Leading Ahead- The Narrative Lectionary
Of first remark, let me thank all of you for the wonderful attendance on the 2nd Sunday of Easter (a.k.a. Holy Bright Humor Sunday). I have had conversations with many pastors across the country who have remarked that, generally speaking, attendance on the Sunday after Easter is LOW. In one case, there was only one family who showed up for worship.
I lift up “thanks be to God” for your commitment to and faithfulness in worship. God bless us everyone in our faith journey together!
The Narrative Lectionary (NL) begins this Summer/Fall– What is NL? To answer it simply, according to Merriam-Webster: Lectionary means a list or book of portions of the Bible appointed to be read at a church service in the church year; whereas Narrative means something that is narrated.
So, what about it?
Just this. Beginning on Sunday, September 10th, we will be reading the Narrative Lectionary for worship.
The Narrative Lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings [two per Sunday]. On the Sundays from September through May each year the texts follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church. The texts show the breadth and variety of voices within Scripture. They invite people to hear the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the prophets, Jesus, and Paul. Listening to the many different voices within Scripture enriches preaching and the life of faith.
So what is so different about NL than what we do now? The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is still good. However, RCL tends to jump around the Bible giving in many cases a disconnected story of God’s historical relationship with the world and humanity.
NL follows a more direct line through Scriptures. The texts include the major episodes in Scripture. They are arranged in a narrative sequence to help us see Scripture as a story that has unity and a movement that is full of life. For example, this coming lectionary year will run as follows:
- From September 10th to December 10th, the preaching texts begin with the early chapters of Genesis 1:1—2:4a and move through the stories of Israel’s early history of the exodus, the kings, prophets [Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel this year], the exile and return of Israel. These are paired up with the Gospel of John as a secondary reading until Christmas.
- Christmas, which begins with Isaiah, then, turns to a sustained primary reading of John (with a stop to hear Luke’s account of the Christmas Narrative) through Epiphany, Lent and Easter to the 2nd Sun. in Easter, paired with a Psalm as the secondary reading.
- The remainder of the Easter Season, we hear from Acts (about Paul’s missionary journey) followed up by Philippians, after which we step back into Acts 2 for Pentecost, May 20th, 2018. At this time, after Easter (in 2018), Acts and Philippians are read with the Gospel of John as secondary. In each cycle (year), the readings change with a different Gospel being read each year.
This Summer (June 11 - Sept. 3, 2017), beginning June 11th, we will begin delving deeper into the Bible with 3 sermon series.
We will dig into Psalms (June 11th-July 9th);
Ephesians (July 16th-Aug. 6th); and
Revelation (Aug 13th-Sept. 3rd).
There will be detailed notes from the sermons available when you cannot be in worship (Let’s get real! It is Summer and vacation time!). Each of the four Summers the topics and books under study also change. This will be an exciting way to journey through, and get a full view of, God at work in history and God’s loving relationship with us.
God bless our time together hearing and studying God Word.
Pastor Kent
Reading Ahead
Sundays’ Readings
Sunday May 7 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Sunday May 14 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
Sunday May 21 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
Thursday May 25 – Ascension of Our Lord
Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
Sunday May 28 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
Sunday June 4 – Day of Pentecost (WEAR RED!)
Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34; Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23