Proper 13A/Ordinary 18A/Pentecost +12
August 3, 2008

With thanks to page sponsor:
Community United Methodist Church,
 Westcliffe, CO
(May0809)

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

Genesis 32:22-31 or Isaiah 55:1-5
Roman Catholic reading: Isaiah 55:1-3
United Methodist & ELCIC reading: Genesis 32:22-31

Psalm 17:1-7, 15 or Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 145:8-18

Romans 9:1-5
Roman Catholic reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39

Matthew 14:13-21

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
  • 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:
    • Feeding the Multitudes
    • Jacob Wrestling with an Angel
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Eucharist/Feeding
    • Spiritual Struggle (see especially The Sting)
• 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), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Ordinary 18, 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 Juliana Claassens, Kathryn Schifferdecker, Paul S. Berge, Marilyn Salmon.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 13, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Proper 13, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 13, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +12, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +12, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Jesus Now, Proper (Ordinary) 18A, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "Table of Plenty," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +12, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Text Studies, Proper 13, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Lectionary Study, August 3, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths from Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • "Put Your Own On First," Proper 13, 2008, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 12A, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for August 3, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Starters for Sunday, 3 August, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • "Famine or Feast?" The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
• 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.
  • Genesis 32:22-31 / Isaiah 55:1-5
  • Psalm 17 / Psalm 145
  • Romans 9:1-5
  • Matthew 14:13-21
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "The God of Abundance," Blogging toward Sunday, Trygve David Johnson, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Sermon Brainwave. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matthew Skinner discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org.
  • The Good Word, blog on scripture and preaching from America: The National Catholic Weekly.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Holding What Gives You Life Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "A Gracious Plenty," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • "Not Counting Women and Children," Laurel A. Dykstra, "Lives and Fishes," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "Dark Struggles, Divine Blessings: Jacob at the River Jabbok," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Bread - and Struggle - for the Journey," Mona West, Miguel De La Torre, Deborah Appler, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • "Loaves and Fishes," Among the Hills lectionary haikus.
  • "Things Are Not As They Seem," Rev. Dr. David Neil Mosser, lectionary reflections for August, The Living Pulpit, 2008.
  • "Blessing, Breaking, and Giving," Daniel Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2008.
  • "Grass," Lane Denson III, Out of Nowhere, 2008.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 13. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • This Sunday's Readings, 11th Sunday after Trinity, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 18, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • "Big Story," Amy B. Hunter, The Christian Century, 2005.
  • "Jacob at the River Jabbok," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2005.
  • Living the Word by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary based scripture commentary from Sojourners OnLine, 1996.
  • "Living as God's Beloved," 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)
  • "Life's Turning Points," the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Allen, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 13A (RCL), James Hinckley, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 13, the Rev. Ken Kesselus in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
  • Selected sermon, Proper 13, by Katerina K. Whitley, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2002.
  • "Summer Fare," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Pentecost 12, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Listening in the Classroom," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Schools in a Pluralist Culture" Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus Article, "One Makes All the Difference," Virgil Gulker. (Psalm 145)
  • "Have Compassion," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Late Summer, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 18, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Bible Study - Ordinary Time 18 - 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 Pentecost Resources Page contains resources and images.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Pentecost +12, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +12, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Proper 13, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Pentecost +12, 2008, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "More Than Enough," Proper 13, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Pentecost 12A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • "Lord, Satisfy Our Hunger," Ordinary 18. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 18, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "About Sharing One's Self," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada..
• 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.
  • Lector's Notes, OT 18, 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, P13/OT18, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Outside the Box, Katherine Hawker, "Litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church."
  • "A Prayer for Pentecost 12," Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Worship Resources (prayers, etc.), Proper 13A, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost +12, 2008, the Rev. Dr. Kwasi I. Kena, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 18, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Starters for Sunday, 3 August, 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.
  • Offertory Prayers for August, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • 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 Images: Matthew 14:13-21, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 18 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.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Pentecost 12, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "More Than Enough," Proper 13, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "A Gracious Plenty," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost +12, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • "More Than Fish and Bread," reflection by Dorette Saunders, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Where Is Bread?" original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, tune: ABBOT'S LEIGH 8.7.8.7.D "God Is Here!"
    • "Hunger in Their Souls," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Proper 13A, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +12, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
    • 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.
    • Gathering, Pentecost +12, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Together to Celebrate, August 3, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 18, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Starters for Sunday, 3 August, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Proper 13A, 2008, Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Pentecost 12A, 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, Proper 13. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
• With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Gathering, Pentecost +12, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 18, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Younger Children & Older Children, Early Summer, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 18, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • "Super Size It!" Children's Sermon from Sermons4kids.com.
• 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.