Lectionary Questions

 

Where are the Lectionary-based resources for the first four weeks of September?

 

For the first four weeks of September, Seasons of the Spirit includes resources for the Season of Creation. The Season of Creation has its own set of readings designed to provide a three-year cycle that broadly corresponds to the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL).

We recognize that many congregations may prefer to use resources based only on the RCL. For that reason, Seasons of the Spirit also provides resources based on the RCL for the first four weeks in September.

You will find the URL to access the RCL resources on every Biblical Background page in all Sep 1 to Sep 22 resources.

Please note that the Seasons of the Spirit resources return to the Lectionary on September 29 for the remainder of the year.

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Why do the Lectionary dates change every year?

The Seasons of the Spirit curriculum follows the semi-continuous stream of the Revised Common Lectionary which is a 3-year cycle, A, B, C.

In Western Christianity, Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following the ‘Paschal Full Moon’ date of the year (which bears no direct reference to the ‘actual’ full moon) determined by an Ecclesiastical Full Moon table established in 1583 AD, permanently establishing the dates that determine Easter. According to the Ecclesiastical tables, the Paschal Full Moon is the first Ecclesiastical Full Moon date after March 20, and Easter is the first Sunday following that date.

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Where are the Paired Reading lectionary passages?

In the past we provided replacement materials in the second half of the Season after Pentecost for those following the Paired Readings stream of the Revised Common Lectionary. Due to budget restrictions, we are unable to continue. We will continue to offer alternate materials for All Saints Day and Reformation Day in the Library.

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Which version of the Bible serves as the basis of the Seasons of the Spirit curricula?

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.

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What does the ‘Church Year’ mean and what is the significance of the different colours for each season in the Church Year?

The Church Year recalls and celebrates the various events in the life of Christ which begins in Advent. Below is a basic overview of the seasons and their corresponding colours. To find out more, there are many sites on the internet where you can find detailed information about Christian Symbols, The Church Year, Colors of the Church Year and The Lectionary. Also, see the article "The Symphony of the Church Year" by Donald Schmidt.

SEASON of ADVENT: Royal blue/bright blue, the colour of the royalty to welcome the coming of a King, Jesus; the colour of the sky/heavens from where heralds proclaimed Jesus’ birth.

CHRISTMAS DAY: Gold: the colour which symbolizes what is precious and valuable, and so symbolizes the majesty, joy and celebration of Jesus’ birth.

DAY of EPHIPHANY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year, in this instance to celebrate with the magi, the presence of God-with-us.

BAPTISM of JESUS SUNDAY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year, in this instance to acknowledge the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the Church through his Baptism by John.

SEASON after EPIPHANY: Green, the colour of renewal and generally of living things in this instance used to symbolize the manifestation of Jesus as God, from the Baptism of Jesus Sunday to the beginning of Lent.

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year, in this instance to celebrate the day in which Jesus rises to appear with Moses and Elijah on a mountain, before the witnesses of his disciples Peter and John.

ASH WEDNESDAY: Gray, the colour of ashes, symbolizing the first day of Lent following Mardi Gras (`Fat Tuesday'); a day of fasting and repentance which occurs forty-six days (forty days not counting Sundays) before Easter.

SEASON OF LENT: Purple, the colour which can symbolize pain, suffering and therefore mourning and penitence.

HOLY WEEK (Passion Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday): Red, the colour of fire and so symbolizes the presence of God, in this instance the powerful events of the week leading up to Easter Sunday.

EASTER SUNDAY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year, in this instance, the high celebration day of the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

SEASON of EASTER: Yellow (white) symbolizes light, renewal and hope, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus over 50 days.

PENTECOST SUNDAY: Red, the colour of fire and so symbolizes the presence of God, in this instance, a commemoration and celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church. John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost where Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

TRINITY SUNDAY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year, in this instance is the first Sunday after Pentecost (50 days or eight weeks after Easter Sunday). Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

SEASON after PENTECOST: Green, the colour of renewal and generally of living things—the colour used during Ordinary Time preceding Advent.

ALL SAINTS DAY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year—in this instance, Nov 1st, a day to remember all Christians both past and present.

REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY: White (gold), the colour which is used for all Holy Days and Festival Days of the Church Year—in this instance, to celebrate the last liturgical Sunday of the year.

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