Tag Archives: Year A

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Blessed in Weakness

“God asks that we practice love, justice, kindness and humility (Micah 6:1-8). We are to be truthful, not slander others, protect the innocent and do what is right (Psalm 15). God shows his strength through what the world considers weak or despised, so that he might be glorified (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Thus, he calls “blessed” the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, and the persecuted (Matthew 5:1-12).” 

– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Christ the Light

God sent Jesus to be the light of the world. He is our light and our salvation (Isaiah 9:1-4) who cares for us in times of trouble (Psalm 27:1, 4-9). Christians should seek to cultivate peace (1 Corinthians 1:10-18), repenting of sins and turning to follow Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:12-23). He reveals himself in the midst of our ordinary lives and calls for us to follow him.

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Light to the Nations
“God promises us that his salvation will reach to the end of the earth (Is 49:1-7); he sent his only son Jesus, to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29-42). Because of God’s grace and mercy toward us, we put our trust in him (Psalm 40:1-11) and look to the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1-9). “
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Christmas Day and First Sunday of Christmas 2019 (Year A)

The Word was Made Flesh and Dwelt Among Us…
“We who have walked in deep darkness have seen a great light! For unto us a child is born, one who will bring eternal peace (Isaiah 9:2-7). We celebrate Christ’s birth (Luke 2:1-20) because he became what we are, giving his life freely that through his grace we might have the hope of salvation (Titus 2:11-14). Because of Jesus, we praise God and declare his glory (Psalm 96). ” 
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 9:2-7; 52:7-10; 62:6-12 
Psalms 96-98
Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Hebrews 1:1-12
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-14

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday Of Advent 2019 (Year A)

God with Us 
“Isaiah foretold the conception and birth of Jesus as a miraculous sign to us (Isaiah 7:10-16), the way in which God would restore us to salvation (Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19). God gives us grace through Jesus Christ, his Son (Romans 1:1-7), who was born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-25).”
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday Of Advent 2019 (Year A)

Dawning Light of Our Salvation
God is faithful to execute justice on behalf of the humble and oppressed (Psalm 146:5-10 & Luke 1:46b-65). Even in the wilderness, those who hope in the Lord can be strong and celebrate the future return of Jesus (Isaiah 35:1-10). We wait patiently for the time of his reappearance knowing that the coming of the Lord is near. Suffer well and encourage one another (James 5:7-10). The dawning light of our salvation has already appeared through Jesus Christ. His first coming assures his people of their final victory (Matthew 11:2-11). 

Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday Of Advent 2019 (Year A)

Behold, the Hope of the World
“The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of Christ (Isaiah 11:1-10), who will defend the afflicted and crush the oppressor (Psalm 72:1-7). In light of the Savior’s arrival, John the Baptist calls us to repentance (Matthew 3:1-12). We praise God for his marvelous deeds (Psalms 72:18-19). Because of Christ, the root of Jesse, we have hope for the future through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:4-13).”

– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – First Sunday of Advent 2019 (Year A)

Keep Watch and Walk Towards the Light
“Scripture tells us that we are forgiven! It calls us to walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:1-5), to pray for peace (Psalm 122) and to keep watch for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36-44), putting aside our deeds of darkness and living in the light (Romans 13:11-14). In this season of Advent, we celebrate the Child who is the Light. We thank God for the forgiveness of sins and reaffirm our desire to walk with the Lord.” 

– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44

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FREE 2019/2020 (YEAR A) ONE-PAGE LITURGICAL CALENDAR

Artist Barbara Lyon has created an original 2019/2020 (Year A) one-page Christian liturgical calendar for use in church and home. Her delightful visuals are appealing to all ages. She has given permission to distribute this calendar freely and encourages individuals and families to print and hang in a prominent place.

Download with dates and descriptions
Download with dates

Here is a brief statement from the artist about this year’s calendar:

“Lately, I’ve been contemplating the theme of gardens in the Bible. It all began in a garden, where we walked with God. We had to leave and we continue to wait and work to duplicate the life we felt there. So, this year’s calendar ends at the beginning, an angel guarding a tree. And we begin our way around until we can return. 

Advent is marked by the dead stump of Jesse, with the smallest of shoots appearing, a growth of light out of darkness. Epiphany is this light coming into the whole world, into mountains and deserts, grassy places and stony places; in the most unlikely of places the light of the world began as the smallest of shoots, in a powerless baby.  

For the growing time and Lent this year I picked the parable of the Good Shepherd. This is the time when we hear God’s voice and learn to follow him. Lent leads us into the desert places where death waits. But the Good Shepherd does not run away when the wolves come. He stands in between the wolves and his sheep, walking into death for us. 

For Eastertide this year I was contemplating the angel who stood between us and the garden and the golden angels embroidered on the curtain that keeps us from the Holiest place where God’s presence rests with his people. When it is torn we will come into God’s presence once more. The image I chose to illustrate is inspired by the first verses of Ezekiel 47, where Ezekiel is shown the temple, restored and whole, and the river flowing out from the temple bringing new life to stagnant pools. Along this river fruit grows in abundance, nourishing creatures and people, and bringing healing to all the nations. Even as we wait for the redeemed Earth we can be the people who are a river of life coming into the world, outpouring from God’s presence with his people. 

Ascension is marked by a cloud, when Jesus carried a piece of humanity into God’s presence. Pentecost is marked with fire, when Jesus sent a piece of divinity to live within us. 

Trinity Sunday flows outward in this image, with arms overlapped in mission to spread life, health, and beauty into all creation. Ordinary time is marked by the beauty of wildflowers, reminding us of the diversity in beauty and gifts we offer the world, that we are clothed as lovely as these. Also, it reminds us that we are but grass, and though this place will remember us no more, one day we will be restored to each other in an abundant and flowering new creation.

Blessings on you as you begin your journey anew. 
Barbara Lyon”

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Christ the King 2017 (Year A)

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Christ the King 2017 (Year A)

Our King and Shepherd

God made us and we are His (Psalm 100), the sheep of His pasture who worship Him and take comfort in his guidance (Psalm 95). Our Good Shepherd will look after, and search for, His lost sheep (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24). We pray for wisdom and enlightenment so that we may know Christ better (Ephesians 1: 15-23), longing for Christ to come and say, “You who are blessed, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world (Matthew 25:31-46).”

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