Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20  

Ephesians 1:3-14
Roman Catholic reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 

John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Roman Catholic reading: John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 

Narrative Lectionary: John 1:35-51

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary.
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year A, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings, 1999.
  • 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.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2014. 2011.
  • Preaching Helps, Rev. Dawn Chesser, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Epiphany," SAMUEL, Kathryn Matthews Huey, Sermon Seeds, UCC, 2014.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • Evangelectionary, January 5, 2014, Bruce Laverman, Evangelism Connections.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Christmas 2A, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2014. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas 2A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas 2, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • "That Advancing Light of Love," Barry Robinson, Keeping the Faith in Bablylon at Richard J. Fairchild's Sermons & Sermon Lectionary Resources.
  • Starters for Sunday. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland, 2017.
  • Social Justice Lectionary, Bruce Sweet, 2014.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2014.
  • Lectionary at Lunch: homiletical helps from Concordia Journal and audio files of lectures by professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS), 2014.
• 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.
  • Jeremiah 31:7-14 / Sirach 24:1-12
  • Psalm 147 / Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
  • Ephesians 1:3-14
  • John 1:1-18
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • Textweek Blog and Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Sermon Brainwave, Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org. 2014.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Follow the Star Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2014.
  • "An Unsentimental Christmas Season," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2014.
  • "An Urban Epiphany," guest essay by Edwina Gateley, Journey with Jesus, Dan Clendenin, 2014. 2011. 2004.
  • "Rising Above the Low-Water Mark of 2013," Doug Mendenhall, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2014 (Video: New Years Wishes from the Street).
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2014. .rtf file at this link. (Terms of Use)
  • "The True Light Cometh," Robert Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2014.
  • "Body Matters," Shannon Schaefer, Ekklesia Project, 2014.
  • "Enfleshed," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2014.
  • Question the Text, Russell Rathbun, etc., 2014.
  • "And Pitched a Tent Among Us," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2014.
  • "Grace Upon Grace," Thomas Beam, 2014.
  • Perception of Grace, Melissa Tidwell, Upper Room Books, 2014.
  • The Worship Closet, Amy Loving, 2014.
  • "Living the Light," Christopher Burkett, PreacherRhetorica, 2014.
  • Care for Creation Commentary, Tom Mundahl, Lutherans Restoring Creation, 2014.
  • Draughting Theology, Steve Pankey, 2014.
  • "Light, Action, Incarnation," Sharron R. Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2014. 2011.
  • Lectionary Ruminations, Christmas 2, John Edward Harris, Summit to Shore, 2014.
  • Sacredise Worship Resources, 2014.
  • "Tattoo Truths," Larry Patten, 2014.
  • Preaching Tip of the Week, Bob Eldan, preachingtip, 2017
  • Pray As You Can, Reflections, commentary, prayer, poems, etc., Kym Harris, Diocese of Rockhampton, 2014.
  • Scripture Reflections, Bob Flaherty, Newberg First United Methodist Church, 2014.
  • Lectio Divina Podcast, Todd Spencer, 2014.
  • "Ten Minutes on a Tuesday," a weekly resource for preachers and worship leaders, The Methodist Church of New Zealand, 2014.
  • HuffPost Religion, religion news and contemporary news in religious perspective. Always worth a read...
  • Unfolding Light, Daily Reflections leading toward Sunday readings, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, 2014.
  • Break Open the Word, Michael T. Hiller, 2014.
  • One Little Word, David J. Risendal, 2014.
  • Weekly Reading, Anthony B. Robinson, 2014.
  • Hitchhiker's Guide to the Bible, Andy Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, 2014.
  • The River of Life, Loddon Mallee UCA Presbytery Blog, 2014.
  • Sunday's Child, Daily Lectionary and Reflections on Scripture and World, Una Malachica, 2014.
  • Stillspeaking Daily Devotional, UCC.org. Daily devotional for Twitter. (Daily RCL)
  • Weekly Reflections on the Christian Faith (lectionary texts), conversations between Mark Smith and David Owen, England Public School Chaplains. 2014
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Dialogue, Wesley White, 2014.
  • Living the Lectionary, Daily RCL reflections, Pr. Phil Heinze, Fort Worth, TX, 2014.
  • The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions and Homilias Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P., 2014.
  • SacraConversazione, discussion of the texts in terms of traditions of interpreters, from a postmodern perspective, 2014.
  • COSLC Grace Notes, Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK. Meditations & poetry, 2014.
  • Lectionary Scripture Notes, Dr. Norman Beck.
  • Panoramic Views of Faith and Health, Butch Odom. Daily lectionary thoughts and prayer, 2014.
  • "No One Has Seen God," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2011.
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
  • "Another Way," Christmas 2, Bill Wylie-Kellermann, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2004.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2005.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • 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.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "Word," Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustrations.
  • "Welcoming the Light," the Rev. Kirk Alan Kubicek, Sermons that Work, Episcopal Digital Network, 2014.
  • 2 Navidad (A) – 2014, EL RVDO. NAPOLEÓN BRITO, Sermones que Iluminan.
  • Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2014.
  • "Feel the Buzz," the Rev. Wendy Porter Cade, Day 1, 2011.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • "God Came Down," Faith Element, 2014.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Christmas 2A, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2014. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
  • Bible Study, Christmas 2, 2014, Rod Clark, Sermons that Work, Episcopal Digital Network.
  • Estudio de la Biblia. 2 Navidad (A) por Rod Clark, Sermones que Iluminan, 2014.
  • "A Star Led the Way," Christmas 2, Lesson Plans that Work, Episcopal Digital Network, 2014.
• 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 Christmas Resources Page.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Christmas 2A): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2014. .rtf file at this link. (Terms of Use)
  • Worship Resources, Rev. Mindi, Rev-o-lution, 2014.
  • Evangelectionary, January 5, 2014, Bruce Laverman, Evangelism Connections.
  • Sacredise Worship Resources, 2014.
  • The Worship Closet, Amy Loving, 2014.
  • "Light, Action, Incarnation," Sharron R. Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2014. 2011.
  • LCA Worship Planning Page, Christmas 2A, 2014. "Everything lay-readers need to prepare worship."
  • Mustard Seeds, "Special Children," Christmas 2A, 2014. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Christmas 2A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Christmas 2A, 2011. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Day of Epiphany (Christmas 2), by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Christmas 2, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • The Billabong, Christmas 2, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Christmas 2A. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 147:12-20, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2014. 2011.
  • 21st Century Worship Resources, UMCDiscipleship.org.
  • Offertory Prayers, UMCDiscipleship.org.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Starters for Sunday. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland, 2017.
  • Confession RCL, Bill Wessner, 2014.
  • Call to Worship, Mary Jane Konings, 2014.
  • 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 & Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Special Children," Christmas 2A, 2014. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Agnus Day, Lectionary cartoon by James Wetzstein.
  • See Schindler's List, reviewed at Visual Parables, 2014
  • Church Galleries sample - free powerpoint download for this week's lectionary scripture(s).
  • "Rising Above the Low-Water Mark of 2013," Doug Mendenhall, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2014 (Video: New Years Wishes from the Street).
  • "God Came Down," Faith Element, 2014.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • Bulletin Insert, Episcopal Migration Ministries, Sarah Johnson, Episcopal Digital Network, 2014.
  • Inserto para el Boletín. por Sarah Johnson, Ministerio Episcopal de Migración, Sermones que Iluminan, 2014.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Christmas 2A, 2014, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
  • You Call That Church Music? alternative music planning blog for church musicians following the RCL (with videos), Ann Strickland, 2014.
  • Shepherd Sounds, Christmas 2A. Background information for hymns and choral music following the lectionary from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas, by Eric Mellenbruch and David Zersen.
  • Lectionary Hymns, UMCDiscipleship.org.
  • "At the Start There Was the Logos," TEXT: Mark Ryman (2004) based on John 1:(1-9), 10-18. TUNE: "Erie," by Charles D. Converse (1868). New Hymns for the Lectionary.
  • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
  • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
  • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Christmas 2A, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2014. .rtf file at this link. (Terms of Use)
  • Together to Celebrate, 5 January 2014, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Weekly Devotion Page, Faith Formation Journeys, 2014.
  • CatholicMom.com: Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, and Word Search based on weekly gospel text.
  • Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of page.)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Christmas 2. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • Gospel Puzzles for the Lectionary, John 1:1-18, Mark Ryman, edoxy.com.
• With Children (see also listings "With Children" at individual scripture pages, linked above):
  • Worshiping with Children, Christmas 2, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," January 5, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Jeremiah 31:7-14 and Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin, Ephesians 1:3-14 and Big Sister and Little Sister by Charlotte Zolotow, John 1:(1-9)10-18 and The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson. 2011.
  • "Light, Action, Incarnation," Sharron R. Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2014. 2011.
  • Children's Sermon, Faith Formation Journeys, 2014.
  • Christopher's Breath -- Children's story/sermon by Janice B. Scott based on John 1:(1-9) 10-18 from SermonSuite.
  • "Always Room for More!" Fran Woodruff, On The Chancel Steps, 2014.
  • "A Star Led the Way," Christmas 2, Lesson Plans that Work, Episcopal Digital Network, 2014.
  • "Sermon of the Week," / "Mensajes para ninos," Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2014. .rtf file at this link. (Terms of Use)
• Drama (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Dramatic Reading, John 1/Genesis 1, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's randon thoughts.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.