The Revised Common Lectionary
So, there you are sitting in a worship service on Sunday morning and the worship leader gets up and announces that you are entering the Season of This, That or The Other.
You have little to no idea what any of the words the Worship Leader uses means. The WL then says something like, "Our texts for today (or maybe even something like "our first lection for today") and you wonder where they come up with these words and these Bible verses. After all, no one has told you much about any of it and you really don't have time to dig through the annals of the church to find out where any of this material comes from.
So you sit there and endure another worship service.
You don't want it to be that way. You want to understand your faith. You want to know why you do what you do on a Sunday morning. You want to know how any of what-is-happening has anything to do with your life.
You want to feel like you belong to something larger than yourself; like there is some purpose to your being here; like your life has some meaning, some value.
I created this lens to help you better understand what is happening when your church follows those seasons and those texts and what difference it can make to both your worship experience and your own spiritual formation as a Christian.
I want you to think of this lens as a help to your own spiritual formation as a Christian. I have supplied some introduction and explanation and a raft of tools for you to use.
Why settle for worship and not knowing what is going on?
Why just let the time pass when you could use this tool to help you enter into the life of the Spirit?
Please consider adding this site to your lensroll and favorites.
Lens Content List
(Just click on the title to be taken to the module listed.)
What is the Revised Common Lectionary?
What are the Seasons of the Church Year?
What are The Major Feasts of the Church Year?
Online Commentaries and Essays on Revised Common Lectionary
How Can I Better Understand the Psalms?
How Can I Better Understand the Scriptures?
What if I Want to Talk These Things Over With Some Friends in a Small Group?
Who Is Writing About The Revised Common Lectionary on a Regular Basis?
How can I Use This Stuff in My Own Spiritual Formation?
What are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Advent?
Do you have any Advent Resources?
What are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Christmas?
Do you have any Christmas Resources?
What are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Epiphany?
How about some Resources for Epiphany?
What about the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Lent?
What are some Resources for Lent?
What are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Holy Week?
And some Resources for Holy Week?
What are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Easter?
And how about some Resources for Easter that Don't Involve Bunnies, Peeps, and Chocolate?
What are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for Season after Pentecost?
And What About Some Resources for the Season after Pentecost?
What is the Revised Common Lectionary?
Everything You Always Wanted to Know and Then Some
Okay...you may not care about this. However, if you are just dying to know where the Revised Common Lectionary came from I've included some information for you.
You will learn about the scholars who put it together, when it happened, where it came from and why.
If you don't care about that, then by all means skip ahead.
You will learn about the scholars who put it together, when it happened, where it came from and why.
If you don't care about that, then by all means skip ahead.
- What is the Lectionary and Other Pressing Questions
- What is a lectionary? Where did it come from? Who put this together and why?
- Consultation on Common Texts
- The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT)
is an ecumenical consultation of liturgical scholars and denominational representatives from the United States and Canada, who produce liturgical texts for use in common by North American Christian Churches. - About the Revised Common Lectionary
- This introduction to the Revised Common Lectionary was adapted from an interview given by Dr. Horace T. Allen Jr., Co-Chair of the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC.
What is the Church Year?
Somebody tell me....What TIME is It?
You may not think about this much but let me ask you: "Who is setting your clock?"
No...I don't mean the one by your bed.
I mean something bigger than that. I mean your sense of rhythm. Your sense of the seasons.
Have you ever really thought about that? How much your life is shaped by the changing of the seasons?
To be sure, nature sets our clock. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. The changes in those seasons influence everything from our shopping patterns, our clothing selections, our car maintenance. They even serve as metaphors of life: ever hear of the Autumn of Our Lives?
Some of us find our sense of rhythm being shaped by the market place, by companies like "Hallmark", which is highly invested in you knowing what time it is and what to do about it. Birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day...
Some of us are shaped by athletic seasons. You know when the shadows lengthen in the Fall it is time to get out the old Cheese Hat or baseball cap. You know when to tailgate and when to be on the couch with a big old bag of Doritos.
Some of us are shaped by the school calendar. "Schools out" signals changes in a parent's schedule. "Schools In" means that you go buy rulers and new blue jeans.
The rhythm of the seasons shape our thoughts, our feelings, our attitudes, and our actions.
Well..the church has its seasons too. And one of the most useful things you can do to help shape your spiritual life is to stay in touch with the seasons.
In other words, one of the best things you can do for your spiritual life is to always ask yourself: "What TIME is it?"
No...I don't mean the one by your bed.
I mean something bigger than that. I mean your sense of rhythm. Your sense of the seasons.
Have you ever really thought about that? How much your life is shaped by the changing of the seasons?
To be sure, nature sets our clock. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. The changes in those seasons influence everything from our shopping patterns, our clothing selections, our car maintenance. They even serve as metaphors of life: ever hear of the Autumn of Our Lives?
Some of us find our sense of rhythm being shaped by the market place, by companies like "Hallmark", which is highly invested in you knowing what time it is and what to do about it. Birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day...
Some of us are shaped by athletic seasons. You know when the shadows lengthen in the Fall it is time to get out the old Cheese Hat or baseball cap. You know when to tailgate and when to be on the couch with a big old bag of Doritos.
Some of us are shaped by the school calendar. "Schools out" signals changes in a parent's schedule. "Schools In" means that you go buy rulers and new blue jeans.
The rhythm of the seasons shape our thoughts, our feelings, our attitudes, and our actions.
Well..the church has its seasons too. And one of the most useful things you can do to help shape your spiritual life is to stay in touch with the seasons.
In other words, one of the best things you can do for your spiritual life is to always ask yourself: "What TIME is it?"
- The Church Year
- Who sets the seasons for you? Hallmark? Congress? Find out how to recalibrate your year here.
- More on the Church Year
- A nice easy to follow article by Dennis Bratcher.
- What Time Is It?
- What really shapes your sense of time and season: the culture, the marketplace, entertainment and sports or the political interests of the powerful?
In this little article, I suggest that following the church year is a helpful way to live out a sense of sacred rhythm.
The Annual Cycles
Or..Why I Keep Writing Year C on my Checks!
The Revised Common Lectionary is set on a three year cycle commonly called Year A, Year B, and Year C. (Creative, huh?)
Each annual cycle begins on Advent and ends on the Sunday before the next Advent (a.k.a. "Christ the King" Sunday) (Oh...Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day.)
The three cycles (yep, Year A, Year B, and Year C) each feature different texts for worship and reflection.
In the modules below, I include the texts for the specific year.
Following are the Annual Cycles for the next several years and the years when they fall:
Year A begins on the first Sunday of Advent in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, etc.
Year B begins on the first Sunday of Advent in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, etc.
Year C begins on the first Sunday of Advent in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, etc.
One of my favorite hymns is by Prince or "The Artist Formerly Known As..." or the artist formerly known as "The Artist Formerly Known As..." It's called "Party Like It's Year B." Maybe you've heard it? No? Hmmm...
Each annual cycle begins on Advent and ends on the Sunday before the next Advent (a.k.a. "Christ the King" Sunday) (Oh...Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day.)
The three cycles (yep, Year A, Year B, and Year C) each feature different texts for worship and reflection.
In the modules below, I include the texts for the specific year.
Following are the Annual Cycles for the next several years and the years when they fall:
Year A begins on the first Sunday of Advent in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, etc.
Year B begins on the first Sunday of Advent in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, etc.
Year C begins on the first Sunday of Advent in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, etc.
One of my favorite hymns is by Prince or "The Artist Formerly Known As..." or the artist formerly known as "The Artist Formerly Known As..." It's called "Party Like It's Year B." Maybe you've heard it? No? Hmmm...
The Seasons of the Year
Beyond the Big 4 and the other Big 4
Most of us think the seasons of the year are Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.
Some of us (in America anyway) think they are Football, Basketball, Hockey and Baseball. (you can work soccer in there wherever you like.)
The Revised Common Lectionary has its seasons too. Each season is marked by a color.
They include:
Advent- The Season of Yearning(Purple or Blue) Yearning? For What? Well...not for the Christmas sale at Bloomingdales nor even the jolly old fat man (no not Dick Cheney) to come sliding down your chimney nor even the birth of Jesus.
Say what?
Well..okay...some folks use Advent to help set the stage for Christmas Day and that's cool.
However, properly applied, Advent is the time when we reflect upon the coming of God's Great Banquet, the Last Hoorah...the time when, as British scholar and Bishop N.T. Wright puts, God will "put things to right." (Ever so British that...)
Here's the idea: the Day will come when God brings ultimate peace and ultimate justice into the world; when heaven and earth will intersect and the "lion will lie down with the lamb" and all that.
Look around at this time of year, my friends. Do you see pain, war, starvation, broken hearts, etc. etc. ad nauseum?
Well, now would be a good time to turn your sadness into joy as you wait upon the coming of the Lord! (Whoa...there...just went from Squidooing to preaching! Sorry!)
Christmas- The Season of Incarnation (White/Gold) "Incarnation" is just a fancy word for "enfleshed" which is just a fancy word for "body-fied."
On Christmas the One who was there in the beginning, the One who was with God, the One who was God put on flesh and was born in Bethlehem!
Bodified Hope and Joy and Peace was born in a little out of the way suburb of Jerusalem!
Epiphany The Season of God's 'Voila!' That's French you know. Whatzit mean? It mean "Look! There!"
LOOK! THERE!
Who is that? What's going on there?
During Epiphany the emphasis is on God's self-revelation. During Epiphany you get a heightened sense that the scriptures, the prophets, the events of life are all zeroing in on this One Person of whom God said: "This is my Beloved Son!"
"Voila!"
Lent- The Season of Reflection (Purple)
Yeah...it's kicked off by Ash Wednesday (which in some Quarters is the day after FAT TUESDAY...it figures, huh?) Some think this is the time of doom and gloom and generally feeling hungover and bad about yourself.
The Holy Season of Shame and Guilt!
Not!
While a season of personal reflection, Lent follows on the heels of Epiphany, the Season of God's 'Voila.'
Now think about it...If God suddenly appeared to you one of the first things you would do is think about...YOU! Yikes! I'm naked! I'm undone! I'm not ready!
After all God is so GOD and we are so well..US!
Think about the prophet Isaiah when he saw God in the Temple..."I am a man of unclean lips!"
There's GOD! Here's...ohmegadz...ME!
There is nothing wrong with self-reflection in the presence of the Other. Why it's the most natural thing in the world!
And..at the risk of getting blasted...there is nothing wrong with guilt when we are guilty or shame when we ought to be ashamed.
Those are not altogether bad emotions.
After all, who would want children incapable of guilt or of shame?
"This is my son Billy...He knows no shame. This is my daughter Cinnamon...She's incapable of guilt."
We'd pray for various kinds of piercings over that!
Holy Week- The Season of Christ's Passion (Purple/Red on Palm Sunday/ Black on Good Friday)
So there you are...feeling pretty morose about your failings...the ways you disappoint your mama...how you've confirmed to your old dad that he was right about you when all of a sudden you are confronted by the most profound act of love ever recorded in human history.
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!"
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (a.k.a. The Triumphal Entry, a.k.a Passion Sunday) when we remember that the King of Kings rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and to the cheers of the fickle crowds.
The week is marked by the recollection of the ordering of the Last Supper, the day of Jesus death, and in some quarters a day called "Easter Vigil." (a.k.a. Saturday night before Easter)
Easter- The Season of Resurrection (Red) The annual reminder that you cannot keep a God-Man down. Of course, this is major celebration day among Christians as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Pentecost/Ordinary Time- The Season of Growth and Nurture (Green) Pentecost, which is a Jewish holy day 50 days after Easter, is the day when the church throws itself a birthday party.
The Spirit fell upon the believers who had gathered in Jerusalem (and is promised to all believers thereafter) and in addition to some pretty wild phenomena and a host of baptisms some serious generosity broke out among the believers as they shared what they had to the point that no one had any needs.
Yes there was the sound of rushing wind...
Yes there were those tongues of fire lighting up the heads of the apostles...
Yes, there were those tongues of language when all of the diverse people gathered heard the word in their own tongue...
But for me...the great miracle of Pentecost is that total strangers fell in love with each other and shared what they had. A holy outbreak of compassion and generosity...a demonstration of the in-breaking reign of God.
After Pentecost, we move into Ordinary Time...Ordered time....Counting the days....Living Life in light of the Holy...Embracing each day as a character in the ongoing story of God.
And then...the whole cycle of season starts over again.
The church year tells a story of yearning, fulfillment, revelation, self-reflection, sacrifice and celebration.
That story has a beginning, a middle and an end and will be repeated until the End, which marks yet another Beginning!
You and I are invited to inhabit it and live it.
Now who really needs Hallmark?
Some of us (in America anyway) think they are Football, Basketball, Hockey and Baseball. (you can work soccer in there wherever you like.)
The Revised Common Lectionary has its seasons too. Each season is marked by a color.
They include:
Advent- The Season of Yearning(Purple or Blue) Yearning? For What? Well...not for the Christmas sale at Bloomingdales nor even the jolly old fat man (no not Dick Cheney) to come sliding down your chimney nor even the birth of Jesus.
Say what?
Well..okay...some folks use Advent to help set the stage for Christmas Day and that's cool.
However, properly applied, Advent is the time when we reflect upon the coming of God's Great Banquet, the Last Hoorah...the time when, as British scholar and Bishop N.T. Wright puts, God will "put things to right." (Ever so British that...)
Here's the idea: the Day will come when God brings ultimate peace and ultimate justice into the world; when heaven and earth will intersect and the "lion will lie down with the lamb" and all that.
Look around at this time of year, my friends. Do you see pain, war, starvation, broken hearts, etc. etc. ad nauseum?
Well, now would be a good time to turn your sadness into joy as you wait upon the coming of the Lord! (Whoa...there...just went from Squidooing to preaching! Sorry!)
Christmas- The Season of Incarnation (White/Gold) "Incarnation" is just a fancy word for "enfleshed" which is just a fancy word for "body-fied."
On Christmas the One who was there in the beginning, the One who was with God, the One who was God put on flesh and was born in Bethlehem!
Bodified Hope and Joy and Peace was born in a little out of the way suburb of Jerusalem!
Epiphany The Season of God's 'Voila!' That's French you know. Whatzit mean? It mean "Look! There!"
LOOK! THERE!
Who is that? What's going on there?
During Epiphany the emphasis is on God's self-revelation. During Epiphany you get a heightened sense that the scriptures, the prophets, the events of life are all zeroing in on this One Person of whom God said: "This is my Beloved Son!"
"Voila!"
Lent- The Season of Reflection (Purple)
Yeah...it's kicked off by Ash Wednesday (which in some Quarters is the day after FAT TUESDAY...it figures, huh?) Some think this is the time of doom and gloom and generally feeling hungover and bad about yourself.
The Holy Season of Shame and Guilt!
Not!
While a season of personal reflection, Lent follows on the heels of Epiphany, the Season of God's 'Voila.'
Now think about it...If God suddenly appeared to you one of the first things you would do is think about...YOU! Yikes! I'm naked! I'm undone! I'm not ready!
After all God is so GOD and we are so well..US!
Think about the prophet Isaiah when he saw God in the Temple..."I am a man of unclean lips!"
There's GOD! Here's...ohmegadz...ME!
There is nothing wrong with self-reflection in the presence of the Other. Why it's the most natural thing in the world!
And..at the risk of getting blasted...there is nothing wrong with guilt when we are guilty or shame when we ought to be ashamed.
Those are not altogether bad emotions.
After all, who would want children incapable of guilt or of shame?
"This is my son Billy...He knows no shame. This is my daughter Cinnamon...She's incapable of guilt."
We'd pray for various kinds of piercings over that!
Holy Week- The Season of Christ's Passion (Purple/Red on Palm Sunday/ Black on Good Friday)
So there you are...feeling pretty morose about your failings...the ways you disappoint your mama...how you've confirmed to your old dad that he was right about you when all of a sudden you are confronted by the most profound act of love ever recorded in human history.
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!"
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday (a.k.a. The Triumphal Entry, a.k.a Passion Sunday) when we remember that the King of Kings rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and to the cheers of the fickle crowds.
The week is marked by the recollection of the ordering of the Last Supper, the day of Jesus death, and in some quarters a day called "Easter Vigil." (a.k.a. Saturday night before Easter)
Easter- The Season of Resurrection (Red) The annual reminder that you cannot keep a God-Man down. Of course, this is major celebration day among Christians as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Pentecost/Ordinary Time- The Season of Growth and Nurture (Green) Pentecost, which is a Jewish holy day 50 days after Easter, is the day when the church throws itself a birthday party.
The Spirit fell upon the believers who had gathered in Jerusalem (and is promised to all believers thereafter) and in addition to some pretty wild phenomena and a host of baptisms some serious generosity broke out among the believers as they shared what they had to the point that no one had any needs.
Yes there was the sound of rushing wind...
Yes there were those tongues of fire lighting up the heads of the apostles...
Yes, there were those tongues of language when all of the diverse people gathered heard the word in their own tongue...
But for me...the great miracle of Pentecost is that total strangers fell in love with each other and shared what they had. A holy outbreak of compassion and generosity...a demonstration of the in-breaking reign of God.
After Pentecost, we move into Ordinary Time...Ordered time....Counting the days....Living Life in light of the Holy...Embracing each day as a character in the ongoing story of God.
And then...the whole cycle of season starts over again.
The church year tells a story of yearning, fulfillment, revelation, self-reflection, sacrifice and celebration.
That story has a beginning, a middle and an end and will be repeated until the End, which marks yet another Beginning!
You and I are invited to inhabit it and live it.
Now who really needs Hallmark?
The Major Feasts of the Church Year
Christmas Day (December 25) - As noted above, this is the day we celebrate the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem.
Epiphany (January 6) - The day of Epiphany reminds us of the arrival of the Magi. Epiphany, and the period that follows, often serves to remind us of the mission of the church and how even the nations have come to worship the newborn King.
Transfiguration Sunday (Sunday immediately prior to Ash Wednesday) - This day sets the stage for us to undertake the self-reflective demands of Lent.
Ash Wednesday - Ash Wednesday begins a season of penitence, self-reflection, and fasting. In services around the world, worshipers are reminded of the gift of life, the brevity of life, and the fact of mortality when they feel the ashes smudged upon their foreheads and hear the words: "From dust you have come, to dust you shall return."
On Ash Wednesday we are reminded that, among other things, we are creatures and not the Creator.
Palm Sunday (1 week prior to Easter Day) - Palm Sunday begins Holy Week by commemorating Jesus' triumphal and humble entry into Jerusalem.
Passion Sunday (observed on Palm Sunday) - Passion Sunday is sometimes observed in congregations where attendance during Holy Week is low or impossible or where the congregation wishes to use that Sunday as preparation for the somber tone of Holy Week. This feast focuses on Jesus' suffering, in anticipation of Resurrection Sunday. Passion Sunday is sometimes observed in conjunction with Palm Sunday.
Maundy Thursday (Thursday immediately prior to Easter Day) - Commemorates the institution of the Lord's Supper. Services on this evening often include a small fellowship meal and footwashing, in imitation of Jesus who exemplified servanthood by washing the feet of His disciples.
Good Friday (Friday immediately prior to Easter Day) On this day, we remember the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Good Friday services are usually somber services and are sometimes ended in a darkened sanctuary.
Holy Saturday/ Easter Vigil (the day immediately prior to Easter Day) - Commemorates the time when Jesus' body lay in the tomb. Many churches observe an Easter Vigil throughout the night reading biblical texts which tell the whole salvation history of humanity. Some churches light a fire and gather around it.
Resurrection Sunday / Easter Day - On this day our hearts are glad to remember and commemorate the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
Ascension of the Lord (Thursday 40 days following Easter Day) - On this day, we remember the ascension of Jesus.
Pentecost (Sunday 50 days following Easter Day) - We celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. The color for this Sunday is Red (representing the Holy Spirit).
Trinity Sunday (Sunday following Pentecost) - On Trinity Sunday, churches remember and honor the mystery of the Trinity.
Reign of Christ / Christ the King (last Sunday prior to Advent) - On this day, we make a special effort to lift up Jesus as the unique and fully divine Son of God.
Epiphany (January 6) - The day of Epiphany reminds us of the arrival of the Magi. Epiphany, and the period that follows, often serves to remind us of the mission of the church and how even the nations have come to worship the newborn King.
Transfiguration Sunday (Sunday immediately prior to Ash Wednesday) - This day sets the stage for us to undertake the self-reflective demands of Lent.
Ash Wednesday - Ash Wednesday begins a season of penitence, self-reflection, and fasting. In services around the world, worshipers are reminded of the gift of life, the brevity of life, and the fact of mortality when they feel the ashes smudged upon their foreheads and hear the words: "From dust you have come, to dust you shall return."
On Ash Wednesday we are reminded that, among other things, we are creatures and not the Creator.
Palm Sunday (1 week prior to Easter Day) - Palm Sunday begins Holy Week by commemorating Jesus' triumphal and humble entry into Jerusalem.
Passion Sunday (observed on Palm Sunday) - Passion Sunday is sometimes observed in congregations where attendance during Holy Week is low or impossible or where the congregation wishes to use that Sunday as preparation for the somber tone of Holy Week. This feast focuses on Jesus' suffering, in anticipation of Resurrection Sunday. Passion Sunday is sometimes observed in conjunction with Palm Sunday.
Maundy Thursday (Thursday immediately prior to Easter Day) - Commemorates the institution of the Lord's Supper. Services on this evening often include a small fellowship meal and footwashing, in imitation of Jesus who exemplified servanthood by washing the feet of His disciples.
Good Friday (Friday immediately prior to Easter Day) On this day, we remember the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Good Friday services are usually somber services and are sometimes ended in a darkened sanctuary.
Holy Saturday/ Easter Vigil (the day immediately prior to Easter Day) - Commemorates the time when Jesus' body lay in the tomb. Many churches observe an Easter Vigil throughout the night reading biblical texts which tell the whole salvation history of humanity. Some churches light a fire and gather around it.
Resurrection Sunday / Easter Day - On this day our hearts are glad to remember and commemorate the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
Ascension of the Lord (Thursday 40 days following Easter Day) - On this day, we remember the ascension of Jesus.
Pentecost (Sunday 50 days following Easter Day) - We celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. The color for this Sunday is Red (representing the Holy Spirit).
Trinity Sunday (Sunday following Pentecost) - On Trinity Sunday, churches remember and honor the mystery of the Trinity.
Reign of Christ / Christ the King (last Sunday prior to Advent) - On this day, we make a special effort to lift up Jesus as the unique and fully divine Son of God.
Online Commentaries and Essays on the RCL
When You Want to Dig Deeper
- Commentary on the RCL
- A ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Montreal, Canada
Serving the on-line community since 1996 - Commentary and Sermons
- Commentary and sermons on the RCL from the CRI/Voice Institute.
Essays, Sermons, Thoughts on the Psalms
The Psalms are a constant weekly feature of the Revised Common Lectionary. Here are some things to help you better understand "the prayer book of Israel."
- Praying the Psalms
- An essay by Lawrence Cunningham on praying the psalms from the journal, Theology Today.
- Psalm Like It Hot
- What Elvis was to rock'n'roll, David was to the blues. Bono, U2's singer and a campaigner to end Third World debt, argues that the psalms truly rock the soul.
- Introduction to the Psalms
- From the NIV Study Bible. History, types of psalms, etc.
- Notes on RSV Texts
- An ongoing project by Brian P. Stoffregen to provide exegetical notes on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary.
Commentaries on the Psalms
Some Helpful Books from Amazon
There are many essays on the Psalms as a whole and on individual Psalms on the Internet. However, there are some great books you should check out if you want to dive deeper into this treasure trove of Hebrew hymns and prayers.
Message of the Psalms (Augsberg Old Testament Studies)
Amazon Price: $17.10 (as of 07/04/2009) 
Psalms (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching)
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 07/04/2009)
Spirituality of the Psalms (Facets)
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 07/04/2009)
Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer
Amazon Price: $10.40 (as of 07/04/2009)
Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit
Amazon Price: $12.60 (as of 07/04/2009)
Commentaries
Commentaries on Some of the RCL Texts
Some of these texts appear infrequently while others are core to the RCL.
- The Gospel of Matthew
- An IVP commentary on the Gospel of Matthew.
- The Gospel of Luke
- An IVP commentary on the Gospel of Luke.
- Commentary on the Gospel of John
- An IVP commentary on the Gospel of John.
- The Acts of the Apostles
- An IVP commentary on the Acts of the Apostles.
- II Corinthians
- An IVP commentary on II Corinthians.
- Galatians
- An IVP commentary on Galatians.
- Philippians
- A commentary on the book of Philippians.
- Colossians
- An IVP commentary on Colossians.
- I Timothy
- An IVP commentary on I Timothy.
- Titus
- An IVP commentary on Titus.
- Philemon
- An IVP commentary on Philemon.
- James
- An IVP commentary on James.
- I John
- An IVP commentary on I John.
- II John
- An IVP commentary on II John.
- III John
- An IVP commentary on III John.
- Revelation
- An IVP commentary on the Book of Revelation.
Personal Reflection or Small Group Discussion Resources
Questions for Personal Reflection or Small Group Discussion
I created these blog posts to provide further insights, resources and discussion questions around the upcoming weekly text of the Revised Common Lectionary.
Start a weekly small group around the RCL and discuss the texts for the coming week!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBlogging on the Revised Common Lectionary
The Good News and the Ongoing Struggle to Understand and Proclaim It
The following links are to three blogs I maintain...or try to! You can think of them as one blog in three parts. (How's that for trinitarian thinking?)
The first blog is offered to you for personal reflection or as a discussion starter for small groups. In that blog I simply list questions that come to mind as I reflect on the texts. (I figure as long as I'm dong that anyway why not put the questions out there for others?)
The second blog, "A Life Well Lived", contains my personal reflections on the RCL texts as I ponder them during the week.
The third blog is a part of our "Blog Hive" at North River Community Church where I pastor. In this blog I post a summary of my sermon "notes" for the benefit of those who were there and (ahem) those who were not.
Please understand that these blogs are in no way the last word or even the first word! They are simply the outcome of my own meager attempts to understand, contemplate, pray and apply the suggested texts of the RCL on a daily/weekly basis.
The first blog is offered to you for personal reflection or as a discussion starter for small groups. In that blog I simply list questions that come to mind as I reflect on the texts. (I figure as long as I'm dong that anyway why not put the questions out there for others?)
The second blog, "A Life Well Lived", contains my personal reflections on the RCL texts as I ponder them during the week.
The third blog is a part of our "Blog Hive" at North River Community Church where I pastor. In this blog I post a summary of my sermon "notes" for the benefit of those who were there and (ahem) those who were not.
Please understand that these blogs are in no way the last word or even the first word! They are simply the outcome of my own meager attempts to understand, contemplate, pray and apply the suggested texts of the RCL on a daily/weekly basis.
- The Revised Common Lectionary
- A blog I created that provides questions for personal reflection or small group discussion to help in your exploration of the texts for the week.
- A Life Well-Lived
- As I look back over my years in ministry, I realize that a good bit of my preaching and teaching has been about what I call "a life well-lived". That suggests to me that my own journey has been centered on learning to live a good life, a whole life and helping others to do likewise.
Part of God's plan is to bring together a people whose lives cannot be explained apart from the transforming grace of that God. It seems to me that as we embrace that life, the life displayed by Jesus who is the image of the invisible God, that we grow toward "a life well-lived."
In this personal blog, I offer my own reflections on what such a life might entail. My reflections are shaped by the recommended texts of the Revised Common Lectionary. - Sermon Notes/ Synopsis on the RCL Texts
- North River Community Church's "Blog Hive". This blog is where I post a recap of my sermon notes and/or a synopsis of the key points of the sermon I preached on the Revised Common Lectionary texts for the week past. I do this as a way to provide summaries for those who were present and those who weren't. (Note: Sometimes I veer away from the RCL texts depending on the needs of the time.)
I typically preach without notes so these are really re-worked recollections.
The Revised Common Lectionary and Christian Spiritual Discipline
Learning 'Lectio Divina'
While not directly related to the Revised Common Lectionary, the ancient practice called 'Lectio Divina' or 'Holy Reading' can assist you as you delve into the weekly texts. Through the process of 'Lectio Divina' you contemplate the texts to gain intellectual understanding but also to listen for the voice of God as God guides you in prayer and meditation toward action.
These links teach you more about this ancient practice.
These links teach you more about this ancient practice.
- The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina
- A helpful article on "Lectio Divina" by Fr. Luke Dysinger.
- The Wikipedia on Lectio Divina
- A brief article providing a bit of history and background on the practice of 'Lectio Divina'.
- An Introduction to Lectio Divina
- A brief introductory article on the practice of 'Lectio Divina'.
Helpful Commentaries to Help with Year A Gospel Readings
Digging into the Gospel of Matthew
Most of the Gospel readings in Year A are from the Gospel of Matthew with some from the Gospel of John. Here are some recommendations for help with the Gospel of Matthew. I tried to steer away from the overly scholarly since this lens is for folks in the pew more than folks in the pulpit.
Matthew for Everyone: Chapters 1-15
I'm a big fan of New Testament scholar N.T. "Tom" Wright. I highly recommend anything by him although some things are more scholarly than others.
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/04/2009)
Matthew for Everyone: Chapters 16-28
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/04/2009)
RCL Scripture Texts for Advent
The Season of Looking Forward
- RCL Scripture Texts for Advent Year A
- Vanderbilt University's scripture links for Advent Year A.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Advent Year B
- Vanderbilt University's scripture links for Advent Year B.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Advent Year C
- Vanderbilt University's scripture links for Advent Year C.
Advent Resources
- What is Advent?
- Dennis Bratcher's insights on Advent.
- Advent Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of Advent resources for worship and learning.
- Advent Resources from the General Board of Discipleship
- A great resource featuring traditional, emergent and contemporary worship possibilities. Tons of other stuff too! A United Methodist site.
- Advent Candle Lighting Meditations for Home or Worship
- Meditations for Advent Candle lighting at home or in worship. Written by Dean B. McIntyre and published on the GBOD site.
- The Jesse Tree
- A Jesse Tree is a way of decorating the tree with symbols that illustrate the Advent and Christmas season. This is a description by Dennis Bratcher.
- Chrismons
- A Chrismon is a Christmas tree ornament that is a Christian symbol. At this site, Dennis Bratcher provides pictures of the various Chrismons and a little history about the tree. Beautiful!
- Hanging of the Greens
- The Hanging of the Greens is an Advent service used to prepare a sanctuary for Christmas in a worshipful way. This link will take you to a nice Hanging of the Greens service outline with readings.
- A Digital Advent Calendar
- An online advent calendar featuring Advent devotionals (as well as Christmas and the 12 Days of Christmas)from our friends of the Church of the Nazarene.
- A Table of Daily Advent Readings
- These readings are adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.
- More Advent Resources from Kir Shalom
- Kir Shalom is a vast treasury of resources for the RCL and the seasons of the church year.
- Family Activities Advent- Epiphany
- Good ideas from the United Methodist Church for family related activities for the season of Advent to Epiphany.
- The Advent Wreath
- A brief description of the Advent Wreath and its use in the home or worship.
RCL Scripture Texts for Christmas
The Birth of Jesus Christ
- RCL Scripture Texts for Christmas Year A
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Christmas Year A.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Christmas Year B
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Christmas Year B.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Christmas Year C
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Christmas Year C.
Christmas Resources
Great Resource Sites for Christmas
- Christmas Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of Christmas resources for worship and learning.
- Wikipedia on Christmas
- And you thought you knew everything there was to know about Christmas.
- The 12 Days of Christmas
- Though not officially a part of the RCL, the Twelve Days of Christmas is a nice addendum to mark the time between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6th). Many families use this time as a way to reflect on the Christmas story. For those who want to keep Christmas going all year long...well this is a good start! This site from NazNet will tell you about the meaning of the song "The 12 Days of Christmas."
- The Christmas Season
- A helpful article by Dennis Bratcher on Christmas including a little history on the origins of "Xmas."
- More on the Origins of "Xmas"
- More on the orgin of "Xmas" from Dennis Bratcher.
RCL Scripture Texts for Epiphany
The Revealing
- RCL Scripture Texts for Epiphany Year A
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL Scripture texts for Epiphany Year A.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Epiphany Year B
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL Scripture texts for Epiphany Year B.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Epiphany Year C
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL Scripture texts for Epiphany Year C.
Epiphany Resources
Great Resource Sites for Epiphany
- What is Epiphany?
- It's more than realizing you could have had a V8.
- The Wikipedia on Epiphany
- The Wikipedia entry on Epiphany.
- Epiphany Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of Epiphany resources for worship and learning.
- Epiphany Resources from Kir Shalom
- Kir Shalom is a vast treasury of resources for the RCL and the seasons of the church year.
- Allelon
- Epiphany is sometimes characterized as a time to reflect upon the mission of the church, especially in light of the birth of Jesus. While "Allelon" is not directly related to the Revised Common Lectionary, these folks are doing some wonderful things to bring the church's mission to Western culture to the forefront. I highly encourage you to get on their mailing list.
- The Gospel and our Culture Network
- The Gospel and Our Culture Network exists to give careful attention to the interaction between culture, gospel and church.
It arises from the conviction that genuine renewal in the life and witness of the church comes only with a fresh encounter of the gospel within our culture. The network focuses its activities, therefore, on the cultural research, theological reflection and church renewal necessary for the recovery of the church's missionary identity.
Another great organization dedicated to educating and exploring the missional life of the church in Western culture.
RCL Scripture Texts for Lent
Repentance
- RCL Scripture Texts for Lent Year A
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL Scriptures for Lent Year A.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Lent Year B
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL Scriptures for Lent Year B.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Lent Year C
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL Scriptures for Lent Year C.
Lent Resources
Great Resource Sites for Lent
- What is Lent?
- Another helpful article by Dennis Bratcher including material on Ash Wednesday and Mardi Gras.
- The Wikipedia on Lent
- Wikipedia entry on Lent.
- Lent Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of Lent resources for worship and learning.
- Kir Shalom Resources for Lent and Easter
- Kir Shalom is a vast treasury of resources for the RCL and the seasons of the church year.
RCL Scripture Texts for Holy Week
The Passion of Christ
- RCL Scriptures for Holy Week Year A
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Holy Week, Year A.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Holy Week Year B
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Holy Week, Year B.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Holy Week Year C
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Holy Week, Year C.
Holy Week Resources
Great Resource Sites for Holy Week
- The Days of Holy Week
- An article on Holy Week by Dennis Bratcher including material on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
- The Wikipedia on Holy Week
- Wikipedia entry on Holy Week.
- Holy Week Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of Holy Week resources for worship and learning.
- The Wikipedia on Palm Sunday
- Wikipedia link for Palm Sunday.
- The Wikipedia on Maundy Thursday
- Wikipedia entry on Maundy Thursday.
- The Wikipedia on Good Friday
- Wikipedia entry on Good Friday.
- The Wikipedia on Holy Saturday
- Wikipedia entry on Holy Saturday.
- The Fourteen Stations of the Cross
- Information on the 14 Stations of the Cross.
- The Stations of the Cross for Protestant Worship
- A wonderful article by Dennis Bratcher describing the 14 Stations of the Cross and their significance. Includes a nice liturgy.
- Kir Shalom Resources for Lent and Easter
- Kir Shalom is a vast treasury of resources for the RCL and the seasons of the church year.
RCL Scripture Texts for Easter
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- RCL Scriptures for Easter Year A
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Year A.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Easter Year B
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Easter Year B.
- RCL Scripture Texts for Easter Year C
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for Easter Year C.
Easter Resources
Great Resource Sites for Easter
- The Easter Season
- Dennis Bratcher's article on the Easter Season that includes the dates of Easter up until 2020.
- Wikipedia on Easter
- Wikipedia entry on Easter.
- Easter Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of Easter resources for worship and learning.
- Kir Shalom's Resources for Lent And Easter
- Kir Shalom is a vast treasury of resources for the RCL and the seasons of the church year.
RCL Scripture Texts for the Season After Pentecost
The Giving of the Holy Spirit and the Mission of the Church
- RCL Scriptures for the Season After Pentecost, Year A
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for the Season after Pentecost Year A.
- RCL Scripture Text for the Season After Pentecost Year B
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for the Season after Pentecost Year B.
- RCL Scripture for the Season After Pentecost Year C
- Vanderbilt University's links to RCL scripture texts for the Season after Pentecost Year C.
Post Pentecost Resources
Great Resource Sites for Pentecost
- Pentecost
- An article by Dennis Bratcher on Pentecost.
- The Wikipedia on Pentecost
- Wikipedia entry on Pentecost.
- The Wikipedia on Ordinary Time
- Wikipedia entry on Ordinary Time.
- Pentecost Resources from TextWeek
- A "Squidoo before Squidoo was Squidoo" site featuring all kinds of post Pentecost resources for worship and learning.
- Kir Shalom's Resources for Pentecost
- Kir Shalom is a vast treasury of resources for the RCL and the seasons of the church year.
Books, Film and Music
Complementing the RCL
New Guestbook
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by JimStreet
Hi! I'm the pastor at North River Community Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. I'm also a teacher, writer, musician, and counselor/coach.
I am als...
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