Lectionary 29/01/2023
- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany-Year A
- Third Sunday before Lent-Year A
- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany-Year A
- Fourth Sunday after Epiphany-Year A
Lectionary Readings
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When will we ever learn? When will we ever hear the words and ways that lead to peace? That peace could be so near. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: SANDYS Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 21/1/2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer.co.uk. Please include any reproduction…
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Within this place where your people have worshipped, laid down their burdens and knelt down to pray, send love to comfort, renew and to bless us, as we are gathered in this present day. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: SPEAN Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 21/1/2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd,…
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by SPCK - Hannah Ward & Jennifer Wild
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by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
How did the gospels come to be written? Source As a schoolteacher, I used to spend long evenings marking children’s exercise books. Occasionally, I would suddenly realize that I had seen this answer before, or something very like it, and a frantic search would ensue back through …
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by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
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by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
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Righteousness, morality and judgement Matthew’s Teacher is concerned about moral teaching; one of his key words (occurring seven times in Matthew, once in Luke, and never in Mark) is dikaiosune, justice or righteousness, with its adjective dikaios (fifteen times in Matthew; once …
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by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Status and Authority in God’s Realm (1 Corinthians 1-4) In the opening section of the letter, Paul addresses the central problem afflicting the church: divisions among its members into competing groups (1:10). Status competition was endemic to the culture, but it was antithetical…
glimpses of glory - Proper 3 - Year C
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by SPCK - David Adam
Proper 3 God of grace and glory, give us the gift of generosity, that we may reveal your love and forgiveness, and live in fellowship and peace with each other as we work for the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy …
The Act of Prayer Year C - Proper 3 - Year C
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Proper 3 Year C Opening prayer God of yesterday, today and for ever, we thank you for your loving care, protection and strength. As Joseph, once abandoned into slavery, was able with confidence to state that every part of his life was lived according to your will, so we ask that …
52 Reflections on Faith - Wisdom: Christ himself
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Wisdom: Christ himself Late one evening, as I stood outside one of my churches in Essex talking to a churchwarden, he suddenly said, ‘Listen, I think that’s an owl.’ We craned our necks and pricked our ears into the night for a moment, hoping for another ‘hoot’, but alas it didn’…
52 Reflections on Faith - The ten commandments: Doing what you like
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Jeremiah for everyone - More a Summons than a Vocation
Jeremiah for everyone - More a Summons than a Vocation
by SPCK - John Goldingay
More a Summons than a Vocation Last week I took part in a conference on God, the church, and disability. One participant was a woman who has been ordained a priest, but she has a speech impediment that makes it hard to understand what she says, and she has had difficulty finding …
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Covenant Lawsuit: Call and Response
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by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Covenant Lawsuit: Call and Response The final segment of the book contains a covenant lawsuit or rib where God makes a case against the people. The mountains and hills are called as witnesses to hear God’s complaint…
embodying mark - 2 Following the Teacher
embodying mark - 2 Following the Teacher
by SPCK - meda a a stamper
2 Following the Teacher The teacher and the secret If someone were to ask us what springs to mind when we consider Jesus’ teaching, we might first think of Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount or Luke’s memorable parables of the prodigal son and the good Samaritan or John’s discourses o…
The Women's Bible Commentary - A Series of Accusations
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by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
A Series of Accusations That it is the elite men of Jerusalem who are the actual targets of Isaiah’s criticism becomes clear in the most explicit of the prophet’s accusations, a series of “woe” oracles detailing such atrocities as greedy accumulation of real estate at others’ exp…
Who Is Welcome As A Guest? (An Entrance Liturgy)
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by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
This hymn attempts to recreate the atmosphere in the Jerusalem Temple, on occasions when Psalm 15 would have been sung. The reference to the “Tent” in stanza 1 is a flashback to the Tabernacle in the wilderness, considered nostalgically as the Temple’s forerunner.
Possess Poverty
Possess Poverty
by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
How different from the teachings of the televangelists and the prosperity cults is that of Saint Dominic (c 1170-1221), founder of the Order of Preachers, who, on his deathbed, urged his followers: "Possess poverty." This hymn, in traditional style,attampts to explore the meaning…
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Drama: A tricky situation I’ll never forget the look on my master’s face when I took that jar to him and he tasted what I thought was water. I’d been dreading his reaction. After all, I was the one who’d drawn the water and I knew what I’d put in that jar. How on earth could it p…
Imagining the Lectionary: Better beyond belief (Epiphany 2C)
Imagining the Lectionary: Better beyond belief (Epiphany 2C)
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: Better beyond belief (Epiphany 2C) Reflection accompanying image “You have kept the good wine until now ” In St John's Gospel emptiness and fulfilment are the polar opposites which frame the first public disclosure of God's amazing intentions in the mini…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 193
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 193
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…
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Glossary
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Glossary
by SPCK - N T Wright
GLOSSARY Acts for Everyone Part 2 age to come, see present age apostle, disciple, the Twelve ‘Apostle’ means ‘one who is sent’. It could be used of an ambassador or official delegate. In the New Testament it is sometimes used specifically of Jesus’ inner circle of twelve; but Pau…
Poem/reflection: Still learning?
Poem/reflection: Still learning?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem/reflection: Still learning? During his lifetime and throughout his ministry, Jesus met and spoke to and helped and healed people of different nationalities, beliefs and practices. He greeted Samaritans, Greeks, Romans, rebels, Jews and all Gentiles and dealt with them withou…
Hymn: Christ has broken walls of heartache
Hymn: Christ has broken walls of heartache
by Andrew Pratt
Christ has broken walls of heartache, in one reconciling act. Could our living in this moment make this peace a present fact? Can the love of friend or stranger bridge the gulf of hate or fear? Is Christ seen in every neighbour? Is perception always clear? Verse 3 follows Tune: L…
The wisdom of elders is sometimes berated
The wisdom of elders is sometimes berated
by Andrew Pratt
The wisdom of elders is sometimes berated yet Anna and Simeon saw what was true: persistence rewarded, their waiting accomplished, their journey of faithfulness starting anew. Verse 2 follows Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 30/1/2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd,…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - The Second Sunday Before Lent Year B
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - The Second Sunday Before Lent Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Second Sunday Before Lent Proverbs 8.1, 22–31 Colossians 1.15–20 John 1.1–14 Eyebrows will be raised at the reappearance of John’s prologue so soon after Christmas. But our surprise at the lectionary’s turns and twists is nothing to that launched upon the world by John’s fa…
A Steward at a Wedding in Cana Finds Truth in a Jar of Wine
A Steward at a Wedding in Cana Finds Truth in a Jar of Wine
by Roger Price
This is one of a number of monologues that I have written for use in worship or some other reflective purpose. This one deals with the events at the wedding feast in Cana from the point of view of the steward responsible for supplying the wine. A Steward at a Wedding in Cana Find…
Hymn: You're not far from God's Kingdom
Hymn: You're not far from God's Kingdom
by Michael Docker
You're not far from God's Kingdom If in Christ's hope you live And work for this world's goodness, And humbly learn to give. His light will always lead you To follow in His way - His Kingdom's life inspire you To seek His face today. You're not far from God's Kingdom If justice i…
Poem: The Mountain Top
Poem: The Mountain Top
by Marjorie Dobson
Luke 9: 28-36 Poem: The Mountain Top High, high into the mountains we climbed with him, higher than we had ever climbed before. He led us on up steep and rocky pathways made by wild animals and a few stray sheep. Shrouded, clouded was the mountain top he aimed for, invisible to t…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 99 17/01/16
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 99 17/01/16
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…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Moses and Pharaoh
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Moses and Pharaoh
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Moses and Pharaoh As instructed, Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh and request time off to celebrate a festival to YHWH. Pharaoh refuses and increases the Israelites’ work load by no longer providing straw to make bricks…
Seeking, we come in faith
Seeking, we come in faith
by Michael Docker
Seeking, we come in faith, Trusting a greater truth Than anything the world can bring. Minds turned away from fear, Ready to pray and hear; We'll praise and worship, stay and sing. Asking, we come in hope, Needing a clearer scope Than anything the world can show. Hearts opened to…
The Two Houses - Wise and Foolish
The Two Houses - Wise and Foolish
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
Reflection/Meditation: Determination
Reflection/Meditation: Determination
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection/Meditation: Determination You decide to set out on a very important journey. Your destination is a great city, but it is many miles away and you’ll need accommodation along the way. Friends offer to go ahead and set it up for you. They return, absolutely furious, becau…
Framed Image - Psalm 1:6a
Framed Image - Psalm 1:6a
by Revd Dr Michael Moon
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…
Prayer: Waiting in the dark
Prayer: Waiting in the dark
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Waiting in the dark Waiting in the dark for a dreaded dawn, when news may be of death and destruction; how we long to defer the light. Waiting in the dark for an anxious day when difficult decisions must be made that may change life forever; how we long to discern the lig…
The new wine? Oh Yes!
The new wine? Oh Yes!
by Meryl White
An interactive story based on John 2 v 1 - 11, the Wedding at Cana, or Jesus turns the water into wine. The new wine?! Oh Yes!!! Based on John 2 v 1-11 – Jesus changed the water into wine This is an interactive story to illustrate the story of the Wedding at Cana. It tries to cap…
A Bit Like Jesus - What is faith?
A Bit Like Jesus - What is faith?
by SPCK - Robin Gill
WEEK 5 Faith What is faith? Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son…
Defiant in Spirit
Defiant in Spirit
by Richard Harris
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…
50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions - Jesus the teacher (2)
50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions - Jesus the teacher (2)
by BRF - Rona Orme
Jesus taught with authority. He taught that his words and instructions are the correct way to live - looking after people in need, not being greedy, not judging others, and asking God for the things we need. This session highlights the importance of basing our lives on his teachi…
All-age story/monologue: Esther
All-age story/monologue: Esther
by Marjorie Dobson
All-age story/monologue: Esther Esther had just had the scariest day of her life. Esther lived a long time ago and she was a queen and she was the king’s favourite. But Esther had a secret that the king didn’t know and that secret could have got her into a lot of trouble. Althoug…
Gazing on the Gospels year c - The Second Sunday of Epiphany Year C
Gazing on the Gospels year c - The Second Sunday of Epiphany Year C
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
The Second Sunday of Epiphany John 2.1-11 Gaze on all the colours of this occasion . . . See the vibrant wedding robes; the table piled high with rich food, the pink of pomegranates, the shock of oranges, the purples of the grapes, the sheen of the olives. The excitement mounts. …
When Preparing To Sleep
When Preparing To Sleep
by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
This hymn is based on an antiphon in the night-time office of Compline. Compline is the final church service (or office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The name is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline marks the completion of the day.
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 12 Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 12 Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Proper 12 2 Kings 4. 42-44 Ephesians 3: 14-21 John 6: 1-21 The story of the feeding of the five thousand is found in all four Gospels, making it one of the best attested of Jesus’s miracles. John’s Gospel sometimes uses memories and stories that clearly come from different source…
Hymn: Visions of paradise: heaven disclosing
Hymn: Visions of paradise: heaven disclosing
by Andrew Pratt
Visions of paradise: heaven disclosingsomething of beauty, of joy and delight; colours cascading that shimmer before us, tempting from darkness to temples of light. But we are grounded, the earth pulls, constrains us, keeping us close to the things that we know. Ours is the commo…
Imagining the Lectionary: God's grace is always more than enough (Proper 20A/Ordinary 25A)
Imagining the Lectionary: God's grace is always more than enough (Proper 20A/Ordinary 25A)
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: God's grace is always more than enough (Proper 20A/Ordinary 25A) Reflection accompanying images “You shall see the glory of the Lord”, “Gods grace is always more than enough” and “No strings attached” The people are grumbling, complaining and turning inw…
Monologue/drama: Those poor Greeks
Monologue/drama: Those poor Greeks
by
Monologue/drama: Those poor Greeks Those poor Greeks must have got a bit of a shock. Granted, they were in town for the Passover festival – and strange things often happened at festivals. Granted, they were Greeks – and their thirst for knowledge was well-known and, mostly, respe…
Prayer: Sheltering God
Prayer: Sheltering God
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Sheltering God Sheltering God, we need your help and your protection – when we are under attack because of our commitment to you: when we feel vulnerable in an uncaring world: when we are made to feel foolish by those who think our beliefs are out-dated: when there is rea…
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Fourth Sunday before Advent Year B
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Fourth Sunday before Advent Year B
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
The Fourth Sunday before Advent Mark 12: 28-34 Gaze on Jesus still in the Temple after hours of debate. Imagine him standing in the outer Temple courts where the doves are fluttering and goats bleating and penned ready for sacrifice. Five hundred years old, the Temple is the gold…
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 20 Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - Proper 20 Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Proper 20 Jeremiah 11.18-20 James 3.13-4.3, 7-8a Mark 9.30-37 What an emotional roller-coaster ride the disciples are on by this stage of Jesus’s ministry. Not that life with Jesus had ever been boring, exactly, but at least they had known what they were doing. Or they had though…
The Joy Of God's Word
The Joy Of God's Word
by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
This hymn is based on the prayer of the Venerable Bede (673-735), teacher of the faith and translator of the Scriptures: “I pray you, good Jesus, that, as you have given me the grace to drink in with joy the word that gives knowledge of you, so, in your goodness, you will grant m…
Like the marriage of a bridegroom
Like the marriage of a bridegroom
by Andrew Pratt
Like the marriage of a bridegroom Like the marriage of a bridegroom when the banquet is prepared, soon the bride will be arriving, all is waiting to be shared. All may come by invitation, all may share at God’s great feast, all are welcome, none excluded, come, the greatest and t…
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