First Reading

Contagious Holiness Lectionary Date: May 15, 2022 [5th Sunday of Easter, Year C] Rachel reveals the OT backdrop for Peter's rooftop vision.

Life Restored Lectionary Date: May 8, 2022 [4th Sunday of Easter, Year C] Rosy highlights the key elements surrounding the resurrection of a disciple from Joppa.

Saul's Non-Conversion Lectionary Date: May 1, 2022 [3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C] This week, we’re grateful to welcome Dr. Susan Hylen as our guest on First Reading. Susan is Associate Professor of New Testament at Emory University and the Candler School of Theology. She is a specialist in the history of women in the early church and in New Testament literature. A couple of her recent books you ma...

An Authenticated Message Lectionary Date: April 24, 2022 [Second Sunday of Easter, Year C] Tim highlights a couple Old Testament resonances in the apostles' jailbreak scene.

Exasperated Hope Lectionary Date: April 17, 2022 [Easter Sunday, Year C] Rachel puts the First Reading in conversation with the Easter Gospel reading.

A Suffering Servant Lectionary Date: April 10, 2022 [Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C] Rosy has the scoop on the influence of Isaiah on Christian tellings of Jesus's suffering

Past and Future Hope Lectionary Date: April 3, 2022 [5th Sunday in Lent, Year C] Tim preaches from the poetic grammar of Psalm 126

What Happens in the Liminal Space Lectionary Date: March 27, 2022 [4th Sunday in Lent, Year C] Rachel suggests that we should pause here and appreciate the in-between space.

Satisfaction in the World Before Money Lectionary Date: March 20, 2022 [3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C] This week, we’re grateful to welcome Dr. Roger Nam as our guest on First Reading. Dr. Nam is Professor of Hebrew Bible and Director of the Graduate Department of Religion at Emory University. (That’s homebase and training ground for Rachel, Tim, and Rosy!) A former economic analyst, pastor, and a se...

Between the Pieces Lectionary Date: March 13, 2022 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C] Rosy explores meaningful themes embedded in an ancient covenant ritual.

Take a Leap? Lectionary Date: March 6, 2022 [1st Sunday in Lent, Year C] Tim avoids a platitudinous reading of the Psalm.

Shining Faces Lectionary Date: February 27, 2022 [Transfiguration Sunday, Year C] Rachel offers some creative approaches to using the Hebrew Bible text on Transfiguration Sunday.

Forgiveness, But Also Grief Lectionary Date: February 20, 2022 [7th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rosy points us toward a more complex reading of the Joseph story.

Resources for Resilience Lectionary Date: February 13, 2022 [6th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Tim finds some hope hidden in Jeremiah's doom-n-gloom.

Seeing God and Reimagining Trauma Lectionary Date: February 6, 2022 [5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C] This week, we’re grateful to have Dr. Ethan Schwartz with us to look at Isaiah's prophetic call. Dr. Schwartz is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Villanova University. His research focuses on the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible, so today’s passage is right in his wheelhouse. Ethan...

Jesus and Elijah Lectionary Date: January 30, 2022 [4th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Rachel drops the first reading to pick up OT references in the Gospel reading this week.

The Ideal and the Real in Worship Lectionary Date: January 23, 2022 [3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Ezra models the six-hour sermon?!

My Delight is in Her Lectionary Date: January 16, 2022 [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Sometimes we just need to hear that God sees us and loves us.

Go Baptism! Lectionary Date: January 9, 2022 [1st Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Why go to the Old Testament for "Baptism of our Lord" Sunday?

God Delights in You Lectionary Date: January 2, 2022 [2nd Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C] A dip into Hebrew poetry for this first Sunday of 2022.

Hannah's Roar Lectionary Date: December 26, 2021 [1st Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C] It's a party episode! --> All 3 First Reading co-hosts together to chat about Hannah's song!

Mary and Consent Lectionary Date: December 19, 2021 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel rounds out Advent this year with a reflection on the problem of consent in Mary's story.

"Pure" Grace Lectionary Date: December 12, 2021 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel starts in the Gospel and works back to the Good News in the Old Testament.

The Medium is the Messenger Lectionary Date: December 5, 2021 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel highlights the power of the covenant this Advent.

To You, I Lift My... Throat? Lectionary Date: November 28, 2021 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel introduces Advent with an extended reflection on (surprise, surprise) the "nefesh."