Proper 4A/Ordinary 9A/Pentecost +3
June 1, 2008

With thanks to page sponsor:
Los Altos Lutheran Church,
Los Altos, California.
(Feb 0809)

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

Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 or Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28

Psalm 46 or Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24

Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28, (29-31)

Matthew 7:21-29

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.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year A.
  • Free Church version for Baptist, Reformed, and Congregational use Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • 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:
    • Noah (Ark, Rainbow, etc)
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Covenant
    • Noah/Flood
• 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 9, 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 Terence E. Fretheim, Matt Skinner, Richard Beaton.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 4, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Proper 4, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost +3, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Proper 4, 2008, Rick Marshall, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Jesus Now, Proper (Ordinary) 9A, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • "Faith, Works, Law, Who Cares?" Proper 4, 2008, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Proper 4, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • "Waters of New Life," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost +3, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Rumors, for June 1, 2008, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost 3A, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +3, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Proper 4, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Lectionary Study, June 1, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation.
  • "Doing the Father's Will," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Starters for Sunday, 1 June, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• 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 6, 7, 8 / Deuteronomy 11:18-28
  • Psalm 46 / Psalm 31
  • Romans 1:16-17; 3:22-31
  • Matthew 7:21-29
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • Blogging toward Sunday, Peter J. Leithart, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Sermon Brainwave, June 1, 2008. Lectionary podcast featuring professors discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "We're All Bozos On This Bus" Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Just Do It," Laurel A. Dykstra, "Uncomfortable Words," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "Preaching Stories of Family Origins: Readings from the Book of Genesis," lectionary reflections for June, Rev. Dr. Ronald J. Allen, The Living Pulpit, 2008.
  • "Justified by Heterosexuality or by Faith?" Bentley de Bardelaben, Holly Toensing, Valerie Bridgeman Davis, Ken Stone, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2008.
  • "He Breaks the Bow and Shatters the Spear: Peace Poetry for Memorial Day, 2008," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "The Wise Man," Lectionary Haikus. Among the Hills.
  • This Sunday's Readings, 2nd Sunday after Trinity, John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • "Creation Undone," Daniel Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2008.
  • "Sand or Rock," Larry Patten. And Yet: "Faithful & Foolish Reflections Served Weekly," 2008.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 4. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • Daily Reflection, Ordinary 9, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • "Under the Surface of Life: Just As I Am," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
  • "Seeking an E-Bay Path to Heaven," Timothy Nakayama, Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • "The Sign-off to the Moral Nightly News," Mark Harris, Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • "Another Way to Build," (2005) and "The Godward Side of Judgement," (2002) Barry Robinson, Keeping the Faith in Babylon, at at Richard J. Fairchild's Sermon & Lectionary Resources.
  • "God So Loves This World," 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)
  • Selected Sermon, Proper 4A (RCL), the Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • "Faith for All Seasons," The Rev. James F. Bracher, Day 1, 2005.
  • "Know on What You are Building - Assumptions We Make," Pentecost +2 - 29 May 2005, Walter W. Harms, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • Selected sermon, Proper 4, the Rev. Angela V. Askew, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Proper 4, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "The Freedom of Obedience," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sermon on the Mount," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • "Tips for Discipleship: Do It," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • "Extraordinary ordinary people," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Early Summer, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 9, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Bible Study - Ordinary Time 9 - 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

• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Pentecost +3, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost +3, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Proper 4, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Finding Firm Footing," Proper 4, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Pentecost +3, 2008, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Pentecost 3A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 9, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Ordinary 9, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Doing God's Will," 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.
  • Prayers of the People, P4/OT9, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Lector's Notes, OT 9, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Outside the Box, Katherine Hawker, "Litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church."
  • A Prayer for Pentecost 3, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Starters for Sunday, 1 June, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 9, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. (Alternative)
  • Offertory Prayers for June, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost +3, 2008, Marilyn E. Thornton, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Call to Worship for Troubling Times, based on Psalm 46, 21st Century Worship Resource for Pentecost +3, 2008, Safiyah Fosua, 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 7:21-29, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 9 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 3, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Finding Firm Footing," Proper 4, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "The Wise Man," Lectionary Haikus. Among the Hills.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Pentecost +3, 2008, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost +3, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • "A House on a Rock," reflection by Barbara Bernstengel, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "The Power of Prayer," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost +3, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • 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 +3, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Starters for Sunday, 1 June, 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, June 1, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Ordinary 9, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Proper 4, 2008, Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Pentecost 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, Proper 4. 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 +3, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Younger Children & Older Children, Early Summer, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ordinary 9, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
• 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.