We are using the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for our Sunday Worship. We are posting a brief explanation about the lectionary and the list of readings for the whole season. You can use these readings as a basis of your personal meditation for the week in preparation of our collective worship on Sunday. We invite you also to our daily devotional page.


The Complete Revised Common Lectionary

Grenz, Linda, Doubleday Pocket Bible Guide

(NY, Doubleday Publication, 1997 pp. 193-194)

What is a Lectionary?

It is simply a collection of passages (called readings or lessons) that have been compiled from Scripture for use in public worship or private devotions. The readings are put together either to reflect a theme (like the birth of Jesus at Christmas) or they provide for the reading of a large portion of one of the books of the Bible over a course of time (like the Acts of the apostles during Sundays following Easter). Lectionaries have been around a long time. Luke’s Gospel speaks of Jesus standing in the synagogue and reading from the prophet Isaiah, presumably  the portion of text appointed to be read that day (Luke 4:14-21).

The Complete Revised Common Lectionary was developed by the Consultation on Common Texts, a group of Christian scholars appointed by their denominations to identify the wording for key liturgical texts (such as the Lord’s Prayer) that could be used by all denominational groups. Since many of the lectionaries used by the denominations were quite similar, the group was in an ideal position to establish a common lectionary.

The Revised Common lectionary is divided into three-long cycles (Years A, B, and C). The lectionary is designed to provide a three-year period for the reading of a great deal of the Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture), all of the Psalms, and many selections from the Gospels and Epistles in the New Testament. Each Sunday is assigned a reading from tbhe Hebrew Scriptures, a Psalm, an Epistle selection, and a Gospel text.

The lectionary is based on the Christian church year (which begins on the First Sunday of Advent) and follows the general themes of the birth, death, resurrection of Jesus Christ; the coming of the Holy Spirit and the sending out of the disciples to preach the good news; and the teachings, healings, and miracles that Jesus performed on his earthly ministry. The great stories from the Old Testament are read alongside the Gospels, chosen to provide a thematic harmony. The Epistle lessons are also matched to the Gospel during the major seasons (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost) but are read semi-continuously during the summer months of “Ordinary Time” so do not match the theme from the Hebrew Scriptures and Gospels. A selection from the Psalms that matches the theme of the first readings is included for each day.

The Revised Common lectionary can be modified for use by any Christian group for devotional use and Bible study.