Lent 2B
March 8, 2009

With thanks to
Paul L. Blank
for his help with re-linking the
 references to the Ante-Nicene
 Church Fathers.
(Dec 0809)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Roman Catholic reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18

Psalm 22:23-31
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 116:10-19
Episcopal reading (RCL): Psalm 22:22-30

Romans 4:13-25
Roman Catholic reading: Romans 8:31-34
Episcopal reading (RCL): Romans 8:31-39

Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9
Roman Catholic reading: Mark 9:2-10
Episcopal reading (RCL): Mark 8:31-38
United Methodist reading: Mark 8:31-38

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • NRSV Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings 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.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year B, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings, Year B.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year B.
  • 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 - Daily/Weekly Lectionary Readings.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Peter
    • Crucifixion (See especially Mt. Nebo Serpent Symbol.)
    • Abraham
    • Abraham and Isaac
    • Transfiguration
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Redemption
    • Sacrifice
    • Covenant
    • Abraham
    • Faith
    • Transformation
    • Seeing/Seeing in New Ways
    • Alternate Realities/Illusion-Reality Dialectic
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2009. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Terence E. Fretheim, Shauna Hannan, Richard Carlson, Sarah Henrich.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Lent 2, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Lent 2, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • "Always Close," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.org, 2009.
  • Commentary and Reflections, Lent 2B, Lawrence Moore, Disclosing New Worlds, 2009.
  • Preaching Helps (Lent 2, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Lent 2, 2009, Paul Nancarrow, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Jesus Now, Lent 2B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Lent 2B, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Same Old Covenant," Lent 2, 2009, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • SAMUEL, Lent 2, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Text Studies, Lent 2B, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • Exegesis, Betty Jane Lillie, S.C., The Pastoral Preaching Web Site, 2009. Sponsored by the Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Lent 2B, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for March 8, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Lectionary Study, Lent 2B, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • "A Preview," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 8 March, 2009. 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 17:1-16
  • Psalm 22
  • Romans 4:13-25
  • Mark 8:31-18  /  Mark 9:2-9
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Life Lost and Found," Blogging toward Sunday, Scott M. Kershner, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
  • Sermon Brainwave. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Rolf Jacobson, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "Trust Me" Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • Reflection, Meditation Prompts and Prayers, Lent 2, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the End of Enclosure.
  • "Grace is Free, But It's Not Cheap," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009. 2006 reflections.
  • Sermon Starters, Lent, 2009, Mark Nakagawa, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • "In Which We Set Our Minds Somewhere," Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2009.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background / context) and discussion, March 8, 2009. Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2009.
  • "Hoping against Hope for a Humble Future," Jacki Belile, Valerie Bridgeman, Tat-Siong Benny Liew, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
  • "Paradox," Lane Denson III, Out of Nowhere, 2009.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2006.
  • "Power Poured Out for the Powerless," Sarah Dylan Breuer, "Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality," The Witness, 2006.
  • 2 Lent, Ann Fontaine, What the Tide Brings In, 2009.
  • Daily Reflection, Lent 2B, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2009.
  • This Sunday's Readings, 2nd Sunday of Lent, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • "Closer to the Brink," Brian Volck, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • "You Are Worth Everything - Act Like It!" Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, ELCA, 2009.
  • Articles at The Christian Century:
    • "Reality Show," Thomas G. Long, 2006.
    • "Lenten Roadmap," Fred B. Craddock, 2003.
    • "Uncommon Sense," Joel Marcus, 2000.
    • "Holiness: Sacrifice," Samuel Wells, 2000.
  • "Living the Word," at Sojourners:
    • "A Leap to Faith," Michaela Bruzzese, "Alone with God," 2009.
    • "Carried through Relationships," Robert Roth, "Covenant Living," 2006.
    • "Seeing Past Satan," Lauren F. Winner, "Journeying toward Resurrection," 2003.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year B. 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):
  • "Was Peter Looking for a Bailout?" the Rev. Dr. Debra Samuelson, Day 1, 2009.
  • Selected Sermon, Lent 2B (RCL), the Rev. Nathan Ferrell, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2009.
  • Lent 2B, Revd Kristin Ofstand, Thurso United Reformed Church, 2009.
  • "The Faces of the Poor," Sermon on Poverty, Paulo Evaristo, National Catholic Reporter, 2003.
  • Lent 2, the Rev. Dr. A.K.M. Adam, Flesh and Bones, 2001. (Entire book of sermons is one long pdf file. Slow connections will require long download times.)
  • "Do You Promise?" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • "After Vision, a Journey Continues," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Lent 2, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "How Muslims See Us," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Christianity and Islam," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005. (Genesis 17)
  • "Singing with the Psalter," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006. (Psalm 22)
  • "We Have Never Seen His Face," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Suffering," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005. (Psalm 22)
  • "Beyond Oneself," The Path of Discipleship, John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2009.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Lent, Year B, The Episcopal Church, 2009.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Lent 2, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings. (Scroll down past chart of CEV 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

• Resources and Images on The Text This Week's Lenten Resources page.
• Lent and Easter links at Rev. Richard J. Fairchild's A Holy Easter.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Lent 2, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Lent 2, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Worship Resources, Lent 2, 2009, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Discipleship," Lent 2B, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Lent 2B, 2009. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Lent 2B, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Lent 2, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgies Online, Lent 2, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "The Transfiguration of the Lord," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year B, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
• 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.
  • A Prayer for Ash Wednesday (and for use in Lent) by Dr. William R.G. Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Prayers of the People, Year B - Lent 2. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Outside the Box, Lent 2, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker. Other resources for Lent.
  • Lector's Notes, Lent 2, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Prayers - My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me, Mental Health & Disabilities Program, Mennonite Central Committee, Canada.
  • "O God of Promise," service prayers for Lent 2, "We Cannot Rest on Remembering," prayer for Amistad Sunday, Worship Ways, UCC, 2009.
  • A Prayer for Lent 2, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Benedictions / Commissioning & Blessing, Lent 2, Jeanyne Slettom, Process & Faith.
  • Starters for Sunday, 8 March, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Offertory Prayers for March, 2009, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • 21st Century Africana Worship Resources, Lent 2B, 2009, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Lent 2, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Worship Resources, Lent 2B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • 21st Century Worship Resources, Lent 2B, the Rev. Nathan Decker, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Lenten Prayers, Week 2, from Thomas Hopko, The Lenten Spring. journeywithjesus.net.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand: Transfiguration text, BCP TEC USA, Common Worship C of E.
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, Lent 2, 2009. Suzanne Guthrie, At the End of Enclosure.
  • Prayer for Second Sunday in Lent, revabi, RevGalBlogPals, 2009.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Hermanoleon Clipart, Lent 2B. Free clipart, backgrounds, slides, etc.
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art Images: Mark 9:2-9, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Lent 2 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.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year B index.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Lent 2B, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • Commercial Site: "Transfiguration," video for Lent 2B (RC), Mark 9:2-9, The Work of the People.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Discipleship," Lent 2B, 2009. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "In Which We Set Our Minds Somewhere," Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2009.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Lent 2, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Lent 2B, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Rebuked!" reflection by Barbara Bernstengel, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background / context) and discussion, March 8, 2009. Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • Hymn for Lent 2B, Common Metre - BELMONT, Alan Hinton, Disclosing New Worlds, 2009.
    • "O Jesus, You Were Born to Be": Lenten Hymn and Study, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: TRURO. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Bow Down," "Take Up Your Cross," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Lent 2B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Lent 2B, 2009, 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.")
    • Lectionary Hymns, Lent 2B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • 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 Two: Lent-Easter, Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • Choral Anthem Project, Lent 2B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Gathering, Lent 2, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Together to Celebrate, March 8, 2009, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Starters for Sunday, 8 March, 2009. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Lent 2B 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Lent 2, 2009. 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, Lent 2, 2009, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Lent 2, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • "The Faith of Abraham and Sarah," "A Conversation with God," "Waiting in Hope," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Younger Children & Older Children, Lent, Year B, The Episcopal Church, 2009.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Lent 2, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Ideas and Talks for Lent, 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 by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text (html) formats.
• 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.