The Lessons

When scripture passages are read in the early part of the worship service, we call them "The Lessons." The first selection will be from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms (said or sung as poetry-prayer by the people), the third from the Epistles (The New Testament letters), and the last, a passage from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).

These are actually not "lessons," as we use the word today, but are scripture selections from which, it is hoped, we will learn a lesson. If we pay close attention, we will notice that the selections have a common theme. Most often the sermon will expand on this theme.

This custom of reading scripture passages comes to us from the early Christians who used as their pattern the services of the Jewish synagogue. Gradually, as they added readings from the Christian writings to those from Hebrew scripture, they began to make what they called "lectionaries" - schedules which provided systematic patterns for the readings.

If you turn to the back of your Book of Common Prayer, you will see that the Sunday scripture selections are arranged in a three-year cycle. (There is a two-year cycle for the daily office.) An enormous amount of biblical text is read and heard over this period of time. When others boast that they are "Bible churches," Episcopalians can note the great amount of scripture used even in a single service.

The question sometimes arises as to which is better, a spontaneous selection, or using fixed, preselected readings. Each side will point to their way as being best, but the truth is that both ways have advantages. In the free selection of scripture, a service can reflect the immediate interests of minister and people. The Episcopal sermon has some flexibility in being able to comment on any theme found within the selected passages. A lectionary has the advantage of discipline and direction. Over a period of time, we will not become stuck on one or two topics, but will hear all of God's word in its full richness and disturbing diversity.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5

Copyright 2008 Cathedral of Saint Matthews

	The Lessons When scripture passages are read in the early part of the worship service, we call them "The Lessons." The first selection will be from the Old Testament, the second from the Psalms (said or sung as poetry-prayer by the people), the third from the Epistles (The New Testament letters), and the last, a passage from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). These are actually not "lessons," as we use the word today, but are scripture selections from which, it is hoped, we will learn a lesson. If we pay close attention, we will notice that the selections have a common theme. Most often the sermon will expand on this theme. This custom of reading scripture passages comes to us from the early Christians who used as their pattern the services of the Jewish synagogue. Gradually, as they added readings from the Christian writings to those from Hebrew scripture, they began to make what they called "lectionaries" - schedules which provided systematic patterns for the readings. If you turn to the back of your Book of Common Prayer, you will see that the Sunday scripture selections are arranged in a three-year cycle. (There is a two-year cycle for the daily office.) An enormous amount of biblical text is read and heard over this period of time. When others boast that they are "Bible churches," Episcopalians can note the great amount of scripture used even in a single service. The question sometimes arises as to which is better, a spontaneous selection, or using fixed, preselected readings. Each side will point to their way as being best, but the truth is that both ways have advantages. In the free selection of scripture, a service can reflect the immediate interests of minister and people. The Episcopal sermon has some flexibility in being able to comment on any theme found within the selected passages. A lectionary has the advantage of discipline and direction. Over a period of time, we will not become stuck on one or two topics, but will hear all of God's word in its full richness and disturbing diversity.	Our Patient Merciful God The Bible and the Gospel speak of God's great mercy for us ... (read more...) (Click title to read more)
\| Home \| Cathedral History \| Seed Faith Principle \| Explain Seed Faith \| Developing Strong Faith \| Prayer Request Letters \| Teaching Prayer \| \| Faith Contact Item \| Prayer Rug \| Seed Faith Growth \| Kneeling in Worship \| Site Map \| “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 Copyright 2008 Cathedral of Saint Matthews