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This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10), Year A, falling on July 12, 2026. The Gospel turns a new corner this morning. For six Sundays we have been reading through Jesus’ words to his disciples — the sending discourse of Matthew 10 and the closing invitation of Matthew 11. Today we move from instruction to story ....

In this session, we cover the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 9), Year A , falling on July 5, 2026. Of course, you may be in search of something “patriotic” to say with the Independence Day celebration (aka, July 4) in America. That’s not really our bag here at the Lectionary Lab, but I’ll see if I can’t whip up a little something fo...

This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8), Year A, falling on June 28, 2026. This Sunday closes the four-week arc of Jesus’ sending discourse in Matthew 10. The shape of that arc is worth holding in view as you prepare. Four weeks ago , Jesus called Matthew the tax collector from his table. Three weeks ago , he sent th...

This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7), Year A , falling on June 21, 2026. We are well into the green season now — the long, ordinary stretch of Sundays during which the church listens, week by week, to the long witness of Scripture. This Sunday’s readings are not gentle. The Gospel continues last week’s account of...

Hoo, boy… it’s great to be back in the saddle at my computer and in front of the microphone! I greatly enjoyed a short break to visit my family in New York, and I appreciate you all sticking with it while the audio has taken a break. I hope the printed materials continued to be helpful. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the...

This guide covers the readings appointed in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Day of Pentecost, Year A, falling on May 24, 2026. Pentecost is the fiftieth day of the Easter season — the Sunday on which the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit. The lectionary offers several choices at three of the four reading positions this day, which can be confusing. The note below explains the opt...

Introduction This guide covers the four Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A (May 17, 2026). This Sunday falls between Ascension Thursday (May 14) and Pentecost (May 24) , and it has a distinctive texture: Jesus has departed, the Spirit has not yet come, and the community is left waiting. All four readings inhabit that in-between space in different ways — the...

Introduction This guide covers the four Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A (May 10, 2026). Ascension Thursday falls four days later (May 14), and these texts are shaped by the awareness that Jesus is preparing to leave — and that what he leaves behind is not a void but a presence. Acts shows the gospel reaching into Athens. The psalm testifies to coming throu...

Bishop James Dixon joins John Fairless for a discussion of how lectionary preachers can build a sermon series when stepping out of the lectionary for a time. The focus is on the series, “Being a Loving Church in a Bitter World”, published earlier here on Lectionary.pro (see the original post, “ It’s Bonus Time for Preachers ” below). Bishop Dixon has long experience not only as a church planter an...

This guide covers the four Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A (May 3, 2026). The week’s texts circle around two related questions: * what does it look like to trust God when everything is falling apart, and * what is the community of faith being built into? Stephen dies praying for his killers. The psalmist says their times are in God’s hands. First Peter cal...

Fourth Sunday of Easter • April 26, 2026 • Year A Introduction We begin with the four Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A (April 26, 2026). This Sunday is sometimes called Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Gospel reading from John 10, and the theme of shepherding runs through all four texts in different ways — care, guidance, the cost of protecting others,...

The Emmaus Road courtesy of The Missional Network (April 15, 2020) Welcome, friends, as we continue the Easter season. I have meticulously checked my sources for this week, but if I’m off again — you’ll let me know! RCL Readings Acts 2:14a, 36-41 The First Lesson — Peter’s Pentecost Proclamation Summary Picking up from Peter’s Pentecost address — which has already happened at this point in the tex...

Since this Sunday is different from any other Sunday, we are doing something that is both different and familiar (for those who have followed the Lectionary Lab for a while, anyhow). The podcast features the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton , co-founder of the Lectionary Lab and long-time preacher in United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran, and Episcopal traditions. Not so much textual work this week; more...

G’day, colleagues and friends. We are just about here and it will be time to enter Holy Week. My prayers for strength and clarity for you during this “heavy” time of the year. Churches often choose either the Palm liturgy or the Passion liturgy on this Sunday, though many combine them. It’s a bit of a sticky wicket whichever way you attempt it. I have included fairly brief summaries of these famil...

RCL Texts Ezekiel 37:1–14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6–11; John 11:1–45 A “Big Idea” for Preaching The readings for this Sunday proclaim that the God of Scripture is the God who brings life where death seems final. In Ezekiel , a valley of dry bones—symbolizing a people who believe their story is over—is restored by the breath of God’s Spirit. Psalm 130 gives voice to those living in the depths of despa...

Hi, gang; it’s nice to be back among the land of the living and (mostly) to have my voice back! Thanks for the notes of encouragement last week. I’m going to continue with the updated format we rolled out last week, giving some summaries of the texts for this Sunday, along with some preaching notes and such. As always, I truly welcome your feedback as to what is helpful and what is not — particula...

NO PODCAST (voice production) this week, as John has been sick and has no voice! So, written comments only. Hope to be back in tune next week! ********************************************************************************************************* Hey gang — thanks for the comments and encouragement! Please keep them coming along with your requests and suggestions. I am playing around a bit with...

And, we’re off! Thanks, everybody, for giving our renewed Lectionary.pro format a try. Please continue to offer your comments and suggestions. Just like the original Lectionary Lab , we want to be helpful to working preachers. (“Jesus and Nicodemus”, from the Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Discussion page) RCL Readings : • Genesis 12:1–4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17 Text Summaries •...

RCL Texts: Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11 (Narrative Lectionary text and comments follow below) Theme: From Hiding to Trust Core Claim Lent begins with hard truth about sin, but moves quickly to mercy: in Christ, we are called out of hiding and formed into a life of trust. 1) Scripture Summaries Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7 Humanity is placed in the garden with freedom...

Delmer and I had 14 great years of writing and producing the Lectionary Lab blog and podcast… along with sharing workshop time with a bunch of you. Those were the “salad days” and shall never be repeated. But, I have been kicking around an idea for a lectionary preaching resource that I’d like to put out here and give it a whirl for the upcoming season of Lent. This will NOT be the format of the f...

Hey everybody — I have posted a brief video that shows you how to access our archive of Lectionary Lab podcasts and written materials. It’s not the smoothest database I’ve ever seen, but it is searchable and you are more than welcom to it. Material for Years A, B, and C are included. Have fun! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lectionarypro.substack.com/subscribe