
The Revised Common Lectionary
(a Free Church–Baptist, Congregational, Reformed version)
2009
(Begin Lectionary Year C)
The Christmas Cycle (Advent and Christmastide, through Epiphany)
Advent
Nov 29, 1st Sunday of Advent, Jer. 33:14-16. Ps. 25:1-10. 1 Thes. 3:9-13. Luke 21:25-36. Blue
Dec 06, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Mal. 3:1-4. Luke 1:68-79. Phil. 1:3-11. Luke 3:1-6. Blue
Dec 13, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Zep. 3:14-20. Is. 12:2-6. Phil. 4:4-7. Luke 3:7-18. Blue
Dec 20, 4th Sunday of Advent, Mic. 5:2-5a. Ps. 80:1-7 or Luke 1:47-55. Heb 10:5-10. Luke 1:39-55. Blue
Christmastide
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve I), Is. 9:2-7. Ps. 96. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve II), Is. 62:6-12. Ps. 97. Titus 3:4-7. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 25, Nativity of our Lord (Day), Is 52:7-10. Ps. 98. Heb. 1:1-12. John 1:1-5,9-14,16-18. White
Dec 27, Sunday in Christmastide, 1 Sam. 2:18-20,26. Ps. 148. Col. 3:12-17. Luke 2:41-52. White
2010
Jan 03, Epiphany of our Lord (Observed), Is. 60:1-6. Ps. 72:1-7,10-14. Eph. 3:1-12. Matt. 2:1-12. Gold/White
(Epiphany ends the Christmas Cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Epiphany)
Jan 10, Baptism of our Lord, 1st Sunday of the Year, Is 43:1-7. Ps. 29. Acts 8:14-17. Luke 3:15-22. White
Jan 17, 2nd Sunday of the Year, Is. 62:1-5. Ps. 36:5-10. 1 Cor. 12:1-11. John 2:1-11. Green
Jan 24, 3rd Sunday of the Year, Neh. 8:1-10. Ps. 19. 1 Cor. 12:12-31a. Luke 4:14-21. Green
Jan 31, 4th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 1:4-10. Ps. 71:1-6. 1 Cor 13:1-13. Luke 4:21-30. Green
Feb 07, 5th Sunday of the Year, Is. 6:1-13. Ps. 138. 1 Cor. 15:1-11. Luke 5:1-11. Green
Feb 14, Transfiguration of the Lord, Exod. 34:29-35. Ps. 99. 2 Cor. 3:12~4:2. Luke 9:28-43. White
The Easter Cycle (Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide, through the Day of Pentecost)
Lent
Feb 17, Ash Wednesday, Joel 2:1-2,12-17 or Is. 58:1-12. Ps. 51:1-17. 2 Cor. 5:20b~6:10. Matt. 6:1-6,16-21. Black/Violet
Feb 21, 1st Sunday in Lent, Dt. 26:1-11. Ps. 91:1-2,9-16. Rom. 10:8b-13. Luke 4:1-13. Violet
Feb 28, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Gen. 15:1-18. Ps. 27. Phil. 3:17~4:1. Luke 13:31-35. Violet
Mar 07, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Is. 55:1-9. Ps. 63:1-8. 1 Cor. 10:1-13. Luke 13:1-9. Violet
Mar 14, 4th Sunday in Lent, Josh. 5:9-12. Ps. 32. 2 Cor. 5:16-21. Luke 15:1-3,11b-32. Violet
Mar 21, 5th Sunday in Lent, Is. 43:16-21. Ps. 126. Phil. 3:4b-14. John 12:1-8. Violet
Holy Week (Passiontide)
Mar 28, Passion/Palm Sunday, [Luke 19:28-40. Ps. 118.] Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 31:9-16. Phil. 2:5-11. Luke 22:14~23:56. Red
Mar 29, Monday of Holy Week, Is. 42:1-9. Ps. 36:5-11. Heb. 9:11-15. John 12:1-11. Red/Violet
Mar 30, Tuesday of Holy Week, Is. 49:1-7. Ps. 71:1-14. 1 Cor. 1:18-31. John 12:20-36. Red/Violet
Mar 31, Wednesday of Holy Week, Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 70. Heb. 12:1-3. John 13:21-32. Red/Violet
Apr 01, Maundy (Holy) Thursday, Exod. 12:1-14. Ps. 116:1-2,12-19. 1 Cor. 11:23-26. John 13:1-17,31b-35. White
Apr 02, Good (Holy) Friday, Is. 52:13~53:12. Ps. 22. Heb. 10:16-25 or Heb. 4:14-16;5:7-9. John 18:1~19:42. Black/Red/Violet
Apr 03, Holy Saturday (until sundown), Job 14:1-14 or Lam. 3:1-9,19-24. Ps. 31:1-4,15-16. 1 Pet. 4:1-8. Matt. 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42. None/Black
Eastertide
Apr 03, Easter Vigil (after sundown), Exod. 14:10-31. Exod. 15:1b-13,17-18. Rom. 6:3-11. Luke 24:1-12. Gold/White
Apr 04, Resurrection Day (I morn), Acts 10:34-43. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. 1 Cor. 15:19-26. John 20:1-18. Gold/White
Apr 04, Resurrection Day (II morn), Is. 65:17-25. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. Acts 10:34-43. Luke 24:1-12. Gold/White
Apr 04, Resurrection Day (evening), Is. 25:6-9. Ps. 114. 1 Cor. 5:6b-8. Luke 24:13-49. White
Apr 11, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Acts 5:27-32. Ps. 150 or Ps. 118:14-29. Rev. 1:4-8. John 20:19-31. White
Apr 18, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Acts 9:1-20. Ps. 30. Rev. 5:11-14. John 21:1-19. White
Apr 25, 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday), Acts 9:36-43. Ps. 23. Rev. 7:9-17. John 10:22-30. White
May 02, 5th Sunday of Easter, Acts 11:1-18. Ps. 148. Rev. 21:1-6. John 13:31-35. White
May 09, 6th Sunday of Easter, Acts 16:9-15. Ps. 67. Rev. 21:22~22:5. John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9. White
May 13, (Thursday) Ascension of our Lord, Acts 1:1-11. Ps. 47 or 93. Eph. 1:15-23. Luke 24:44-53. Gold/White
May 16, 7th Sunday of Easter, Acts 16:16-34. Ps. 97. Rev. 22:12-21. John 17:20-26. White
May 23, The Day of Pentecost, Last Sunday of Easter, Acts 2:1-21. Ps. 104:24-34,35b. Rom. 8:14-17. John 14:8-17,25-27. Red
(The Day of Pentecost ends the Easter Cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Pentecost)
May 30, Trinity Sunday, Prov. 8:1-4,22-31. Ps. 8. Rom. 5:1-5. John 16:12-15. White
Jun 06, 10th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 17:8-24. Ps. 146. Gal 1:11-24. Luke 7:11-17. Green
Jun 13, 11th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 21:1-21a. Ps. 5:1-8. Gal. 2:15-21. Luke 7:36~8:3. Green
Jun 20, 12th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 19:1-15a. Ps. 42 and 43. Gal. 3:23-29. Luke 8:26-39. Green
Jun 27, 13th Sunday of the Year, 2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14. Ps. 77:1-2,11-20. Gal. 5:1,13-25. Luke 9:51-62. Green
Jul 04, 14th Sunday of the Year, 2 Kings 5:1-14. Ps. 30. Gal. 6:1-16. Luke 10:1-11,16-20. Green
Jul 04, U.S. Independence Day, Is. 26:1-8. Ps. 47. Rom. 13:1-10. John 8:31-36. None
Jul 11, 15th Sunday of the Year, Amos 7:7-17. Ps. 82. Col. 1:1-14. Luke 10:25-37. Green
Jul 18, 16th Sunday of the Year, Amos 8:1-12. Ps. 52. Col. 1:15-28. Luke 10:38-42. Green
Jul 25, 17th Sunday of the Year, Hos. 1:2-10. Ps. 85. Col. 2:6-19. Luke 11:1-13. Green
Aug 01, 18th Sunday of the Year, Hos 11:1-11. Ps. 107:1-9,43. Col. 3:1-11. Luke 12:13-21. Green
Aug 08, 19th Sunday of the Year, Is. 1:1,10-20. Ps. 50:1-8,22-23. Heb. 11:1-3,8-16. Luke 12:32-40. Green
Aug 15, 20th Sunday of the Year, Is 5:1-7. Ps. 80:1-2,8-19. Heb. 11:29~12:2. Luke 12:49-56. Green
Aug 22, 21st Sunday of the Year, Jer. 1:4-10. Ps. 71:1-6. Heb. 12:18-29. Luke 13:10-17. Green
Aug 29, 22nd Sunday of the Year, Jer. 2:4-13. Ps. 81:1,10-16. Heb. 13:1-8,15-16. Luke 14:1,7-14. Green
Sep 05, 23rd Sunday of the Year, Jer. 18:1-11. Ps. 139:1-6,13-18. Philemon 1-21. Luke 14:25-33. Green
Sep 12, 24th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 4:11-12,22-28. Ps. 14. 1 Tim. 1:12-17. Luke 15:1-10. Green
Sep 19, 25th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 8:18~9:1. Ps. 79:1-9. 1 Tim. 2:1-7. Luke 16:1-13. Green
Sep 26, 26th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 32:1-3a,6-15. Ps. 91:1-6,14-16. 1 Tim. 6:6-19. Luke 16:19-31. Green
Oct 03, 27th Sunday of the Year, Lam. 1:1-6. Ps. 137 or Lam. 3:19-26. 2 Tim. 1:1-14. Luke 17:5-10. Green
Oct 10, 28th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 29:1,4-7. Ps. 66:1-12. 2 Tim. 2:8-15. Luke 17:11-19. Green
Oct 17, 29th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 31:27-34. Ps. 119:97-104. 2 Tim. 3:14~4:5. Luke 18:1-8. Green
Oct 24, 30th Sunday of the Year, Joel 2:23-32. Ps. 65. 2 Tim. 4:6-8,16-18. Luke 18:9-14. Green
Oct 31, 31st Sunday of the Year, Hab. 1:1-4; 2:1-4. Ps. 119:137-144. 2 Thess. 1:1-4,11-12. Luke 19:1-10. Green
(Oct 31 may be designated “Reformation Sunday.” Red)
Nov 01, (or on Nov 7) All Saints’ Day, Dan. 7:1-3,15-18. Ps. 149. Eph. 1:11-23. Luke 6:20-31. White
Nov 07 (if not All Saints), 32nd Sunday of the Year, Hag. 1:15b~2:9. Ps. 98 or 145:1-5,17-21. 2 Thess. 2:1-5,13-17. Luke 20:27-38. Green
Nov 14, 33rd Sunday of the Year, Is. 65:17-25. Isaiah 12. 2 Thess. 3:6-13. Luke 21:5-19. Green
Nov 21, Reign of Christ, Last Sunday of the Year, Jer. 23:1-6. Luke 1:68-79. Col. 1:11-20. Luke 23:33-43. White
Nov 25, U.S. Thanksgiving Day, Deut. 26:1-11. Ps. 100. Phil. 4:4-9. John 6:25-35. White
(Begin Lectionary Year A)
The Christmas Cycle (Advent and Christmastide, through Epiphany)
Advent
Nov 28, 1st Sunday of Advent, Is. 2:1-5. Ps. 122. Rom. 13:11-14. Matt. 24:36-44. Blue
Dec 05, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Is. 11:1-10. Ps. 72:1-7,18-19. Rom. 15:4-13. Matt. 3:1-12. Blue
Dec 12, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Is. 35:1-10. Ps. 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55. James 5:7-10. Matt. 11:2-11. Blue
Dec 19, 4th Sunday of Advent, Is. 7:10-16. Ps. 80:1-7,17-19. Rom. 1:1-7. Matt. 1:18-25. Blue
Christmastide
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve I, after sundown), Is. 9:2-7. Ps. 96. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve II), Is. 62:6-12. Ps. 97. Titus 3:4-7. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 25, Nativity of our Lord (Day), Is. 52:7-10. Ps. 98. Heb. 1:1-12. John 1:1-5,9-14,16-18. White
Dec 26, Sunday in Christmastide, Is. 63:7-9. Ps 148. Heb. 2:10-18. Matt. 2:13-23. White
2011
Jan 02, Epiphany of our Lord (Observed), Is. 60:1-6. Ps. 72:1-7,10-14. Eph. 3:1-12. Matt. 2:1-12. Gold/White
(Epiphany ends the Christmas Cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Epiphany)
Jan 09, Baptism of our Lord, 1st Sunday of the Year, Is. 42:1-9. Ps. 29. Acts 10:34-43. Matt. 3:13-17. White
Jan 16, 2nd Sunday of the Year, Is. 49:1-7. Ps. 40:1-11. 1 Cor. 1:1-9. John 1:29-42. Green
Jan 23, 3rd Sunday of the Year, Is. 9:1-4. Ps. 27:1,4-9. 1 Cor. 1:10-18. Matt. 4:12-23. Green
Jan 30, 4th Sunday of the Year, Micah 6:1-8. Ps. 15. 1 Cor. 1:18-31. Matt. 5:1-12. Green
Feb 06, 5th Sunday of the Year, Is. 58:1-12. Ps. 112:1-10. 1 Cor. 2:1-16. Matt. 5:13-20. Green
Feb 13, 6th Sunday of the Year, Deut. 30:15-20. Ps. 119:1-8. 1 Cor. 3:1-9. Matt. 5:21-37. Green
Feb 20, 7th Sunday of the Year, Lev. 19:1-2,9-18. Ps. 119:33-40. 1 Cor. 3:10-11,16-23. Matt. 5:38-48. Green
Feb 27, 8th Sunday of the Year, Is 49:8-16a. Ps. 131. 1 Cor. 4:1-5. Matt 6:24-34. Green
Mar 06, Transfiguration of the Lord, Exod. 24:12-18. Ps. 2 or 99. 2 Peter 1:16-21. Matt. 17:1-9. White
The Easter Cycle (Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide, through the Day of Pentecost)
Lent
Mar 09, Ash Wednesday (7th Wed. before Easter Day), Joel 2:1-2,12-17 or Is. 58.1-12. Ps. 51:1-17. 2 Cor. 5:20b~6:10. Matt. 6:1-6,16-21. Black/Violet
Mar 13, 1st Sunday in Lent, Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7. Ps. 32. Rom 5:12-19. Matt. 4:1-11. Violet
Mar 20, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Gen. 12:1-4a. Ps. 121. Rom 4:1-5,13-17. John 3:1-17. Violet
Mar 27, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Exod. 17:1-7. Ps. 95. Rom. 5:1-11. John 4:5-42. Violet
Apr 03, 4th Sunday in Lent, 1 Sam. 16:1-13. Ps. 23. Eph. 5:8-14. John 9:1-41. Violet
Apr 10, 5th Sunday in Lent, Ezek. 37:1-14. Ps. 130. Rom. 8:6-11. John 11:1-45. Violet
Holy Week (Passiontide)
Apr 17, Passion/Palm Sunday, [Matt. 21:1-11. Ps. 118.] Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 31:9-16. Phil. 2:5-11. Matt. 26:14~27:66. Red
Apr 18, Monday of Holy Week, Is. 42:1-9. Ps. 36:5-11. Heb. 9:11-15. John 12:1-11. Red/Violet
Apr 19, Tuesday of Holy Week, Is. 49:1-7. Ps. 71:1-14. 1 Cor. 1:18-31. John 12:20-36. Red/Violet
Apr 20, Wednesday of Holy Week, Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 70. Heb. 12:1-3. John 13:21-32. Red/Violet
Apr 21, Maundy (Holy) Thursday, Exod. 12:1-14. Ps. 116:1-2,12-19. 1 Cor. 11:23-26. John 13:1-17,31b-35. White
Apr 22, Good (Holy) Friday, Is. 52:13~53:12. Ps. 22. Heb. 10:16-25 or Heb. 4:14-16;5:7-9. John 18:1~19:42. Black/Red/Violet
Apr 23, Holy Saturday (until sundown), Job 14:1-14 or Lam. 3:1-9,19-24. Ps. 31:1-4,15-16. 1 Pet. 4:1-8. Matt. 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42. None/Black
Eastertide
Apr 23, Easter Vigil (Saturday, after sundown), Exod. 14:10-31. Exod. 15:1b-13,17-18. Rom. 6:3-11. Matt. 28:1-10. Gold/White
Apr 24, Resurrection Day (I morn), Acts 10:34-43. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. Col. 3:1-4. John 20:1-18. Gold/White
Apr 24, Resurrection Day (II morn), Jer. 31:1-6. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. Acts 10:34-43. Matt. 28:1-10. Gold/White
Apr 24, Resurrection Day (evening), Is. 25:6-9. Ps. 114. 1 Cor. 5:6b-8. Luke 24:13-49. White
May 01, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Acts 2:14a,22-32. Ps. 16. 1 Pet. 1:3-9. John 20:19-31. White
May 08, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Acts 2:14a,36-41. Ps. 116:1-4,12-19. 1 Pet. 1:17-23. Luke 24:13-35. White
May 15, 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday), Acts 2:42-47. Ps. 23. 1 Pet. 2:19-25. John 10:1-10. White
May 22, 5th Sunday of Easter, Acts 7:55-60. Ps. 31:1-5,15-16. 1 Pet. 2:2-10. John 14:1-14. White
May 29, 6th Sunday of Easter, Acts 17:22-31. Ps. 66:8-20. 1 Pet. 3:13-22. John 14:15-21. White
Jun 02, (Thursday) Ascension of our Lord, Acts 1:1-11. Ps. 47 or 93. Eph. 1:15-23. Luke 24:44-53. White/Gold
Jun 05, 7th Sunday of Easter, Acts 1:6-14. Ps. 68:1-10,32-35. 1 Pet. 4:12-14; 5:6-11. John 17:1-11. White
Jun 12, Day of Pentecost (Last Sunday of Easter), Acts 2:1-21. Ps. 104:24-34,35b. 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13. John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39. Red
(The Day of Pentecost ends the Easter cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Pentecost)
Jun 19, Trinity Sunday, Gen. 1:1~2:4a. Ps. 8. 2 Cor. 13:11-13. Matt. 28:16-20. White
Jun 26, 13th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 22:1-14. Ps. 13. Rom. 6:12-23. Matt. 10:40-42. Green
Jul 03, 14th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 24:34-38,42-49,58-67. Ps. 45:10-17 or Song 2:8-13. Rom. 7:15-25a. Matt. 11:16-19,25-30. Green
Jul 04, U.S. Independence Day, Deut. 10:17-21. Ps. 145. Heb. 11:8-16. Matt. 5:43-48. None
Jul 10, 15th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 25:19-34. Ps. 119:105-112. Rom. 8:1-11. Matt. 13:1-9,18-23. Green
Jul 17, 16th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 28:10-19a. Ps. 139:1-12,23-24. Rom. 8:12-25. Matt. 13:24-30,36-43. Green
Jul 24, 17th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 29:15-28. Ps. 128 or 105:1-11,45a-b. Rom. 8:26-39. Matt. 13:31-33,44-52. Green
Jul 31, 18th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 32:22-31. Ps. 17:1-7,15. Rom. 9:1-5. Matt. 14:13-21. Green
Aug 07, 19th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 37 1-4,12-28. Ps. 105:1-6,16-22,45a-b. Rom. 10:5-15. Matt. 14:22-33. Green
Aug 14, 20th Sunday of the Year, Gen. 45:1-15. Ps. 133. Rom. 11:1-2a,29-32. Matt. 15:10-28. Green
Aug 21, 21st Sunday of the Year, Exod. 1:8~2:10, Ps. 124. Rom. 12:1-8. Matt. 16:13-20. Green
Aug 28, 22nd Sunday of the Year, Exod. 3:1-15. Ps. 105:1-6,23-26,45c. Rom. 12:9-21. Matt. 16:21-28. Green
Sep 04, 23rd Sunday of the Year, Exod. 12:1-14. Ps. 149. Rom 13:8-14. Matt. 18:15-20. Green
Sep 11, 24th Sunday of the Year, Exod. 14:19-31. Ps. 114 or Ex. 15:1b-11,20-21. Rom. 14:1-12. Matt. 18:21-35. Green
Sep 18, 25th Sunday of the Year, Exod. 16:2-15. Ps. 105:1-6,37-45. Phil. 1:21-30. Matt. 20:1-16. Green
Sep 25, 26th Sunday of the Year, Exod. 17:1-7. Ps. 78:1-4,12-16. Phil. 2:1-13. Matt. 21:23-32. Green
Oct 02, 27th Sunday of the Year, Exod. 20:1-4,7-9,12-20. Ps. 19. Phil. 3:4b-14. Matt. 21:33-46. Green
Oct 09, 28th Sunday of the Year, Exod. 32:1-14. Ps. 106:1-6,19-23. Phil. 4:1-9. Matt. 22:1-14. Green
Oct 16, 29th Sunday of the Year, Exod. 33:12-23. Ps. 99. 1 Thes. 1:1-10. Matt. 22:15-22. Green
Oct 23, 30th Sunday of the Year, Deut. 34:1-12. Ps. 90:1-6,13-17. 1 Thess. 2:1-8. Matt. 22:34-46. Green
Oct 30, 31st Sunday of the Year, Josh. 3:7-17. Ps. 107:1-7,33-37. 1 Thess. 2:9-13. Matt. 23:1-12. Green (Red for Reformation Sunday)
Nov 01, All Saints (or on Nov 06), Rev. 7:9-17. Ps. 34:1-10,22. 1 John 3:1-3. Matt. 5:1-12. White
Nov 06, 32nd Sunday of the Year (if not All Saints), Josh. 24:1-3a,14-25. Ps. 78:1-7. 1 Thes. 4:13-18. Matt. 25:1-13. Green
Nov 13, 33rd Sunday of the Year, Judg. 4:1-7. Ps. 123. 1 Thes. 5:1-11. Matt. 25:14-30. Green
Nov 20, Reign of Christ, Last Sunday of the Year, Ezek. 34:11-16,20-24. Ps. 100. Eph. 1:15-23. Matt. 25:31-46. White
Nov 24, (Thursday) U.S. Thanksgiving Day, Deut. 8:7-18. Ps. 65. 2 Cor. 9:6-15. Luke 17:11-19. White
(Begin Lectionary Year B)
The Christmas Cycle (Advent and Christmastide, through Epiphany)
Advent
Nov 27, 1st Sunday of Advent, Is. 64:1-9. Ps. 80:1-7,17-19. 1 Cor. 1:3-9. Mark 13:24-37. Blue
Dec 04, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Is. 40:1-11. Ps. 85:1-2,8-13. 2 Pet. 3:8-15a. Mark 1:1-8. Blue
Dec 11, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Is 61:1-4,8-11. Ps. 126 or Luke 1:47-55. 1 Thess. 5:16-24. John 1:6-8,19-28. Blue
Dec 18, 4th Sunday of Advent, 2 Sam. 7:1-11,16. Ps. 89:1-4,19-26 or Luke 1:47-55. Rom. 16:25-27. Luke 1:26-38. Blue
Christmastide
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve I, after sundown), Is. 9:2-7. Ps. 96. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve II), Is. 62:6-12. Ps. 97. Titus 3:4-7. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 25, Nativity of our Lord (Day), Is. 52:7-10. Ps. 98. Heb. 1:1-12. John 1:1-5,9-14,16-18. White
2012
Jan 01, Epiphany (Observed), Is. 60:1-6. Ps. 72:1-7,10-14. Eph. 3:1-12. Matt. 2:1-12. Gold/White
(Epiphany ends the Christmas Cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Epiphany)
Jan 08, Baptism of our Lord, 1st Sunday of the Year, Gen. 1:1-5. Ps. 29. Acts 19:1-7. Mark 1:4-11. White
Jan 15, 2nd Sunday of the Year, 1 Sam. 3:1-20. Ps. 139:1-6,13-18. 1 Cor. 6:12-20. John 1:43-51. Green
Jan 22, 3rd Sunday of the Year, Jonah 3:1-5,10. Ps. 62:5-12. 1 Cor. 7:29-31. Mark 1:14-20. Green
Jan 29, 4th Sunday of the Year, Deut. 18:15-20. Ps. 111. 1 Cor. 8:1-13. Mark 1:21-28. Green
Feb 05, 5th Sunday of the Year, Is. 40:21-31. Ps. 147:1-11,20c. 1 Cor. 9:16-23. Mark 1:29-39. Green
Feb 12, 6th Sunday of the Year, 2 Kings 5:1-14. Ps. 30. 1 Cor. 9:24-27. Mark 1:40-45. Green
Feb 19, Transfiguration of the Lord, 2 Kings 2:1-12. Ps.. 50:1-6. 2 Cor. 4:3-6. Mark 9:2-9. White
The Easter Cycle (Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide, through the Day of Pentecost)
Lent
Feb 22, Ash Wednesday, Joel 2:1-2,12-17 or Is.. 58:1-12. Ps. 51:1-17. 2 Cor. 5:20b~6:10. Matt. 6:1-6,16-21. Black/Violet
Feb 26, 1st Sunday in Lent, Gen. 9:8-17. Ps. 25:1-10. 1 Pet. 3:18-22. Mark 1:9-15. Violet
Mar 04, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Gen. 17:1-7,15-16. Ps. 22:23-31. Rom. 4:13-25. Mark 8:31-38. Violet
Mar 11, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Exod. 20:1-17. Ps. 19. 1 Cor. 1:18-25. John 2:13-22. Violet
Mar 18, 4th Sunday in Lent, Num. 21:4-9. Ps. 107:1-3,17-22. Eph. 2:1-10. John 3:14-21. Violet
Mar 25, 5th Sunday in Lent, Jer. 31:31-34. Ps. 51:1-12 or 119:9-16. Heb. 5:5-10. John 12:20-33. Violet
Holy Week (Passiontide)
Apr 01, Passion/Palm Sunday, [Procession: Mark 11:1-11 and Ps. 118:1-2,19-29.] Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 31:9-16. Phil. 2:5-11. Mark 14:1~15:47. Red
Apr 02, Monday of Holy Week, Is. 42:1-9. Ps. 36:5-11. Heb. 9:11-15. John 12:1-11. Red/Violet
Apr 03, Tuesday of Holy Week, Is. 49:1-7. Ps. 71:1-14. 1 Cor. 1:18-31. John 12:20-36. Red/Violet
Apr 04, Wednesday of Holy Week, Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 70. Heb. 12:1-3. John 13:21-32. Red/Violet
Apr 05, Maundy Thursday (after sundown), Exod. 12:1-14. Ps. 116:1-2,12-19. 1 Cor. 11:23-26. John 13:1-17,31b-35. White
Apr 06, Good Friday, Is. 52:13~53:12. Ps. 22. Heb. 10:16-25 or Heb. 4:14-16; 5:7-9. John 18:1~19:42. Black/Red/Violet
Apr 07, Holy Saturday (until sundown), Job 14:1-14 or Lam. 3:1-9,19-24. Ps. 31:1-4,15-16. 1 Pet. 4:1-8. Matt. 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42. No color
Eastertide
Apr 07, Easter Vigil (after sundown), Exod. 14:10-31. Exod. 15:1b-13,17-18. Rom. 6:3-11. Mark 16:1-8. Gold/White
Apr 08, Resurrection Day (I morn), Acts 10:34-43. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. 1 Cor. 15:1-11. John 20:1-18. Gold/White
Apr 08, Resurrection Day (II morn), Is. 25:6-9. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. Acts 10:34-43. Mark 16:1-8. Gold/White
Apr 08, Resurrection Day (evening), Is. 25:6-9. Ps. 114. 1 Cor. 5:6b-8. Luke 24:13-49. White
Apr 15, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Acts 4:32-35. Ps.133. 1 John 1:1~2:2. John 20:19-31. White
Apr 22, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Acts 3:12-19. Ps. 4. 1 John 3:1-7. Luke 24:36b-48. White
Apr 29, 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday), Acts 4:5-12. Ps. 23. 1 John 3:16-24. John 10:11-18. White
May 06, 5th Sunday of Easter, Acts 8:26-40. Ps. 22:25-31. 1 John 4:7-21. John 15:1-8. White
May 13, 6th Sunday of Easter, Acts 10:44-48. Ps. 98. 1 John 5:1-6. John 15:9-17. White
May 17, (Thursday)Ascension of our Lord, Acts 1:1-11. Ps. 47 or 93. Eph. 1:15-23. Luke 24:44-53. Gold/White
May 20, 7th Sunday of Easter, Acts 1:15-26. Ps. 1. 1 John 5:9-13. John 17:6-19. White
May 27, Day of Pentecost, Last Sunday of Easter, Acts 2:1-21. Ps. 104:24-34,35b. Rom. 8:22-27. John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15. Red
(The Day of Pentecost ends the Easter cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Pentecost)
Jun 03, Trinity Sunday, Is. 6:1-8. Ps. 29. Rom. 8:12-17. John 3:1-17. White
Jun 10, 10th Sunday of the Year, 1 Sam. 15:8:4-20;11:14-15. Ps. 138. 2 Cor. 4:13~5:1. Mark 3:20-35. Green
Jun 17, 11th Sunday of the Year, 1 Sam. 15:34~16:13. Ps. 20. 2 Cor. 5:6-17. Mark 4:26-34. Green
Jun 24, 12th Sunday of the Year, 1 Sam. 17:1-49 with Ps. 9:9-20. or 1 Sam. 17:57~18:16 with Ps. 133. 2 Cor. 6:1-13. Mark 4:35-41. Green
Jul 01, 13th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 1:1,17-27. Ps. 130. 2 Cor. 8:7-15. Mark 5:21-43. Green
Jul 04, U.S. Independence Day, Deut. 10:17-21. Ps. 72. Gal. 5:13-26. Mark 12:13-17. None
Jul 08, 14th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 5:1-10. Ps. 48. 2 Cor. 12:2-10. Mark 6:1-13. Green
Jul 15, 15th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 6:1-19. Ps. 24. Eph. 1:3-14. Mark 6:14-29. Green
Jul 22, 16th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 7:1-14a. Ps. 89:20-37. Eph. 2:11-22. Mark 6:30-56. Green
Jul 29, 17th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 11:1-15. Ps. 14. Eph. 3:14-21. John 6:1-21. Green
Aug 05, 18th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam.11:26~12:13a. Ps.. 51:1-12. Eph. 4:1-16. John 6:24-35. Green
Aug 12, 19th Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 18:5-33. Ps. 130. Eph. 4:25~5:2. John 6:35-51. Green
Aug 19, 20th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 2:10-12;3:3-14. Ps. 111. Eph. 5:15-20. John 6:51-58. Green
Aug 26, 21st Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 8:1-43. Ps. 84. Eph. 6:10-20. John 6:56-69. Green
Sep 02, 22nd Sunday of the Year, Song 2:8-13. Ps. 45:1-2,6-9. James 1:17-27. Mark 7:1-23. Green
Sep 09, 23rd Sunday of the Year, Prov. 22:1-2,8-9,22-23. Ps. 125. James 2:1-17. Mark 7:24-37. Green
Sep 16, 24th Sunday of the Year, Prov. 1:20-33. Ps. 19. James 3:1-12. Mark 8:27-38. Green
Sep 23, 25th Sunday of the Year, Prov. 31:10-31. Ps. 1. James 3:13~4:8a. Mark 9:30-37. Green
Sep 30, 26th Sunday of the Year, Esther 7:1-10;9:20-22. Ps. 124. James 5:13-20. Mark 9:38-50. Green
Oct 07, 27th Sunday of the Year, Job 1:1;2:1-10. Ps.. 26. Heb. 1:1-4;2:5-12. Mark 10:2-16. Green
Oct 14, 28th Sunday of the Year, Job 23:1-17. Ps. 22:1-15. Heb. 4:12-16. Mark 10:17-31. Green
Oct 21, 29th Sunday of the Year, Job 38:1-41. Ps. 104:1-9,24,35c. Heb. 5:1-10. Mark 10:35-45. Green
Oct 28, 30th Sunday of the Year, Job 42:1-17. Ps. 34:1-22. Heb. 7:23-28. Mark 10:46-52. Green (or Reformation Sunday. Red)
Nov 01, All Saints (or on Nov 04), Is. 25:6-9. Ps. 24. Rev. 21:1-6a. John 11:32-44. White
Nov 04, 31st Sunday of the Year (if not All Saints), Ruth 1:1-18. Ps. 146. Heb. 9:11-14. Mark 12:28-34. Green
Nov 11, 32nd Sunday of the Year, Ruth 3:1-5;4:13-17. Ps. 127. Heb. 9:24-28. Mark 12:38-44. Green
Nov 18, 33rd Sunday of the Year, 1 Sam 1:4-20. 1 Sam 2:1-10. Heb. 10:11-25. Mark 13:1-8. Green
Nov 22, U.S. Thanksgiving Day, Joel 2:21-27. Ps. 126. 1 Tim. 2:1-7. Matt. 6:25-33. White
Nov 25, Reign of Christ, Last Sunday of the Year, 2 Sam. 23:1-7. Ps. 132:1-18. Rev. 1:4b-8. John 18:33-37. White
(Begin Lectionary Year C)
The Christmas Cycle (Advent and Christmastide, through Epiphany)
Advent
Dec 02, 1st Sunday of Advent, Jer. 33:14-16. Ps. 25:1-10. 1 Thes. 3:9-13. Luke 21:25-36. Blue
Dec 09, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Mal. 3:1-4. Luke 1:68-79. Phil. 1:3-11. Luke 3:1-6. Blue
Dec 16, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Zep. 3:14-20. Is. 12:2-6. Phil. 4:4-7. Luke 3:7-18. Blue
Dec 23, 4th Sunday of Advent, Mic. 5:2-5a. Ps. 80:1-7 or Luke 1:47-55. Heb 10:5-10. Luke 1:39-55. Blue
Christmastide
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve I), Is. 9:2-7. Ps. 96. Titus 2:11-14. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 24, Nativity of our Lord (Eve II), Is. 62:6-12. Ps. 97. Titus 3:4-7. Luke 2:1-20. Gold/White
Dec 25, Nativity of our Lord (Day), Is 52:7-10. Ps. 98. Heb. 1:1-12. John 1:1-5,9-14,16-18. White
Dec 30, Sunday in Christmastide, 1 Sam. 2:18-20,26. Ps. 148. Col. 3:12-17. Luke 2:41-52. White
2013
Jan 06, Epiphany of our Lord, Is. 60:1-6. Ps. 72:1-7,10-14. Eph. 3:1-12. Matt. 2:1-12. Gold/White
(Epiphany ends the Christmas Cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Epiphany)
Jan 13, Baptism of our Lord, 1st Sunday of the Year, Is 43:1-7. Ps. 29. Acts 8:14-17. Luke 3:15-22. White
Jan 20, 2nd Sunday of the Year, Is. 62:1-5. Ps. 36:5-10. 1 Cor. 12:1-11. John 2:1-11. Green
Jan 27, 3rd Sunday of the Year, Neh. 8:1-10. Ps. 19. 1 Cor. 12:12-31a. Luke 4:14-21. Green
Feb 03, 4th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 1:4-10. Ps. 71:1-6. 1 Cor 13:1-13. Luke 4:21-30. Green
Feb 10, Transfiguration of the Lord, Exod. 34:29-35. Ps. 99. 2 Cor. 3:12~4:2. Luke 9:28-43. White
The Easter Cycle (Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide, through the Day of Pentecost)
Lent
Feb 13, Ash Wednesday, Joel 2:1-2,12-17 or Is. 58:1-12. Ps. 51:1-17. 2 Cor. 5:20b~6:10. Matt. 6:1-6,16-21. Black/Violet
Feb 17, 1st Sunday in Lent, Dt. 26:1-11. Ps. 91:1-2,9-16. Rom. 10:8b-13. Luke 4:1-13. Violet
Feb 24, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Gen. 15:1-18. Ps. 27. Phil. 3:17~4:1. Luke 13:31-35. Violet
Mar 03, 3rd Sunday in Lent, Is. 55:1-9. Ps. 63:1-8. 1 Cor. 10:1-13. Luke 13:1-9. Violet
Mar 10, 4th Sunday in Lent, Josh. 5:9-12. Ps. 32. 2 Cor. 5:16-21. Luke 15:1-3,11b-32. Violet
Mar 17, 5th Sunday in Lent, Is. 43:16-21. Ps. 126. Phil. 3:4b-14. John 12:1-8. Violet
Holy Week (Passiontide)
Mar 24, Passion/Palm Sunday, [Luke 19:28-40. Ps. 118.] Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 31:9-16. Phil. 2:5-11. Luke 22:14~23:56. Red
Mar 25, Monday of Holy Week, Is. 42:1-9. Ps. 36:5-11. Heb. 9:11-15. John 12:1-11. Red/Violet
Mar 26, Tuesday of Holy Week, Is. 49:1-7. Ps. 71:1-14. 1 Cor. 1:18-31. John 12:20-36. Red/Violet
Mar 27, Wednesday of Holy Week, Is. 50:4-9a. Ps. 70. Heb. 12:1-3. John 13:21-32. Red/Violet
Mar 28, Maundy (Holy) Thursday, Exod. 12:1-14. Ps. 116:1-2,12-19. 1 Cor. 11:23-26. John 13:1-17,31b-35. White
Mar 29, Good (Holy) Friday, Is. 52:13~53:12. Ps. 22. Heb. 10:16-25 or Heb. 4:14-16;5:7-9. John 18:1~19:42. Black/Red/Violet
Mar 30, Holy Saturday (until sundown), Job 14:1-14 or Lam. 3:1-9,19-24. Ps. 31:1-4,15-16. 1 Pet. 4:1-8. Matt. 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42. None/Black
Eastertide
Mar 30, Easter Vigil (after sundown), Exod. 14:10-31. Exod. 15:1b-13,17-18. Rom. 6:3-11. Luke 24:1-12. Gold/White
Mar 31, Resurrection Day (I morn), Acts 10:34-43. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. 1 Cor. 15:19-26. John 20:1-18. Gold/White
Mar 31, Resurrection Day (II morn), Is. 65:17-25. Ps. 118:1-2,14-24. Acts 10:34-43. Luke 24:1-12. Gold/White
Mar 31, Resurrection Day (evening), Is. 25:6-9. Ps. 114. 1 Cor. 5:6b-8. Luke 24:13-49. White
Apr 07, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Acts 5:27-32. Ps. 150 or Ps. 118:14-29. Rev. 1:4-8. John 20:19-31. White
Apr 14, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Acts 9:1-20. Ps. 30. Rev. 5:11-14. John 21:1-19. White
Apr 21, 4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday), Acts 9:36-43. Ps. 23. Rev. 7:9-17. John 10:22-30. White
Apr 28, 5th Sunday of Easter, Acts 11:1-18. Ps. 148. Rev. 21:1-6. John 13:31-35. White
May 05, 6th Sunday of Easter, Acts 16:9-15. Ps. 67. Rev. 21:22~22:5. John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9. White
May 09, (Thursday) Ascension of our Lord, Acts 1:1-11. Ps. 47 or 93. Eph. 1:15-23. Luke 24:44-53. Gold/White
May 12, 7th Sunday of Easter, Acts 16:16-34. Ps. 97. Rev. 22:12-21. John 17:20-26. White
May 19, The Day of Pentecost, Last Sunday of Easter, Acts 2:1-21. Ps. 104:24-34,35b. Rom. 8:14-17. John 14:8-17,25-27. Red
(The Day of Pentecost ends the Easter Cycle)
Sundays of the Year (after Pentecost)
May 26, Trinity Sunday, Prov. 8:1-4,22-31. Ps. 8. Rom. 5:1-5. John 16:12-15. White
Jun 02, 09th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 18:20-39. Ps 96. Gal 1:1-12. Luke 7:1-10. Green
Jun 09, 10th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 17:8-24. Ps. 146. Gal 1:11-24. Luke 7:11-17. Green
Jun 16, 11th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 21:1-21a. Ps. 5:1-8. Gal. 2:15-21. Luke 7:36~8:3. Green
Jun 23, 12th Sunday of the Year, 1 Kings 19:1-15a. Ps. 42 and 43. Gal. 3:23-29. Luke 8:26-39. Green
Jun 30, 13th Sunday of the Year, 2 Kings 2:1-2,6-14. Ps. 77:1-2,11-20. Gal. 5:1,13-25. Luke 9:51-62. Green
Jul 04, U.S. Independence Day, Is. 26:1-8. Ps. 47. Rom. 13:1-10. John 8:31-36. None
Jul 07, 14th Sunday of the Year, 2 Kings 5:1-14. Ps. 30. Gal. 6:1-16. Luke 10:1-11,16-20. Green
Jul 14, 15th Sunday of the Year, Amos 7:7-17. Ps. 82. Col. 1:1-14. Luke 10:25-37. Green
Jul 21, 16th Sunday of the Year, Amos 8:1-12. Ps. 52. Col. 1:15-28. Luke 10:38-42. Green
Jul 28, 17th Sunday of the Year, Hos. 1:2-10. Ps. 85. Col. 2:6-19. Luke 11:1-13. Green
Aug 04, 18th Sunday of the Year, Hos 11:1-11. Ps. 107:1-9,43. Col. 3:1-11. Luke 12:13-21. Green
Aug 11, 19th Sunday of the Year, Is. 1:1,10-20. Ps. 50:1-8,22-23. Heb. 11:1-3,8-16. Luke 12:32-40. Green
Aug 18, 20th Sunday of the Year, Is 5:1-7. Ps. 80:1-2,8-19. Heb. 11:29~12:2. Luke 12:49-56. Green
Aug 25, 21st Sunday of the Year, Jer. 1:4-10. Ps. 71:1-6. Heb. 12:18-29. Luke 13:10-17. Green
Sep 01, 22nd Sunday of the Year, Jer. 2:4-13. Ps. 81:1,10-16. Heb. 13:1-8,15-16. Luke 14:1,7-14. Green
Sep 08, 23rd Sunday of the Year, Jer. 18:1-11. Ps. 139:1-6,13-18. Philemon 1-21. Luke 14:25-33. Green
Sep 15, 24th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 4:11-12,22-28. Ps. 14. 1 Tim. 1:12-17. Luke 15:1-10. Green
Sep 22, 25th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 8:18~9:1. Ps. 79:1-9. 1 Tim. 2:1-7. Luke 16:1-13. Green
Sep 29, 26th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 32:1-3a,6-15. Ps. 91:1-6,14-16. 1 Tim. 6:6-19. Luke 16:19-31. Green
Oct 06, 27th Sunday of the Year, Lam. 1:1-6. Ps. 137 or Lam. 3:19-26. 2 Tim. 1:1-14. Luke 17:5-10. Green
Oct 13, 28th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 29:1,4-7. Ps. 66:1-12. 2 Tim. 2:8-15. Luke 17:11-19. Green
Oct 20, 29th Sunday of the Year, Jer. 31:27-34. Ps. 119:97-104. 2 Tim. 3:14~4:5. Luke 18:1-8. Green
Oct 27, 30th Sunday of the Year, Joel 2:23-32. Ps. 65. 2 Tim. 4:6-8,16-18. Luke 18:9-14. Green (or Reformation Sunday. Red)
Nov 01, (or on Nov 3) All Saints’ Day, Dan. 7:1-3,15-18. Ps. 149. Eph. 1:11-23. Luke 6:20-31. White
Nov 03, 31st Sunday of the Year (if not All Saints), Hab. 1:1-4; 2:1-4. Ps. 119:137-144. 2 Thess. 1:1-4,11-12. Luke 19:1-10. Green
Nov 10, 32nd Sunday of the Year, Hag. 1:15b~2:9. Ps. 98 or 145:1-5,17-21. 2 Thess. 2:1-5,13-17. Luke 20:27-38. Green
Nov 17, 33rd Sunday of the Year, Is. 65:17-25. Isaiah 12. 2 Thess. 3:6-13. Luke 21:5-19. Green
Nov 24, Reign of Christ, Last Sunday of the Year, Jer. 23:1-6. Luke 1:68-79. Col. 1:11-20. Luke 23:33-43. White
Nov 28, U.S. Thanksgiving Day, Deut. 26:1-11. Ps. 100. Phil. 4:4-9. John 6:25-35. White
Notes:
Colors suggest a dominant seasonal color. Where two colors are shown, the first is the color for that day, the second, for the season; if both are used together, the color of the day overlays the color of the season. For Good Friday no color is also appropriate. For Lent and Holy Week the 'Lenten array' of unbleached muslin with Red and Black accents is appropriate as a substitute for Violet. On Maundy (Holy) Thursday, Red/Violet is used until sundown, then White for the Lord's Supper; after Communion the colors are removed or are replaced with Red/Black/Violet. Where “Gold” is indicated, Yellow may be used. Some churches still use Violet/Purple for Advent, though Blue is now preferred, associated with the dominant themes of Advent (hope, the Jewish people, Mary, and royalty). Blues in Advent may vary from lighter “Marian” blues to Indigo. Lighter greens are appropriate for Sundays of the Year after Epiphany (suggesting the greens of spring); darker (summer) greens after Trinity. Reds for Holy Week may be deep reds, maroons, or crimson; for Pentecost and other times, bright reds, scarlet. Also, appropriate textures (as in cloth and visual centers) are important; rough (burlap) for Lent, smooth (satins) for Easter, etc.
Christmas and Easter services are noted with Roman Numerals, indicating variations where there may be more than one service. I indicates the 'main' service for Christmas Eve or Easter Morning. II indicates a late service Christmas Eve or a Second (Later) Service on Christmas Day or a Second Service (earlier or later than the main service) on Easter Morn.
‘Until sundown' or 'after sundown' recall the beginning of the Liturgical Day at sundown (according to Jewish, rather than Roman, custom). Christmas begins at sundown on Dec. 24, Easter begins at sundown on Holy Saturday, All Saints ("All Hallows") at sundown on Oct. 31, Epiphany at sundown the evening before or on Twelfth Night (Jan. 5), etc.
On Passion/Palm Sunday, the bracketed Procession Gospel is read at the beginning of the service, usually in connection with Ps. 118 and a processional with palm branches. Remaining readings turn the focus to the "Valley of the Shadow" and our Lord's Passion. Some churches read the full Passion narrative on Maundy Thursday after Communion, so that, on Passion Sun., only a short segment of the long Gospel Text is chosen.
For every reading shown in the calendar, the reading may be lengthened as desired, but should be shortened with care and only for necessity. In a number of instances, the Lectionary committee's suggested readings provide 'snips' from a longer passage, as Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23, for 22nd Sun. of Year B; however, the full lection, Mark 7:1-23, may be used instead. Yet, as shown for the third setting for Christmas Day, ‘snipping’ John 1:1-18 into John 1:1-5,9-14,16-18 actually better preserves this hymn to Christ by omitting the interpolations concerning John the Baptist.
The last Sunday in Oct. may be observed as Reformation Sunday, in honor of Reformation Day, Oct. 31. All Saints Day (Christian 'Memorial Day'), actually Nov. 1, may be observed on the first Sunday in November. Epiphany (the Last Day of Christmas), traditionally observed on Jan. 6, may be observed the Sunday before, as shown in this calendar. If Ascension is not celebrated on its usual Thursday, it may be celebrated the following Sunday (7th Sun. of Easter) by substituting one or more readings, or only the Acts 1:1-11 reading, as desired.
Though civil, commercial, and national holidays are not part of the Christian calendar, readings have been supplied for US Independence Day and Thanksgiving; however, observance of and readings for these days should not replace that for an adjacent Sunday. Readings are intended for use on the specific holiday or, if on a Sunday, in a special service other than the congregation's regular (main) service of worship. Civil and commercial holidays (Mothers Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.) should never be given preference over observances in the Christian Calendar.
Only one First Lesson and Psalm are shown above for the Easter Vigil, though the full Vigil Service calls for nine lessons with Psalms, plus epistle and gospel readings. Because the Exodus 14 lesson should always be read, it is the one shown above. This service is normally a long service of Baptism and Reception into the Church held sometime between full dark (about 8 p.m.) on Saturday and dawn Sunday though some churches may celebrate the (shorter) service as the ‘dawn’ (sunrise) service very early on Easter Morn. The first Easter Morning service which follows the Vigil Service is a Communion Service where these new members are honored at their First Communion as Baptized Christians. The full set of 'First Reading' lessons for Easter Vigil, in their suggested order with related 'psalms,' is:
Gen. 1:1-2:4a Gen. 7:1-5,11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13. Gen. 22: 1-18. Exod. 14:10-31, 15:20-21. Is. 55:1-11. Prov. 8:1-8,19-21, 9:4b-6. Ezek. 36:24-28. Ezek. 37:1-14. Zeph. 3:14-20. |
Ps. 136:1-9,23-26. Ps. 46. Ps. 16. Exod. 15:1b-13,17-18. Is. 12:2-6. Ps. 19. Pss. 42 and 43. Ps. 143. Ps. 98. |
Finally, to make it easier to compare dates from this calendar with resources from other denominations which use a slightly different naming use for some dates, “(First) Sunday in Christmastide” as used here corresponds to “First Sunday after Christmas,” and “Sundays of the Year” to “Sundays in Ordinary Time.” If you desire to celebrate Epiphany on its traditional date of Jan 6, when a weekday or Saturday, and there is need for readings for the Sunday falling between Jan 2-5, inclusive, these are appointed for all three years of the cycle:
Second Sunday in Christmastide, Jer. 31:7-14. Ps. 147:12-20. Eph. 1:3-14. John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5,9-14,16-18. White
The readings suggested here are adapted from and compared with the Revised Common Lectionary (copyright 1992) by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT) and are used by permission. For accuracy, this calendar is also compared with the version of the RCL published in the Book of Common Worship (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1993), pp.1033-1048.
This version of the table of readings, colors, and dates was prepared by the Rev. Ron Freyer Nicholas, OSL, of Liturgy and Life. Liturgy & Life provides American Baptist representation to CCT. Currently the representatives are Rev. Alan Shumway (ABC of Maine) and Rev. Brad Berglund (Calvary Baptist Church, Denver, CO). Questions and comments may be addressed to either of these directly, or on EcuNet/ABNet, through the "ABC LITURGY AND LIFE" meeting.
Communions represented in the CCT (at this time) are: Anglican Church of Canada, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Reformed Church in North America, Church of the Brethren, Episcopal Church (U.S.A.), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Free Methodist Church in Canada, Liturgy and Life (American Baptist Fellowship for Liturgical Renewal), Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Mennonite Church, National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States, Polish National Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterian Church in Canada, Reformed Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, United Church of Canada, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.
Please forward questions, comments, suggestions, and typo discoveries to:
Ron Freyer Nicholas, OSL
46 Robin Road
Wildwood, FL 34785-9021
Phone: (352)748-6452
Email: Ron@Freyer-Nicholas.net