 31:10-31 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16 - 2:1, 12-22 
or Jeremiah 11:18-20
Roman Catholic reading: Wisdom 2:17-20
United Methodist reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

Psalm 1 or Psalm 54
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 54:3-8
United Methodist reading: Psalm 1

James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
Roman Catholic reading: James 3:16 - 4:3

Mark 9:30-37

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings from the New American Bible (NCCB/USCC).
  • 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:
    • Jesus and the Children
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Children as Mediator Figures
    • Servanthood/Serving Others
    • Clean/Unclean
    • Vengeance
    • Suffering of the Innocent
    • Wrongly Accused
    • Suffering Servant
    • Wisdom
    • Mercy/Grace
• 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 Frank M. Yamada, Brent A. Strawn, Fred Gaiser, A.K.M Adam, and Alyce M. McKenzie.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Ordinary 25, 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.
  • "First in Caring," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, i.UCC.org, 2009.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 20, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +16, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 20, 2009, Russell Pregeant, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Jesus Now, Proper 20B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "Public Education," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2006.
  • "Speechless," Proper 20, 2009, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 16, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for September 20, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +16, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Lectionary Study, Ordinary 24, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +16, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Proper 20, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • "I Come to Serve," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 20 September, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Proverbs 31:10-31 / Wisdom of Solomon 1:16 - 2:22 / Jeremiah 11:18-20
  • Psalm 1 / Psalm 54
  • James 3:13 - 4:8
  • Mark 9:30-37
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Like a Child," Glenn Mitchell, Blogging toward Sunday, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
  • Sermon Brainwave. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "Who's the Greatest?" RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • "From the Faculty Club to the Church Nursery: Little Children and the Kingdom of God," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
  • Sermon Starters, Ordinary Time, 2009, Mandy Sloan Flemming, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2009.
  • Ordinary 25B, Laura Norvell, Grounded & Rooted in Love, 2009.
  • Think About It, Sermon Notes/Themes on current topics with complimentary PowerPoint images, Rev. Dorothy Okray.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2006.
  • "The Vulnerable Way," Charles Allen, Holly Hearon, Michael Miller, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
  • "To Welcome Every Child," Ron Miller, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
  • "Messing Up the Message," Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, 2009.
  • "Kids in Church," Debra Dean Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • This Sunday's Readings, 15th Sunday after Trinity, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 25, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2009.
  • Articles at The Christian Century:
    • "Wisdom Works," Stephen Fowl, 2006.
    • "Seeing Things," Mary E. Hinkle, 2003.
    • "Counting Diamonds," Joel Marcus, 2000.
  • Sojourners "Living the Word," archives:
    • "Pro Life," Michaela Bruzzese, "An Unconventional Messiah," 2009.
    • "Go Last," Robert Roth, "Back to School," 2006.
    • "Wisdom from Above," Michaela Bruzzese, "Sharper than a Sword," 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):
  • "Insignificant Greatness," the Rev. Stephen Lewis, Day 1, 2009.
  • Sermons that Work, Proper 20 (RCL), the Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz, ECUSA, 2009.
  • "The Way of the Wise," Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • "Can You Walk the Walk?" John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • "First in Caring," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, i.UCC.org, 2009.
  • Lectionary Notes, Proper 20, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Grandfather of the Green Revolution Dies," Faith Lens, ELCA, 2009.
  • "The Triumph of the Eye," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Women and the Church," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus article: "The Triumph of the Eye," Ralph C. Wood. (Proverbs 31)
  • "Caring for Children in Crisis," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003. (Mark 9)
  • "Teaching Children the Story of Creation," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Moral Landscape of Creation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001. (Mark 9)
  • "Welcome Others," Living in Christ, John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2009.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 25, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Propers 17-22, Year B, The Episcopal Church.
  • 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

• The Text This Week's Pentecost Resources Page.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Pentecost +16, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +16, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Worship Resources, September, 2009, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Who is the Greatest?" Proper 20, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 25, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • "Public Education," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2006.
  • Worship Resources, Proper 20B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Liturgies Online, Pentecost 16, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "I Have Come to Serve," 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 - Proper 20/Ordinary 25. 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, by Katherine Hawker.
  • Lector's Notes, Ordinary 25, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Offertory Prayers for September, 2009, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Starters for Sunday, 20 September, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • "To Change the World, Welcome the Children," Service Prayers for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, 2009. Worship Ways, UCC.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources, Pentecost +16, Cynthia A. Bond Hopson, UMC GBOD.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 25, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, "The Secret Purposes of God," Proper 20B, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure.
  • Prayers of the People, Proper 20, 2009, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, NZPB, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayer for Proper 20, Revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
• Graphics and Multimedia (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • HermanoLeón Clipart, Ordinary 25B. 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: Mark 9:30-37, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 25 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.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Who is the Greatest?" Proper 20, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year B index.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Pentecost 16, 2009. Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Commercial Site: "The Last Will Be First," (Mark 9) Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +16, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost +16, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Winners and Losers," reflection by Charles Houser, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Water Deep," Brenton Prigge, 6.7.9.6.6.8, New Hymn, 2006.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Proper 20B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Psalm Settings:
    • Psalm 1, Isaac Everett, commentary and exegesis by Alan Cooper, The Emergent Psalter, 2009.
    • "Blessed Are They" (Psalm 1), "Surely My God Is With Me" (Psalm 54), lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
    • Psalm 1 set to Mendelssohn (77 77 77 77 77), Psalm 54 set to Finlandia (11 10 11 10 11 10) by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Pentecost 16, 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +16, 2009, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, International Day of Peace, 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • Lectionary Hymns, Ordinary 25B, 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, Ordinary 25B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Suggested Hymns from the New Century Hymnal, United Church of Christ, 2009.
    • Gathering, Pentecost +16, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Starters for Sunday, 20 September, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, Pentecost 16, 2009, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 25, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Sing for Joy, Lectionary 25, 2009. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Gathering, Pentecost +16, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children / Older Children, Propers 17-22, Year B, The Episcopal Church.
  • "A Liturgy for Covenanting with the Church School," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 25, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 25, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
• 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.