Proper 27B/Ordinary 32B/Pentecost 23
November 8, 2009

With thanks to page sponsor
Elaine Bowen
in appreciation of Jenee Woodard
(0910)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:  

Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 or 1 Kings 17:8-16
Roman Catholic reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16
United Methodist reading: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

Psalm 127 or Psalm 146
Roman Catholic reading Psalm 146:7-10
United Methodist reading: Psalm 127 or Psalm 42

Hebrews 9:24-28

Mark 12:38-44
Roman Catholic reading: Mark 12:38-44 or Mark 12:41-44

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:
    • Ruth
    • Elijah
    • Widow's Mite
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Sacrifice/Sacrificial Death
    • Generosity
    • Greed
    • Clean/Unclean
    • Love
    • Covenant
    • Justice/Injustice
• Special Day Resources: Veteran's Day / Remembrance Day.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2009. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Juliana Claassens, Brent A. Strawn, Mark Throntveit, Susan Eastman, and Harry Langknecht.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Ordinary 32, 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.
  • "Risk and Restoration," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, i.UCC.org, 2009.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 27, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 27, 2009, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +23, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Widows Might Not," Proper 27, 2009, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • "Extravagant Generosity," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2006.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 23, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for November 8, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +23, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Jesus Now, Proper 27B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Preaching Helps, Pentecost 22, Currents in Theology and Mission, 2003.
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +23, 2009, at i.ucc.org: lectionary citations, sermon seeds weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Proper 27, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Lectionary Study, Ordinary 32, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • "Not Less than Everything," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 8 November, 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:
  • Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 / 1 Kings 17:8-16
  • Psalm 127 / Psalm 146
  • Hebrews 9:24-28
  • Mark 12:38-44
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • "Two Widows, True to Type," A. Katherine Grieb, 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, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • Sermon Starters, Ordinary Time, 2009, Mandy Sloan Flemming, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • 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.
  • Progressive Involvement Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, 2009.
  • "She Gave All That She Had: Finding Wisdom in the Lives of Three Widows," 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.
  • Ordinary 32, Laura and Matt Norvell, Grounded & Rooted in Love, 2009.
  • "No Pain, No Gain: Stewardship Lesson from a High School Track Coach," Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, 2009.
  • This Sunday's Readings, 3rd Sunday before Advent: Remembrance Sunday, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 32, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2009.
  • The Christian Century:
    • "Small Change," Maria Teresa Palmer, 2006.
    • "Widow's Walk," Mary W. Anderson, 2003.
    • "The Widow's Hand," Heidi Neumark, 2000.
    • "Virtual Virtuosity," Robin R. Meyers, 2000.
    • "Veterans and Stewards," Peter J. Gomes,  1997.
    • "Two Widows as Role Models," William Dyrness, 1994.
    • "Understanding Faith and Miracle," Pheme Perkins, 1989.
  • Sojourners "Living the Word," archives:
    • "King of Justice," Michaela Bruzzese, "Our Redemption Draws Near," 2009.
    • "Noticing Possibilities," Robert Roth, "Power of Imagination," 2006.
    • "Yahweh Is My God," Michaela Bruzzese, "If Not Now, When?" 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):
  • Ordinary 32(B), Rev. Tom Mannebach, The Pastoral Preaching Web Site, The Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary's Seminary, 2009.
  • "What God Values in Stewardship," the Rev. Dr. D. Scott Weimer, Day 1, 2009.
  • Sermons that Work, Proper 27 (RCL), the Rev. Frank S. Logue, ECUSA, 2009.
  • "'You'll Never Walk Alone' - We Hope," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Proper 27, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Who's Hungry and Who Cares?" study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Food and Hunger," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004. (Psalm 146)
  • "Give," Living in Christ, John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2009.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 32, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Propers 23-29, 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.
• 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