The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 22] (World Communion Sunday)

2Chronicles 7:1-22 (OR Haggai 1:15-2:9)

Psalm 41

Matthew 26:20-35 OR Mark 14:17-31 OR Luke 22:14-38

Colossians 3:18-4:18


   

OPENING PRAYER [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

O God our Father, who sent Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, to fulfill the Passover through his suffering, coming among us as one who serves, giving his body and shedding his blood in order to establish a new covenant with all who are called by his name: Strengthen us, we pray, that our faith may never fail. Nourish us, that we may encourage one another. Help us to recognize the many assets and provisions with which you have blessed us, and teach us to dedicate and use them to the service of your kingdom. Neither let us overlook or neglect or shy away from the offering of ourselves. For truly you, our Passover Lamb, have provided all things needful, giving even of your flesh and blood for our salvation, thereby showing your grace and goodness to sinners. Thank you, O LORD, for the body and blood of Christ, by which your Spirit imparts grace to us and builds us up to be the body of Christ. Come, O LORD our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come and receive our thanks and praise!       

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 21]

   

Haggai 1:1-14 (15)
Psalm 136
John 13:21-38
Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-9 (10-20) 21-24

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 20]

    

Isaiah 1:1-20
Psalm 25:11-22
John 13:1-20
Titus 1

An Invitation

There is a time for everything: a time to preach more broadly from the canon (Year D) and a time to preach more narrowly on those chief "heads" or matters of first importance. The latter is a matter of catechetical preaching, a subset of doctrinal preaching, itself a subset of topical preaching. At least that is how I see and would map the concentric relation.

Why not join me for a five-week (asynchronous) discussion of Catechetical Preaching, Part I — The Lord's Prayer, starting next Tuesday, September 20. We will be discussing my recent book, Our Father Knows: The Prayer that Jesus Taught. Perhaps it will goad your thinking and planning toward preaching the essentials. After all, for many adult Christians today, confirmation ... was a long time ago!

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 19]

    

Deuteronomy 16:1-17
Psalm 92: (1-4) 5-11 (12-15)
Matthew 26:1-19 OR Mark 14:1-16 OR Luke 22:1-13
1Timothy 5

Prelude to the Passion - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 18]

   

Exodus 28:(1-29) 30-43 OR 2Samuel 15:30-37; 16:15-17:4 OR 2Chronicles 30:1-27
Psalm 141
John 11:45-57
1Corinthians 16:1-24

OPENING PRAYER [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]

Father of lights, let your glory fill this place as it once filled the tabernacle of the covenant; let your cloud and fire guide us on every stage of our journey of faith, as you once guided Israel through the wilderness. Come and reign over us; oversee our renewal, reform, and restoration. Let there be great joy here as has not been for many generations. Bless your people gathered here and receive our praises as we bless your name. Let our voice be heard on high, O LORD; and let our prayer came to your holy dwelling in heaven. For the sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ, which he has made for the sins of the world, has not been in vain, but bears the fruit of faith in every tribe and people and language and nation! Therefore, come, O God, and gather all your dispersed children into one, in the name of our risen Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!

Prelude to the Passion - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time [Proper 17]

    

Numbers 11:1-30 OR Isaiah 45:20-25 OR Jeremiah 4:19-31 OR Zechariah 8:1-23
Psalm 68:11-31 (32-35) OR 120
John 10:19-21 (22-30) 31-42
1Corinthians 14:1-40

OPENING PRAYER [from GREATER ATTENTION: LERW, YEAR D]
Our Living Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us many good works from our heavenly Father, with whom you are One: we thank you for the gift of eternal life, and for the assurance that we will never perish, that no one will ever snatch us out of your hand! What blessed assurance this is! What boldness it gives us to witness to you! Yet our vision is dim and our hearing is dull, and those in the world to whom we would witness sometimes seem to have no sense at all! Lord, open blind eyes and sharpen our vision, open deaf ears and refine our understanding, that when we hear the sound of your voice we will know it and be quick to follow! For truly, Lord, the works that you do in the Father’s name testify to you, and the gifts that you have given us are encouraging indeed. Therefore, draw near, that we, your church, may praise you in the Spirit and be built up in love by your prophetic word. This we ask for your name’s sake.