 |
 |
 |
The Bible lectionary is a resource that divides opinion. There are those who find it constraining and somehow not innately ‘Methodist’. It may be an inspiration to your preaching and reflection; it may be an irritant.
With the advent of the Common Lectionary, later revised, it became established as an ecumenical project, a shared resource that in part reinforced an underlying Christian unity across a range of different worship traditions. Though even then there is more than one version of the lectionary we supposedly hold ‘in common’.
For many, the lectionary is a helpful discipline. It can ensure we preach on a range of passages and themes, and guard against gravitating too often towards a repeated message, or even our pet hobby horses.
The fact that the lectionary-based hymn suggestions on StF+ are by far the most accessed resources on the site suggests that, whatever our thoughts about it, the lectionary has found its home in Methodism and other non-conformist traditions. But there is always more to discover about its treasures, and we are delighted to have been able to re-publish Dudley Coates’s index to the lectionary’s biblical passages (see below), in conjunction with the Worship and Local Preachers office of the Connexional Ministry team.
|
|
|
Biblical explorations
Originally published in 1999, Dudley Coates’s Index to the Methodist Lectionary, has been revised and reformatted as a downloadable resource (PDF or Excel spreadsheet). The index lists the Bible passages used over the three-year cycle of the lectionary, together with a short description of each passage; plus the day(s) and year(s) in which they are included in the lectionary, and for which service.
The resource will help a preacher to:
- find where in the lectionary a particular text appears, in order to track down music and other worship resources related to that text
- identify texts which don’t appear in the lectionary, so they can be used in worship
- check quickly when a text appears in the lectionary, so they can avoid treading on other preachers’ toes
Learn more about the Lectionary at How does the Lectionary work? You can find the lectionary readings and hymn suggestions for July by using the calendar, available on every page of Singing the Faith Plus.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Making your own arrangements
During the summer holiday period, local arrangement services can become even more common than at other times of the year. On our Resourcing local arrangements page, there are now two guides to planning a local arrangement service. Alongside Don’t Panic!! The step-by-step guide to local arrangements (which offers some top tips, plus links to other helpful resources), you can now also find Local Arrangements: locally-led worship at its best. Produced by the Worship and Local Preachers office of the Connexional Ministry team, this resource unpacks what Methodist Standing Orders say about Local Arrangements and offers suggestions for encouraging people to get involved and be creative.
To support worship more generally, Methodist Publications, with Faith & Order, is producing additional Methodist liturgies online. Among the most recent additions are liturgies for the commissioning of evangelists, local lay pastors, and lay pioneers. Also included in the collection is an order for marking an ending of an appointment in worship.
|
|
New hymns from Andrew Brown
Among the most prolific of hymn writers published on the StF+ website is Andrew Brown, a local preacher of long standing, now based in Yorkshire. The enquiring perspectives and fresh imagery that are marks of all his hymns on StF are to found in three new texts recently added to the site.
Eternal being, Three yet One reimagines how we speak of the Holy Trinity; Here is a death (in part a companion piece to Isaac Watts’s When I survey the wondrous cross, StF 287) views the crucifixion with unwavering gaze and asks profound questions; and The prophet speaks from days gone by applies the biblical prophetic tradition to our own task of embodying Christian vocation.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
God’s kingdom here on earth
Another new hymn now available on StF+ is The world God imagines by Canadian writer and composer David Kai. It articulates an alternative vision of our world: a “peaceable kingdom” that requires our care for creation.
Also take a look at a new tune for Dominic Grant’s Poppies to remember. Kimberley Raynor’s setting was written especially for Dominic’s words, providing a gently melodic alternative to the more militaristic overtones of (for some) St Gertrude.
|
Thank you for your ongoing support of Singing the Faith Plus. As we move towards the new Methodist year in September, if there are events, issues or themes you’d like us to consider reflecting on Singing the Faith Plus, do let us know at stfplus@methodistchurch.org.uk.
All good wishes – Laurence
Laurence
Laurence Wareing @ stfplus@methodistchurch.org.uk
|
|
 |
|
