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LECTIONARY READINGS FOR MAY
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May 4Acts 1:6-14 |
May 18Genesis 1:1--2:4a |
May 11 Acts 2:1-21 |
May 25Isaiah 49:8-16a |
THE LITURGICAL CORNER
Lections, Lector, Lectern, and Lectionary
A lectionary is a schedule of Scripture readings set out for use Christian worship. The term may also be used to refer to a book containing those readings for use in worship services. Lections are simply the readings assigned by the lectionary for any given Sunday.
Many clergy welcome the lectionary as a discipline that encourages them to wrestle with the human issues posed in Scripture. Also a systematic approach to Scripture reading enables lay people to be aware of the schedule, read the lessons in advance, and come to participate in the sermon as prepared listeners. Another advantage of a lectionary is that in the course of a three-year cycle it presents significant portions of major themes of the Bible.
It has been traditional in Christian worship to have three texts (lections) read each Sunday: Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture), New Testament epistle, and Gospel. A Psalm is often included, not so much as another reading, but as a response or another interrelated liturgical use.
The lectern is a stand to hold a book – the Bible or a prayer book – for public reading, usually worship. It resembles a small pulpit, but is to be distinguished from the pulpit from which the sermon is delivered. The lector, or reader (often a lay reader, but sometimes clergy) is one who reads from behind the lectern.
Lectionary readings can be found in our Sunday morning worship bulletins and/or the newsletter as well as on this page of the website.