Years C & A: September 2, 2007, through August 31, 2008
This brochure lists biblical passages and themes used in Mennonite Bulletin Series from September 2, 2007–August 31, 2008, and is provided to help pastors and worship leaders in long-range planning.
The readings, taken from The Revised Common Lectionary (Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1992), are chosen from the New International Version and/or the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
Please note: During the season from the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday through Christ the King Sunday the Scripture selections in Mennonite Bulletin Series follow the closely related pattern of Old Testament and Gospel readings.
Also included here are selected Sundays of the Christian year, such as Easter and Pentecost. During the seasons of Advent and Lent Leader magazine, in cooperation with Mennonite Church USA Office of Congregational Life, Mennonite Church Canada Christian Formation Council and Mennonite Bulletin Series, provides a coordinated emphasis with related worship resources. See November 28 – January 2 and February 13 – March 20. Special Sundays for Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA are also noted.
Mennonite Bulletin Series is available as an every-Sunday standing order service. Singlefold bulletins may be ordered with a blank back page for church use, or with a printed back featuring worship resources. Tri-panel bulletins are available with a plain back. The special series for the seasons of Advent and Lent are also available separately.
Year C • Fall quarter 2007
September 2, 2007 – Proper 17
Theme: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Proverbs 25:6, 7
Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15, 16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
September 9, 2007 – Proper 18
Theme: Refresh my heart in Christ.
Philemon 20
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
September 16, 2007 – Proper 19
Theme: Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.
Luke 15:6
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 51:1-10
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
September 23, 2007 – Proper 20
Publishing Sunday
Theme: Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore.
Psalm 113:2
Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
September 30, 2007 – Proper 21
Theme: Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Psalm 146
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
October 7, 2007 – Proper 22
Worldwide Communion Sunday; Thanksgiving Sunday Canada
Theme: Take delight in the LORD. Psalm 37:4
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 37:1-9
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 17:5-10
October 14, 2007 – Proper 23
Theme: Great are the works of the LORD. Psalm 111:2
2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
Psalm 111
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
October 21, 2007 – Proper 24
Theme: God will quickly grant them justice. Luke 18:8
Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 121
2 Timothy 3:14—4:5
Luke 18:1-8
October 28, 2007 – Proper 25
Mennonite Heritage Sunday
Theme: Happy are those whose strength is in the LORD. Psalm 84:5
Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
Psalm 84:1-7
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14
November 4, 2007 – Proper 26
Peace Sunday
Theme: Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the
orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17
Isaiah 1:10-18
Psalm 32:1-7
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
Luke 19:1-10
November 11, 2007 – Proper 27
Mission Sunday
Theme: Wondrously show your steadfast love. Psalm 17:7
Job 19:23-27a
Psalm 17:1-9
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Luke 20:27-38
November 18, 2007 – Proper 28
Thanksgiving Sunday USA
Theme: Do not be weary in doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Malachi 4:1-2a
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19
November 25, 2007 – Proper 29
Theme: For in Christ all things in heaven and on earth were created.
Colossians 1:16
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 46
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Year A • Winter quarter 2007-08
December 2, 2007 – First Sunday of Advent
Theme: Get ready!
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
December 9, 2007 – Second Sunday of Advent
Theme: Take heart!
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
December 16, 2007 – Third Sunday of Advent
Theme: Rejoice!
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
December 23, 2007 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Theme: Be restored!
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
December 30, 2007 – First Sunday after Christmas
Theme: Praise the Lord!
Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23
January 6, 2008 – Epiphany Day
Theme: Arise, shine!
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
January 13, 2008 – First Sunday after Epiphany
Theme: My servant will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
January 20, 2008 – Second Sunday after
Epiphany
Stewardship Sunday
Theme: Happy are those who make the LORD their trust. Psalm 40:4
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42
January 27, 2008 – Third Sunday after Epiphany
Mennonite World Fellowship
Sunday
Theme: Be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 1 Corinthians
1:10
Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
February 3, 2008 – Transfiguration Sunday; Church
Education Sunday
Theme: Eyewitnesses of God’s majesty. 2 Peter 1:16
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2 or Psalm 99
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
February 10, 2008 – First Sunday in Lent
Theme: Into the wilderness.
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
February 17, 2008 – Second Sunday in Lent
Theme: Into new birth.
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17 or Matthew 117:1-9
February 24, 2008 – Third Sunday in Lent
Theme: Into the open.
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
Year A • Spring quarter 2008
March 2, 2008 – Fourth Sunday in Lent
Theme: Into new sight.
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
March 9, 2008
Theme: Into new life.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
March 16, 2008 – Palm Sunday, Passion Sunday
Theme: Into the depths.
Palm
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14—27:66 or
Matthew 27:11-54
March 23, 2008 – Easter Sunday
Theme: We have seen the Lord. John 20:18
Acts 10:34-43 or
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4 or
Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or
Matthew 28:1-10
March 30, 2008 – Second Sunday of Easter
Theme: Peace be with you. John 20:21
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
April 6, 2008 – Third Sunday of Easter
Theme: Were not our hearts burning within us? Luke 24:32
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
April 13, 2008 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Theme: I came to give you abundant life. John 10:10
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
April 20, 2008 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Theme: I will do whatever you ask in my name. John 14:14
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
April 27, 2008 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Theme: The Advocate abides with you. John 14:17
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:8-20
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
May 4, 2008 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Many Peoples Sunday Theme: God will restore, support, strengthen, and
establish you. 1 Peter 5:10
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
May 11, 2008 – Pentecost Sunday
Theme: Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22
Acts 2:1-21 or
Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or
Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
May 18, 2008 – Trinity Sunday
Theme: Let us make humankind in our image. Genesis 1:26
Genesis 1:1—2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20
May 25, 2008 – Proper 3
Theme: I will not forget you.
Isaiah 49:15
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Psalm 131
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Matthew 6:24-34
Year A • Summer quarter 2008
June 1, 2008 – Proper 4
Theme: Justified by faith. Romans 3:28
Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28
Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24
Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-
31)
Matthew 7:21-29
June 8, 2008 – Proper 5
Theme: Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? Matthew
9:11
Hosea 5:15—6:6
Psalm 50:7-15
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
June 15, 2008 – Proper 6
Theme: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Matthew
9:37
Exodus 19:2-8a
Psalm 100
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35—10:8, (9-23)
June 22, 2008 – Proper 7
Theme: Walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39
June 29, 200 – Proper 8
Theme: The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
Jeremiah 28:5-9
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
July 6, 2008 – Proper 9
Theme: Your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145:13
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
July 13, 2008 – Proper 10
Theme: To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:14
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65: (1-8), 9-13
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
July 20, 2008 – Proper 11
Theme: All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans
8:14
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
July 27, 2008 – Proper 12
Theme: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. Matthew
13:44
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
August 3, 2008 – Proper 13
Theme: Jesus withdrew to a deserted place. Matthew 14:13
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
August 10, 2008 – Proper 14
Theme: Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
August 17, 2008 – Proper 15
Theme: Woman, great is your faith! Matthew 15:28
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
August 24, 2008 – Proper 16
Theme: On this rock I will build my church. Matthew 16:18
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
August 31, 2008 – Proper 17
Theme: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans
12:15
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28