Be advised, the month and a half of 1st Corinthians is here. If you are interested in doing something constructive with these readings, the time to think ahead about it is now. I've already posted a longer piece on this entitled "The Corinthian Epiphany" should you be interested in it.
The year B list of texts: 6:12-20; 7:29-31; 8:1-13; 9:24-27; [2 Cor 1:18-22; 3:1-6; 4:5-12]
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=95495696
A list of these texts in relation to their counterparts in the Gospel readings is provided here:
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=98165129
A list of the texts from the above text is provided below. I've also inserted brief commentary on their contents and routes to harmonize them. Needless to say, don't take my summaries for granted. They exist to speed along connections for you.
However, at the very least, it makes sense to point out the series of readings from 1st Corinthians so that the congregation can make their own connections if none will be made in the sermons.
------- ------- -------
Eiphany 2
1 Cor 6:12-20 - Glorify God in your body and don't fornicate.
John 1:43-51 - Calling Phillip and Nathaniel (similar with next week)
-- Contrasting discipleship with such sins. Discipleship, response to the Gospel, and glorifying God in your body.
Epiphany 3
1 Cor 7:29-31 - Extreme urgency of the moment calls for unusual demands
Mark 1:14-20 - Markan calling of the first disciples (similar with last week)
-- Urgency in ministry, urgency in discipleship works well with the the calling of the first disciples. Real ministry rarely lacks something that is extremely urgent.
Epiphany 4
1 Cor 8:1-13 - Sacrificed meat, Christian Freedom vs offending sensitive Christians
Mark 1:21-28 - Jesus teaching with authority casting out a demon, and amazing people.
-- Meat sacrificed to idols and demons vs Jesus' authority and Christian freedom works well - freedom from forces of evil, authority over them, but not to be self serving.
Epiphany 5
1 Cor 9:16-23 - Responsibility and effort in preaching the Gospel
Mark 1:29-39 - Jesus healing many people, prays alone, and moves on
-- Christian responsibility as viewed through the lens of Jesus' ministry and Jesus' sense of responsibility and His hard labor.
Epiphany 6
1 Cor 9:24-27 - Live the faith like a runner competing for the one and only trophy
Mark 1:40-45 - Jesus heals the leper, and the Messianic secret broken
-- There once was a time to keep Jesus secret. That time is no longer. Now, compete with one another to announce Christ. (faithfully, not poorly)
Epiphany 7 (Won't occur in 2009, skip to Transfiguration)
2 Cor 1:18-22 - Paul defending himself from the allegation of hypocrisy
Mark 2:1-12 - Jesus heals the paralytic and forgives sin
Epiphany 8 (Won't occur in 2009, skip to Transfiguration)
2 Cor 3:1-6 - Competence and confidence from the Spirit, not from the self
Mark 2:13-22 - Calling Levi, eating with sinners, fasting and new wineskins
Epiphany 9 (Won't occur in 2009, skip to Transfiguration)
2 Cor 4:5-12 - Treasures in pots, strength in weakness
Mark 2:23-3:6 - Lord of the Sabbath
Transfiguration Sunday
2 Cor 4:3-6 - Blindness to the light of the Gospel
Mark 9:2-9 - Markan Transfiguration
-- Blinding light of the Transfiguration contrasted with blindness to the light of the Gospel
Friday, January 2, 2009
Feedback
I am genuinely curious to find out which posts I have created thus far are of interest to those who are following this blog. Please comment and tell me what is of value, and you will receive more of it. Please comment and tell me what is not of value, and you'll see less of it.
Your interest is greatly flattering and appreciated!
Your interest is greatly flattering and appreciated!
Epiphany on a Sunday?
At text study this last week, I ran into an interesting pastor who was visiting someone he knew in the area, but decided to show up at our text study for the fun of it. He kind of took it over in ways that frustrated me, but he did mention at least one idea I found interesting.
Epiphany, he complained, being a fixed festival, is being diminished because of people's reticence to come to mid week services, and so he had taken to celebrating Epiphany on a sunday instead, the sunday preceeding the Baptism of Christ. He is quite sold on the importance of Epiphany as part of the Christian mindset, and wants to be able to preach on it.
Ultimately, I'm glad when I run into such innovative usage of the lectionary. It is not our master, but something we use to guide people through the story of Scripture. Frankly, I would commend this idea to others - I'm considering myself.
However, if this option is chosen, Epiphany will be substituted for Christmas 2 whenever it occurs (4/7 years), and whenever Christmas 2 doesn't occur (3/7 years), Epiphany will be substituted for Christmas 1. Christmas 1 deals with the childhood of Jesus from Luke and Matthew, and Christmas 2 is John on the Word become Flesh.
Practically, this means that John 1 in all its fullness will never occur in worship since it only appears on Christmas 2. Such a loss absolutely MUST be compensated for, for the Word become flesh is so central to our message. Creativity on Christmas or on Epiphany, or even throughout the rest of the year.
It is true that stories about Jesus' childhood wouldn't be eradicated by celebrating Epiphany during Christmas since there are usually two Sundays during Christmas. However, their role would be diminished. It may be that these stories will show up often enough for you, and that's fine. It may be they don't, in which case creativity is in order.
Would you actually use this option? Why? Why not? I invite comments.
Epiphany, he complained, being a fixed festival, is being diminished because of people's reticence to come to mid week services, and so he had taken to celebrating Epiphany on a sunday instead, the sunday preceeding the Baptism of Christ. He is quite sold on the importance of Epiphany as part of the Christian mindset, and wants to be able to preach on it.
Ultimately, I'm glad when I run into such innovative usage of the lectionary. It is not our master, but something we use to guide people through the story of Scripture. Frankly, I would commend this idea to others - I'm considering myself.
However, if this option is chosen, Epiphany will be substituted for Christmas 2 whenever it occurs (4/7 years), and whenever Christmas 2 doesn't occur (3/7 years), Epiphany will be substituted for Christmas 1. Christmas 1 deals with the childhood of Jesus from Luke and Matthew, and Christmas 2 is John on the Word become Flesh.
Practically, this means that John 1 in all its fullness will never occur in worship since it only appears on Christmas 2. Such a loss absolutely MUST be compensated for, for the Word become flesh is so central to our message. Creativity on Christmas or on Epiphany, or even throughout the rest of the year.
It is true that stories about Jesus' childhood wouldn't be eradicated by celebrating Epiphany during Christmas since there are usually two Sundays during Christmas. However, their role would be diminished. It may be that these stories will show up often enough for you, and that's fine. It may be they don't, in which case creativity is in order.
Would you actually use this option? Why? Why not? I invite comments.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas 2 ABC - Jesus the Word become Flesh
Jer 31:7-14 (Christmas 2 ABC; Proper 25 B)
Ps 72:1-17, 10,14 (Christmas 2 ABC; Advent 2 A)
Eph 1:3-14 (Christmas 2 ABC; Proper 10 B)
Jn 1:(1-9) 10-18 (Christmas 2 ABC; Advent 3 B; Christmas III ABC)
Four out of seven years has two Sundays between December 25th (Christmas) and January 6th (Epiphany). As such, this Sunday is only celebrated just more than half of the time.
Christmas 2 in all years focuses on John 1. Provisions are made to ensure that there is no overlap with the optional reading from John on Christmas (This is known as Christmas III). However, should John not be used for Christmas, I would recommend utilizing the whole of John 1, because it only occurs on the festivals of Christmas and Christmas 2, and it is a cornerstone for our understanding the incarnation of Christ.
Note that Advent 3 included excerpts from this, focusing on the preaching of John the Baptist on Jesus.
Ps 72:1-17, 10,14 (Christmas 2 ABC; Advent 2 A)
Eph 1:3-14 (Christmas 2 ABC; Proper 10 B)
Jn 1:(1-9) 10-18 (Christmas 2 ABC; Advent 3 B; Christmas III ABC)
Four out of seven years has two Sundays between December 25th (Christmas) and January 6th (Epiphany). As such, this Sunday is only celebrated just more than half of the time.
Christmas 2 in all years focuses on John 1. Provisions are made to ensure that there is no overlap with the optional reading from John on Christmas (This is known as Christmas III). However, should John not be used for Christmas, I would recommend utilizing the whole of John 1, because it only occurs on the festivals of Christmas and Christmas 2, and it is a cornerstone for our understanding the incarnation of Christ.
Note that Advent 3 included excerpts from this, focusing on the preaching of John the Baptist on Jesus.
Year B, Christmas 1 - Jesus' Childhood
Isa 61:10-62:3 (1 Occurence)
Ps 148 (4 Occurences, Christmas 1 ABC, Easter 5 C)
Gal 4:4-7 (1 Occurence)
Lk 2:22-40 (1 Occurence)
Three out of seven years has only one Sunday between December 25th (Christmas) and January 6th (Epiphany). As such, this Sunday is the only Sunday before epiphany just under half of the time.
The gospel for Christmas 1 in all years focuses on the stories of Jesus’ childhood. Conveniently enough, there are only three such stories: Jesus’ presentation in the temple (Luke), the flight and exile in Egypt (Matthew), and Jesus as a child being left behind in the Temple (Luke). As such, it is an opportunity to expand on the story of Jesus’ birth.
The gospel for Christmas 1 in year B gives an opportunity to fully tell Luke’s stories surrounding the birth of Jesus as it follows on the heels of the Christmas reading. I would actually suggest that the reading begin with the verse concerning Jesus’ circumcision, which is included in the Christmas reading because of the naming of Jesus. However, given the ideas of Mary’s purification after birth and Jesus’ dedication in the temple according to the law of Moses, Jesus’ circumcision on the 8th day falls in line with the ritual theme of the prescribed reading.
Ps 148 (4 Occurences, Christmas 1 ABC, Easter 5 C)
Gal 4:4-7 (1 Occurence)
Lk 2:22-40 (1 Occurence)
Three out of seven years has only one Sunday between December 25th (Christmas) and January 6th (Epiphany). As such, this Sunday is the only Sunday before epiphany just under half of the time.
The gospel for Christmas 1 in all years focuses on the stories of Jesus’ childhood. Conveniently enough, there are only three such stories: Jesus’ presentation in the temple (Luke), the flight and exile in Egypt (Matthew), and Jesus as a child being left behind in the Temple (Luke). As such, it is an opportunity to expand on the story of Jesus’ birth.
The gospel for Christmas 1 in year B gives an opportunity to fully tell Luke’s stories surrounding the birth of Jesus as it follows on the heels of the Christmas reading. I would actually suggest that the reading begin with the verse concerning Jesus’ circumcision, which is included in the Christmas reading because of the naming of Jesus. However, given the ideas of Mary’s purification after birth and Jesus’ dedication in the temple according to the law of Moses, Jesus’ circumcision on the 8th day falls in line with the ritual theme of the prescribed reading.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Christmas Eve, Morning, and Evening
All of the readings for Christmas are the same each year in the lectionary. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that, for those who attend Christmas services each year, uniformity breeds familiarity and comfort, and becomes part of the Christmas tradition. The curse is the need to come up with something fresh and new to say each year concerning the old, old story. For that, there are many quality resources, online and on book shelves.
However, my bias in all of these things is to say that the longer you see a pattern coming, the more time you have to think about it. If one is especially interested in such things, laying out ones own discarded ideas for one Christmas for use on subsequent ones seems profitable. However, I leave that for the especially interested to pursue.
However, for those who tire of this pattern, there may be some help to be found in the Lectionary of all places. Unbenounced to me, the lectionary distinguishes between the readings on Christmas Eve, Morning, and Afternoon/Evening. Somewhat impractical in use at the average congregation, it seems to presuppose a monastic type community, in which worship is the center of the community, such that 3 worship services in 36 hours would not seem over the top. I would thus suggest that any of the three could be used for the service at a church with only one service, though some things are more appropriate than others.
The Gospel readings for Christmas Eve and Morning are essentially interchangable, though should one desire to preach two different sermons at each service, Luke's nativity has been divided in half by the lectionary, with the option of simply expanding the nativity story if one only has one service. Christmas Evening has a reading from John 1 which seems like a good option should one see fit to have two other services. Nonetheless, it seems singularly unadvisable to preach on the ethereal word made flesh except when one has already preached on the babe in the manger.
For the Epistle, again, Christmas Eve and Morning have similar readings - Titus 2 and 3 respectively. This is the only opportunity to preach out of Titus in the lectionary, so it is advisable to do at least some work with those texts. Using each every other year would be a neat way to keep some things changing should that be desirable.
Psalms 96, 97, and 98 are the psalms for Christmas Eve, Morning, and Evening respectively. It seems remarkable that there is this numerical progression among the psalms among these services. I would be curious to discover the source of that decision. Nonetheless, again, any of these could be chosen
Almost without saying, the great prophet Isaiah is the prophet of choice on Christmas. Passages from chapters 9, 62, and 52 are taken for Christmas Eve, Morning, and Evening. Again, presumably these can be used interchangably should you desire to use fully appropriate 1st Lessons to bring out different parts of the Christmas story this year.
Christmas Eve
Isa 9:2-7
3 Occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Eve
Ps 96
5 Occurences per cycle
3 Occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Eve
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas
Isa 62:6-12
3 occurences in the cycle, all on Christmas Morning
Ps 97
4 Occurences in the cycle
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Morning
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Morning
Note that the parenthesis only apply if there is a different Christmas Eve service
Christmas Evening
Isa 52:7-10
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Evening
Ps 98
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Evening
Heb 1:1-4, 5-12
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Evening
Jn 1:1-14
7 Occurences in 3 yr cycle
However, my bias in all of these things is to say that the longer you see a pattern coming, the more time you have to think about it. If one is especially interested in such things, laying out ones own discarded ideas for one Christmas for use on subsequent ones seems profitable. However, I leave that for the especially interested to pursue.
However, for those who tire of this pattern, there may be some help to be found in the Lectionary of all places. Unbenounced to me, the lectionary distinguishes between the readings on Christmas Eve, Morning, and Afternoon/Evening. Somewhat impractical in use at the average congregation, it seems to presuppose a monastic type community, in which worship is the center of the community, such that 3 worship services in 36 hours would not seem over the top. I would thus suggest that any of the three could be used for the service at a church with only one service, though some things are more appropriate than others.
The Gospel readings for Christmas Eve and Morning are essentially interchangable, though should one desire to preach two different sermons at each service, Luke's nativity has been divided in half by the lectionary, with the option of simply expanding the nativity story if one only has one service. Christmas Evening has a reading from John 1 which seems like a good option should one see fit to have two other services. Nonetheless, it seems singularly unadvisable to preach on the ethereal word made flesh except when one has already preached on the babe in the manger.
For the Epistle, again, Christmas Eve and Morning have similar readings - Titus 2 and 3 respectively. This is the only opportunity to preach out of Titus in the lectionary, so it is advisable to do at least some work with those texts. Using each every other year would be a neat way to keep some things changing should that be desirable.
Psalms 96, 97, and 98 are the psalms for Christmas Eve, Morning, and Evening respectively. It seems remarkable that there is this numerical progression among the psalms among these services. I would be curious to discover the source of that decision. Nonetheless, again, any of these could be chosen
Almost without saying, the great prophet Isaiah is the prophet of choice on Christmas. Passages from chapters 9, 62, and 52 are taken for Christmas Eve, Morning, and Evening. Again, presumably these can be used interchangably should you desire to use fully appropriate 1st Lessons to bring out different parts of the Christmas story this year.
Christmas Eve
Isa 9:2-7
3 Occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Eve
Ps 96
5 Occurences per cycle
- Christmas Eve ABC
- Proper 24 A
- Epiphany 9 C
- Proper 4 C
3 Occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Eve
- Note: Titus 2 appears only on Christmas Eve, and Titus 3 only appears on Christmas Morning. Thus, Christmas is the only time to work with the book of Titus in worship.
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas
- Note the parenthesis only apply if there is also a different Christmas morning service.
Isa 62:6-12
3 occurences in the cycle, all on Christmas Morning
Ps 97
4 Occurences in the cycle
- ABC Christmas Morning
- Easter 7 C
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Morning
- Note: Titus 2 appears only on Christmas Eve, and Titus 3 only appears on Christmas Morning. Thus, Christmas is the only time to work with the book of Titus in worship.
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Morning
Note that the parenthesis only apply if there is a different Christmas Eve service
Christmas Evening
Isa 52:7-10
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Evening
Ps 98
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Evening
Heb 1:1-4, 5-12
3 occurences per cycle, all on Christmas Evening
Jn 1:1-14
7 Occurences in 3 yr cycle
- Advent 3 B (1:6-8, 19-28) ---> Just occured
- Christmas Evening ABC
- Christmas 2 ABC (vs 1-9 optional, minimizing overlap)
Year B, Advent 4 - Preceeding the Nativity
Advent 4 turns all attention to the stories of Matthew and Luke.
Year B records Luke's annunciation to Mary. Year C tells of Mary's subsequent trip to Elizabeth. Year A rounds off the story after a fashion with Joseph's decision to marry Mary after a vision in spite of her pregnancy.
Luke 1:26-38
1 occurences in 3 years
Luke will feature greatly in the next weeks. Christmas Eve or Morning focuses on Luke, as does the Sunday after Christmas. After that, there's no Luke until next Advent. 3 sermons in a row on Luke 1 and 2 might warrant some planning ahead to avoid running out of material. Though, if that happens, there are always other texts to rely on.
Romans 16:25-27
1 occurence in 3 years
Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55
2 occurences in 3 years
2 Samuel 7:1-11
1 Occurence in 3 years
Year B records Luke's annunciation to Mary. Year C tells of Mary's subsequent trip to Elizabeth. Year A rounds off the story after a fashion with Joseph's decision to marry Mary after a vision in spite of her pregnancy.
Luke 1:26-38
1 occurences in 3 years
Luke will feature greatly in the next weeks. Christmas Eve or Morning focuses on Luke, as does the Sunday after Christmas. After that, there's no Luke until next Advent. 3 sermons in a row on Luke 1 and 2 might warrant some planning ahead to avoid running out of material. Though, if that happens, there are always other texts to rely on.
Romans 16:25-27
1 occurence in 3 years
Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55
2 occurences in 3 years
- The other occurence is Advent 4, Year C; appropriate placement given that it is the year of Luke.
- The Magnificat, as sung by Mary. Perhaps most appropriately sung after the reading of the Gospel, but that is a judgment call.
2 Samuel 7:1-11
1 Occurence in 3 years
- The initiation of the Davidic covenant, establishing the house of David as king over Israel, of which Jesus is considered culmination and heir.
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