Reading and Studying the Text This Week

Texts:
- Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- Lectionary readings from the Episcopal/Anglican Lectionary (RCL).
- Lutheran lectionary readings, Year C, from the ELCA site.
- United Methodist lectionary readings.
- 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.
Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
- Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2010.
- Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2015.
- Ministry Matters, 2016.
- Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas 2, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
- Rumors, for January 3, 2010, 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.
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. 2016.
- "On New Beginnings and Audacious Promises," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2016.
- "A New Genesis," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2016.
- "Fleeting Christmas," discussion and commentary, RevGalBlogPals, 2016.
- "The Force Awakens: The Light Shines in the Darkness," Janet H Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2016.
- The Truett Pulpit, Joshua Carney, 2016.
- Lectionary Ruminations, John Edward Harris, Summit to Shore, 2016.
- "Draughting Theology," Steve Pankey, 2016. Daily reflections and study for Sunday.
- Ekklesia Project Debra Dean Murphy, 2016.
- Ponderings on a Faith Journey Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2016.
- A Different Heresy Peter Lockhart, A Different Heresy, 2016.
- "In the Beginning," 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.
- Sermon Stories 2016.
- Signs of the Times, Ken Sehested, prayer & politiks, 2016.
- LECTIO Eric Smith, 2016.
- Peace on Justice, Barbara Born, 2016.
- Word Made Flesh, Thomas Beam, 2016.
- Stewardship of Life Sharron R. Blezard, 2016.
- From His Fullness We Have All Received, Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2016.
- Preaching Tip of the Week, Bob Eldan, preachingtip, 2016.
- "I Was Better Than Jesus," Larry Patten, 2016.
- "To Create a New Year," Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2016.
- "Who Would Not Be Alone," Scott Barton, lectionary poetry, 2016.
- Preaching Tip of the Week, Bob Eldan, preachingtip, 2016.
- Richard Bryant, Food for Thought, 2016.
- Pray As You Can, Reflections, commentary, prayer, poems, etc., Kym Harris, Diocese of Rockhampton, 2015.
- Lectio Divina Podcast, Todd Spencer, 2015.
- 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, 2015.
- Break Open the Word, Michael T. Hiller, 2015.
- One Little Word, David J. Risendal, 2015.
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Bible, Andy Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, 2015.
- The River of Life, Loddon Mallee UCA Presbytery Blog, 2015.
- Sunday's Child, Daily Lectionary and Reflections on Scripture and World, Una Malachica, 2015.
- Weekly Reflections on the Christian Faith (lectionary texts), conversations between Mark Smith and David Owen, England Public School Chaplains. 2015
- Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Dialogue, Wesley White, 2015.
- Living the Lectionary, Daily RCL reflections, Pr. Phil Heinze, Fort Worth, TX, 2015.
- The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions and Homilias Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P., 2015.
- SacraConversazione, discussion of the texts in terms of traditions of interpreters, from a postmodern perspective, 2015.
- COSLC Grace Notes, Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, Anchorage, AK. Meditations & poetry, 2015.
- Lectionary Scripture Notes, Dr. Norman Beck, 2015.
- "The Whole Package," Debra Dean Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2010.
- Lectionary Blogging, John 1:1-18, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
- "The Fulfillment of Time: When Creation in Genesis Meets Redemption in Jesus," Christmas 2C, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
- Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- â€œThe Word Became Flesh,â€� by Jim Somerville. A Sermon for Every Sunday. Video sermons for use in worship and Bible study, 2016.
- Joined by Jesus, John J. Lynch, Sermons that Work, 2016.
- Ministry Matters, 2016.
- "The Fullness of Time," Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustrations.
- "Christmastide: A Reminder Where Our Hearts Belong," the Rev. William McCord Thigpen, III, Day 1, 2010.
Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
- "Close to God's Heart," UCC, 2016.
- Bible Study, Episcopal Digital Networks, 2016.
- 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

The Text This Week's Christmas 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, 2016.
- LCA Worship Planning Page, Christmas 2, 2016, "Everything lay-readers need to prepare worship."
- Taking Worship Home, Breen Sipes, Tri-Saints Lutheran Parish, 2015.
- Mustard Seeds, "Shining Lights," Christmas 2, 2010. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
- Ministry Matters, 2016.
- Lectionary Liturgies, Christmas 2C, 2010, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
- Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Preaching Helps and Worship Resources, Rev. Dawn Chesser, Taylor Burton-Edwards, Dean McIntyre, Prayers, Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship, 2015.
- Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- Meditation Prompts and Prayers, "Word Made Flesh," Christmas 2C, 2010. Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure.
- Prayers for Worship, David von Schlichten, Lectionary Homiletics.
- World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world news.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 147:12-20, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2016.
- Prayers of the People, Blessing/Benediction, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2016.
Graphics and Multimedia (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
- 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 C index.
- Mustard Seeds, "Shining Lights," Christmas 2, 2010. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia
- Church Galleries sample - free powerpoint download for this week's lectionary scripture(s).
Hymns and Music:
- Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
  - Hymns of the Spirit Three, Christmas 2C, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
- Psalm Settings:
  - "Praise to the Lord," lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
  - Psalm 147:1-11, 20c set to Hymn to Joy (87 87 D), Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
- Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
  - Hymn and Song Suggestions, Christmas 2C, 2015, 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 Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
  - Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  - Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  - The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts. Direct link to Christmas 2.
  - Sing for Joy playlist. Christmas 2C, 2010. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Christmas 2, 2016, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown,
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2016, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
- Ministry Matters, 2016.
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.