C Liturgy of the Word

Stories from the four churches

At St Ann’s they are having an adult teaching series on Romans, using the lectionary material in Module 37 below. The response ‘The same Lord is Lord of all …’ is used as part of the Gathering and Greeting, at the Gospel alleluia, and in a response after the sermon. They have decided not to use the Gospel reading provided in that module, but to continue with the Gospel reading set in the Common Worship Principal Service Lectionary. This is because they have discovered teaching material for childrenwhich is based on the lectionary.

The children usually depart before the Gospel, and might not follow the long reading from Romans, so the Gospel today comes immediately after the Collect. Everyone remains standing and the children go out after the psalm that follows. The Gospel is the story of the breakfast on the seashore after the resurrection. It is read dramatically from different parts of the building – the narrator at the lectern, Jesus by the communion table, and the disciples coming forward from the middle of the congregation.

For the sermon time, which lasts just over half an hour, the adults at St Ann’s have a choice. Some go out to a discussion Bible study on Romans, others to a well-structured adult education session on the Church and politics (linking up with Romans 13). The rest stay in church for a sermon on the same passage, with visuals on an overhead projector and questions at the end.

The four people who share the responsibility for reading at St Bartholomew’s have recently been on a deanery training day for those who read. They have returned withsome good ideas for varying the usual pattern and are much more confident. There is a card on the lectern reminding the reader how to announce the reading. She introduces the reading with the paragraph heading and the page number from the pew Bible. After the reading she leaves space for some reflective silence before saying, ‘This is the word of the Lord.’

At St Christopher’s the worship committee has asked one or two artistic people in the church to produce something based on this Sunday’s Gospel. As a result there is a throw-over frontal on the altar, picking up the bread and fishes theme. Today the Gospel procession, with the deacon carrying the book of the Gospels, preceded by acolytes and crucifer, comes only to the front row of the congregation, rather than taking up its normal position halfway up the centre aisle of the nave. This is to allow the people to remain facing towards the front, where on a screen behind the lectern there is a beautiful sequence of slides of Galilee, fishermen, bread and fishes. The sermon is about ten minutes long, and ends with some guided meditation inviting people to imagine themselves playing a part in the Gospel story.

At St Dodo’s no one comes forward to read the first reading so the president glares at the churchwarden, moves to the lectern and intones the lesson in a voice betraying boredom. There is a bit of excitement, though, as – inevitably – two people come forward to read the second reading and look like having a punch up. The one who wins fails to announce where the reading comes from, which is a pity, as it seems to have been changed from what is on the notice sheet. It would have helped to be able to follow the reading, as he was speaking very quietly, on the mistaken assumption that the microphone was amplifying all he said. But no one had adjusted the height of it since one of the children read last Sunday.

Diagrammatic image of a book
Making it live

St Ann’s worship group plans how the readings are done, usually a month at a time to make sure that there is variety and that the ‘unusual’ element is not overdone. Different methods they have used include:

*    gentle musical backing to the reading, on tape or live;

*    mime to the reading;

*    especially at an all-age service, having the reading interrupted by someone asking questions, and putting in mistakes and asking the children to spot them;

*    memorizing a Gospel reading and telling it as a story;

*    a dramatic reading using different parts of the building;

*    putting out all lights apart from a spotlight on the reader;

*    breaking up long story reading with songs or choruses.

Diagrammatic image of a book
The sermon: what and where?

Note 7 in A Service of the Word and Note 13 in Holy Communion in Common Worship redefine the sermon. There are a number of possibilities:

*    the use of drama, interviews, discussion and audio-visuals;

*    having more than one person taking part;

*    dividing the congregation into groups for all (as at St Ann’s here), or for part of the time (for example, getting people talking to those near them about how what is being said applies to them);

*    preaching the sermon in, say, two parts at different points in the service;

*    time for silent – or guided – reflection or meditation after the sermon.

Add to this some further things to consider:

*    the use of handouts, either outlining the whole sermon or giving points for action;

*    using data projector or overhead projector visuals in an integrated way, with pictures taking the application or story further, rather than merely summarizing the sermon in words;

*    sermons with deliberate interruptions and questions, or with pauses to pray or worship and sing;

*    the use of drama, again as an integral part of the sermon.

Discussing these ideas should open some new possibilities and also begin to answer the question ‘Where?’ Clearly not all of these sermon activities are suitable for the pulpit. Different areas of the church may be used. And even with a more traditional sermon there may be a case for leaving the pulpit, moving nearer a small congregation at the back, or moving to and speaking from different points in the church, for example from the lectern where the word has been read, or from under a window whose stained glass enshrines the story.

Diagrammatic image of a book
Responding to the readings

St Bartholomew’s have been making a list of possible ways the congregation might respond to the readings:

*    more pauses for meditation;

*    responses which reflect the nature of the reading (such as those in the modular material in this resource section);

*    short prayers or a verse of a psalm after the reading;

*    involving the congregation in drama and dialogue readings;

*    physical action, such as the stamping of feet in the synagogue when the story of Haman in the book of Esther is read!

Discussion starter: improving Bible reading in our worship

1   Make a list of the problems with reading the Bible, for example:

*    The readings sound boring and are simply something to get through as a duty, and not as part of the worship.

*    They are too long.

*    Bad introductions impose partial or unhelpful meanings on the readings, or fail to raise expectations. This might lead into some discussion about how the readings should be introduced.

*    Failure to use the lectionary provision can result in a narrower overall diet of Scripture: sometimes only a few verses are read, to be used as the sermon text, determined by the particular interests of the minister.

*    People are not used to listening to large amounts of prose being read, so those who read need training and may need time to prepare. There might be some discussion about the pros and cons of having children reading in all-age services, and whether the advantages of involving them outweigh the possible disadvantages of inaudibility or lack of understanding.

*    Nowadays people think in visual terms, and many readings do not conjure up pictures in people’s minds.

*    People don’t know why the Bible is being read.

*    No response is expected.

2   Working in pairs, put the following reasons for reading the Bible in church in order of importance, and then discuss the results with everyone else:

*    To teach and instruct;

*    to link us firmly with the tradition;

*    to ensure that we listen to the whole counsel of God;

*    to deliver us from the personal whim or interest of the preacher or worship leader;

*    to allow one part of Scripture to throw kaleidoscopic light on another;

*    to identify ourselves again as the people to whom God is speaking.

By publicly rehearsing its corporate story the community is proclaiming its identity as the people of God. Shared stories bind people together. Story is important because

*    it is easy to listen to, identify with, remember and re-tell;

*    it links the community clearly with the tradition of God’s saving action;

*    in worship, it can more easily be used to stimulate praise, as we hear what God has done, rather than receive instruction;

*    it is important for children: action stories keep things moving, add a sense of excitement and humanity.

3   How can we get the whole congregation to ‘own’ the readings?

Discuss the ideas in the section ‘Responding to the readings’ here. Are there other ideas, or some other things in the St Ann’s section ‘Making it live’ here, which we could put into practice in our church?

Liturgy of the Word: modular lectionary material

The use of one of the authorized lectionaries (from Common Worship or The Book of Common Prayer) around the main festivals serves to foster the sense that different worshipping communities are all ‘telling the same story’. This is more possible than ever since the advent of the three-year Common Worship lectionary which shares so much in common with the versions of the three-year lectionary in use in other churches.

Some parts of the early Church used this principle of thematic reading for festivals, and we can see this reflected in the traditional readings for Lent and Easter, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

Outside that time, in Ordinary Time, the particular needs of different congregations may be met by different patterns of readings. A particular event in the life of the church (for instance, a new building project, a new phase in the life of the church, a disastrous fire, or a traumatic pastoral situation) might be the trigger for such a pattern. The reason might equally be the more mundane desire to match the Sunday preaching to the material being studied in small groups, such as home groups or cell groups, during the week. There will be times when the small groups will follow the lead given by the Sunday readings, but there might be other times when the lead is given by the small group materials.

Common Worship makes provision in two places for just such flexibility:

1 The Lectionary

During the period from the First Sunday of Advent to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, during the period from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday, and on All Saints’ Day, the readings shall come from an authorized lectionary. During Ordinary Time (i.e. between the Presentation and Ash Wednesday and between Trinity Sunday and Advent Sunday), authorized lectionary provision remains the norm but, after due consultation with the Parochial Church Council, the minister may, from time to time, depart from the lectionary provision for pastoral reasons or preaching or teaching purposes.

Rule 7, Common Worship, page 540

2 A Service of the Word

There should preferably be at least two readings from the Bible, but it is recognized that if occasion demands there may be only one reading. It may be dramatized, sung or read responsively. The readings are taken from an authorized lectionary during the period from the Third Sunday of Advent to the Baptism of Christ, and from Palm Sunday to Trinity Sunday. When A Service of the Word is combined with Holy Communion on Sundays and Principal Holy Days, the readings of the day are normally used.

Note 5, A Service of the Word

This means that there are periods during which one of the authorized lectionaries is to be followed. The Note indicates that normally these periods are longer in the case of services of Holy Communion than in the case of non-eucharistic services.

Services of Holy Communion
Non-eucharistic services
The modular lectionary provision

The lectionary modules provided here are designed as replacements for the authorized readings during parts of the remaining periods of the year.

They illustrate how provision can be made for the semi-continuous reading of Scripture in short units comprising several weeks. They also provide examples of thematic and story material suitable both for all-age services and for adult worship.

These modules are samples only. The local church is at liberty to amend these, or other provision, or to produce its own material, as long as the requirements of Note 6 below are fulfilled.

Verse numbers for Bible readings have been taken from the New Revised Standard Version, except for the Psalms, where the numbering used in the Common Worship psalter has been followed.

Notes to the resources

1  Controlling reading

The controlling reading, in bold, must always be used in some form. For some modules (mainly those in which the controlling reading takes the form of a narrative) the controlling reading is given a brief ‘title’. This is designed to aid planning, and it should not be taken as the only way of summarizing the reading.

2  Adapting the length of modules

It is important to plan ahead. Where necessary, the modules may be shortened or amended, to fit the number of weeks available. Square brackets [ ] around the week number in the lectionary charts indicate suggested weeks to omit where necessary. This may also occasionally be necessary in order to avoid having the same or similar readings at the point at which the local church moves from one of these modules to another, or between these (or other local provision) and an authorized lectionary.

When omitting part of the module in this way, care should be taken to preserve the balance of the readings.

3  Editing and adapting the length of readings

Where verses have been bracketed or omitted to shorten the reading, a longer version may be used if appropriate. Long readings may be broken up by teaching or songs. Care should be taken in the selection of the translation to be used at the service, and in any editing of the passages, to ensure that the reading makes sense. Particular care is needed in identifying speakers in the passage and making clear to whom pronouns refer.

4  Collects and other prayers

The Common Worship collects, especially in Ordinary Time, do not relate particularly to the readings and so will be just as appropriate with these readings as with the authorized lectionary readings. If a thematic prayer is required, this may be sought from other sources or devised locally.

5  Use of responses

Each module below is provided with a verse and response. This could be used in one or more of the following places:

*    at the start of the service, following the greeting;

*    as a refrain for the psalm (perhaps in an adapted form);

*    before the reading;

*    after the reading;

*    after the sermon, or other teaching, as part of the response;

*    after the Creed or Affirmation of Faith;

*    as part of the conclusion of the service;

*    as part of worship in small groups (such as cell groups, home groups or all-age worship) taking place during the week.

6  Local provision

Churches may design their own reading scheme for parts of the church year, in accordance with the Notes in Common Worship and A Service of the Word. Where they do so they should ensure that an adequate amount of Scripture is chosen; that justice is done to the balance of the book and to the general teaching of Scripture; that appropriate Gospel passages are included if the services include Holy Communion; and that the PCC or an appropriate lay group is involved in the decisions.

7  Appropriate times for the use of modules

In some cases, a particular time (or times) of the year may suggest itself for the use of a particular module. Some modules could appropriately be used in more than one season.

8  Interruptions to the modules

The modules do not have to be used for a series of consecutive Sundays. It may sometimes be necessary to interrupt a module for a special service or celebration (such as Harvest Festival).

Further, a module could be spread over a number of months, being used only for certain sorts of services (such as all-age services). Where this is the case, the provision of readings for the other Sundays will need to take account of this. One way of tackling this sort of situation would be to have two modular sets of readings operating in parallel: one for all-age services and one for other services.

Sample modules

Week Old Testament Psalm New Testament Gospel
         
1
God and the world
  God is not far from each one of us;

in him we live and move and have our being.

cf Acts 17.27-28
1 Genesis 1.1, 2; 1.24 - 2.3

(Creation)
33.1-9 Colossians 1.15-20 Matthew 6.25-30
2 Genesis 2.4-9 (10-14); 15-end

(Creation of humankind)
104.15-25 Romans 5.12-19 Matthew 19.3-5
3 Genesis 3.1-19

(Adam and Eve disobey God)
139.1-11 Romans 7.7-13 John 8.31-36
4 Genesis 4.2b-16

(Cain and Abel)
6 1 John 3.9-18 Matthew 5.21-24
5 Genesis 5.1-4; 6.9-14, 22

(The world and Noah)
53 1 John 4.1-6 Luke 12.16-20
6 Genesis 11.1-9

(The Tower of Babel)
87 Romans 8.14-17 Matthew 8.5-13

2
Noah
  Sowing and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night;

as long as the earth endures, these shall never cease.

cf Genesis 8.22
1 Genesis 6.5-22

(The wickedness of humankind)
26 2 Peter 2.4-9 Mark 7.14-23
2 Genesis 7.11-24 (The flood) 29 1 Peter 3.18-22 Matthew 24.36-42
3 Genesis 8.13, 20-22; 9.1-13

(After the flood)
24.1-6 2 Corinthians 1.18-22 Mark 14.22-25

3
Abraham
  Abraham believed God;

God treated his faith as righteousness.

cf Genesis 15.6
1 Genesis 11.31 - 12.7

(The call of Abram)
22.27-31 Hebrews 11.8-10 Mark 1.16-20
[2] Genesis 13

(Abram and Lot separate)
131 James 3.13-18 Matthew 20.20-23
3 Genesis 17.1-7 (8-14) 15-22

(A son is promised)
105.7-15 Galatians 3.(1-5) 6-14 John 8.51-59
4 Genesis 18.1-15

(The three visitors) (7-10)
105.1-6 2 Corinthians 12.1-6 Luke 24.28-31
5 Genesis 18.17-33

(Abraham pleads for Sodom)
145.13-22 James 5.13-20 John 15.14-16
[6] Genesis 20

(Abraham lies to Abimelech)
118.1-9 Acts 5.1-11 Luke 12.1-7

4
Sarah,Hagar and Rebekah
  Cast your cares upon God.

Know that the Lord cares for you.

cf 1 Peter 5.7
1 Genesis 16

(Sarah and Hagar)
13 Romans 4.13-22 John 7.1-9
2 Genesis 18.9-15; 21.1-7

(God's promise to Sarah)
98 Romans 9.6-9 John 12.44-50
3 Genesis 21.9-21

(God's promise to Hagar)
30 Galatians 4.21-26 John 10.14-16
4 Genesis 24.42-end

(Rebekah meets Isaac)
32.8-12 1 Corinthians 7.1-9 John 14.1-6
5 Genesis 25.19-28

(Rebekah gives birth to Esau and Jacob)
113 Romans 9.10-13 Luke 16.20-24
6 Genesis 27.1-17

(Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac)
37.3-8 Hebrews 11.17-21 Luke 6.12-16

5
Jacob
  Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help,

whose hope is in the Lord their God.

cf Psalm 146.5
1 Genesis 25.19-34

( Jacob and Esau 1)
105.4-11 Romans 9.10-16 Luke 1.26-33
2 Genesis 27.11-19 (1-45)

( Jacob and Esau 2)
50.16-end 2 Timothy 1.3-7 Mark 3.31-35
3 Genesis 28.10-22 (27.46 - 28.22)

( Jacob's journey to Bethel)
119.17-24 Revelation 7.9-12 John 1.47-51
4 Genesis 29.15-30 (29.1-30)

( Jacob marries)
146 Ephesians 5.25-33 Luke 15.11-14
5 Genesis 32.22-33

(32.3 - 33.16)

(Reconciliation)
34.1-10 2 Corinthians 5.16-20 Matthew 5.3-9

6
Leah and Rachel
  The Lord looks with favour on the righteous.

He rescues them from all their troubles.

cf Psalm 34.15
1 Genesis 29.31 - 30.24 120 Ephesians 5.21-33 Luke 1.36-38
2

Genesis 35.9-20
17.8-16 Acts 9.36-43 Luke 20.34-38

7
Joseph
  All things work together for good for those who love God,

for those who are called according to his purpose.

cf Romans 8.28
1 Genesis 37.3-13, 18-24

(An unhappy family)
57.1-7

(37.1-end)
Romans 8.28-32 John 7.1-6
2 Genesis 39.1-15, 20-end (39; 40.1-14)

( Joseph in trouble)
138 Romans 8.33-end Matthew 5.27-30
3 Genesis 41.15-25, 29-40 (41)

( Joseph, Governor of Egypt)
105.16-22 Romans 12.6-13 Luke 12.27-31
4 Genesis 42.6-25, 29, 30, 35, 36 (42; 43)

( Joseph meets his brothers)
103.1-12 Romans 13.1-5 Matthew 21.28-32
5 Genesis 44.1-4, 14-18, 24 - 45.9 (44; 45)

( Joseph reveals who he is)
32 Romans 13.8-11 Matthew 5.23-26
6 Genesis 46.1-7, 28-30;

47.7-11 (46.1-7, 28-34; 47.1-12)

(A reunited family)
126 Romans 15.1-6 Matthew 6.25-27
7 Genesis 50.1-15

(The death of Jacob)
128 Romans 16.25-27 Luke 10.23-24

8
Women in the messianic line
  Who are those who fear the Lord?

He will teach them the way that they should choose.

cf Psalm 25.12
1 Genesis 38.11-27 (Tamar) 63.1-9 1 Corinthians 5.1-5 Mark 7.25-30
2 Joshua 2.1-21 (Rahab) 25.1-9 Hebrews 11.29-31 John 10.7-9
3 Ruth 1.1-18 (Ruth) 68.4-10 1 Corinthians 13.1-7 Mark 10.28-31
4 1 Kings 1.15-31 (Bathsheba) 51.1-17 1 Corinthians 7.1-4 Mark 2.13-17
5 Deuteronomy 22.13-21 (Mary) 40.1-10 Revelation 12.1-6 Matthew 1.18-25

9
Moses
  Declare God's glory among the nations;

his wonders among all peoples.

cf Psalm 96.3
1 Exodus 1.6 - 2.10

(Birth of Moses)
64 Ephesians 2.1-5 Luke 1.67-75
2 Exodus 2.11-25

(Moses flees to Midian)
142 Hebrews 11.24-27 Matthew 3.13-17
3 Exodus 3.1-15

(The burning bush)
96 Galatians 1.11-17 John 8.52-59
4 Exodus 3.16 - 4.17

(God calls Moses)
146 Hebrews 5.1-10 John 14.8-14
5 Exodus 5.22 - 6.12; 7.1-7

(Moses sent to Pharaoh)
121 1 Peter 3.13-18 Mark 13.5-13


6
Exodus 11

(Warning of a final plague)
33.1-17 2 Thessalonians 1.5-10 Luke 16.19-31

10
Passover and deliverance
  Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?

Majestic in holiness, awesome in glory,working wonders?

cf Exodus 15.11
1 Exodus 12.1-13

(Passover instructions)
138 1 Cor.11.23-32 Luke 22.7-13
2 Exodus 12.14-28

(Passover for future generations)
16 1 Peter 1.18-23 Luke 22.14-23
3 Exodus 12.29-42

(The Israelites escape)
116.1-8 Acts 2.22-24, 32-36 Luke 22.24-30
4 Exodus 13.17 - 14.12

(Pharaoh pursues the Israelites)
3 Hebrews 11.28, 29 Luke 22.31-37
5 Exodus 14.13-31

(Crossing the Red Sea)
115 1 Corinthians 10.1-4 Luke 22.39-46
6 Exodus 15.1-21

(The song of the Israelites)
9.1-10 Hebrews 3.1-6 Luke 22.63-71

11
Ruth
  I will sing of the loving-kindness of the Lord;

my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness to every generation.

cf Psalm 89.1
1 Ruth 1.1-22

(Ruth returns with Naomi)
88.1-11 Romans 8.28-39 Mark 3.31-35
2 Ruth 2.1-23

(Ruth meets Boaz)
23 Ephesians 2.11-20 Luke 1.46-55
3 Ruth 3.1-18

(Boaz agrees to help)
138 1 Corinthians 4.1-5 Matthew 6.25-34
4 Ruth 4.1-17

(Ruth and Boaz marry)
89.1-4 James 5.7-11 John 16.16-24

12
David
  I love you, O Lord my strength:

the Lord is my rock,my fortress and my deliverer.

cf Psalm 18.1,2
1 1 Samuel 16.1-13 2.6-11 2 Timothy 1.3-7 Mark 1.9-11
2 1 Samuel 17.17-49 18.33-39 Acts 16.22-34 Matthew 17.18-20
[3] 1 Samuel 17.57 - 18.16 23 1 Corinthians 1.1-17 Mark 1.35-38
4 2 Samuel 1.1-27 62.1-8 Romans 7.14-25a John 11.32-36
5 2 Samuel 5.1-10 48 or 132.13-18 Revelation 21.1-5 Luke 13.31-35
6 2 Samuel 7.1-17 89.1-4 or

89.29-38
2 Corinthians 3.7-18 Matthew 22.41-46
7 2 Samuel 11.1-15; 12.1-7a 51.1-17 1 Corinthians 5 Matthew 5.27-30
[8] 2 Samuel 15.7-22 57 2 Timothy 4.9-18 John 11.5-16

13
1 Chronicles
  Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;

for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.

cf 1 Chronicles 29.11
1 1 Chronicles 10.13-11.9 89.19-29 Acts 13.16-23 Mark 11.1-11
2

1 Chronicles 13.5-12;

15.13-16, 28, 29; 16.1
132.1-9 1 Cor.11.23-34 John 4.19-24
3 1 Chronicles 17.16-27 132.11-18 Ephesians 1.3-14 Luke 1.46-55
4 1 Chronicles 21.15-30 51.1-12 Hebrews 9.11-15 Mark 15.33-39
5 1 Chronicles 28.2-10, 20 72.1-7 1 Corinthians 3.5-15 John 15.5-11
6 1 Chronicles 29.10-20 96.1-9 2 Corinthians 9.6-15 Matthew 25.14-30

14
2 Chronicles
  If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

I will forgive their sin and heal their land.

cf 2 Chronicles 7.14
1

2 Chronicles 6.12-21
143 1 Timothy 2.1-8 Matthew 6.9-13
2 2 Chronicles 9.1-12 72.8-19 Revelation 7.9-17 Luke 11.29-32
3 2 Chronicles 20.1-12 70 Acts 4.23-31 Mark 4.35-41
4 2 Chronicles 26.1-5, 16-23 18.25-30 1 Corinthians 10.1-13 Mark 9.33-37
5 2 Chronicles 29.1-11, 15 24 Hebrews 10.19-25 John 2.13-17
6 2 Chronicles 33.1-6, 10-13 107.10-16 1 Timothy 1.12-17 Luke 15.1-7

15
Job
  Christ himself carried our sins in his body on the cross.

By his wounds we have been healed.

cf 1 Peter 2.24
1 Job 2.3-end 73.1-20 Revelation 3.14-22 John 12.1-11
2 Job 4; 6.1-11 62 2 Corinthians 1.3-11a John 11.45-54
3 Job 18.1-19.12 144.1-10 2 Corinthians 12.7-10 John 14.27-end
4 Job 24.19-24; 29.1-8 94.1-11 1 Peter 4.12-19 John 15.18-21
5 Job 36.22-end; 38.1-13 93 Ephesians 3.16-21 John 15.1-6
6 Job 42.1-10a 145.1-13 2 Corinthians 7.5-10 John 16.19-28

16
Isaiah - part 1
  Come,O house of Jacob,

let us walk in the light of the Lord.

cf Isaiah 2.5
1 Isaiah 1.1-4, 9-20 50.7-15 Romans 9.27 - 10.4 Matthew 15.4-11
[2] Isaiah 5.1-10, 18-23 80.8-15 2 Peter 2.1-10 Luke 16.10-15
3 Isaiah 6 93 Romans 11.1-10 John 12.36-41
4 Isaiah 8.9 - 9.7 119.81-88 Ephesians 5.8-14 Matthew 4.12-17
5 Isaiah 11.1-11 72.1-11 Romans 15.5-13 John 12.31-33

17
Isaiah - part 2
  You shall go out in joy,

and be led forth in peace.

cf Isaiah 55.12
1 Isaiah 40.1-17, 27-end 102.12-22 1 Peter 1.22 - 2.3 Mark 1.1-4
2 Isaiah 42.1-12(-17) 110 1 Peter2.20-25 Matthew 12.9-23
[3] Isaiah 43.1-13(-19) 111 1 Peter 5.6-11 Luke 24.44-49
4 Isaiah 52 122 1 Peter 1.8-12 Mark 1.14-15
5 Isaiah 55 21.1-6 1 Peter1.3-7 John 4.13-15

18
Isaiah - part 3
  The spirit of the Lord is upon me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed.

cf Isaiah 61.1
1 Isaiah 56.1-8 84 Hebrews 4.12-16 Matthew 21.12-16
2 Isaiah 58 41.1-4,11-13 James 1.22-27 Matthew 25.34-40
3 Isaiah 60.1-6, 10-end 138 Hebrews 12.18-24 Matthew 2.1-11
4 Isaiah 61.10 - 62.7 45.1-9 Hebrews 13.11-16 Matthew 9.35-38
[5] Isaiah 65.17-end 45.10-17 Revelation 21.1-4 Mark 10.28-31

19
Jeremiah - series A
  Sing to the Lord; give praise to the Lord!

He rescues the oppressed from the hands of the wicked.

cf Jeremiah 20.13
1 Jeremiah 1 119.9-16 1 Corinthians 1.26-31 Matthew 10.16-20
[2] Jeremiah 16.1-18 119.33-40 1 Peter 4.12-19 Matthew 19.8-12
3 Jeremiah 20.7-18 119.25-32 1 Timothy 4. 9-16 Mark 10.35-40
[4] Jeremiah 28 119.41-48 2 John 7-11 Luke 10.13-16
5 Jeremiah 36.1-10, 14-28 119.49-56 2 Corinthians 2.14-17 Matthew 5.14-18
6 Jeremiah 38.1-23 119.17-24 Romans 2.1-16 Matthew 10.41-42

20
Jeremiah - series B



  Heal us, Lord, and we shall be healed;

save us, and we shall be saved.

cf Jeremiah 17.14
1 Jeremiah 2.1-13 78.33-40 Revelation 2.1-7 Mark 2.18-19
2 Jeremiah 8.8 - 9.3 19.7-end 1 Corinthians 2.20-25 Matthew 15.12-14
3 Jeremiah 18.1-17 28.1-5 Romans 9.14-26 Matthew 12.33-37
4 Jeremiah 23.16-32 74.9-12 1 John 4.1-6 John 5.37-44
5 Jeremiah 29.1, 4-14 137.1-6 1 Timothy 2.1-7 Luke 11.9-13
[6] Jeremiah 31.31-37 51.8-13 Hebrews 10.11-18 Mark 14.22-25

21
Ezekiel
  O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.

Then you shall know that the Lord is God.

cf Ezekiel 37.4,7
1 Ezekiel 1.1-4, 22-end 29 Revelation 4.2-11 John 1.14-18
[2] Ezekiel 8.1-18 101 Revelation 2.18-29 Mark 9.43-47
3 Ezekiel 33.7-20 32 Romans 3.21-26 Matthew 20.1-16
4 Ezekiel 34.1-24 23 1 Peter 2.18-25 John 10.11-18
5 Ezekiel 36.16-32 51.10-14 Titus 3.3-8 John 7.37-39
[6]

Ezekiel 47.1-12
46 Revelation 22.1-6 John 17.20-23

22
Daniel
  Blessed be the name of God for ever;

wisdom and power belong to him.

cf Daniel 2.20
1 Daniel 1.1-20 101.1-8 1 Timothy 6.11-16 Matthew 5.13-16
2 Daniel 2.1-6, 25-35, 37-47 96.1-10 1 Corinthians 2.6-10 Matthew 16.15-18
[3] Daniel 3.3, 8-12, 16-25 16 2 Timothy 4.1-8 Luke 12.4-12
4 Daniel 5.1, 5-8, 17-30 75 Acts 12.19a-24 Matthew 6.19-23
5 Daniel 6.4-23 27.1-8 Hebrews 11.32-40 Matthew 5.10-12

23
Visions of Daniel
  O Lord, hear;O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, listen and do not delay.

cf Daniel 9.19
1 Daniel 7.2-18 80.14-end Revelation 1.4-8 Luke 22.66-70
2 Daniel 9.1-7, 17-23(-27) 122 James 4.4-10 Matthew 24.15-31
3 Daniel 10.2-20 34.1-9 Revelation 1.12-18 John 14.25-31
4 Daniel 12 44.21-end Philippians 2.12-18 John 16.29-33

24
Hosea
  Come, let us return to the Lord;

for he has torn us that he may heal us.

cf Hosea 6.1
1 Hosea 1.1 - 2.1 95.6-11 Romans 9.22-28 Matthew 23.37-39
2 Hosea 4.1-14 81.10-16 Romans 1.18-23 Luke 6.43-45
3 Hosea 5.13 - 6.6 80.1-7 Romans 13.10-14 Matthew 11.25-30
[4] Hosea 8 115.2-8 Romans 3.9-20 Mark 12.1-9
5 Hosea 11.1-11 81.1-9 Romans 11.25-32 John 13.1-9
[6] Hosea 14 37.27-35 Romans 12.1-2 Luke 15.3-7

25
Amos
  Let justice roll down like a river;

let righteousness flow like a stream.

cf Amos 5.24
1 Amos 1.1-10 82 2 Thessalonians 1.5-10 Luke 4.22-28
2 Amos 2.1 - 3.2 10 1 Peter 4.12-19 Luke 19.1-10
3 Amos 4.1-13 123 1 Timothy 5.3-10 Luke 8.1-3
4 Amos 6.1-12 49 Revelation 3.14-22 Luke 6.20-26
5 Amos 7.(1-9) 10-17 52 Acts 13.4-12 Luke 13.31-35
[6] Amos 8.1-12 119.25-32 Revelation 20.11-15 Luke 16.19-31

26
Jonah
  As Jonah was a sign to the people of Nineveh,

so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

cf Luke 11.30
1 Jonah 1 ( Jonah runs away) 139.1-11 or Jonah 2.2-9 1 Timothy 1.15-20 Luke 9.7-62
2 Jonah 2.10 - 3.10

( Jonah's preaching in Nineveh)
2.6-11 Ephesians 2.1-10 Luke 11.29-32
3 Jonah 4 ( Jonah sulks) 8 Colossians 4.2-6 Matthew 9.10-13

27
Habakkuk
  The Lord is in his holy temple;

let all the earth be silent before him.

cf Habakkuk 2.20
1 Habakkuk 1.1 - 2.1 6 Jude 17-25 Mark 13.28-37
2 Habakkuk 2.2-20 7.1-10 2 Timothy 3.1-9 Luke 12.13-21
3 Habakkuk 3.1-19a 9.1-10 Revelation 1.12-19 John 1.14-18

28
Haggai
  The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

cf Psalm 46.7
1 Haggai 1.1-15 132.1-10 Revelation 2.1-7 Matthew 6.25-34
2 Haggai 2.1-9 46.4-11 2 Corinthians 3.7-18 John 2.13-22
3 Haggai 2.10-19 85.1-7 Titus 1.10 - 2.1 Matthew 6.19-24
4 Haggai 2.20-23 97.1-6 Hebrews 12.25-29 Mark 13.24-31

29
Malachi
  God's saving power will rise like the sun.

He will bring healing like the sun's rays.

cf Malachi 4.2
1 Malachi 1.1-14 75 1 Cor.11.17-34 Luke 18.9-14
2 Malachi 2.1-16 25.1-9 2 Timothy 3.10 - 4.5 John 5.39-47
3 Malachi 2.17 - 3.12 65 1 Corinthians 3.10-21 Matthew 3.1-12
4 Malachi 3.13 - 4.6 66 Romans 1.18-32 Matthew 11.2-15

30
People Jesus met
  For there is no distinction; the same Lord is Lord of all and generous to all who call on him.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

cf Romans 10.13
1 Numbers 21.4-9 1 1 Cor. 2.11-16 John 3.1-15

(Nicodemus)
2 Amos 8.11-13 65 Revelation 22.1,2 John 4.5-26(-34)

(The Samaritan woman)
3 Hosea 2.19-end 103.6-18 James 2.1-4 Luke 7.36-50

(Simon the Pharisee)
4 Ezekiel 3.1-3 84 2 Timothy 3.14-end Luke 10.38-42

(Martha and Mary)
5 Jonah 2.2-9 41 James 5.13-15 John 5.1-18

(The man at the pool)
6 Leviticus 24.10-16 2 1 Cor.1.18-25 John 18.28 - 19.11

(Pilate)
[7] Joshua 24.14-18 22.1-8 Revelation 21.1-8 Luke 23.32-43

(The two criminals)

31
Time for a feast
  Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed are those who trust in him.

cf Psalm 34.8
1 Isaiah 55.1, 2,10,11 49 Romans 5.6-11 Luke 5.27-32(-35)

(Matthew holds a

party)
2 Exodus 16.12-18 104.26-32 2 Cor. 9.6-10 Luke 9.10-17

(Feeding of the 5000)
3 Proverbs 25.6,7 113 1 Peter 5.5-7 Luke 14.1-14

(Dinner at a Pharisee's house)
4 Proverbs 9.1-6 23 Philippians

3.18-end
Luke 14.15-24

(God's great feast)
5 Genesis 3.2-6 32.1-8 Acts 16.25-34 Luke 19.1-10

(Tea with Zaccheus)
6 Exodus 12.21-28 69.13-23 1 Cor.10.16,17 Luke 22.7-20

(The last supper)

32
Five parables from Matthew
  O Lord, your word is everlasting;

it stands firm for ever in the heavens.

cf Psalm 119.89
1 2 Samuel 22.2-7 127 1 Peter 2.4-8 Matthew 7.24-27

(Two house-builders)
2 Isaiah 5.1-7 119.33-40 Galatians 5.22-23; 6.7-10 Matthew 13.1-9

(The sower)
3 Genesis 41.46-57 145.8-13 1 Peter 4.7-11 Matthew 25.14-30

(The talents)
4 Ezekiel 34.1-6,11-16 23 1 Peter 2.21-25 Matthew 18.10-14

(The lost sheep)
5 Isaiah 55.1-7 37.1-9 Ephesians 2.4-9 Matthew 20.1-16

(The labourers in the vineyard)

33
Five parables from Luke
  O Lord, your word is everlasting;

it stands firm for ever in the heavens.

cf Psalm 119.89
1

Leviticus 19.9-18
25.1-10 1 John 3.13-18 Luke 10.25-37

(The good Samaritan)
2 Jeremiah 31.31-34 51.1-11 Romans 8.12-17 Luke 15.11-32

(The prodigal son)
3 Ecclesiastes 5.10-15 49.1-12 James 4.13 - 5.6 Luke 12.13-21

(The rich fool)
4 Isaiah 58.1-11 112.1-9 1 Cor.1.26-31 Luke 18.9-14

(The Pharisee and the tax collector)
5 Exodus 19.1-8 150 Revelation 19.5-9 Luke 14.15-24

(The great banquet)

34
Eight miracles of Jesus
  The Lord heals the brokenhearted;

he binds up all their wounds.

cf Psalm 147.3
1 Judges 15.9-17 147.1-11 Acts 19.11-20 Matthew 12.22-37

(Casting out

an evil spirit)
2 2 Kings 5.8-15a 103.1-12 1 John 1.5 - 2.2 Mark 2.1-12

(Healing a paralysed man)
3 2 Kings 4.27-37 73.21-28 Acts 14.19-23 Luke 7.11-17

(Raising the widow's son)
4 Exodus 17.1-17 67 1 John 5.13-15 John 2.1-11

(Turning water into wine)
5 Isaiah 55.8-13 63.1-8 Galatians 3.26-29 Matthew 8.5-13

(Healing the centurion's servant)
6 Isaiah 43.1-17 107.23-32 Colossians 1.15-20 Mark 6.45-52

(Jesus walks on

the lake)
7 1 Samuel 17.41-50 107.10-16 Revelation 4.6b-11 Luke 8.26-39

(Freeing a man with many evil spirits)
8 Isaiah 35 25.1-6 1 John 1.5-10 John 9.1-12, 35-41

(Healing a blind man)

35
The road to Emmaus
  Why look for the living among the dead?

Christ is not among the dead: he has risen. Alleluia.

cf Luke 24.5
1 Isaiah 42.5-8 62 Acts 13.16-30 Luke 24.13-24
2 Isaiah 43.1-7 2 Acts 8.26-37 Luke 24.25-27
3 Isaiah 63.7-9 92.1-5 2 Timothy 3.14-17 Luke 24.28-35

36
Romans - part 1
  I am not ashamed of the gospel;

it is the power of God for salvation.

cf Romans 1.16
1 Habakkuk 2.1-4a 106.20-24 Romans 1.13-25;

2.12-16
Matthew 3.4-12
2 Isaiah 59.1-8 72.1-7 Romans 3.9-end Mark 10.17-21
3 Job 8.20 - 9.13 103.8-14 Romans 5.1-17 Mark 10.42-45
4 Ezekiel 36.24-29a 32 Romans 6.1-4, 12-end John 8.2-11
[5] Isaiah 44.1-5 98 Romans 8.1-4,

9-11, 18-27
Matthew 19.23-29
[6] Deuteronomy 7.7-11 84 Romans 8.28-end John 10.27-29

37
Romans - part 2
  The same Lord is lord of all;

he bestows his riches on all who call upon him.

cf Romans 10.12
1 Isaiah 59.19-21 107.1-9 Romans 11.1-6,

11-24
Matthew 15.21-28
2 Proverbs 3.5-12 116.1-9 Romans 12 Luke 6.27-36
[3] Leviticus 19.1, 2, 9-18 94.14-23 Romans 13 Luke 20.19-25
4 Ezekiel 34.11-16 133 Romans 14.1-6,

13-23
Matthew 7.1-5
5 Isaiah 49.5-6 117 Romans 15.7-21 John 17.20-23

38
The Church in the world:

1 Corinthians 1 to 13
  The message of the cross is a stumbling block to some;

we proclaim it as the power and wisdom of God.

cf 1 Corinthians 1.23-25
1 Isaiah 29.13-16 111 1 Cor. 1.18 - 2.5 Matthew 11.25-30
2 1 Kings 8.22-27 27.1-8 1 Cor. 3.1-17 John 2.13-22
3 Hosea 2.16-20 128 1 Cor. 7.1-20 Matthew 19.1-12
4 Isaiah 49.1-6 34.1-10 1 Cor. 9.13-27 John 4.5-9, 27-42
5 Isaiah 1.10-20 133 1 Cor. 11.17-34 Luke 22.14-27
6 Jeremiah 31.1-6 31.14-24 1 Cor. 13 John 15.9-17

39
Christ's resurrection and ours: 1 Corinthians 15
  Christ has been raised from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have died.

cf 1 Corinthians 15.20
1 Daniel 7.7-14 16 1 Cor. 15.1-11 Luke 24.36-49
2 Isaiah 40.25-31 81 1 Cor. 15.12-20 John 20.24-31
3 Isaiah 45.18-25 98   1 Cor. 15.20-34 Mark 13.24-37
4 2 Samuel 12.15-23 73.21-28 1 Cor. 15.35-49 Mark 12.18-27
5 1 Chronicles 29.10-20 150 1 Cor. 15.50-58 Matthew 28.16-20

40
Ephesians
  Once we were darkness;

but now in the Lord we are light.

cf Ephesians 5.8
1

Exodus 19.1-6
145.1-9 Ephesians 1.1-14 (15-23) John 1.14-16
2 Deuteronomy 4.25-31 116.1-9 Ephesians 2.1-10 Luke 23.39-43
3 Isaiah 65.1-5 87 Ephesians

2.11-22; 3.8-13
Matthew 28.16-end
[4] Deuteronomy 6.1-5 133 Ephesians 4.1-16 Matthew 16.13-18
5 Deuteronomy 10.12-21 5.1-7 Ephesians

4.22- 5.14
Matthew 6.19-23
[6] Isaiah 59.16b-19 44.5-9 Ephesians 6.10-20 Luke 10.17-20

41
1 Thessalonians
  This is the will of God for us, in Christ Jesus:

rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.

cf 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18
1 Isaiah 62.1-5 115.1-8 1 Thess. 1 Matthew 13.45-46
2 Isaiah 55.9-13 34.11-end 1 Thess. 2.1-13 Matthew 23.1-12
[3] Isaiah 8.11-18 15 1 Thess.

3.12 - 4.12
Luke 19.11-27
4 Isaiah 64.1-7 98 1 Thess.

4.13 - 5.11
John 3.17-21
[5] Proverbs 3.1-6 105.1-8 1 Thess. 5.12-end John 17.11-18

42
2 Thessalonians
  May our Lord Jesus Christ comfort our hearts;

may he strengthen us in every good work and word.

cf 2 Thessalonians 2.16, 17
1 Isaiah 24.1-5 95 2 Thess. 1 Matthew 22.1-14
2 Isaiah 24.20-23 97 2 Thess. 2.1-15 Matthew 24.23-27
3 Isaiah 26.1-7 98 2 Thess. 3 Mark 4.2-9

43
Hebrews
  Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness;

there we receive mercy and grace in our time of need.

cf Hebrews 4.16
1 1 Kings 19.9b-12 45.1-7 Hebrews 1.1 - 2.4 John 17.1-5
2 Ecclesiastes 9.1-6 8 Hebrews 2.5-18 Mark 3.31-34
3 Numbers 12.1-9 95 Hebrews 3.1-14 Matthew 17.1-8
4 Genesis 1.31 - 2.3 33.8-17 Hebrews 4.1-13 Matthew 10.24-31
5 Genesis 14.17-20 130 Hebrews 4.14 - 5.10 Luke 22.39-46
6 Jeremiah 31.31-34 40.1-10 Hebrews 9.1-5,

11-15
Mark 10.35-45
7 Acts 5.1-11 95 Hebrews 10.19-31 Luke 12.35-40
8 Philippians 3.7-16 119.65-72 Hebrews 12.1-11 Mark 9.2-13

44
1 John
  God is light;

in him is no darkness at all.

cf 1 John 1.5
1 Deuteronomy 30.11-20 36 1 John 1.1 - 2.6 John 3.19-21
2 Jeremiah 8.8-12 1 1 John 2.18 - 3.3 John 1.9-13
3 Jeremiah 31.31-37 43 1 John 3.4-10;

3.19 - 4.6
John 8.42-47
4 Song of Solomon 2.8-13 67 1 John 4.7 - 5.5 John 1.14-18
[5] Deuteronomy 6.1-12 2.6-end 1 John 5.6-end John 16.7-15

45
Revelation - series A
  Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy;

and blessed are those who hear it and take it to heart.

cf Revelation 1.3
1 Daniel 10:4-19 45.1-9 Rev. 1.4-end Matthew 17.1-8
2 Joshua 24.14-24 7.9-end Rev. 3 Matthew 16.15-18
3 Job 1.1-12 47 Rev. 12 John 12.31-36
4 Ezekiel 42.15 - 43.7 45.10-17 Rev. 21.1-14 John 6.35-40

46
Revelation - series B
  Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty;

who was, and is, and is to come.

cf Revelation 4.8
1 Daniel 7.1-10 118.19-26 Rev. 4.1-2; 5 John 1.25-29
2 Amos 4.6-13 44.19-27 Rev. 6 Mark 13.5-13
3 2 Kings 19.20-28 52 Rev. 13 John 15.19-25
4 Zephaniah 3.9-20 49.12-21 Rev. 18.21 - 19.9 Luke 6.20-26
5 Ezekiel 48.30-35 66.1-8 Rev. 21.10-14;

21.22 - 22.5
Matthew 25.1-13

New Patterns for Worship, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2002 and published by Church House Publishing.

Download the Common Worship Lectionary app