Lectionary 09/08/2020
- Proper 14 /Ordinary 19 - Year A
Lectionary Readings
Related Products
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Proper 14 Year A
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Proper 14 Year A
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 14 - Year A Meditation on Matthew 14: 22-33 Gaze on a child taken swimming for the first time by her family. She’s excited because she knows this is a treat, she’s got a new swimsuit, and bright orange armbands. But once in the water, her excitement turns to fear. The firs…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 14 year A
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 14 year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
Twelve Months of Sundays – Year A Ordinary Time Proper 14 Genesis 37.1–4, 12–28 Romans 10.5–15 Matthew 14.22–33 A recently published letter from Qumran (4QMMT) helps us to see what Paul is talking about here. It mostly contains priestly regulations. But the last part is a fresh t…
Lectionary Reflections Year A - Proper 14 Year A
Lectionary Reflections Year A - Proper 14 Year A
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Lectionary reflections - Year A Ordinary Time Proper 14 1 Kings 19.9–18 Romans 10.5–15 Matthew 14.22–33 There is something about us that is deeply resistant to the grace of God. It’s not that we don’t believe in him, or wish to follow him, or that we consciously reject him, but w…
Eco Lectionary August
Eco Lectionary August
by Keynsham Methodist Church Eco Group
ECO-HINTS FROM THE LECTIONARY August 2011 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time—7 August 2011 I Kings 19: 1-8 Psalm 85: 8-13 Romans 10: 5-15 Matthew 14: 22-33 Elijah shows us just how important decent food is to us. Our intercessions today might consider the imbalance of food production a…
Almost silent, God would whisper
Almost silent, God would whisper
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Almost silent, God would whisper Proper 14 year A 1 Kings 19: 9-18 Almost silent, God would whisper, prophesy to empty space. Fire and earthquake held no message, nothing there of love or grace. But a challenge came through quietness 'go to those from whom you flee... Tune:…
Churning waves unsettled Peter
Churning waves unsettled Peter
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Churning waves unsettled Peter Proper 14 year A Matthew 14: 22 - 33 Churning waves unsettled Peter, startled, he was sinking fast, he'd been walking on the water, seemed this moment could not last. Jesus reached a hand to save him, lifted him above the swell. Fainting faith…
Jealous hatred fired his brothers
Jealous hatred fired his brothers
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Jealous hatred fired his brothers Proper 14 year A Genesis 37: 1 – 4, 12 - 28 Jealous hatred fired his brothers, Joseph, Jacob's favourite son, cooking up a plot to kill him, thought the plan would soon be done. In the distance they had seen him, saw the dreamer, saw his co…
Earthquake, wind and fire
Earthquake, wind and fire
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Earthquake, wind and fire Proper 14 year A 1 Kings 19: 9-18 Into the hurricane of life – the rush, the chaos, the bewilderment, the anxiety, uncertainty, the fear of loss, the birth of pain, the failures and fractures of life – God of the still, small voice, whisper your …
Who knows?
Who knows?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Who knows? Proper 14 year A Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b Did Jacob know, while favouring one son, the brothers planned to kill that special one? Did Reuben know, by letting Joseph live, they would be saved by what that boy could give... 7 August 2011, …
The preacher
The preacher
by Marjorie Dobson
Monologue: The preacher Proper 14 year A Romans 10: 5-15 I’ve been preaching for fifty years – fifty-one, actually. Started as a youngster in my teens. Wasn’t very wise to the world, but I thought I knew a lot – and even at that age I knew it was God that was calling me and that …
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Confusion in Lystra
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Confusion in Lystra
by SPCK - N T Wright
Confusion in LystraActs 14. 8-20 I have a sneaking sympathy for the medical profession. Two or three generations ago, everybody knew that there were all kinds of diseases that the doctors couldn’t cure. They would do their best with what was available. They would offer sympathy…
John for Everyone Part 1 - The Father's Will
John for Everyone Part 1 - The Father's Will
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Father’s Will John 6.36-46 C. S. Lewis was once interviewed by an American Christian journalist who was writing about well-known characters who had converted to Christianity during adult life. The theme was ‘decision’. He wanted to get Lewis to say how he had ‘made his decisi…
John for Everyone Part 1 - Eating and Drinking the Son of Man
John for Everyone Part 1 - Eating and Drinking the Son of Man
by SPCK - N T Wright
Eating and Drinking the Son of Man John 6.47-59 One of the most moving, and often forgotten, stories about King David concerns the time when he was fighting the Philistines, who had occupied his native town of Bethlehem. Among David’s fiercely loyal fighting men he had three in p…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - Israel, the Nations and the Messiah
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - Israel, the Nations and the Messiah
by SPCK - N T Wright
Israel, the Nations and the Messiah ROMANS 9.30-10.4 One of the things I have to do in my job is to encourage people who are building new churches or other premises for worship, outreach, child care and so on. Often this involves being there when the first bit of the building is …
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Fulfilment of the Covenant
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Fulfilment of the Covenant
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Fulfilment of the Covenant ROMANS 10.5-13 Edward Elgar was the greatest English composer of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Among his many works, perhaps the best known is the Enigma Variations. As the second word of its name implies, it is a set of variation…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Call to the World, and the Father of Israel
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Call to the World, and the Father of Israel
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Call to the World, and the Failure of Israel ROMANS 10.14-21 Not long ago, some friends of ours came into possession of a large old house, and decided to do a first-class job of restoring it. To make sure all the details were taken care of, they hired a consultant to oversee …
1 and 2 Kings for Everyone - Wives and Adversaries
1 and 2 Kings for Everyone - Wives and Adversaries
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Wives and Adversaries 1 Kings 11:1-43 When my sister was abandoned by her husband just after the birth of their son, she moved back to live with our parents for a while to find a way of getting her life back together, and eventually met a nice young man (also called John, as is h…
LWPT Meditations - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
LWPT Meditations - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
by Susan Thorne
Meditation – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A Romans 10: 5-15 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10 v 13) Who is this Lord on whom we must call? The words, quoted by Paul in his letter to the Romans, are from the prophecy of Joel (2 v 32) and are…
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 86:11-12
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 86:11-12
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 86:11-12 The prayer to ‘knit my heart unto thee’ is as poetic as it is profound. Weaving the sinews of our will into the will of God echoes the prayer of Jesus as he faced the cross: ‘Not what I want but what you want’ (Matthew 26.39b nrsv). His example shows us that it is …
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 105:3, 25
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 105:3, 25
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 105:3, 25 Heart versus heart. The heart can fill up with love or hatred. The greatest challenge for the heart filling up with love is to encounter another whose empty heart fills up with hatred, especially when the focus of the bitterness is love itself...
Genesis for Everyone Part 2 - Excluded but Not Forgotten
Genesis for Everyone Part 2 - Excluded but Not Forgotten
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Excluded but Not Forgotten Genesis 36:1- 37:4 Some years ago I decided to try to discover what I could about the Goldingays of the past. It’s probably easier for most British people to investigate their ancestors than for most people in the United States, whose families came from…
Genesis for Everyone Part 2 - The Dreamer
Genesis for Everyone Part 2 - The Dreamer
by SPCK - John Goldingay
The Dreamer Genesis 37:5-36 I have known one or two people who had dreams or visions or words from God (indeed, I have had one or two myself). Sometimes these have been rather general and uncheckable, though edifying and at worst harmless. Sometimes they have been vindicated by e…
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Restore Us Again
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Restore Us Again
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Restore Us Again Psalm 85 It is easy for me as a Brit to be resentful of the U.S. media’s critiques of Britain and Europe. “Why do they think it’s their business to criticize when the United States can’t solve its own problems?” I wonder. “Are the British media so critical of the…
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - On Learning from Your Story
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - On Learning from Your Story
by SPCK - John Goldingay
On Learning from Your Story Psalm 105 It’s coming up to Thanksgiving/Advent Sunday, and I’m asking the members of our church to think about the following four questions: 1. “What are you particularly thankful for this year?” 2. “In your Christian faith, what are you finding nouri…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Conflict between the Teacher and Israel
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Conflict between the Teacher and Israel
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Conflict between the Teacher and Israel Matthew 8—23 The intrusion of substantial non-narrative material in these sermons inhibits the movement of the plot. This mixture of Jesus’ ministry and his teaching produces a more measured air; instead of the breathless dash of Mark’s bou…
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - Year A
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - Year A
by Andrew Pratt and Marjorie Dobson
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 14(19) - Year A Opening Hymn: Come let us sing of a wonderful love or See all creation leap with praise Prayer: Welcoming God Hymn: All praise to our redeeming Lord or Sometimes the bible seems confused Lesson: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Poem: Who…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book III
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book III
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Book III (Pss. 73-89) Book III opens with “A Psalm of Asaph” (Ps. 73). Like the sons of Korah, Asaph was, according to the book of Chronicles, a temple singer during the reigns of David and Solomon. Fifteen of the seventeen psalms in Book III are attributed to Asaph and the sons …
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book IV
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book IV
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Book IV (Psalm 90-106) Book IV opens with “A Prayer of Moses, the Man of God.” It is the only psalm in the Hebrew Psalter ascribed to Moses. Its words are a plea to God for mercy: “Turn [shub], O YHWH! How long? Change your mind [nakham] concerning your servants” (90:13, my trans…
Birds - Puffin Walks on Water
Birds - Puffin Walks on Water
by Andy Lindley
A puffin taking flight TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) Insert as Picture in the normal way. If needed fill the slide area by…
The Womens' Bible Commentary - The Mothers and Fathers of Israel
The Womens' Bible Commentary - The Mothers and Fathers of Israel
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Mothers and Fathers of Israel Commentaries on Genesis 12–50 generally focus on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, ancestral heroes of Israel. Their life stories are built from traditional elements such as the hero’s unusual birth, his stormy relationship with his brothers, yo…
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Jezebel, Elijah, and the Northern Kings
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Jezebel, Elijah, and the Northern Kings
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Jezebel, Elijah, and the Northern Kings At 1 Kings 16 the narrative turns much of its attention to the intrigues of the northern kingdom, focusing upon it until the inception of the Jehu dynasty and the end of the Omride dynasty in 2 Kings 10. The kings of Israel receive no benef…
The Women's Bible Commentary - Rejection in Nazareth
The Women's Bible Commentary - Rejection in Nazareth
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Rejection in Nazareth At the completion of the parables, Matthew again mentions Jesus’ natal family (cf.12:46– 50). The comments of those in Nazareth (cf. Mark 6:1–6a) indicate the failure of some to grasp Jesus’ message; thus they fulfil Jesus’ citation of Isaiah 6:9–10 (Matt. 1…
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - Jesus Walks on Water
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - Jesus Walks on Water
by SPCK - N T Wright
Jesus Walks on Water Matthew 14.23-36 Curiously, only one great picture of this scene has ever been painted (by Conrad Witz in 1444). You might have thought it would make an ideal subject: Jesus as a shimmering figure on the water, the frightened disciples huddling in the boat, a…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 180
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 180
by Twelvebaskets Ltd
A selection of commentary, reflection and prayer ideas from various Christian authors and the full bible texts from the NRSV for this week's lectionary. NOW INCLUDING SERIALISED BOOKS FROM SPCK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BRF. Check below for details. Subscribe to Fresh Thoughts For S…
The Act of Prayer Year B - Second Sunday of Advent Year B
The Act of Prayer Year B - Second Sunday of Advent Year B
by BRF - John Birch
Second Sunday of Advent Year B Opening prayer As people walk by to purchase for those they love gifts that, in days to come, will fade from memory, within this place we gather in celebration of your loving gift to all of humankind…
Lent for Everyone Year A - Monday: Week 3 in Lent Year A
Lent for Everyone Year A - Monday: Week 3 in Lent Year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
WEEK 3: MONDAY Matthew 14; focused on 14.22–33 Forty years ago I sat in my college room with a friend and we read this passage together. He had come to a living faith in Jesus just a week before. He was still wide- eyed with delight at the sense of Jesus’ personal presence within…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - From four gospels back to one Jesus
Four Gospels, One Jesus - From four gospels back to one Jesus
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
From four gospels back to one Jesus This basic unity of story outline within the plurality of portraits brings us to the second set of questions regarding the relationship of the four images to the search for the historical Jesus: what continuity is there between Jesus himself an…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Where is he who is born King of the Jews?
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Where is he who is born King of the Jews?
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Where is he who is born King of the Jews? Infancy narratives, Matthew 1—2 Mark begins with ‘the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ’, but Matthew picks another key word – genesis: ‘the book of the generation (biblos geneseos) of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham’ (1.…
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - From Worldview to Theology
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - From Worldview to Theology
by SPCK - N T Wright
Part 1: PAUL AND HIS WORLD Chapter One RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY? 2 Philemon and the Study of Paul (iii) From Worldview to Theology The particular claim of the present book, then, embodied in the transition between Part II and Part III, is that when we understand the worldview of Pau…
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Story Retold :Conclusions
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Story Retold :Conclusions
by SPCK - N T Wright
Part 1: PAUL AND HIS WORLD PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD Chapter TWO LIKE BIRDS HOVERING OVERHEAD: THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL (ii) The Continuous Story (e) The Story Retold: Conclusions This brief summary of multiple retellings of Israel’s story as a whole or in par…
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Story Retold: Bible
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Story Retold: Bible
by SPCK - N T Wright
Chapter TWO LIKE BIRDS HOVERING OVERHEAD: THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL (ii) The Continuous Story (b) The Story Retold: Bible The long tradition of retelling the story of Israel, not only on the large scale (as in the Pentateuch itself, the books from Joshua through to 2 …
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Theology of a Pharisee
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - The Theology of a Pharisee
by SPCK - N T Wright
Chapter TWO LIKE BIRDS HOVERING OVERHEAD: THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL The Theology of a Pharisee It is not difficult to draw out from what has already been said the main lines of Pharisaic theology, bringing into brief and I hope sharp focus the larger and longer treatm…
A Persistent Canaanite Woman
A Persistent Canaanite Woman
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
Hidden Treasure and Precious Pearls
Hidden Treasure and Precious Pearls
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute
Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus Walks on Water
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
The Bread of Life
The Bread of Life
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
The Pharisees Ask for a Sign
The Pharisees Ask for a Sign
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the link…
What Makes a Person Unclean
What Makes a Person Unclean
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
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by SPCK - N T Wright
Israel, the Nations and the Messiah ROMANS 9.30-10.4 One of the things I have to do in my job is to encourage people who are building new churches or other premises for worship, outreach, child care and so on. Often this involves being there when the first bit of the building is …
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Jesus' Death Reveals God's Love and Guarantees Final Salvation
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Jesus' Death Reveals God's Love and Guarantees Final Salvation
by SPCK - N T Wright
Jesus’ Death Reveals God’s Love and Guarantees Final Salvation ROMANS 5.6-11 I have heard it said – one hears all sorts of strange things in church – that John’s gospel is all about the love of God, but Paul’s letters are all about law, justice and hard, sharp things like that. W…
Acts for Everyone part 1 - Stephen Becomes a Target
Acts for Everyone part 1 - Stephen Becomes a Target
by SPCK - N T Wright
Stephen Becomes a Target Acts 6.8-15 Without in any way wishing to complain, I do have a fellow feeling with Stephen in this passage. He has only just been appointed a ‘deacon’, with particular responsibility for helping organize the daily distribution of food to the community …
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - The Coming of Faith
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - The Coming of Faith
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Coming of Faith Galatians 3.23-29 One of the worst evenings of my daughter’s young life was when she was asked to be a babysitter for some friends – a job she had often done before, happily and successfully. Unknown to them or us, the two young children were in a very cross m…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Fulfilment of the Covenant
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Fulfilment of the Covenant
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Fulfilment of the Covenant ROMANS 10.5-13 Edward Elgar was the greatest English composer of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Among his many works, perhaps the best known is the Enigma Variations. As the second word of its name implies, it is a set of variation…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Remnant of Grace
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Remnant of Grace
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Remnant of Grace ROMANS 11.1-6 These days, we know quite a lot about depression. Many books are written about it, many different therapies are on offer for it, and it is no longer a taboo subject in the way it was not long ago. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19 offers …
Acts for Everyone part 1 - The Words of This Life
Acts for Everyone part 1 - The Words of This Life
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Words of This Life Acts 5.17-26 When our second child was born, we had decided on names. If it was a boy, it would be Oliver; if it was a girl, it would be Emily. Well, it was a girl (we got our Oliver later); but when we looked at her, we both knew she wasn’t Emily. Who was …
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Monday: Week 3 in Lent Year B
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Monday: Week 3 in Lent Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B WEEK 3: MONDAY... ...We were staying in a remote part of Scotland for a holiday. Our hosts, welcoming us, pointed out that we didn’t need a key for the door. They never locked it. The risk of intruders or burglars in that part of the world was more o…
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Wednesday: Fifth Week in Lent Year B
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Wednesday: Fifth Week in Lent Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B WEEK 5 WEDNESDAY... ...James stared at the machine doubtfully. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Looks quite clever, but I can’t see how it can ever actually work.’ His brother, who had spent all winter building the new machine – they were farmers, and neede…
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - Christ the Seed, Christ the Mediator
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - Christ the Seed, Christ the Mediator
by SPCK - N T Wright
Christ the Seed, Christ the Mediator Galatians 3.15-22 ‘It’s what he would have wanted.’ How often has that phrase been used to settle an argument, when someone has died and the family are trying to organize the funeral, or the disposal of property, or the appropriate way to brin…
Hebrews for Everyone - From Mount Sinai to Mount Sion
Hebrews for Everyone - From Mount Sinai to Mount Sion
by SPCK - N T Wright
From Mount Sinai to Mount Sion Hebrews 12.18-24 ‘The year we moved to London we gave each of the children a map of the city and a small guide to the main attractions. Predictably, each of them became excited over different things which the city had to offer. One was noting the ma…
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - God's Promise and Abraham's faith
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - God's Promise and Abraham's faith
by SPCK - N T Wright
God’s Promise and Abraham’s Faith Galatians 3.1-9 A famous story tells of the tight-rope walker Charles Blondin (1824–97), who set up a rope across Niagara Falls and walked across several times. So confident did he become that he made the journey backwards as well as forwards, an…
Mark for Everyone - Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
Mark for Everyone - Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 3.1–6 Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand... ...It’s difficult for me to remember what life was like when I was a boy. It’s even harder for young people today to imagine what it was like in their own country 50 years ago. Almost every- where has chang…
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - Jesus' Baptism
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - Jesus' Baptism
by SPCK - N T Wright
Jesus’ Baptism Matthew 3.11-17 It’s safe to say that John was as surprised as we are. Or at least, as we should be if we read this passage without knowing what’s coming. To get the flavour, imagine that we are going to a huge concert hall, packed to the doors with eager and excit…
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - Justified by Faith, Not Works of Law
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - Justified by Faith, Not Works of Law
by SPCK - N T Wright
Justified by Faith, Not Works of Law Galatians 2.15-21 A well-known story is told of Margaret Thatcher during the time she was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She was visiting an old people’s home, going from room to room and meeting senior citizens who had lived there a lo…
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - On Prayer
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - On Prayer
by SPCK - N T Wright
On Prayer Matthew 7.7-12 I hate fundraising. Many people are good at it; many actually enjoy it; but I can’t stand it. I hate asking people for things anyway, and asking for money is the worst of all. As a result, I’m not very good at it. I understand that in some countries it’s …
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Paul Before Agrippa
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Paul Before Agrippa
by SPCK - N T Wright
Paul Before AgrippaActs 26.1-11 One of the great, though controversial, bishops of Durham in the first half of the twentieth century was Hensley Henson. He was a brilliant speaker and writer, a much loved (though sharp-tongued) pastor, and a great campaigner on all kinds of soc…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Paul Longs to see the Roman Christians
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Paul Longs to see the Roman Christians
by SPCK - N T Wright
Paul Longs to see the Roman Christians ROMANS 1.8-13 The first time I went to Rome there was a great deal to see. I knew about many of the classical sites, the spectacular buildings, the ancient palaces, the Forum, and so on. But there were many surprises as well. One in particul…
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - Praying in the Faith
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - Praying in the Faith
by SPCK - N T Wright
Praying in the Faith James 5.13-20 There are many things in life which look extremely odd to someone who doesn’t know what’s going on. Imagine watching someone making a musical instrument if you’d never heard music in your life. What, you might think, can such an object possibly …
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - The Healing of the Leper and the Centurion's Servant
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - The Healing of the Leper and the Centurion's Servant
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Healing of the Leper and the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8.1-13 ‘Who’s in charge here?’ The policeman suddenly appeared in the doorway. Everyone stood still. It had been a wonderful party up to that point; a bit riotous, perhaps, but great fun. Now, we guessed, one of the nei…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Privileges and Tragedy of Israel
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Privileges and Tragedy of Israel
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Privileges and Tragedy of Israel ROMANS 9.1-5 This morning’s newspaper carries a whole page of correspondence about an ugly fact of modern life: anti-Semitism is on the rise again. Jews have been attacked and threatened, vilified and abused in many cities in our supposedly ci…
Acts for Everyone part 1 - The Stoning of Stephen
Acts for Everyone part 1 - The Stoning of Stephen
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Stoning of Stephen Acts 7.54-8.3 Francis Thompson was a strange and powerful English poet of the early twentieth century. He was a believing Christian, but his life had been sad and difficult in a number of ways. Yet in the middle of his personal suffering he discovered a str…
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - The Son and the Spirit
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - The Son and the Spirit
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Son and the Spirit Galatians 4.1-7 If you’ve ever tried to write a story, you have probably discovered that your characters get themselves into muddles from which it’s quite hard to get them out. Several nineteenth-century novelists faced this problem, often with heroes and h…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - The Unveiling of God's Covenant Justice
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - The Unveiling of God's Covenant Justice
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Unveiling of God’s Covenant Justice ROMANS 3.21-24 There are many plays and movies which turn, often at the last minute, on a sudden intervention. Someone arrives, perhaps galloping in on horseback into a trial or a wedding or a lynching, bringing news of a reprieve, or a mes…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - The Two Types of Slavery
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - The Two Types of Slavery
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Two Types of Slavery ROMANS 6.15-19 One of our newspaper columnists came up with a bright idea for achieving two purposes at once. British society (in common with many others in the Western world) is facing a worrying rise in youth crime. Many young people have no jobs, no pu…
John for Everyone Part 1 - Bread from Heaven
John for Everyone Part 1 - Bread from Heaven
by SPCK - N T Wright
Bread From Heaven John 6.26-35 The historian was in a hurry to finish his Ph.D. There was one chapter to go, which concerned the painting that had been so important during his period, and the influence the artists had had on the wider thought and culture of the time. He went hast…
Prayers for all Occasions - Kindle
Prayers for all Occasions - Kindle
by SPCK - Ian Black
This wonderful collection of 140 original prayers – published here for the first time – is suitable for anyone who leads public prayers, or is looking for a resource to enrich private devotions. Covering a wide variety of subjects, the prayers are grouped under broad headings: …
Prayers for all Occasions - ipad/iphone/itouch - Sony
Prayers for all Occasions - ipad/iphone/itouch - Sony
by SPCK - Ian Black
This wonderful collection of 140 original prayers – published here for the first time – is suitable for anyone who leads public prayers, or is looking for a resource to enrich private devotions. Covering a wide variety of subjects, the prayers are grouped under broad headings…
Moulin Rouge Bible Study part 6
Moulin Rouge Bible Study part 6
by Tim Marshall
A Bible Study which relies heavily on discussion rather than leading. Using the film 'Moulin Rouge' as a starting point and then looking at a variety of passages (which can be obtained from the web in a variety of different translations) There are questions to help start discussi…
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Proper 14 Year A
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Proper 14 Year A
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 14 - Year A Meditation on Matthew 14: 22-33 Gaze on a child taken swimming for the first time by her family. She’s excited because she knows this is a treat, she’s got a new swimsuit, and bright orange armbands. But once in the water, her excitement turns to fear. The firs…
How long, O Lord, until you hear
How long, O Lord, until you hear
by Gareth Hill Publishing/Song Solutions CopyCare
Hymn – How long, 0 Lord, until you hear How long, 0 Lord, until you hear the Church’s cry of pain? Our voices fail, our strength grows weak are all our dreams in vain? Yet still we search for shafts of hope for rumours of new birth, we strain for heaven’s answer to our anguish he…
The Meal Jesus Gave Us - A taste of what's to come - 11
The Meal Jesus Gave Us - A taste of what's to come - 11
by SPCK - Tom Wright
11 A taste of things to come Part Two THE THANK-YOU PARTY When the Israelites were wandering through the desert on their way to the promised land, Moses sent spies ahead into Canaan who would come back to tell what they had seen. (You can read the story in Numbers 13.)…
Imagining the Lectionary: The sacrificial shape of Good Friday
Imagining the Lectionary: The sacrificial shape of Good Friday
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: the sacrificial shape of Good Friday Reflection Accompanying images: “Trimmed for the future”, “Helen Huntington Jennings Christ Crucified”, “Crown of Thorns Coventry Cathedral” and “Christ Crucified in Coventry Cathedral” Recovering from depression is p…
We come to this, the sign of life
We come to this, the sign of life
by Michael Docker
We come to this, the sign of life, A place for one and all; Where water waits to bear and bless Whoever heed's God's call. We come to this, the sign of truth, A moment made in love; Where water promises to bear From here to what's above. Verses 3-4 follow CM (St Stephen; St Berna…
Open with God Book - Death
Open with God Book - Death
by Christine Odell
DEATH Prayers for Various Occasions Reading 1 Corinthians 15.50-58 We feel sad today, listening God, because of the death of …. (name), our sister/brother. We know we will not see them again in this life and that they will be missed by their family and friends..
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - The Sunday Next Before Lent Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - The Sunday Next Before Lent Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
The Sunday Next Before Lent 2 Kings 2.1–12 2 Corinthians 4.3–6 Mark 9.2–9 Elijah is taking part in his own funeral procession. Everywhere he goes, people come out to watch him, the coffin, go past. The people do not speak to him. It’s almost as though they think that he has alrea…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 12 Year A
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 12 Year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
Twelve Months of Sundays – Year A Ordinary Time Proper 12 Genesis 29.15–28 Romans 8.26–39 Matthew 13.31–33, 44–52 ‘All things work together for good to those who love God.’ Probably not the first thought that sprang to Jacob’s mind the morning after his wedding, on discovering ho…
Faith is the tight-rope of travelling people
Faith is the tight-rope of travelling people
by Andrew Pratt
Faith is the tight-rope of travelling people, taut between mountains of mercy and grace. Pilgrims remember the fears of their parents, trials and deliverance they had to face. Hope kept the balance when human experience met with the fire and the dangers of life, torture and stoni…
God resists a partial judgment
God resists a partial judgment
by Andrew Pratt
God resists a partial judgment, spinning justice in the air, mercy breathes in word and action when the Spirit's breath is there. Here the wicked face comeuppance, here the weak are heard at last, where each human word and action counts for more than prayer or fast. Verses 3-4 fo…
Hymn - So stunned by what she heard then saw
Hymn - So stunned by what she heard then saw
by Andrew Pratt
So stunned by what she heard then saw, a voice was calling out her name, and turning she was shocked by joy for Jesus walked into the frame. Not long before she’d watched him die, the victim of a murderous act, she saw him lose his grasp on life, a witness to this dying fact. Ver…
Hymn: Trust that God who lit the cosmos
Hymn: Trust that God who lit the cosmos
by Andrew Pratt
Trust that God, who lit the cosmos, source and ground of all we are, demonstrated love’s dimension, dying like the evening star, softened, shaded, so diminished, then extinguished, gone from sight, yet the third day rose in glory, bringing hope and shedding light. Verses 2-3 foll…
Mark for Everyone - The Crucifixion
Mark for Everyone - The Crucifixion
by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 15.16–32 The Crucifixion... ...Peacekeeping forces, which have become a regular feature of our world, often have to contain themselves in the face of severe local provocation. They can easily build up a backlog of resentment and anger against the people who…
Mark for Everyone - The Speculations of Herod
Mark for Everyone - The Speculations of Herod
by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 6.14–16The Speculations of Herod... ...Private life is a modern invention. Until quite recently, most people lived in small communities where everyone knew every- one else’s business. Until a few hundred years ago, everybody heard what was going on in the w…
Poem: Beyond our context, out of time
Poem: Beyond our context, out of time
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Beyond our context, out of time Beyond our context, out of time, can we believe the things we read? Are these imagined, false or fact, or signs that we should test and heed? A woman dies then finds new life, a metaphor or something real? The narrative has truth to tell in w…
This is love, love un-extinguished
This is love, love un-extinguished
by Andrew Pratt
This is love, love un-extinguished, love out lasting time and place, love surviving crucifixion, sign of hope and source of grace. This was God who bled and died there, very God they scourged and hung, it was God the child of Mary, from whom human life was wrung. Verses 2-3 follo…
What news is good? That Christ will live forever?
What news is good? That Christ will live forever?
by Andrew Pratt
What news is good? That Christ will live forever? Beyond a cruel death an empty grave? And whether this is fact or faith means nothing unless Christ's Spirit gives the means to save. If we endure derision, in this moment, or share communion bread within this place, unless our liv…
Revelation for Everyone - A Dragon is Angry
Revelation for Everyone - A Dragon is Angry
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Dragon Is Angry Revelation 12.7-18 A happy argument took place in the changing-room after the end of the match. Who had scored the winning goal? There had been a big scramble in the goalmouth; the ball was bouncing to and fro; two of the attacking players had both swung a foo…
Revelation for Everyone - The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation for Everyone - The Woman and the Dragon
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Woman and the Dragon Revelation 12.1-6 I once attended a memorial service for a famous sportsman, a cricketer who had been a boyhood hero for me and for many others. The church was packed, and a special place was reserved for other cricketers who had played with or against th…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 191
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 191
by Twelvebaskets Ltd
A selection of commentary, reflection and prayer ideas from various Christian authors and the full bible texts from the NRSV for this week's lectionary. NOW INCLUDING SERIALISED BOOKS FROM SPCK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BRF. Check below for details. Subscribe to Fresh Thoughts For S…
Moulin Rouge Bible Study Part 4
Moulin Rouge Bible Study Part 4
by Tim Marshall
A Bible Study which relies heavily on discussion rather than leading. Using the film 'Moulin Rouge' as a starting point and then looking at a variety of passages (which can be obtained from the web in a variety of different translations) There are questions to help start discussi…
A responsive setting of Psalm 19
A responsive setting of Psalm 19
by Michaela Youngson
A responsive setting of Psalm 19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim God’s wonderful creation. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goe…
Obedience
Obedience
by Marjorie Dobson
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Year A Psalm 119: 33-40; Romans 7: 7-25 Reflection, Poem: Obedience Regulations restrict, citing me to rebellion. Laws point me to lawlessness. Written rules to the breaking of them. It is my nature not to do what should be done and my selfishness sa…
10 commandments
10 commandments
by Rachel Marsh
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) Insert as Picture in the normal way. If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in the t…
Poem: Rules, or freedom
Poem: Rules, or freedom
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Rules, or freedom Rules are tools to keep the unruly in line – or that’s the idea, at least. Rules are restrictive, inactive, inflexible and incapable of making allowances – that’s the idea of most of them. Rules are meant to make fools of those who disobey and in that way …
Reflection/meditation: Agreement
Reflection/meditation: Agreement
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection/meditation: Agreement It’s all about personal responsibility, isn’t it? It’s all about not being able to pass the blame back to a past generation, or excuse personal behaviour by claiming that it’s all in the genetic structure. At one time everyone relied totally on Go…
Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm
Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm If God’s law is so loveable, why do so many people find it impossible to live by it? If God’s law gives the power to defeat the enemy, why do so many people suffer for their beliefs? If God’s law grants superior knowledge, why do so many peo…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Warnings against Scribes and Pharisees
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Warnings against Scribes and Pharisees
by SPCK - N T Wright
Warnings against Scribes and Pharisees Matthew 23.1-12 The man in the camping shop was good at his job. ‘This is the kind of tent you’ll need,’ he said. ‘It’ll last through all weathers, enough room for all your kit, easy to put up.’ Gratefully, I added it to the pile of maps, so…
John for Everyone part 2 - The Burial of Jesus
John for Everyone part 2 - The Burial of Jesus
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Burial of Jesus John 19.38-42 The camel was called Michael. He stood, with his owner, outside the walls of Jerusalem. Our day’s tour was over, and one member of the party at least was keen to do something different. I went with her to speak to the camel’s owner, one of the ma…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - When the Law Arrived: Sinai Looks Back to the Fall
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - When the Law Arrived: Sinai Looks Back to the Fall
by SPCK - N T Wright
When the Law Arrived: Sinai Looks Back to the Fall ROMANS 7.7-12 The house was quiet when the workmen arrived, and when someone came to the door they assumed it was the owner himself. They had come to install a new alarm system on the doors and windows. The owner had been anxious…
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Why not Hear My Story?
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Why not Hear My Story?
by SPCK - N T Wright
Why Not Hear My Story? Acts 21.23-22.11 A story is told of Bishop Kallistos Ware, the Greek Orthodox bishop who for many years taught theology at Oxford. Bishop Ware was born and bred in England (his original name was Timothy), and he converted to Greek Orthodoxy as he was growin…
Prayer: Law-giving God
Prayer: Law-giving God
by Marjorie Dobson
Law-giving God, you gave us ten clear rules about belief and behaviour, in the hope that we would be obedient and follow your wisdom throughout our lives. But we confess that we have often contradicted your commandments and taken our own way, simply for our own satisfaction. Cont…
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - The Third Sunday of Lent Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - The Third Sunday of Lent Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
The Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 20.1-17 1 Corinthians 1.18-25 John 2.13-22 Are Exodus and 1 Corinthians in direct conflict with each other? Do they give wholly irreconcilable pictures of the nature of God and our response to it? The God of the Ten Commandments is, surely, a God w…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - The Third Sunday of Lent Year B
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - The Third Sunday of Lent Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Third Sunday of Lent Exodus 20.1–17 1 Corinthians 1.18–25 John 2.13–22 Jewish jokes testify to the terror of the Ten Words from Sinai. Headache? Do what Moses did: take two tablets. Moses to the people: we’ve got them down from twenty to ten, but adultery is still in. Moses t…
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Fourth Sunday before Advent Year B