Advent 1A
December 2, 2007

With thanks to page sponsor:
journeywithjesus.net
Daniel B. Clendenin, PhD
A weekly webzine for the global church - lectionary essays, books, film, and poetry.
(Sept 07-08)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:

Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalm 122

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44
Roman Catholic reading: Matthew 24:37-44

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: Traditional BCP - RCL.
  • 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.
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year A, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year A.
  • 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 - Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals Scripture Reference, 2007.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Advent/Waiting
    • Links to general Advent images:
      • visitation
      • Mystical/Liturgical/Enthroned Madonna
      • last judgment
      • annunciation
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Apocalyptic
    • Advent
    • Seeing/Not Seeing
    • Righteousness
    • Courage
    • Peace
• Special Day Resources: Advent
• Special Day Resources: World AIDS Day
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Commentaries on lectionary readings by Frederick J. Gaiser, Susan Grove Eastman, and James L. Boyce, Luther Seminary.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Advent 1A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Advent 1A, 2007. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Advent 1, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Advent 1, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Advent Commentaries, First Sunday in Advent, Perry Yoder, Ben C. Ollenburger, Mary H. Schertz, Jacob W. Elias, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
  • Preaching Helps (Advent 1A, 2007). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Jesus Now, Advent 1A. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Advent 1A, 2007, Paul S. Nancarrow, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Sermon Nuggets, Advent 1A, 2007, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Stories & Anecdotes for Advent 1A, collected by Jack Lohr, Presbyterian Church at Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
  • First Sunday in Advent, December 2, 2007, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Advent 1A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Estudio Exegético-Homilético, Diciembre de 2007, Instituto Universitario Isedet.
  • "Walking in the Light," Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • Text Studies, Advent 1A, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran).
  • "Act Two," Anecdotes, Stories & Humor, Steve Goodier, Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Starters for Sunday, 2 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • SAMUEL, Advent 1A, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
• Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Isaiah 2:1-5
  • Psalm 122
  • Romans 13:11-14
  • Matthew 24:36-44
• Lectionary Weblogs, Discussions & Reflections:
  • Blogging toward Sunday, Michael Pasquarello III, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2007.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "Happy New Year" Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2007.
  • Progressive Bible Study: Romans 13:11-14, Pastor Dan, Street Prophets.
  • disclosing new worlds, Advent 1A, Lawrence Moore.
  • "Hunger and War," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Prophetic Call," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2007.
  • "What Can We Expect?" Keith A. Russell, Reflections on the Lectionary for December, 2007, The Living Pulpit.
  • "Bringing Heaven to Earth Here and Now," guest essay by Joan Roughgarden, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
  • "Waiting with Revolutionary Patience," Christine Smith, Randall C. Bailey, Marvin  M. Ellison, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign. (LGBT perspective)
  • Daily Reflection, Advent 1, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2007.
  • This Sunday's Readings, First Sunday of Advent, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2007.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Advent 1A, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2007.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Advent 1A, 2004. (Episcopal Lectionary) Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
  • "Wake-Up Call," Peter W. Marty, The Christian Century, 2004.
  • "Sweeping House in the Unexpected Hour," Mark Harris, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2004.
  • "Advent's Call to Isaiah and Dr. King," Nan Peete, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2004.
  • "Live Into Hope," Ruth A. Meyers, The Christian Century, 2001. Religion Online.
  • "Wake Up!" by Michaela Bruzzese. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2001.
  • Living the Word, by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary-based scripture commentary at Sojourner's Online, 1995.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "Madpriest's Advent Sermon: The End of the World and Stuff," Of Course, I Could Be Wrong..., 2007.
  • "Waiting," Dr. P.C. Enniss, Day 1, 2007.
  • Selected Sermon, Advent 1A (RCL), by the Rev. Ben E. Helmer, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2007.
  • "It's Coming!" Walter W. Harms, "A Name to Remember," David Zersen, 2 December 2007, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "We Are A Pilgrim People," Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2004.
  • "The Waiting Place," the Rev. Dr. William L. Self, Day 1, 2004.
  • Selected sermon by the Rev. Ben E. Helmer in Sermons that Work, ECUSA, 2004.
  • "Twenty-Two Shopping Days Left," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2001.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Advent 1, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "The Church Building as Sacramental Sign," Psalm 122, study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cities and Towns," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
  • "Tis the season to shop, shop, shop... or is it?" Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2007.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Advent A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Advent 1A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Following the Son of Man," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2007.
  • Bible Study - Advent 1 - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
  • 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

• The Text This Week's Advent Resources Page.
• Advent Candle Liturgies
• Hanging of the Greens Liturgies
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Advent 1, 2007): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Advent 1, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • "Peace within All Walls," First Sunday of Advent, Worship Ways, United Church of Christ, 2007.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Why Are We Waiting," Advent 1A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Advent 1A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Liturgies Online, Advent 1, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Advent 1, (includes litanies, "artistic elements," candle-lighting litany), Rev. Nancy Townley, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Advent 1A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Advent 1, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgy Alive, Advent 1, Claretian Publications, Inc., Philippines.
  • "A Wake Up Call!" Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Advent 1A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgy for Advent, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. Adapting Advent to the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Advent 1A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada:
    • "Being Prepared: Keeping the Vision Alive"
    • "Hope - True Light in a Time of Darkness"
    • "Walking in the Light and Waiting for Jesus"
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Advent 1, 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.
  • Lector's Notes, Advent 1, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Prayers of the People, Year A - Advent 1. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • The Billabong, Advent 1, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Outside the Box, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker. Other Advent Resources.
  • Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Advent 1A. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
  • Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Advent 1A, 2007, Ciona D. Rouse, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Offertory Prayers for December, 2007, Herb Mather, Director of the Center for Christian Stewardship, the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.
  • Starters for Sunday, 2 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 1A. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Lighting of Advent Wreath Litanies for Year A, The Rev. Sheila N. McJilton, St Philip's Episcopal Church, Laurel, MD. Free use, please attribute to author.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics and Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art, Advent 1, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 24:36-44, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Advent 1 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.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Why Are We Waiting," Advent 1A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Jacob's Well Advent Films and mp3 sermons.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Advent 1A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
• Hymns & Music:

  Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs: "Come to the Light of Hope," F. Richard Garland, Advent Hymns with Lectionary Texts, Year A. United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship. "There Is a Mighty Question," Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Church World Service Resources. Original hymn to TUNE: ANGEL'S STORY 7.6.7.6 D. "Will You Heed the Signs of Advent?" TEXT: Mark Ryman (2004) based on Matthew 24:36-44. TUNE: "Rathbun," by Ithamar Conkey (1849). New Hymns for the Lectionary. "The Lord's Messiah Comes,", a hymn for Advent by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia. Hymns of the Spirit Three, Advent 1A, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.

  Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists: Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship. Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.") 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 One: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship. Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts. Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications. Gathering, Advent 1, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc. Together to Celebrate, December 2, 2007, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources. Starters for Sunday, 2 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland. Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 1A. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Sing for Joy, Advent 1A, 2007. 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, Advent 1, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older Children, Advent, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Advent 1A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Preparing for Christ's Coming," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Ideas and Talks for Advent, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Advent 1. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
• 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.