THE CALENDAR OF READINGS
(LECTIONARY)
From its beginnings the Church has read aloud from the Scriptures in its worship. As the Calendar of seasons
and festivals developed certain readings became attached to particular occasions, and in time a scheme of readings for the
services of each day of the year was devised. This is called the Lectionary and there have been many over the centuries. One of
the consequences of the denominational division of the church, especially from the 16th century onwards, has been that each
denomination has followed its own Lectionary without reference to others. In the Church of England the Book of Common Prayer
(1662) has its own lections, the epistle and gospel, printed in full for each Sunday and major festival of the year. In this
parish, as we use the Book of Common Prayer for Holy Communion on Sundays at 8am, we also use its lectionary at that service.
However, one of the fruits of the movement for church unity - ecumenism - has been the formation of a lectionary which is now
followed by many churches, including Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic. This is called the Common Lectionary and we follow
its provision at our Common Worship services, principally the Parish Eucharist (
9.45am St Marks). The Common Lectionary gives unity to the Church's
worship across cultural and denominational boundaries. It follows a three year cycle of readings, with one of the three synoptic
gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke - being the dominant text for the Sunday Gospels in a given year. Advent Sunday marks the
beginning of the Church's year and on 3rd December we begin the cycle of readings from St. Luke's gospel (Year C). In each of the
three years most of St. John's Gospel is also used, especially during the season of Easter.
The readings printed below reproduce the Lectionary as it is followed in this parish for both 8am and 9.45am Sunday services
and festival occasions during December and January. The bracketed reading is usually omitted in Church. A quiet and prayerful
reading of the lections beforehand is recommended as way of preparing oneself for worship
| SUNDAY 5TH | FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY |
| | Deuteronomy 30. 15 - end; Philemon 1 - 21; Luke 14. 25 - 33 |
| SUNDAY 12TH | FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY |
| | Exodus 32. 7 - 14; 1 Timothy 1. 12 - 17; Luke 15 1 - 10; |
| SUNDAY 19TH | SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY |
| | Amos 8. 4 - 7; 1 Timonthy 2. 1 - 7; Luke 16. 1 - 13 |
| SUNDAY 26TH | SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY |
| | Amos 6. 1a, 4 - 7; 1 Timothy 6. 6 - 19; Luke 16. 19 - end |
September always falls within Ordinary Time, part of the season after Trinity. Its most distinguishing feature is the feast of St. Michael and all Angels (29th), the beginning of the last quarter of the year. In Christian iconography, Michael, the heavenly warrior, is easily confused with St. George, being the slayer of a dragon, that ancient serpent who led the whole world astray (Revelation 12.9). In the face of encroaching darkness this feast is a timely reminder of heaven's light and protection.
