Links to resources for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day:
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/christmas.htm
The indexing work at "The Text This Week" is being sponsored this week
by:
Drew University DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
http://www.drew.edu/theo-content.aspx?id=1568
- Concentrations in:
Global/Online, Church Growth & Congregational Development, Worship,
Spirituality & Preaching, and more - APPLY ONLINE FREE
http://www.drew.edu/theo-content.aspx?id=1540
RELIGION AND THEOLOGY JOURNALS - ATLASerials (ATLAS) Online Collection -
Free 30-day trial and major discounts - ATLA
http://www.atla.com/trial/textweek.html
SERMONWRITER Resources for Lectionary Preaching. FREE SAMPLES on
request.
(http://www.sermonwriter.com/free_samples.htm)
Sent weekly by
email: Exegesis, Sermons, True Stories, Thought Provokers, Hymns. Now
including children's sermons. SermonWriter: http://www.sermonwriter.com/
Cokesbury.com Version 5.0. More products. More services. Same discounts.
Cokesbury: your partner in ministry. Visit us today! www.cokesbury.com
journeywithjesus.net - A weekly webzine for the global church -
Lectionary
essays, books, film, and poetry http://www.journeywithjesus.net/
Lectionary.org. Excellent Exegesis on the Web -- and it is FREE
http://www.lectionary.org.
Exegesis now available in English, Spanish, and
Chinese.
********************
This direct link to the weekly resources page for Advent 4, Year A
(December
23, 2007):
http://www.textweek.com/yeara/adventa4.htm
will point you toward a number of resources for general study of the
lectionary texts, and worship and liturgy resources. Many of these
general
resources are available close to the date of the lectionary week, and
are
posted at The Text This Week after they are up at others'
sites.
_____
I've compiled pages of links to artwork depicting the following
themes:
St Joseph
http://www.textweek.com/art/joseph.htm
Nativity
http://www.textweek.com/art/nativity.htm
visitation
http://www.textweek.com/art/visitation.htm
Mystical/Liturgical/Enthroned Madonna
http://www.textweek.com/art/mystical_Madonna.htm
annunciation
http://www.textweek.com/art/annunciation.htm
__________
Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation
Comments (commentary)
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comments/aadv4m.shtml
and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study),
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comments/aadv4l.shtml
Advent 4A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Advent 4A, 2007. Commentary,
historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis
University.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/4AdvA122307/main.html
Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org. Commentaries on lectionary
readings by Frederick J. Gaiser, Susan Grove Eastman, and James L.
Boyce,
Luther Seminary.
http://www.workingpreacher.com/preaching.htm
Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Advent 4, by Paul Nuechterlein
&
Friends.
http://girardianlectionary.net/year_a/advent4a.htm
Preaching Peace commentary, Advent 4, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
http://www.preachingpeace.org/yeara/advent4.htm
Advent Commentaries, Fourth Sunday in Advent, Perry Yoder, Mary H.
Schertz,
Jacob W. Elias, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
http://www.ambs.edu/news-and-publications/advent/advent4
Text Studies, Advent 4A, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
http://sio.midco.net/danelson9/yeara/advent4a.htm
Preaching Helps (Advent 4A, 2007). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist
Church
General Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45507&loc_id=733,
32,44
Jesus Now, Advent 4A. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith
Futures Jesus Then & Now.
http://wiki.faithfutures.org/index.php/Advent_4A
Sermon Nuggets, Advent 4A, 2007, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor,
questions, quotations.
http://home.twcny.rr.com/lyndale/advent%204A%202007.htm
Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Advent 2A, 2007, Paul S.
Nancarrow, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
http://www.processandfaith.org/lectionary/YearA/2007-2008/2007-12-23.shtml
Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 23, 2007, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet,
Currents in Theology and Mission.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MDO/is_5_34/ai_n21053794
The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin
Theological
Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration
Ideas.
http://cep.calvinseminary.edu/thisWeek/index.php
SAMUEL, Advent 4, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme,
lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/december-23-2007-l-fourth.html
"God with Us!" Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/bfletch/a104.html
Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Advent 4A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville,
ON,
Canada.
http://www.seemslikegod.org/Lectionary/YearA_Advent4.htm
Social Justice Lectionary, Advent 4A, list of links by Rev. Dr. Bruce
Sweet, United Church of Canada.
http://www.socialjusticelectionary.com/yearainfo.htm#4THADVENT
"A Wondrous Mystery," Anecdotes, Stories & Humor, Steve Goodier,
Christ
United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City, UT.
http://pluto.matrix49.com/15635/?subpages/a04112607.shtml
Starters for Sunday, 23 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers
& Hymn
Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church
of
Scotland.
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/wpstarters.htm
Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription
http://www.atla.com/trial/textweek.html
for these texts:
Isaiah 7:10-16
http://www.textweek.com/prophets/isaiah7.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Psalm 80
http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm80.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Romans 1:1-7
http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom1.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Matthew 1:18-25
http://www.textweek.com/mtlk/matt1.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
Blogging Toward Sunday, Erin Martin, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian
Century, 2007.
http://www.theolog.org/
The Good Word, Blog on Scripture and Preaching, America: The National
Catholic Weekly, 2007.
http://americamagazine.org/blogs/client/
Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion,
2007.
http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.com/
"Is It Immanuel or Emmanuel?" Angela Bauer-Levesque, Randall C. Bailey,
Caroline Redfearn, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our
Lives
and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign. (LGBT persective)
http://www.hrc.org/scripture/season.asp#12-23-07
"God Is With Us," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Prophetic Call," Living the
Word,
Sojourners Online, 2007.
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0712&article=
071249
"What Can We Expect?" Keith A. Russell, Reflections on the Lectionary
for
December, 2007, The Living Pulpit.
http://www.pulpit.org/articles/December07Lectionary.asp
Daily Reflection, Advent 4, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University,
2007.
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122307.html
Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Advent 4A, 2004. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan
Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the
Episcopal Church.
http://www.sarahlaughed.net/lectionary/2004/12/fourth_sunday_o.html
Homiletical Hot Tub, preaching blog at Lectionary Homiletics, 2007.
http://www.goodpreacher.com/blog/
The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions, Volume 2, and Homilias
Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P.
http://www.op.org/exchange/
Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion. "A place of conversation
regarding
Progressive Christianity."
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/
Education for Justice Lectionary Reflections, 2007, Fr. John Bucki, SJ,
"Promoting Global Justice and Peace Since 1971".
http://educationforjustice.org/bin/view.fpl/1413.html
COSLC Grace Notes, Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran
Church,
Anchorage, AK. Meditations & poetry.
http://www.coslcgrace.blogspot.com/
Reflections of the Spirit, Gary Sims, First United Methodist Church,
Albuquerque, NM. Daily studies & devotions on the lectionary texts.
http://www.fumconline.org/devotionals.php
Common Reading, Anthony B. Robinson.
http://www.anthonybrobinson.com/reading.htm
"What Child Is This?" Frederick Niedner, The Christian Century, 2004.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=3171
"Bette Midler Was Wrong," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself,
Daniel
B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2004.
http://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20041213JJ.shtml
"Flesh in Our Own Lives," Isaac Miller, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The
Witness, 2004.
http://www.thewitness.org/agw/miller121504.html
"God-With-Us," Michaela Bruzzese, "Digging for Treasure," Sojourners,
2004.
http://tinyurl.com/2wsskb
"Christ for the World," Ruth A. Meyers, The Christian Century, 2001.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_33_118/ai_80850438
"Practicing Fidelity," Rosalind Brown. Commentary from The Christian
Century, December, 1998. At Religion Online.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=617
"Wake Up!" by Michaela Bruzzese. Living the Word lectionary-based
scripture
commentary from Sojourners Online, 2001.
http://www.sojo.net/magazine/index.cfm/action/sojourners/issue/soj0111/artic
le/011149.html
Living the Word, by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary-based scripture
commentary at Sojourner's Online, 1995.
http://www.sojo.net/magazine/index.cfm/action/sojourners/issue/soj9511/artic
le/951149.html
Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and
other resources.
http://www.desperatepreacher.com/bodyii.htm
Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels,
Year
A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education
Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
http://www.ontario.anglican.ca/docs/SundayBySundayA.pdf
Sermons
Stewardship Sermon Starter, Stewardship at the Heart of the Lectionary.
ELCA.
http://www.elca.org/stewardship/sermon.asp
"A New World Birth," the Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Day 1, 2004.
http://www.day1.net/index.php5?view=transcripts&tid=473
"Difficult Choices," Advent 4A - 19 December 2004, Luke Bouman,
Göttinger
Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team
of
Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
http://www.predigten.uni-goettingen.de/archiv-7/041219-8-e.html
"What's In a Name?" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic
Weekly, 2004.
http://tinyurl.com/2yby9d
"The Mystery and Power of the Virgin Birth," Advent 4a, the Rev. Dr.
Winfred B. Vergara, Sermons that Work, ECUSA, 2004.
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/6087_55353_ENG_HTM.htm
"A Real Holy Joe," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic
Weekly, 2001.
http://tinyurl.com/2bywvo
Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
Lectionary Notes, Advent 4, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat
Group
Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
http://www.bethquick.com/advent4anotes.htm
Banquet of the Word, Bible Study Based on the Sunday Readings, by Rev.
Thomas Welbers.
http://www.olaclaremont.org/education/adult/bow/bowada04.htm
Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Advent A, The Episcopal
Church, 2007.
http://ecusa.anglican.org/50534_53814_ENG_HTM.htm
Proclaiming Faith, Advent 4A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day
readings -
reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
http://www.cyberfaith.com/proclaiming_faith.cfm?reading_id=144&language=eng&
book=0
Bible Study - Advent 4 - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary
commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
http://www.scborromeo.org/biblestu/a_adv_4.pdf
Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders
guide and
participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
http://www.bibleministries.org/
Complete Liturgies & General Worship Planning Resources:
Worship Planning Helps (Advent 4, 2007): Worship & Preaching Notes,
Hymn
Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church
General
Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45614&loc_id=733,
32,44
Gathering, Advent 4, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes
homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn
suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
http://www.united-church.ca/files/sales/magazines/gathering/2008/ace/rtf/ace
2008.rtf
"Jesus, the Compassion of God," Fourth Sunday of Advent, Worship Ways,
United Church of Christ, 2007.
http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/advent-4_jesus-the-compassion-of-god
.pdf
LCA Worship Resources, Advent 4A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions,
notes
on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran
Church of Australia.
http://tinyurl.com/2hlxch
Mustard Seeds, "A Life Uncommon / Courage," Advent 4A, 2007. A
lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann
Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-4-december-23-life.html
Worship and Liturgy Resources, Advent 4, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting
Church in Australia.
http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/A4A95OS.htm
Liturgies Online, Advent 4, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in
Australia.
http://tinyurl.com/26bwlt
Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Advent 4A. Liturgies from a
Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting
Church of
St James Curtin, ACT.
http://tinyurl.com/27j3kz
Liturgy Alive, Advent 4, Claretian Publications, Inc., Philippines.
http://www.bible.claret.org/Liturgy%20References/Cycle%20A/Advent/4Sunday/4S
un.htm
"Facts of Life!" Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/bfletch/a204.html
Liturgy for Advent, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. Adapting Advent to
the
Southern Hemisphere.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/churchyear/advent.html
Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of
Canada.
http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/year-a-sermons.php
Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
http://www.canticanova.com/planning/year-a/p_advt_a.htm
Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra
Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings,
Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
http://www.laughingbird.net/ComingWeeks.html
Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and
Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/DocA/04advent4.htm
The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in
Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
http://thebillabong.info/
Outside the Box, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local
church,
by Katherine Hawker.
http://liturgyoutside.net/AdventA.html
Other Advent Resources.
http://liturgyoutside.net/AdventChristmasOutside.html
Prayers of the People, Year A - Advent 3. General intercessions for
Sundays
and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal]
Diocese of Louisiana.
http://members.cox.net/oplater/IntercessionA-Advent3.pdf
Lector's Notes, Advent 4, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish,
Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this
week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
http://www.lectorprep.org/advent_04_yrA.html
Prayers of the People, Year A - Advent 4. General intercessions for
Sundays
and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal]
Diocese of Louisiana.
http://members.cox.net/oplater/IntercessionA-Advent4.pdf
Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Advent 4A. Chris
Haslam,
Diocese of Montreal.
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comments/aadv4i.shtml
Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Stephen Brown, A Place for
Prayer.
http://revsbrown.tripod.com/aplaceforprayer/id5.html
21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Advent 4A, 2007, Ciona D.
Rouse, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45513&loc_id=733,
32,44
Offertory Prayers for December, 2007, Herb Mather, Director of the
Center
for Christian Stewardship, the General Board of Discipleship of The
United
Methodist Church.
http://www.gbod.org/stewardship/article.asp?id=45595&source=church
Starters for Sunday, 23 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers
& Hymn
Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church
of
Scotland.
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/wpstarters.htm
Lighting of Advent Wreath Litanies for Year A, The Rev. Sheila N.
McJilton,
St Philip's Episcopal Church, Laurel, MD. Free use, please attribute to
author.
http://www.textweek.com/yeara/Lighting%20of%20Advent%20Wreath%20A.doc
Prayer of the Church, Last Sunday in the Church Year, 2007, Let Us Pray,
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/enews/messagetext.asp?MsgId=5829
Lighting of Advent Wreath Litanies for Year A, The Rev. Sheila N.
McJilton,
St Philip's Episcopal Church, Laurel, MD. Free use, please attribute to
author.
http://www.textweek.com/yeara/Lighting%20of%20Advent%20Wreath%20A.doc
Prayers of the People, Advent 4, Richard J. Einerson, sample prayers
from
Prayers of the People: Pastoral Prayers for Worship and Personal
Devotion.
http://www.richardeinerson.com/einerson_003.htm
"Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the
Eucharist,
Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/reflection/554a.html
Prayer of the Church, Advent 4, 2007, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church
Missouri
Synod.
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/enews/messagetext.asp?MsgId=5891
Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 4A. Commentary, historical background,
poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/4AdvA122307/main.html
World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi,
California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world
news.
http://www.worldinprayer.org/
Graphics and Multimedia:
Clip Art, Advent 4, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic
Educators.
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/Year%20A/4adventA.htm
Clip Art Images: Matthew 1:18-24, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el
Perú.
http://www.mscperu.org/caricaturas/graficoslit/adviento_navidad/4_adv_a.htm
Advent 4
http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/dibujosA/04AdvientoA4.jpg
at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American
Roman
Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in
the
index. Liberation emphasis.
http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/indexAgraf.html
Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett,
Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
http://www.scholia.net/bulletins.htm
Mustard Seeds, "A Life Uncommon / Courage," Advent 4A, 2007. A
lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann
Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-4-december-23-life.html
SundayGraphx, Don Silva. Bulletin Covers / Cubierta de Boletín and
PowerPoint backgrounds, English and Spanish.
http://sundaygraphx.blogspot.com/
Scripture Pics, Weekly RCL-related image.
http://www.scripturepics.org/
Free Downloadable Bulletin Covers & Clip Art, (primarily UMC and
PCUSA),
Kerr Resources.
http://www.kerrresources.com/
Agnus Day, Lectionary cartoon by James Wetzstein.
http://www.agnusday.org/
La domenica con Gesù, weekly image tied to gospel lesson.
http://www.santegidio.org/it/amici/voce/domenica.htm
Bulletin Inserts:
"Faith and Doubt, Hope and Fear, Joy and Sorrow - And Dreams," Lisa
Bellan-Boyer, eBulletins reflections, American Bible Society Bible
Resource
Center.
http://www.bibles.com/content/pdf/EBulletin_12_23_07__6_1_6856.pdf
Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters,
New
Zealand.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/lectionary/aad4.html
SAMUEL, Advent 4, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme,
lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/december-23-2007-l-fourth.html
Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Advent 4A, Rev. John
Shearman,
Oakville, ON, Canada.
http://www.seemslikegod.org/Lectionary/YearA_Advent4.htm
Hymns and Music: (see also "Hymns & Music" linked at individual
scripture pages, below)
Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/lectionaryhymns/122307hymns.asp
"Lord, Be to Us a Source of Joy," F. Richard Garland, Advent Hymns with
Lectionary Texts, Year A. United Methodist Church General Board of
Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45517
"The Lord's Messiah Comes,", a hymn for Advent by Rev David Beswick,
Uniting Church in Australia.
http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/Adventhym.htm
Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files)
from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday
Lectionary.")
http://oremus.org/hymnal/
Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
http://www.hymnsite.com/lection/index.shtml
Hymn Suggestion First-Line Generator for Voices United (United Church of
Canada). Type in numbers of hymns and get a list of first lines. Peter
Chynoweth, Yellowhead Presbytery. (scroll down)
http://yellowheadpresbytery.org/news_info.htm
Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province.
Worksheets
for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire
suggestions for RCL texts.
http://www.mcsp.org/resources/wrm/res_wrm_preface.htm
The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn
suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
http://thebillabong.info/
"Can We Pledge Our Lives Today?" TEXT: Mark Ryman (2004) based on
Matthew
1:18-25. TUNE: "Canterbury," by Orlando Gibbons (1623). New Hymns for
the
Lectionary.
http://www.edoxy.com/hymns/index.html
Gathering, Advent 4, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes
homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn
suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
http://www.united-church.ca/files/sales/magazines/gathering/2008/ace/rtf/ace
2008.rtf
Starters for Sunday, 23 December 2007. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers
& Hymn
Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church
of
Scotland.
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/wpstarters.htm
Prayers and Musical Ideas, Advent 4A. Commentary, historical background,
poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/4AdvA122307/main.html
Together to Celebrate, December 23, 2007, David MacGregor, Uniting
Church
in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
http://www.togethertocelebrate.com.au/ADVENT4A_2007.htm
Children's Bulletins
Lectionary Puzzles. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg
McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
http://www.efree.mb.ca/lectionarypuzzles/in-awag.htm
Children's Activity Sheets: Activities for Children, based on the
Revised
Common Lectionary, by Dorothy A. DeBisschop, Great Hill UMC, Seymour,
Connecticut. At Bass Mitchell's homiliesbyemail.com.
http://www.homiliesbyemail.com/leaf/cas/current.html
Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons &
Children's
Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of
page.)
http://www.sermons4kids.com/
CatholicMom.com: Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, and
Word
Search based on weekly gospel text.
http://www.catholicmom.com/coloring_pages.htm
With Children (see also listings "With Children" at individual
scripture pages, linked below):
"Sermon of the Week,"
http://www.sermons4kids.com/
"Mensajes para ninos,"
http://www.sermons4kids.com/mensajes_para_ninos.htm
Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's
Sermons,
Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
Family Table Devos, weekly family devotionals on placemats by Meghan
Large,
NC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
http://www.lutheranyouth.org/Family_Table_Devotions.133.html
Gathering, Advent 4, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes
homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn
suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
http://www.united-church.ca/files/sales/magazines/gathering/2008/ace/rtf/ace
2008.rtf
"The Christmas Story,"
http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/a-ad04-98.php
"The Names of Jesus,"
http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/a-ad04su.php
Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll
down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
Proclaiming Faith, Advent 4A - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day
readings -
reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
http://www.cyberfaith.com/proclaiming_faith.cfm?reading_id=144&language=eng&
book=0
Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older
Children,
Advent, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
http://ecusa.anglican.org/50534_53814_ENG_HTM.htm
"To See God," Rev. Dr. Edgar Mayer, Lutheran Church of Australia.
http://www.geocities.com/mayeredgar/seeinggod.htm
Ideas and Talks for Advent, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale,
Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
http://talks2children.itsforministry.org/t2c/seasonal.asp?SeasonID=2A
Children's Sermons Following the Lectionary, Roland McGregor.
http://www.webspawner.com/users/ChildPage/
_______________________
_______________________
Matthew 1:18-25
http://www.textweek.com/mtlk/matt1.htm
"The Birth of Jesus," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor
Edward
F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed
background and exegesis. (scroll down)
http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_b_the_virgin_maryGA.htm
"First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Advent 4,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/MtAdvent4.htm
"The Christmas stories always need connecting with the grown up Jesus if
they are not to be sentimentalised. Don’t put tinsel around the cross at
Christmas. The magic of angels and the virginal conception are the
embellishments to enable us to celebrate that life of compassion and
self
giving."
Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Advent 4A, 2004. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan
Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the
Episcopal Church.
http://www.sarahlaughed.net/lectionary/2004/12/fourth_sunday_o.html
"Here's the rule about what happens if you think the woman to whom
you're
engaged is bearing someone else's child: both the woman and the man
whose
child it is get death by stoning -- assuming you know the identity of
the
father, and that the woman is seized in an area in which someone could
have
heard her screams if she cried out."
Exegesis, Matthew 1:18-25, W. Sibley Towner, Lectionary Homiletics
sample.
http://www.goodpreacher.com/shareit/readreviews.php?cat=12
"The good news that God comes to us neither as the enemy nor the
punitive
judge nor the puppet master pulling on our little strings, but as
Emmanuel,
is the story of Advent and of Christmas, too."
"Faith and Doubt, Hope and Fear, Joy and Sorrow - and Dreams," Lisa
Bellan-Boyer, Jersey City, NJ.
http://www.bibles.com/content/pdf/EBulletin_12_23_07__6_1_6856.pdf
"In Eastern Orthodox icons of the Nativity, there is often a small scene
depicted in the lower left corner: Joseph, sitting and glumly listening
to a
man talking to him..."
"Joseph the Righteous," Advent 4A, Elizabeth Morris Downie, Proclaiming
Gospel Justice, The Witness.
http://www.thewitness.org/agw/downie121504.html
"Clearly the most dangerous of our coping mechanisms is denying our own
roles as Christians in the public arena."
"Do Not Be Afraid," Pilgrim Preaching, Keeping company with biblical
texts
and the people who hear and preach them, a weblog for preaching, by Mary
Hinkle, Luther Seminary.
http://maryhinkle.typepad.com/pilgrim_preaching/2004/12/do_not_be_afrai.html
"...alongside the gift of a baby who bears the very presence of God to
humanity is another gift, a gift that the one who is God with us will
keep
offering throughout his ministry: freedom from fear."
Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western
Australia.
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/matthew0/MIM11825ADV4.html
"Fourth Sunday in Advent: Matthew 1:18-25," The Matthean Advent Gospels,
James Arne Nestingen, Word & World: Theology for Christian
Ministry, Luther
Northwestern Theological School, 1992.
http://www.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/12-4_Economics/12-4_Nestingen.p
df
"To be forgiven is to receive a future that is under the control not of
the
previous failure or offense, but which is in the hands of One who can
actually effect a new condition."
Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/matt1x18.htm
"Anyway, it seems to me that the translation "God is with us" doesn't
completely capture the sense of the Hebrew. The words suggest that "God
is
in common with us people" -- or "God is one of us." In this sense, John
captures the sense with "The Word became flesh and lived among us"
(1:14a)."
Wellspring of the Gospel, Advent 4A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn
Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
http://www.wellsprings.org.uk/advent/advent4.htm
"What does Jesus’ choice of the word 'abba' tell us about the
relationship
He had with Joseph?"
"God's Call to Joseph," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies
and
Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual
notes.
http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/advent4ag.html
"The birth of Jesus is primarily a redemptive act, rather than an
incarnational act of God."
Exegesis, Advent 4A, by Richard Donovan at lectionary.org.
http://www.lectionary.org/EXEG-English/NT/ENT01-Matt/Matt%2001.18-25.htm
"The particular women mentioned in the genealogy are interesting."
"Not in Control," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource
for
This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity,
Support Materials.
http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/A/4-Advent-a/A-4Advent-a.html
"How has life turned out differently than you imagined it? Have you been
disappointed or encouraged? Why?"
"Awake from Your Stupor," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on
scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study
and
activities.
http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/Matthew/mt_01_18-25.htm
"The angel had to 'wake up' Joseph from a spiritual stupor lest he sleep
away his opportunity to participate in God’s plan. Joseph had to be
moved
beyond his wishy-washiness and into a life of responsibility."
"The Origin of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:1-25," by Herman C. Waetjen.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=30
"Jesus therefore is the integration of both discontinuity and
continuity.
As the child of Mary he is a new creation generated by the holy Spirit.
As
the adopted son of Joseph he is a descendant of David and Abraham."
"Emmanuel: God-Is-With-Us," Advent 4A, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from
Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of
Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.
http://www.bible.claret.org/liturgy/daily/sundays_pierse/cycleA/4thSunAdvt.h
tm
"We are fairly willing to take responsibility for "our own thing" or
our own
project but are not very good about supporting what is started by
others.
But to be a Christian and a Christbearer is precisely to take
responsibility
for the work of the Spirit."
"Practicing Fidelity," Rosalind Brown. Commentary from The Christian
Century, December, 1998. At Religion Online.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=617
"The initial silence of God to Joseph was just as demanding for him as
the
clarity of God’s words was for Ahaz. In both situations God was testing
the
men: Are you going to act faithfully?"
"God is a Grown-Up (Matt 1:1-25, Luke 2:40)," John C. Purdy. Chapter 1
of
God With a Human Face (1993), republished at Religion Online.
http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=435&C=312
"God not only knows what it is like to be born, God also knows the
mystery
of childhood. God is a grown-up. God knows the secret way that leads
from
infancy through childhood and youth to maturity."
"A Mishnaic Commentary on Matthew 1.19," Daniel B. Wallace, Professor of
New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1041
"...had Joseph sent a bill of divorce to Mary it could not be retracted
once it reached her because, as far as was evident to him, she had
committed
an immoral act. And although he desired to divorce her secretly, at
least
two other people had to know about the matter. But since he only
desired to
do this and did not actually go through with the act, her dignity was
preserved intact."
"Nativity of Jesus," wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus
"Empathy and the New Testament," L. Ann Jervis, McMaster Journal of
Theology and Ministry, 2000.
http://www.mcmaster.ca/mjtm/newpage6.htm
"Empathy connotes not just listening to another’s story but also
participating in the other’s story, so that the listener not only hears
and
believes the facts of another’s experience, but actually feels the
experience at some level. To have empathy with another is not simply to
believe what that person says but to feel along with that person, to
participate in that person’s experience. "
Virgin Birth: Child of the Holy Ghost, from And Adam Knew Eve: A
Dictionary
of Sex in the Bible, by Ronald L. Ecker.
http://www.ronaldecker.com/andv.htm#VIRGIN_BIRTH
Sermon:
"The Birth of Christ and the Birth of Christmas," Advent 4A, B, C, Rev.
Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_a_the_birth_of_christ_and_christmas
.htm
"Joseph and the Virgin Birth," Advent 4A, Rev. Edward F. Markquart,
Sermons
from Seattle.
http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_a_joseph_and_the_virgin_birth.htm
"Fulfillment: God Is Here," John Jewell, 1998.
http://www.lectionarysermons.com/ADV4-98.html
_____
Isaiah 7:10-16
http://www.textweek.com/prophets/isaiah7.htm
Isaiah 7:10-16, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series A, Ralph W.
Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
http://fontes.lstc.edu/~rklein/Documents/adventa.htm#Advent4
The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common
Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson,
Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne,
Australia.
http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/AdventA/Advent4Isa7.html
"Reading Matthew 1 in light of Isa. 7:10-17 with all its ambiguity,
casts
the story of the baby Jesus into a different light. Is God with us in
Jesus
for salvation or judgment or both?"
"Dreams and Letting God Be God," Lamin Sanneh, The Christian Century,
1989.
At Religion Online.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=920
"When does our own sound religious conviction become a denial of
religious
responsibility?"
"The Sign of Emmanuel," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic
Resource for This Sunday's Gospel.
http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/A/4-Advent-a/FR-4Advent-a.html
"God works great miracles in ways unspectacular and unexpected. All we
need
do is open our eyes to the possibilities."
"The Linkage between Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6," Harold R. Holmyard, Journal
of
Biblical Studies, 2000.
http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/A/4-Advent-a/FR-4Advent-a.html
"The purpose of this paper is to show that the firmness of this
connection
resides in Isaiah's prophecies, particularly in the association between
the
son named "God is with us" in 7:14 and the son called "Mighty God" in
9:6."
Sermons:
Christmas Eve Sermon, Munib Younan, 2005. Göttinger Predigten im
Internet:
Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/
pastors
http://www.predigten.uni-goettingen.de/archiv-8/051224-11-e.html
"When God's Kingdom Comes - Incarnation," John Jewell, 2001.
http://www.lectionarysermons.com/decbr23-2001.htm
_____
Romans 1:1-7
http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom1.htm
First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Advent 4,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/AEpAdvent4.htm
"Such transforming power, which Paul frequently associates with the
Spirit
(as in 1:4) and in which he experiences the living presence of Christ,
draws
its energy from God's compassion, which is so radical and far reaching
in
Paul's mind that it breaks down all barriers, including those erected on
biblical principles."
"Jesus, Son of David, Son of God," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary
Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes
detailed
textual notes.
http://www.lectionarystudies.com/advent4ae.html
"Paul's Motivation for Ministry (Romans 1:1-17)," by Robert Deffinbaugh
at
the Biblical Studies Foundation.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2291
"Paul will call upon all the saints to live up to their common calling.
And
he will (in Romans 12:3-8) call upon each saint to live up to their
specific
and unique calling. But Paul will not urge the saints at Rome to do all
that
he does as a part of his unique calling."
"The Rhetoric of Persona in Romans: Re-Reading Romans 1:1-12," James D.
Hester, The Journal for the Study of Rhetorical Criticism of the New
Testament.
http://rhetjournal.net/Romans.pdf
"...the rhetorical function of the beginning of the letter is to create
and
support Paul's persona as that of an 'ambassador for Christ' (2 Cor
5:19)
whose special commision was to be apostle to the Gentiles wherever they
may
be found."
_____
Psalm 80
http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm80.htm
______________
______________
May the Peace of Christ be with you all, and may your study be prayer,
Jenee
Jenee Woodard -- Jackson, Michigan
mailto:jeneewd@dmci.net
http://www.textweek.com
- The Text This Week
