Proper 21B/Ordinary 26B/Pentecost 17
September 27, 2009

With thanks to page sponsor:
St Luke's Episcopal Church,
Racine , Wisconsin
A Great Church on a Great Lake
(0910)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 or Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Roman Catholic reading: Numbers 11:25-29
United Methodist reading: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22

Psalm 124 or Psalm 19:7-14
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 19:8-14
United Methodist reading: Psalm 124

James 5:13-20
Roman Catholic reading: James 5:1-6

Mark 9:38-50
Roman Catholic reading: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

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:
    • Esther
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • "Possession" by Evil
    • Doers of the Word
    • Covenant 
    • Clean/Unclean
    • Sacrifice
    • Servanthood
    • Liberation
    • Prayer
    • Truth/Truthfulness
    • Confession
    • Repentance
    • Reconciliation
• Special Day Resources: World Communion Sunday
• 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 Paul S. Berge.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Ordinary 26, 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.
  • "Courage for Community," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, i.UCC.org, 2009.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 21, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 21, 2009, Russell Pregeant, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +17, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Exegesis, Betty Jane Lillie, S.C., The Pastoral Preaching Web Site, 2009. Sponsored by the Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +17, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 17, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Lectionary Study, Ordinary 26, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • "Out of Time--Yom Kippur," Proper 21, 2009, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Rumors, for September 27, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Jesus Now, Proper 21B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +17, 2009, at i.ucc.org: lectionary citations, sermon seeds weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Proper 21, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • "Everyone Has to Be a Prophet," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 27 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:
  • Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 / Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
  • Psalm 124 / Psalm 19
  • James 5:13-20
  • Mark 9:38-50
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "A Danger to the Community?" A Katherine Grieb, 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, "More Salt, Please," Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • "Transcendent and Immanent: Honoring God's Mystery, Embracing His Goodness," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
  • Ordinary 26, Laura & Matt Norvell, Grounded & Rooted in Love, 2009.
  • "Loving Enemies: A Training Program," Brian Volck, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • Think About It, Sermon Notes/Themes on current topics with complimentary PowerPoint images, Rev. Dorothy Okray.
  • Sermon Starters, Ordinary Time, 2009, Mandy Sloan Flemming, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2006.
  • "Religion Is Dangerous: Handle with Care," Louie Crew, "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, 2009.
  • This Sunday's Readings, 16th Sunday after Trinity, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • "Salty Stewards Share," Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, 2009.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 26, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2009.
  • Articles from The Christian Century:
    • "Search and Restore," Stephen Fowl, 2006.
    • "At Ground Zero," Stephen Paul Bouman, 2003.
    • "The Millstone," Joel Marcus, 2000.
    • "Unexclusive Gospel," Kenneth L. Carder, 1997.
  • Sojourners "Living the Word," archives:
    • "Divided We Fall," Michaela Bruzzese, "An Unconventional Messiah," 2009.
    • "In Community," Robert Roth, "Integral Faith," 2006.
    • "For or Against?" 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):
  • "To Make the Wounded Whole," The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Carter, Day 1, 2009.
  • Sermons that Work, Proper 21 (RCL), the Rev. Ken Kesselus, ECUSA, 2009.
  • "The Exorcist," Brian K. Blount, Duke Divinity School, 2009.
  • "Getting Serious," the Rev. Dr. David Galloway, Day 1, 2006.
  • "The Right Stuff," Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • "A Cup of Water or Unquenchable Fire," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Proper 21, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Courage for Community," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, i.UCC.org, 2009.
  • "New Poll Claims Two-Thirds of Americans Angry at Government," Faith Lens, ELCA, 2009.
  • "Unquenchable Fire," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Heaven and Hell," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2002. (Mark 9)
  • "When Suffering Continues," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Aging," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003. Focus Article: "When Suffering Continues," Robert V. Rakestraw. (James 5)
  • "Would That All Were Prophets," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Prophetic Ethics," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003. (Numbers 11)
  • "Commit to Christ," Living in Christ, John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2009.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 26, 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 +17, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +17, 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, "Judging Others," Proper 21, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 26, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Worship Resources, Proper 21B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 26, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgies Online, Pentecost 17, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Be Witnesses to Life!" 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 21/Ordinary 26. 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 26, 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.
  • Prayer for the Broken, Mental Health & Disabilities Program, Mennonite Central Committee, Canada.
  • A Prayer for Pentecost 17, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 27 September, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • "Litany of the Four Directions: Prayer for American Indian Ministry Sunday," September 27, 2009. Worship Ways, UCC.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 26, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • 21st Century Worship Resources for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost Year B, Sept 27, 2009, the Rev. Dr. LaGretta Bjorn and Safiyah Fosua, UMC GBOD.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, NZPB, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. (Episcopal/Anglican/Catholic, commentary on Episcopal/Anglican and Catholic sharing the same prayer.)
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, "Ego Trip," Proper 21B, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure.
  • Sunday Prayer, Salty Edition, Revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
  • Prayers for Worship, David von Schlichten, Lectionary Homiletics.
  • World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world news.
• Graphics and Multimedia (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • HermanoLeón Clipart, Ordinary 26B. Free clipart, backgrounds, slides, etc.
  • Clip Art Images: Mark 9:38-48, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 26 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, "Judging Others," Proper 21, 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 17, 2009. Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Commercial Site: "If You Had Not Been With Us," (Psalm 124) Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +17, 2009, at i.ucc.org: lectionary citations, sermon seeds weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost +17, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Prayer of Relief," reflection by K. Jason Coker, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Rave," Brenton Prigge, C.M., New Hymn, 2006.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Proper 21B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Psalm Settings:
    • "If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side," (Psalm 124), "Heaven Declares" (Psalm 19), lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
    • Psalm 124 set to St Anne (CM 86 86), Psalm 19:7-14 set to Aurelia (76 76 D), by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Pentecost 17, 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +17, 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, Ordinary 26B, 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 26B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Suggested Hymns from the New Century Hymnal, United Church of Christ, 2009.
    • Gathering, Pentecost +17, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Starters for Sunday, 27 September, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, Pentecost 17, 2009, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Sing for Joy, Lectionary 26, 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 +17, 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.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 26, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "The Rainbow," "Who Belongs," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 26, 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.