Epiphany 3A
January 27, 2008

In honor of my friend Rolf Svanoe,
author of
Bread for the Journey,
A High-Carb Multisensory
Lenten Worship Series,
CSS Publishing.

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

Isaiah 9:1-4
Roman Catholic reading: Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3

Psalm 27:1, 4-9
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 27
Episcopal RCL reading: Psalm 27: 1, 5-13

1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Roman Catholic reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

Matthew 4:12-23
Roman Catholic reading: Matthew 4:12-23 or Matthew 4:12-17

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 calendar, 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.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Calling the Disciples
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Call
    • Repentance
    • Conversion
    • Children (etc) as mediator figures (wisdom of the foolish)
    • Unity (community)
• Special Day Resources: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Epiphany 3, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Ordinary 3, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Frank M. Yamada, Dwight Peterson, and Audrey West.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Epiphany 3, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Epiphany 3A, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Epiphany 3, 2008). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • disclosing new worlds, Epiphany 3A, Lawrence Moore.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Epiphany 3, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Rumors, January 27, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Sermon Nuggets, Epiphany 3A, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 27, 2008, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • SAMUEL, Epiphany 3, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Jesus Now, Epiphany 3A. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Third Sunday after Epiphany, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Text Studies, Epiphany 3, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths from Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.) Commentary focuses on Isaiah text.
  • "Jesus' Proclamation Begins," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • "A Few Good Followers," Anecdotes, Stories & Humor, Steve Goodier, Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Starters for Sunday, 27 January 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Estudio Exegético-Homilético, Enero de 2008, Instituto Universitario Isedet.
• Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Isaiah 9:1-4
  • Psalm 27
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
  • Matthew 4:12-23
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "The Land of Deep Darkness," Blogging toward Sunday, Edwin Searcy, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, The Incredible Light-ness of Being, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Epiphany 3: In Which We Visit Our Inner Library," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008. Inner Library, Revisited.
  • "Race and Repentance: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Portraits of Jesus," Laurel A. Dykstra, "Voices of Truth," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "Met in Darkness, Seen in Light," Angela Bauer-Levesque, Mary Foulke, Robert Griffin, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • Lectionary Haikus: Simon, Andrew, et al, Among the Hills.
  • Preaching Isaiah, Rev. Dr. David N. Mosser, Reflections on the Lectionary for January, 2008, The Living Pulpit.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2008.
  • "Occasions for Hope," Larry Patten. And Yet: "Faithful & Foolish Reflections Served Weekly."
  • This Sunday's Readings, Epiphany 4 (3)A, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 3, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Epiphany 3A. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • "Power and Unity," Mark Handley Andrus, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness, 2005.
  • "Falling Out for Trifles," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
  • "Makeshift Communities," Barbara Lemmel. Commentary from The Christian Century, January, 1999. At Religion Online.
  • Living the Word, by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary-based scripture commentary at Sojourners Online, 1996.
  • "Remembering Who We Are," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • 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)
  • "Cobwebs on the Confessional," the Rev. Dr. William L. Self, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Epiphany 3 (RCL), by the Rev. Charles Hoffacker, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • "Can You Hear Me Now?" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2005.
  • "Keynoting Discipleship I," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Epiphany 3, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Curing Disease," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • "Following the Light of the World," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Epiphany, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Epiphany 3A, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Bible Study - Ordinary Time 3 - 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 Epiphany Resources Page.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Epiphany 3, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Epiphany 3, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Epiphany 3A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Discipleship 101," Epiphany 3, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Epiphany 3, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 3A, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Epiphany 3A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • "A Light Shone," Ordinary 3, 2005. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 3, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "The Message," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada:
    • "Them Is Us"
    • "Belonging, Following, Sharing"
    • "Called to Follow, Born to Fish"
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Epiphany 3, 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 A - Epiphany 3/OT3. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Lector's Notes, Ordinary 3, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • The Billabong, Epiphany 3, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Proper 3A. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
  • Creative Closing, Ordinary 3, George Hartwell, at Richard J. Fairchild's Sermon & Lectionary Resources.
  • Offertory Prayers for January, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • A Prayer/Litany for Epiphany 3, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Starters for Sunday, 27 January 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Epiphany 3, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 3, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Prayer of the Church, Epiphany 3, 2008, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art, Ordinary 3, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 4:12-23, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 3 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, "Discipleship 101," Epiphany 3, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • PowerPoint Backgrounds for Epiphany 3C, Will Humes, Word & Table.
  • "Epiphany 3: In Which We Visit Our Inner Library," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • Lectionary Haikus: photo of abandoned fishing nets, Among the Hills.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Epiphany 3, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Third Sunday after Epiphany, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Walk in the Light!" reflection by Dorette Saunders, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "The Lamb's Embrace," TEXT: Mark Ryman (2005) based on Matthew 4:12-23. TUNE: "Monkland." New Hymns for the Lectionary.
    • "The Light," Brenton Prigge, New Hymn.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Epiphany 3A, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Epiphany 3, 2008, 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.")
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Ordinary 3, CanticaNova Publications.
    • 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.
    • Gathering, Epiphany 3, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
    • Starters for Sunday, 27 January 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, January 27, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 3, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Sing for Joy, Epiphany 3A, 2008. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Epiphany 3. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • Gospel Puzzles for the Lectionary, Epiphany 3A, Mark Ryman, edoxy.com.
• With Children (see also listings "With Children" at individual scripture pages, linked above):
  • Gathering, Epiphany 3, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
  • Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older Children, Epiphany, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Epiphany 3A, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Rolling Along Together With Christ," "Gone Fishing," "Fishing for People," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Ideas and Talks for Epiphany, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
• 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.