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Proper 20B/Ordinary 25B/Pentecost 18
September 23, 2018
With thanks to page sponsor, 2018,
Pastor April Saber-Assad, CRE
Calvary United Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Fall River, MA  .

Image: JESUS MAFA. Jesus welcomes the children,
from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources: 

Proverbs 31:10-31 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16 - 2:1, 12-22 
or Jeremiah 11:18-20
Roman Catholic reading: Wisdom 2:17-20
United Methodist reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

Psalm 1 or Psalm 54
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 54:3-8
United Methodist reading: Psalm 1

James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
Roman Catholic reading: James 3:16 - 4:3

Mark 9:30-37

 

 

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings from the New American Bible (NCCB/USCC).
  • 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.
  • Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • Leccionario Dominical La Iglesia Episcopal Ministerio Latino Hispano, Año B.
  • 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:
    • Jesus and the Children
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Children as Mediator Figures
    • Servanthood/Serving Others
    • Clean/Unclean
    • Vengeance
    • Suffering of the Innocent
    • Wrongly Accused
    • Suffering Servant
    • Wisdom
    • Mercy/Grace
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Textweek Blog and Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Preaching This Week commentaries of RCL texts at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2018.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, 2018. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. (Español)
  • Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2018.
  • "First in Caring," Kathryn Matthews, Sermon Seeds, 2018.
  • Starters for Sunday, 2018. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Process in Faith, Jeanyne Slettom, Process in Faith, 2018.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2018.
  • The Adventurous Lectionary, Pentecost 18, Bruce Epperly, Living a Holy Adventure, 2018.
  • Ministry Matters, September 20, 2018.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2018.
  • Social Justice Lectionary, Dr. Bruce Sweet, 2018.
  • Lectionary at Lunch: MP3, Windows Media, and Real Audio files of lectures by professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS), 2018.
  • "Edgy Conversations of a Vulnerable Christ','" D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Proper 20B, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2012.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Proper 20, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Jesus Now, Proper 20B. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Rumors, for September 20, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
• 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. http://textweek.blogs.com/textweek/2015/08/textweek-atlas-september-20-2015-proper-20b-ordinary-25b-pentecost-17.html
  • Proverbs 31:10-31 / Wisdom of Solomon 1:16 - 2:22 / Jeremiah 11:18-20
  • Psalm 1 / Psalm 54
  • James 3:13 - 4:8
  • Mark 9:30-37
• 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. 2015.
  • "A Different Kind of Greatness," David Lose, ...in the meantime, 2018.
  • "The Greatest," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2018.
  • "Welcome the Child," Debie Thomas, 2018.
  • "Receiving the Kingdom as a Little Child," Fritz Wendt, Political Theology, 2018.
  • Living by the Word, Bruce Epperly, The Christian Century, 2018.
  • "Who Is the Greatest?" Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2018.
  • peaceonjustice, Barbara Born, 2018.
  • Sacredise, 2018.
  • Preaching Tip, Bob Eldan, 2018.
  • "She Can Bring Home the Bacon," Art & Faith Matters, Lynn Miller, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, John Edward Harris, Summit to Shore, 2018.
  • "Real Wisdom Indeed," Connections - Next Sunday Resources, 2018.
  • "Scriptural Wisdom Makes Ecological Sense," Patricia Tull, Earthkeepers Preaching, 2018.
  • Richard Bryant, Food for Thought, 2018.
  • Insights with Seitz Podcast, Wycliffe College, 2018,
  • Radical Discipleship.Net, "The Wild Lectionary," curated by Laurel Dykstra.
  • Earthkeeper's Preaching, 2018.
  • Church Health Daily Devotions, Butch Odom, 2018.
  • "Draughting Theology," Steve Pankey, 2018. Daily reflections and study for Sunday.
  • Homily Week, 2018.
  • Your Cliche of the Week, Glenn Morison, 2018.
  • The Reflectionary, images, reflections, activities, Fay Rowland, 2018.
  • Sunday Scripture Podcast, Joe Cate and friends, 2018.
  • Reading in Church & Other Distractions Podcast, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, 2018
  • "Crackers & Grape Juice," 2018.
  • Pray As You Can, Reflections, commentary, prayer, poems, etc., Kym Harris, Diocese of Rockhampton, 2018
  • Lectio Divina Podcast, Todd Spencer, 2018.
  • 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, 2018.
  • Break Open the Word, Michael T. Hiller, 2018.
  • Lectionary Poetry, Scott Barton, 2018.
  • One Little Word, David J. Risendal, 2018
  • Hitchhiker's Guide to the Bible, Andy Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, 2018.
  • The River of Life, Loddon Mallee UCA Presbytery Blog, 2018.
  • Living the Lectionary, Daily RCL reflections, Pr. Phil Heinze, Fort Worth, TX, 2018.
  • The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions and Homilias Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P., 2018.
  • SacraConversazione, discussion of the texts in terms of traditions of interpreters, from a postmodern perspective, 2018.
  • Faith & Fear, David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
  • "The Nature of Faith," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015.
  • Journey with Jesus Dan Clendenin, 2015.
  • Art and Faith Matters Lynn Miller, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
  • Dancing with the Word, Janet H. Hunt,2015.
  • Law and Gospel Everywhere Glenn Monson, 2015.
  • "The Value of a Good Question," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2012.
  • "Saying Yes to Women and Children," Dan Clendenin, The Journey with Jesus, 2012.
  • "The Politics of Mark 9:30-37: Welcoming the Child," Amy Allen, Political Theology, 2012.
  • "It's Bigger than Children," Katie Munnik, Presbyterian Record, 2012.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • "Down the Up Escalator," Brian McLaren, A Sermon for Every Sunday. Free audio. Video by subscription on-demand.
  • "Envy," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
  • "A Hopeful Fanatic," The Rev. Barbara Lundblad, Day 1, 2012.
  • Ministry Matters.
  • Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2018.
  • "Insignificant Greatness," the Rev. Stephen Lewis, Day 1, 2009.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • "First in Caring," Kathryn Matthews, UCC, 2018.
  • "Living as the Friends of God," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "The Letter of James," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2012. Focus article: "Living as the Friends of God," by Paul J. Wadell.
  • "The Triumph of the Eye," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Women and the Church," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus article: "The Triumph of the Eye," Ralph C. Wood. (Proverbs 31)
  • "Caring for Children in Crisis," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003. (Mark 9)
  • "Teaching Children the Story of Creation," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Moral Landscape of Creation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001. (Mark 9)
  • 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

• The Text This Week's Pentecost Resources Page.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2015.
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2015. (Terms of Use)
  • Life in Liturgy, Disciples of Christ, 2018.
  • Sacredise, 2018.
  • Liturgy, Stephen Fearing, 2018.
  • Creation Season resources using RCL texts, Bosco Peters, 2015.
  • Ministry Matters.
  • Mustard Seeds, Proper 20, 2018. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ordinary 25, 2018, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • 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.
  • Lector's Notes, Ordinary 25, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, "The Secret Purposes of God," Proper 20B. Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure.
  • "Liturgy: prayers reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, NZPB, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Starters for Sunday, 2018. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, 2018. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. (Español)
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2015. .rtf file at this link. (Terms of Use)
  • World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world news.
  • Worship Ways, prayers and liturgical resources. UCC. Español.
  • Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2015.
  • Prayers of the People, Richard J. Einerson, sample prayers from Prayers of the People: Pastoral Prayers for Worship and Personal Devotion.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 1, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
  • Liturgy Link, 2018.
  • re: Worship, 2018.
  • Point of Contact - Where Life and Worship Intersect, Julie Gvillo, Call to Worship is published on Tuesday mornings. The Confession piece is published on Wednesday mornings. And the Prayers of the People is published on Friday mornings.
  • Reclaim Weekly Worship Prayers, 2018.
  • Liturgical Resources, (Ir)revBrent, 2018
  • Engage Worship, 2018.
• Graphics and Multimedia (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • HermanoLeón Clipart, Ordinary 25B. 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 9:30-37, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ordinary 25 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.
  • "Woman of Valor," Faith Element Discipleship System, "Setting the Bible Free," 2012.
  • Visual Theology, Faithful Images, Dave Perry, reflections and images usually tied to RCL texts.
  • Agnus Day, Lectionary cartoon by James Wetzstein
  • Welcome Mat, Dollar Store Children's Sermons, 2015.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "Who Is Greatest in the Kingdom?" is a new hymn Carolyn Winfrey Gillette lifting up Jesus' teaching about his passion, humbly serving and welcoming children.  Tune:  NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing")
    • “Be Doers of the Word of God” is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn, based on the Letter of James, that calls Christians to care for the poor and to put faith into action.  Tune: ELLACOMBE 8.6.8.6 D (“I Sing the Mighty Power of God”).
    • “O Lord, May All We Say and Do” is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn based on the themes found in the five chapters of the Letter of James. Tune: TALLIS' CANON 8.8.8.8 (“All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night”).  Published in Baylor University's Christian Reflection journal.
    • “Do Not Turn Away the Children” is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn about Jesus welcoming the children and the Church’s call to respond to children’s challenges today. Tune:  BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D (“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending”).
    • “Children Are Welcome, Christ Said One Day” (also know as “Welcoming God”) is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn about Jesus welcoming the children, women, outcasts and the Church following his example now. Tune:  ASSURANCE (“Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!”).
    • "We Love to Sound Your Praises," original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Tune: PASSION CHORALE 7.6.7.6.D (?O Sacred Head, Now Wounded?)
    • "Water Deep," Brenton Prigge, 6.7.9.6.6.8, New Hymn, 2006.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Proper 20B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Psalm Settings:
    • Psalm 1, Isaac Everett, commentary and exegesis by Alan Cooper, The Emergent Psalter, 2009.
    • "Blessed Are They" (Psalm 1), "Surely My God Is With Me" (Psalm 54), lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
    • Psalm 1 set to Mendelssohn (77 77 77 77 77), Psalm 54 set to Finlandia (11 10 11 10 11 10) by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Proper 20B, 2018, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2015.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, International Day of Peace, 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • Lectionary Hymns, Ordinary 25B, 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.
    • Choral Anthem Project, Ordinary 25B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Starters for Sunday, 2015. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas,. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. (Español)
    • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2015. .rtf file at this link. (Terms of Use)
    • Together to Celebrate, Contemporary Worship Songs, David MacGregor.
• With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 20B, 2015. Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," Union Presbyterian Seminary.
  • Children's Sermon, Faith Formation Journeys, 2018.
  • Dollar Store Children Sermons, John Stevens, 2018.
  • "Sermon of the Week," / "Mensajes para ninos," Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
  • Welcome Mat, Dollar Store Children's Sermons, 2015.
  • "A Righteous Harvest," Sharron R Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2012.
  • "One Sound," Frances Woodruff, On the Chancel Steps, 2012.
  • "Top of the Hill," Dianne Deming, Childrens Sermons Today, 2012.
  • Ministry Matters.
  • Gathering, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2015. (Terms of Use)
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ordinary 25, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page
  • Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of page.)
  • Lectionary Puzzles by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text (html) formats.
  • Weekly Devotions, Faith Formation Journeys, 2018.
• 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.

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS
• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
• PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

• Year C
• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C

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