Exploring the Revised Common Lectionary Prepared by Safiyah

Exploring the Revised Common Lectionary Prepared by Safiyah Fosua Director, Invitational Preaching Ministries, General Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN Power. Point Background purchased from Living Water Worship Designs

Understanding The Lectionary • The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of readings intended for use in public worship • The Revised Common Lectionary is one way that we, as the church, celebrate the common texts (Bible) that we share. • The Revised Common Lectionary provides a systematic way to proclaim most of the Bible texts in the hearing of our congregations within the three-year cycle.

Organization of the Lectionary Content • First reading, usually from the Old Testament • Psalm reading • New Testament reading • Gospel reading

Use of Scripture Year A Year B Year C Festival Seasons Matthew Mark Luke John Patriarchs and Moses David Elijah. Elisha and Minor Prophets

Relationships From Advent to Trinity Sunday • There is a relationship between the gospel and the other readings. • Theme is governed by the gospel reading. Season After Pentecost (After Trinity Sunday and Before Advent) • There is no relationship between the readings. • Instead, there are three tracts of continuous or semi-continuous readings.

What about the Time In-Between? (Ordinary Time or the Season after Pentecost) Choose a track (For example: Year B) • Gospel • Mark • Epistle • Ephesians, James, Hebrews • Old Testament • Life of David

2 Major Cycles= Major Teaching Opportunities Advent-Christmas Cycle “The Cycle of Light” Lent-Easter Cycle • Advent • Christmas • Epiphany • • “The Cycle of Life” Lent Easter Ascension Day Pentecost

The Cycle of LIGHT Advent – Repentance and preparation to receive Christ into our hearts anew • Preparation for the Second Coming of Christmas – Incarnation Epiphany - Revelation of God with Us

The Cycle of LIFE • Lent – Repentance and renewal. We journey toward Jerusalem to face our own death. • Easter – Resurrection and its proofs. Christ is raised; we are raised. • Ascension Day! The Tomb is empty, and Christ is seated in Heaven! • Day of Pentecost – Emergence of the church with proof that Christ is alive.

Other Holidays and Holy Days • Trinity Sunday • All Saints Day • Christ the King/Reign of Christ

For More Information • Consultation on Common Texts Website: http: //www. commontexts. org/ • Questions about the Lectionary http: //divinity. library. vanderbilt. edu/lectionary/FAQ/faq_le ct. htm • Rediscovering the Christian Feasts http: //www. cokesbury. com/search. aspx? scope=all&query= robert+webber&section. Id=1&pagestart=0&pid=253925 -by Robert Webber • Ancient Future Time http: //www. cokesbury. com/search. aspx? scope=all&query= robert+webber&section. Id=1&pagestart=0&pid=08010917 56 by Robert Webber • GBOD Worship Website www. umcworship. org