Lectionary 16/11/2025
- Second Sunday before Advent - Year C
- Proper 28 /Ordinary 33-Year C
Lectionary Readings
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We were not idle
We were not idle
by Marjorie Dobson
Reading: We were not idle (could be used as a reading for three voices) Busy, busy, busy – always busy. Busy doing nothing. Watching, waiting, playing, anything to stop thinking. Busy chatting, gossiping, moaning, criticising, judging, always looking for the dull side of life, or…
Come let us sing a melody
Come let us sing a melody
by Marjorie Dobson
Come let us sing a melody to praise the God of harmony and blend our voices, weak or strong, in thanks to God who gave us song. So, sing our praise out loud and clear in songs that all the world can hear. Come each musician use your art and every instrument take part. Let trumpet…
All Desires Known - Labour Pangs of the New Age Collect
All Desires Known - Labour Pangs of the New Age Collect
by SPCK - Janet Morley
LABOUR PANGS OF THE NEW AGE Collect Mark 13.8–end; Luke 21.25–36; Romans 8.18–25; 1 Thessalonians 5.1–11 God our deliverer, whose approaching birth still shakes the foundations of our world... Advent 1 (ABC); 2 before Lent (A); Pentecost (ABC); Proper 11 (A); 2 before Advent (ABC…
Luke for Everyone - Signs of the End
Luke for Everyone - Signs of the End
by SPCK - N T Wright
Signs of the End Luke 21.5-19 A news reader announces that an asteroid passed close to the earth. When they say ‘close’, they mean about half a million miles; but in terms of the solar system, that’s quite near at hand. It shows, as one commentator said, that the planet Earth is …
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - The Dangers of Idleness
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - The Dangers of Idleness
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Dangers of Idleness 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13 The dancers swept on to the stage in perfect formation. It was breathtaking. Even I, who know almost nothing about ballet, found the whole performance enthralling. And part of the beauty of a well-performed ballet is the way in which…
Lectionary Reflection Year C - The Second Sunday Before Advent Year C
Lectionary Reflection Year C - The Second Sunday Before Advent Year C
by SPCK - Jane Williams
The Second Sunday Before Advent Malachi 4.1–2a 2 Thessalonians 3.6–13 Luke 21.5–19 The material in today’s reading from Luke can be found in a very similar form in Mark 13 and Matthew 24, and all are agreed that the temple is the trigger for these terrible sayings. Jesus seems to…
Twelve Months of Sunday year c - The Second Sunday Before Advent Year C
Twelve Months of Sunday year c - The Second Sunday Before Advent Year C
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Second Sunday Before Advent Malachi 4.1–2a 2 Thessalonians 3.6–13 Luke 21.5–19 Warnings against idleness seem irrelevant in our culture. Those who have work seem to have more and more of it; those who don’t seem stuck in a trap. No doubt there are shades of grey, and some man…
Meditation - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Meditation - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
by David Middleton
Meditation – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Crumbling materialism Luke 23: 33-43 These are truly terrifying words, Lord. You paint a bleak and depressing picture: destruction of the centre of worship, wars, insurrection, earthquakes, famine, epidemics and many more terrifyin…
Gazing on the Gospels Year C - The Second Sunday Before Advent Year C
Gazing on the Gospels Year C - The Second Sunday Before Advent Year C
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
The Second Sunday before Advent Luke 22: 5-19 Gaze on the Temple again. This time look up at all the gold that burns in the sunlight, and shouts out its wealth. Look at the gigantic bunches of golden grapes adorning a central archway – each grape cluster as tall as a man. Was Her…
Hope is built in present moments
Hope is built in present moments
by Andrew Pratt
Hope is built in present moments, times of visions, times of dreams, times when love transcends the present, long outlasting human schemes. Hope will open gates of promise, herald dawns of glorious light, help us live within this moment, lead us onward from the night. Verses 3-4 …
Here is love-the prophet’s promise!
Here is love-the prophet’s promise!
by Andrew Pratt
Here is love - the prophet’s promise! Here the Christ has come to birth! Hear the loud angelic chorus peace is promised for the earth. Joy for all the world – God’s blessing: wisdom wakes, and hope is found. Crying quenched, all anguish ended, Christ has come to Bethl’ems ground.…
Two
Two
by Rose humphrey
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Insert as Picture in the normal way. • If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in…
Singing a new song
Singing a new song
by David Perry
Image accompanying reflection Imagining the Lectionary: Singing a new song (Second Sunday before Advent / Proper 28C / Ordinary 33C) TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software…
Coventry cathedral inside out
Coventry cathedral inside out
by David Perry
Image accompanying reflection Imagining the Lectionary: Singing a new song (Second Sunday before Advent / Proper 28C / Ordinary 33C) TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software…
Imagining the Lectionary: Singing a new song
Imagining the Lectionary: Singing a new song
by David Perry
Reflection accompanying images “Singing a new song” and “Coventry cathedral inside out” Imagining the Lectionary: Singing a new song (Second Sunday before Advent / Proper 28C / Ordinary 33C) On the steps of Coventry Cathedral a busker sits down and begins to play his guitar. As h…
Busker outside coventry cathedral
Busker outside coventry cathedral
by David Perry
Image without text to accompany reflection Imagining the Lectionary- Singing a new song (Second Sunday before Advent; Proper 28C; Ordinary 33C) TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image edi…
Gathering Prayers and Blessing based on Psalm 98
Gathering Prayers and Blessing based on Psalm 98
by Christine Dutton
Hopefully these are gathering prayers which bring us together to worship and sing a new song, recognising that the week that has past may have brought us joy or pain, celebration or struggle. The blessing continues the theme of singing. Gathering Prayers based on Psalm 98 O Sing…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 142
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 142
by Twelvebaskets Ltd
A selection of commentary, reflection and prayer ideas from various Christian authors and the full bible texts from the NRSV for this week's lectionary. NOW INCLUDING SERIALISED BOOKS FROM SPCK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BRF. Check below for details. Subscribe to Fresh Thoughts For S…
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 97:1, 11
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 97:1, 11
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 97:1, 11 Psalm 96 invites us to ‘worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of him’ (v. 9). And here we hear that the well-being of the earth flows from our recognition of the sovereignty of God. When creature and Creator are in harmony the…
LWPT Meditations - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
LWPT Meditations - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
by Susan Thorne
Meditation – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13 I wonder how many churches will include the reading from 2nd Thessalonians in today’s service? It is the epistle for the day, but to read these words, or at least to read them without further comment, would b…
Things we thought were firm foundations
Things we thought were firm foundations
by Andrew Pratt
Things we thought were firm foundations, words in which we put our trust, buildings where we offered worship, all these things may turn to dust. Here when wars and devastation seem to damn all future hope, we must find new ways of loving, means to broaden human scope. Verses 2-3 …
Dialogue/drama: Trouble for the future
Dialogue/drama: Trouble for the future
by Marjorie Dobson
Dialogue/drama: Trouble for the future A I can’t see much future in that kind of life, can you? I mean, it was all about wars and disasters and earthquakes and things. I think that’s too scary to even think about it. B Well, he did say that all that kind of thing was just routine…
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Theology of a Pharisee
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Theology of a Pharisee
by SPCK - N T Wright
Chapter TWO LIKE BIRDS HOVERING OVERHEAD: THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL The Theology of a Pharisee It is not difficult to draw out from what has already been said the main lines of Pharisaic theology, bringing into brief and I hope sharp focus the larger and longer treatm…
Rhythms of remembering - Christmas - Monday Evening Prayer
Rhythms of remembering - Christmas - Monday Evening Prayer
by SPCK - Hannah Ward & Jennifer Wild
CHRISTMAS - Monday Evening Prayer O magnify the Lord with me; for God’s mercy lasts for ever. Blessed are the poor, for they are free to hear; those who have nothing left are able to receive; those who are fast bound – they know what freedom means...
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - The Real King of Kings
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - The Real King of Kings
by SPCK - John Goldingay
The Real King of Kings Psalm 97-98 According to news reports, Muammar el-Qaddafi, who had ruled Libya for over forty years, once declared, “I am an international leader, the dean of the Arab rulers, the king of kings of Africa and the imam of Muslims, and my international status …
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Mountains
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Mountains
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Mountains For some strange reason, human beings connect mountains with God. In many ancient religions, worship took place on the ‘high places’. Even today, we talk of ‘mountain-top experiences’, despite having left behind the notion that mountains are closer to God’s supposed dwe…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Those who are burdened with heavy loads
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Those who are burdened with heavy loads
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Those who are burdened with heavy loads The ministry of the ox The keynote for Luke’s portrait of Jesus is set in his initial visit to the synagogue at Nazareth (4.16–30). Luke’s story is three times longer than the equivalent accounts which occur much later in Mark and Matthew (…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book IV
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book IV
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Book IV (Psalm 90-106) Book IV opens with “A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.” It is the only psalm in the Hebrew Psalter ascribed to Moses. Its words are a plea to God for mercy: “Turn [shub], O YHWH! How long? Change your mind [nakham] concerning your servants” (90:13, my trans…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Jerusalem's Hopeful Future
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Jerusalem's Hopeful Future
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Jerusalem’s Hopeful Future (Isaiah 60: 1-22; 62: 1-12; 66: 7-13) Chapters 60–62 at the center of Third Isaiah echo language and themes of Second Isaiah most closely. Chapter 60 addresses Jerusalem much as Isaiah 49 had, directing her eyes to see her children coming from afar and,…
Mark The People's Bible Commentary - Mark's gospel A Drama in Three Acts
Mark The People's Bible Commentary - Mark's gospel A Drama in Three Acts
by BRF - Dick France
MARK’S GOSPEL- A DRAMA in THREE ACTS After a prologue which sets the scene, Mark’s story unfolds in three main sections, each of which has a distinct geographical setting: 1:1–13 Prologue (set in ‘the wilderness’) 1:14—8:21 Act 1: Galilee 8:22—10:52 …
Isaiah for Everyone - A Day When There Will Be a Song to Sing
Isaiah for Everyone - A Day When There Will Be a Song to Sing
by SPCK - John Goldingay
A Day When There Will Be a Song to Sing Our city’s annual Black History Parade this year had the theme “Looking back and remembering: we’ve come a mighty long way.” The words reminded me of the hymn, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.”…
The Womens' Bible Commentary - The Messenger, Justice, and the Father’s Special Possession
The Womens' Bible Commentary - The Messenger, Justice, and the Father’s Special Possession
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Messenger, Justice, and the Father’s Special Possession The three dialogues of 2:17–4:3 begin with an accusation: “You have wearied YHWH with your words.” The image of a weary Deity captures the emotional escalation that occurs in these passages…
The Act of Prayer Year C - Third Sunday of Advent - Year C
The Act of Prayer Year C - Third Sunday of Advent - Year C
by BRF - John Birch
Third Sunday of Advent Year C Opening prayer This is Advent, the season of expectation. In homes throughout the land, Christmas cards stand on mantelpiece and windowsill. Festive trees are adorned with tinsel and baubles, and children wonder what gifts will lie beneath the tree t…
glimpses of glory - Third Sunday of Advent - Year C
glimpses of glory - Third Sunday of Advent - Year C
by SPCK - David Adam
The Third Sunday of Advent Good and gracious God, grant us a glimpse of your glory, That we may rejoice in your presence and abide in peace; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen…
glimpses of glory - Christmas Day - Year C
glimpses of glory - Christmas Day - Year C
by SPCK - David Adam
Christmas Day Almighty Father, we rejoice in the coming of Christ our Lord. We pray that, as he has taken on our humanity, through your grace and goodness we may share in your divinity, and so partake in the radiance of your glory; through him who came down for us and is alive an…
Isaiah for everyone - Straight-Talking Meets Straight-Talking
Isaiah for everyone - Straight-Talking Meets Straight-Talking
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Straight-Talking Meets Straight-Talking I sometimes have a hard time persuading people that prayer is an act of communication between us and God and that there’s a mutuality about this communication. The idea has got around that prayer is really more like a form of reflection and…
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Third Isaiah
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Third Isaiah
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Third Isaiah The last eleven chapters, set in Jerusalem after the return from exile, further Zion’s story while developing a variety of themes from previous chapters. Not only does personified Zion continue, but other themes of interest, such as inclusion and justice, both human …
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Moral Exhortation
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Moral Exhortation
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Moral Exhortation Typically of Pauline letters, moral exhortation (paraenesis) follows theology. The authors have heard that some members are “idle/ disorderly” (atakt?s), not “busy” (ergazomenous), but “busybodies” (periergazomenous) (3:11)…
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Proper 28 (33) - Year C
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Proper 28 (33) - Year C
by Andrew Pratt and Marjorie Dobson
Full Service Proper 28 (33) - Year C Service contents: (Additional resources for Remembrance Sunday can be found elsewhere on the website and two hymns and a poem are added at the end of this order of service.) Hymn: Jesus,stand among us or God is here, as we his people or A hous…
CHRISTIANITY AND THE RENEWAL OF NATURE - 3c Reading Luke and saving the planet