May 2018 Revised Common Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals
6th Sunday of Easter—May 6, 2018
Acts 10:44–48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1–6
John 15:9–17
Acts 10:44–48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1–6
John 15:9–17
Ascension of the Lord—May 10
Acts 1:1–11
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15–23
Luke 24:44–53
Acts 1:1–11
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15–23
Luke 24:44–53
7th Sunday of Easter—May 13
Acts 1:15–17, 21–26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9–13
John 17:6–19
Acts 1:15–17, 21–26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9–13
John 17:6–19
Day of Pentecost—May 20
Acts 2:1–21 or Ezekiel 37:1–14
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
Romans 8:22–27 or Acts 2:1–21
John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15
Acts 2:1–21 or Ezekiel 37:1–14
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
Romans 8:22–27 or Acts 2:1–21
John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15
Trinity Sunday—May 27
Isaiah 6:1–8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12–17
John 3:1–17
Isaiah 6:1–8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12–17
John 3:1–17
THOUGHTS TO PONDER ON…..
FRIENDS: THEIR GIFTS AND LIMITATIONS (HENRI NOUWEN)
No two friends are the same. Each has his or her own gift for us. When we expect one friend to have all we need, we will always be hypercritical, never completely happy with what he or she does have.
One friend may offer us affection, another may stimulate our minds, another may strengthen our souls. The more able we are to receive the different gifts our friends have to give us, the more able we will be to offer our own unique but limited gifts. Thus, friendships create a beautiful tapestry of love.
We need friends. Friends guide us, care for us, confront us in love, console us in times of pain. Although we speak of “making friends,” friends cannot be made. Friends are free gifts from God. But God gives us the friends we need when we need them if we fully trust in God’s love.
Friends cannot replace God. They have limitations and weaknesses like we have. Their love is never faultless, never complete. But in their limitations they can be signposts on our journey towards the unlimited and unconditional love of God. Let’s enjoy the friends whom God has sent on our way.
FRIENDS: THEIR GIFTS AND LIMITATIONS (HENRI NOUWEN)
No two friends are the same. Each has his or her own gift for us. When we expect one friend to have all we need, we will always be hypercritical, never completely happy with what he or she does have.
One friend may offer us affection, another may stimulate our minds, another may strengthen our souls. The more able we are to receive the different gifts our friends have to give us, the more able we will be to offer our own unique but limited gifts. Thus, friendships create a beautiful tapestry of love.
We need friends. Friends guide us, care for us, confront us in love, console us in times of pain. Although we speak of “making friends,” friends cannot be made. Friends are free gifts from God. But God gives us the friends we need when we need them if we fully trust in God’s love.
Friends cannot replace God. They have limitations and weaknesses like we have. Their love is never faultless, never complete. But in their limitations they can be signposts on our journey towards the unlimited and unconditional love of God. Let’s enjoy the friends whom God has sent on our way.
April 2018 Revised Common Lectionary
Resurrection of the Lord / Easter - April 1, 2018
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Easter Evening - April 1
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 114
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Luke 24:13-49
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 114
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Luke 24:13-49
2nd Sunday of Easter - April 8
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
3rd Sunday of Easter - April 15
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
4th Sunday of Easter - April 22
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
5th Sunday of Easter - April 29
Acts 8:26-40
Psalms 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
Acts 8:26-40
Psalms 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
March 2018 Revised Common Lectionary
Third Sunday in Lent - March 4, 2018
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and
God's weakness is stronger than human strength. (v. 25)
John 2:13-22
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and
God's weakness is stronger than human strength. (v. 25)
John 2:13-22
Fourth Sunday in Lent - March 11, 2018
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God. (v. 8)
John 3:14-21
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God. (v. 8)
John 3:14-21
Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 18, 2018
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you. (vv. 10-11 of 119)
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you. (vv. 10-11 of 119)
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Passion/Palm Sunday - March 25, 2018
Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever! (v. 1)
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47)
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last.
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top
to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him,
saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly
this man was God's Son!" (15:37-39)
Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever! (v. 1)
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47)
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last.
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top
to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him,
saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly
this man was God's Son!" (15:37-39)
Maundy Thursday - March 29, 2018
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live. (vv. 1-2)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live. (vv. 1-2)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Monthly Prayers - March 2018
Household Prayer: Morning
God of Heaven and Earth,
I listen this morning for the sound of your glory:
in the songs of birds,
in quiet conversations that begin the day,
in easy laughter among friends,
in sunlight's warmth,
pattering rain, or silent snowfall.
Give me ears to hear your glory in its many forms.
Give me eyes to see your glory in its many guises.
Throughout this day, I, too, will proclaim your glory,
your grace and your love
so that I may be a part of the chorus of praise
that stretches to the ends of the Earth.
In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
God of Heaven and Earth,
I listen this morning for the sound of your glory:
in the songs of birds,
in quiet conversations that begin the day,
in easy laughter among friends,
in sunlight's warmth,
pattering rain, or silent snowfall.
Give me ears to hear your glory in its many forms.
Give me eyes to see your glory in its many guises.
Throughout this day, I, too, will proclaim your glory,
your grace and your love
so that I may be a part of the chorus of praise
that stretches to the ends of the Earth.
In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
God of freedom,
I thank you for claiming me as your own
and for setting me in the midst of the community of faith.
Today the news was filled with stories of people
who do not live according to your commandments,
with grievous results.
Lives are shattered
as your ancient tablets of stone are broken again and again.
And I struggle, too, in my own ways,
to live before your and my neighbors
iin faithfulness, generosity and love.
As the day comes to an end,
I pray for forgiveness for myself
and for this weary world,
confident of your grace and mercy.
Send your gift of Sabbath rest,
and let me sleep in peace as, over and around me,
night declares to night your power and glory.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
God of freedom,
I thank you for claiming me as your own
and for setting me in the midst of the community of faith.
Today the news was filled with stories of people
who do not live according to your commandments,
with grievous results.
Lives are shattered
as your ancient tablets of stone are broken again and again.
And I struggle, too, in my own ways,
to live before your and my neighbors
iin faithfulness, generosity and love.
As the day comes to an end,
I pray for forgiveness for myself
and for this weary world,
confident of your grace and mercy.
Send your gift of Sabbath rest,
and let me sleep in peace as, over and around me,
night declares to night your power and glory.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
