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Adventurous, imaginative songs for the ever-evolving church
Narrative Lectionary Year 2 (Mark) 2015-16
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 13
Garden of Eden
Genesis 2:4b-25
Human beings to till the garden; human companionship
(Mark 1:16-20, Call of the first disciples linking creation and vocation
or Mark 10:6-8, God created them male and female)
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 20
Isaac Born to Sarah
Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7
The promise of Isaac’s birth to an aged Sarah and Abraham brings laughter
(Mark 10:27, For mortals it is impossible, but not for God all things are possible)
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 27
Jacob Wrestles God
Genesis 32:22-30
Jacob wrestles with an angel, receiving the name Israel.
(Mark 14:32-36, Jesus struggles in Gethsemane, asks that God’s will be done)
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 4
Moses and God's Name
Exodus 1:8-14; 3:1-10
Israel is in slavery and calls for help. God calls Moses to bring release
(Mark 12:26-27a, At the burning bush God said, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”; he is God of the living)
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
October 11
Shema
Deuteronomy 5:1-21; 6:4-6
Ten Commandments Love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul and mind
(Mark 12:28-31; Love for God is the great commandment)
PsalmImmersion suggests Psalm 15 to support the theme.
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
October 18
Ruth
Ruth 1:1-17
Ruth is a foreigner who finds belonging among God’s people.
(Mark 3:33-35, Those who do the will of God are Jesus’ mother and brothers and sisters)
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
October 25
David Anointed King
2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5; Psalm 150
David becomes king over all Israel, brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.
(Mark 11:8-10, People welcome Jesus to Jerusalem; Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord)
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
November 1
Kingdom Divided
1 Kings 12:1-17
Rehoboam and the need for servant leadership.
(Mark 10:42-45, Kings of the gentiles lord it over them, but Jesus comes as a servant)
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
November 8
Elijah at Mount Carmel
1 Kings 18:20-39
Elijah calls fire from heaven on Mount Carmel to reveal God’s presence
(Mark 9:2-4, Elijah stands with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration)
PsalmImmersion suggests "Holy Is This One" to support the theme.
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
November 15
Hosea
Hosea 11:1-9
God’s passionate love for his children despite their disobedience.
(Mark 10:13-14, Let the children come)
Christ the King Sunday
November 22
Isaiah's Vineyard Song
Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5
God looks for the fruit of righteousness but finds only injustice.
(Mark 12:1-3, the wicked tenants of the vineyard)
First Sunday of Advent
November 29
Josiah's Reform
2 Kings 22:1-10; 23:1-3
Reform and renewal.
(Luke 24:30-32, Our hearts burned within us as he walked with us on the road, as he opened to us the Scriptures)
Second Sunday of Advent
December 6
Isaiah of the Exile
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people, a voice cries out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord
(Mark 1:1-4, John the Baptizer)
Third Sunday of Advent
December 13
Rebuilding the Temple
Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13
Return from exile.
(Luke 2:25-27, Simeon is guided by the Spirit to the temple, where he sees the infant Jesus)
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20
Zechariah's Song
Luke 1:5-13 (57-80)
John the Baptist’s birth; Blessed be the God of Israel who has looked favorably on his people
Psalm 113
Christmas Eve
December 24
Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
PsalmImmersion also suggests "Holy Is This One" to support the theme.
Christmas Day
December 25
Shepherds visit.
Luke 2:8-20
or Matthew 2:1-12, The Magi
Psalm 108.1-4
First Sunday of Christmas
December 27
Beginning of Good News
Mark 1:1-20
John the Baptist, Jesus announces the kingdom, calls the disciples
Psalm 91.9-12
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 3
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Mark 1:21-45
Jesus reveals the character of his power by healing a man with an unclean spirit, Peter’s mother-in-law, and a leper.
Psalm 103.1-5
First Sunday after Epiphany
January 10
Jesus Heals and Teaches
Mark 2:1-22
Jesus heals a paralytic and eats with tax collectors
Psalm 103.6-14
Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 17
Parables
Mark 4:1-34
Parables of sower and mustard seed
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 24
Healing
Mark 5:21-43
Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the flow of blood
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
January 31
Death of John the Baptizer
Mark 6:1-29
Jesus rejected at Nazareth, Sending of the Twelve
Transfiguration
February 7
Mark 8:27--9:8
Peter’s confession, passion prediction, bearing the cross, Transfiguration
Ash Wednesday
February 10
Mark 9:30-37
Passion prediction, debate about who is the greatest, call to become a servant
PsalmImmersion also suggests Psalm 90 to support this theme.
First Sunday in Lent
February 14
Last and First
Mark 10:17-31
Rich man called to sell all he has and follow Jesus
Psalm 19.7-10
Second Sunday in Lent
February 21
Bartimaeus Healed
Mark 10:32-52
Passion prediction, Son of man came not to be served but to serve.
Psalm 34.11-14
PsalmImmersion also suggests "O Tender God, Have Mercy" to support this theme.
Third Sunday in Lent
February 28
Mark 12:1-12
Parable of the Tenants
and/or Mark 12:13-17, Paying taxes to Caesar
Psalm 86.8-13
Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 6
Greatest Commandments
Mark 12:28-44
Scribes seek honor, a poor widow gives all she has.
Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 13
Mark 13:1-8, 24-37
The end of the age, Call to be watchful
Psalm 102.12-17
Palm Sunday
March 20
Mark 11:1-11- Triumphal entry
Mark 14:3-9- Woman anoints Jesus at Bethany
Psalm 118.25-29
Maundy Thursday
March 24
Mark 14:22-42
Words of Institution, Peter’s denial foretold, prayer in Gethsemane
Good Friday
March 25
Crucifixion
Mark 15:16-39
Psalm 22.1-2, 14-21 My God, my God why have you forsaken me
Easter Sunday
March 27
Mark 16:1-8
Resurrection, empty tomb, and fleeing in fear
Psalm 118.21-27
Second Sunday of Easter
April 3
Acts 1:1-14
You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
Third Sunday of Easter
April 10
Acts 3:1-10
Healing at the Beautiful Gate, I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you, in the name of Jesus rise and walk
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 17
Acts 17:1-9
Founding church at Thessalonica, social conflict there
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul’s message of thanks to the church at Thessalonica
Fifth Sunday of Easter
April 24
Acts 18:1-4
Founding the church at Corinth
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Factions in the church and the Word of the cross
Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 1
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 8
1 Corinthians 15:1-26
Jesus’ resurrection and the future resurrection; death as the last enemy
Day of Pentecost
May 15
Acts 2:1-4
Pentecost
1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Faith as the principal work of the Spirit; other gifts of the Spirit for the common good