Seasons and Sundays
(Jump to Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Sundays after Pentecost)
The Season of Advent
The First Sunday of Advent
The coming of the Lord
Sentence
To you Lord I lift up my soul; my God I have put my trust in you; you are God my Saviour; for you have I waited all the day long. Psalm 25:1,4
Collects
God of hope,
when Christ your Son appears
may he not find us asleep or idle,
but active in his service and ready.
Come, O come Emmanuel,
you are the way, the truth and the life;
you are the true vine and the bread of life.
Come, living Saviour,
come to your world which waits for you.
Almighty God,
give us grace to cast off the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
so that when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Psalms 96;50
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 40:1-8 |
The way of the Lord |
|
Romans 13:11-14 |
The night is far spent |
|
|
Matthew 25:31-45 |
The Lord comes as judge |
|
|
2 |
Amos 5:18-24 |
The day of the Lord |
|
Revelation 1:4-8 |
Behold he is coming |
|
|
Matthew 24:1-14 |
Signs of the end |
The Second Sunday of Advent
The hope of Israel
Sentence
You are the Holy One enthroned on the praises of your people. Our ancestors trusted in you and you delivered them; they put their trust in you and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:3-5
Collects
Praise and honour to you, living God;
you chose the Hebrew people
and brought them step by step
to look for a redeemer, and hope for the Christ.
Give us grace to see our need
and recognise salvation when it comes.
God of Israel old and new,
write in our hearts the lessons of your law;
prepare our minds to receive the gospel
made visible in your Son Jesus Christ.
Living God, you called your people out of Egypt
and gave them the covenant;
prepare our hearts to hear your call,
so that we may receive with joy the gospel of your Son
and be your faithful people,
now and for ever.
Psalms 40:1-11;63
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 11:1-10 |
The messianic king |
|
1 Peter 1:10-16 |
The hope of the prophets |
|
|
Luke 4:14-30 |
Fulfilment of the prophecy |
|
|
2 |
Isaiah 2:2-5 |
The coming reign of peace |
|
Romans 9:30-10:4 |
The Law brought to an end |
|
|
John 5:33-47 |
Moses wrote of me |
The Third Sunday of Advent
The forerunner
Sentence
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
Collects
God for whom we wait and watch,
you sent John the Baptist
to prepare for the coming of your Son;
give us courage to speak the truth
even to the point of suffering.
Almighty God,
you sent your servant John the Baptist
to prepare the way for the coming of your Son;
grant that those who proclaim your word
may so guide our feet into the way of peace,
that we may stand with confidence before him
when he comes in his glorious kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer.
Praise and honour to you living God for John the Baptist,
and for all those voices crying in the wilderness
who prepare your way.
May we listen when a prophet speaks your word, and obey.
Psalms 75;119:41-48
Readings
|
1 |
Malachi 3:1-5 |
The messenger of the covenant |
|
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 |
Ministers and stewards |
|
|
Matthew 11:2-19 |
More than a prophet |
|
|
2 |
Malachi 4 |
I will send you Elijah |
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Acts 13:13-25 |
After me one is coming |
|
|
John 3:22-30 |
Sent before him |
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
A God near at hand
Sentence
You heavens above rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up. Isaiah 45:8
Collects
God of all hope and joy,
open our hearts in welcome,
that your Son Jesus Christ at his coming may
find in us a dwelling prepared for himself;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Praise and honour to you living God;
your coming will be like a thief in the night,
like lightning flashing across the sky.
Grant that we may be ready,
and our hearts answer, Come Lord Jesus.
God faithful and true,
make us eager with expectation,
as we look for the fulfilment of your promise
in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Psalms 89:1-36;94
Readings
|
1 |
Zechariah 2:10-13 |
Lo, I come |
|
2 Peter 3:8-13 |
The coming day of God |
|
|
Matthew 25:1-13 |
Prepared or unprepared |
|
|
2 |
Isaiah 51:1-6 |
God’s coming victory |
|
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 |
Blameless at Christ’s coming |
|
|
Matthew 3:1-12 |
Wheat and chaff |
The Season of Christmas
The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ Christmas
God with us
Sentence
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1:14
Collects
AT MIDNIGHT
Son of God, light that shines in the dark,
child of joy and peace,
help us to come to you
and be born anew this holy night.
Almighty God,
you make us glad with the yearly festival
of the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ,
the light of the world;
grant that we,
who have known the revelation of that light on earth,
may see the radiance of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
IN THE DAY
Welcome Jesus, our humble gentle Saviour,
welcome to Bethlehem,
where we have loved and fought
and longed for the peace
the world can never give.
We ask for your peace, your love, your gentleness,
and the courage to live that way.
Almighty God,
you gave your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and be born of the Virgin Mary;
grant that we, who have been born again
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Son of God, Child of Mary,
born in the stable at Bethlehem,
be born again in us this day
that through us the world may know
the wonder of your love.
Psalms 19;85
Readings
AT MIDNIGHT
|
Micah 5:2-4 |
A ruler from Bethlehem |
|
Titus 2:11-14 |
Grace for salvation |
|
Luke 2:1-16 |
The birth of the Saviour |
IN THE DAY
|
Isaiah 7:10-14 |
His name Emmanuel |
|
Hebrews 1:1-9 |
God has spoken to us |
|
John 1:1-14 |
The Word made flesh |
Or
|
Isaiah 9:1-2,6-7 |
To us a child is born |
|
Colossians 1:11-20 |
The image of the invisible God |
|
Matthew 1:18-25 |
The birth of the Saviour |
The First Sunday of Christmas
A new creation
Sentence
I will cause a righteous branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. Then Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. Jeremiah 33:15,16
Collects
God in Trinity,
Creator, Saviour, Giver of life and truth,
reveal the possibilities within us,
that we may attain to the fulness of our humanity.
As we are glad, Creator God,
when the dawn reveals the world to us,
innocent and fresh,
so may we discover the infant in the manger,
and in delight be ready to start anew.
O God,
you wonderfully created
and yet more wonderfully restored
the dignity of human nature;
grant that we may share the divine life
of your Son Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Psalms 8;45
Readings
|
1 |
Jeremiah 31:31-34 |
A new covenant |
|
Galatians 4:1-7 |
Adoption as children of God |
|
|
Or |
||
|
Ephesians 4:17-24 |
Created in God’s likeness |
|
|
Luke 13:10-17 |
Christ brings freedom |
|
|
2 |
Ezekiel 11:17-20 |
A new spirit |
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2 Corinthians 5:17-21 |
A new creation |
|
|
Mark 2:18-22 |
New wineskins for new wine |
|
The Second Sunday of Christmas
The children of God
Sentence
Jesus went down with his parents and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and the people. Luke 2:51,52
Collects
Eternal God giver of love and peace,
you call your children to live together as one family;
give us grace to learn your ways
and to do your will,
that we may bring justice and peace to all people,
in the name of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God now and for ever.
Heavenly Father, tender and compassionate,
create in us your family love so true and deep
that in this broken world
we may be a sign of unity.
Look on your family our God,
and teach us to care for one another,
for you are child and parent,
you alone are love’s source and secret.
Psalms 128;133
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 43:1-7 |
The return of the family |
|
John 3:1-3 |
Children of God |
|
|
Mark 3:31-35 |
The members of Christ’s |
|
|
2 |
Jeremiah 31:7-9 |
Restoration of the family |
|
Romans 8:27-39 |
First born among many |
|
|
Matthew 2:19-23 |
Return from Egypt |
The Season of the Epiphany
The Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ
Revelation to the Gentiles
Sentence
The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:1b
Collects
Jesus, as we travel far and fast,
lead our minds back to the wise men following your star,
and forward to the day
when all will see your shining light.
Jesus, light of the world,
let your bright star stand over the place
where the poor have to live;
lead our sages to wisdom and our rulers to reverence.
O God, by the leading of a star
you revealed your Son Jesus Christ to the gentiles;
grant that your Church may be a light to the nations,
so that the whole world may come to see
the splendour of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 72;96
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 60:1-6 |
Nations shall come to |
|
Romans 15:5-13 |
The hope of the gentiles |
|
|
Matthew 2:1-12 |
Wise men from the east |
|
|
2 |
Isaiah 49:5-7 |
Kings shall see and arise |
|
Ephesians 3:1-12 |
To preach to the gentiles |
|
|
Luke 13:22-30 |
From east and west |
The Baptism of the Lord
The First Sunday of the Epiphany
Revelation at baptism
Sentence
My people, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you.’ Isaiah 41:8,9
Collects
Almighty God,
you anointed Jesus at his baptism
with the Holy Spirit,
and revealed him as your beloved Son;
grant that we who are baptised into his name
may give up our lives to your service,
and be found worthy of our calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Open the heavens, Holy Spirit,
for us to see Jesus interceding for us;
may we be strengthened to share his baptism,
strengthened to share his cup,
and ready to serve him forever.
Holy Spirit,
as you drove Jesus into the wilderness,
when John baptised him and the heavens opened,
drive us to wrestle and reflect
so that we may fulfil our baptism,
and live your life of victory.
Psalms 2;36
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 42:1-7 |
God’s chosen one |
|
Galatians 3:23-29 |
Baptised into Christ |
|
|
Mark 1:1-15 |
The baptism of Jesus |
|
|
2 |
Isaiah 61:1-4 |
Anointed by the Spirit |
|
Acts 8:26-40 |
Philip baptises |
|
|
John 1:26-42 |
The baptism of Jesus |
The Second Sunday of the Epiphany*
Revelation in the childhood of Christ
Sentence
We call to mind your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. As your name is great O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Psalm 48:9,10
Collects
Jesus, your ways are not our ways.
You are the Jewish boy,
you are the questioning child the parents lost.
Make us willing to listen
and humble in what we believe is right.
Holy and eternal God,
your Son Jesus Christ has taught us
to learn from the simple trust of children;
give us pure hearts and steadfast faith
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus,
you saw the world through the eyes of a child.
Save us from the pride
that would refuse your command to live like you
in simplicity and joy.
Psalms 119:1-8;131
Readings
|
1 |
Exodus 2:1-10 |
The birth of Moses |
|
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 |
Strength and wisdom of God |
|
|
Luke 2:41-52 |
The child in the temple |
|
|
2 |
1 Samuel 3:1-18 |
God’s word to a child |
|
1 Corinthians 1:25-31 |
God chose what is weak |
|
|
Matthew 18:1-14 |
The greatest in the kingdom |
* When there are fewer than 9 Sundays after the Epiphany, the
6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd are
omitted as far as necessary.
The Third Sunday of the Epiphany
Revelation in Galilee
Sentence
With awesome deeds you answer our prayers for deliverance, O God our Saviour; you that are the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of the far off seas. Psalm 65:5,6
Collects
God of all mercy,
your Son brought good news to the despairing,
freedom to the oppressed
and joy to the sad;
fill us with your Spirit,
that the people of our day may see in us his likeness
and glorify your name.
Jesus, our Redeemer,
give us your power to reveal and proclaim the good news,
so that wherever we may go
the sick may be healed, lepers embraced,
and the dead and dying given new life.
Almighty God,
your Son revealed in signs and wonders
the greatness of your saving love;
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 65;111
Readings
|
1 |
Isaiah 52:7-10 |
Good tidings |
|
Acts 10:34-43 |
Beginning from Galilee |
|
|
John 2:1-11 |
The sign at Cana of Galilee |
|
|
2 |
Kings 5:1-14 |
Sign of a prophet |
|
Acts 3:1-10 |
Jesus Christ of Nazareth |
|
|
John 4:46-54 |
The second sign in Galilee |
The Fourth Sunday of the Epiphany
Revelation in transfiguration
Sentence
One thing I have asked of the Lord, which I long for: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on your beauty O Lord: and to seek you in your temple. Psalm 27:4,5
Collects
Jesus, your justice goes beyond the ancient law,
your wisdom embodies all prophetic insight;
make us glad to be yours,
and able to follow you to Jerusalem.
God of life and glory,
your Son was revealed in splendour
before he suffered death upon the cross;
grant that we, beholding his majesty,
may be strengthened to follow him
and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory;
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
God of glory,
you gave the vision of your Son
to those who watched on the mountain;
grant that by our glimpses of him
we may be changed into his glorious likeness.
Psalms 27;97
Readings
|
1 |
Exodus 24:12-18 |
Moses on the mountain |
|
2 Peter 1:16-21 |
Eyewitnesses of |
|
|
Luke 9:28-36 |
The transfiguration |
|
|
2 |
Exodus 34:29-35 |
Moses’ face shone |
|
2 Corinthians 3:7-18 |
Beholding the glory |
|
|
Mark 9:2-13 |
The transfiguration |
The Fifth Sunday of the Epiphany
Revelation in Jerusalem
Sentence
You Lord will surely comfort your people. You will make their deserts like Eden, their wastelands like a garden. Joy and gladness will be found among them, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3 (adapted)
Collects
Merciful God,
in Christ you make all things new;
transform the poverty of our nature
by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Jesus our Lord,
you have taught us that judgment begins at the house of God;
save us from our self-satisfaction, rigidity and corruption,
so that we may stand ready to do your will.
Jesus, when you call us to challenge authority,
help us to follow closely your example,
that we may be ready to suffer for the truth,
and to give whatever glory there may be to God.
Psalms 48;119:73-80
Readings
|
1 |
Jeremiah 4:11-18 |
A warning to Jerusalem |
|
Hebrews 11:13-16 |
The city God has prepared |
|
|
John 2:13-22 |
Jesus cleanses the temple |
|
|
2 |
Jeremiah 26:1-16 |
A prophecy against Jerusalem |
|
Romans 11:25-36 |
A hardening of Israel |
|
|
John 11:45-57 |
The plot against Jesus |
The Sixth Sunday of the Epiphany
The final revelation
Sentence
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
Collects
Lord Jesus Christ,
before whose judgment seat we shall appear;
enable us to see ourselves as you see us,
to repent and to change,
and to be found worthy to bear your name.
Jesus, Saviour in storm,
when the waters of the deep are broken up,
when the landmarks are washed away or drowned,
come to us across the water.
Everloving God,
your Son was revealed that he might overcome evil
and make us heirs of eternal life;
grant that we who have this hope in us
may purify ourselves as he is pure,
that when he appears in power and great glory,
we may be made like him,
to the honour of your name;
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever.
Psalms 50;98
Readings
|
1 |
Hosea 2:16-23 |
The crown of love |
|
Hebrews 4:9-16 |
The sabbath rest |
|
|
Matthew 24:23-28 |
Christ revealed to all |
|
|
2 |
Isaiah 41:8-14 |
Called from the ends |
|
Hebrews 2:9-18 |
Brought to glory |
|
|
Mark 13:28-37 |
Alert for his coming |
The Seventh Sunday of the Epiphany
Septuagesima
Creation
Sentence
O Lord how manifold are your works; in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:25
Collects
God, you have made our world and seen that it is good;
grant to us, created to complete your work,
the bright, delightful vision that makes us care for what we do.
God of unchangeable power,
when you fashioned the world
the morning stars sang together
and the host of heaven shouted for joy;
open our eyes to the wonders of creation
and teach us to use all things for good,
to the honour of your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You made us Lord, and we are yours;
grant that we may so use your gifts
that all your creatures may enjoy the harmony you planned.
Psalms 8;147
Readings
|
1 |
Genesis 8:15-22 |
The covenant with Noah |
|
1 Timothy 4:1-6 |
Everything created by God |
|
|
John 5:1-19 |
My Father is working still |
|
|
2 |
Genesis 1:26-31 |
We are made in God’s image |
|
Revelation 21:1-7 |
All things made new |
|
|
Mark 7:31-37 |
He has done everything well |
The Eighth Sunday of the Epiphany
Sexagesima
Human frailty
Sentence
Be merciful to me O Lord, for I call to you all the day long; for you Lord are good and forgiving, and of great mercy to all who call upon you. Psalm 86:3,5
Collects
Have pity Father, on us your estranged and wilful children;
grant that we may know the things we ought to do
and have grace to do them;
through Jesus Christ, your Son.
Christ, you are the second Adam,
the first in a reborn humanity;
take from us our inborn greed and pride
and make us whole.
God of grace and goodness,
you know that by reason of our frailty we cannot but fail;
keep us always under your protection
and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalms 53;51
Readings
|
1 |
Genesis 3:1-8 |
Human disobedience |
|
Romans 5:12-21 |
The first Adam and the second |
|
|
Mark 7:14-23 |
Defilement from within |
|
|
2 |
Genesis 3:8-19 |
The curse upon disobedience |
|
Romans 8:1-8 |
Set free in Christ |
|
|
John 8:31-47 |
A slave to sin |
The Ninth Sunday of the Epiphany
Quinquagesima
The promise of redemption
Sentence
The ransomed of the Lord will return; everlasting joy will crown their heads; gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11
Collects
Christ our Redeemer,
you have crushed the serpent’s head;
you have freed us from our sin;
rescue all your suffering world from the evil
that attracts us still.
God of compassion,
deepen and increase our love for you
so that we may leave behind the sins
from which you have redeemed us,
and serve you in perfect freedom.
Almighty God,
the Redeemer of all who trust in you;
give heed to the cry of your people,
deliver us from the bondage of sin
that we may serve you in perfect freedom
and rejoice in your unfailing love;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Psalms 115;20
Readings
|
1 |
Zechariah 8:1-8 |
A promise of deliverance |
|
Titus 3:1-7 |
He saved us |
|
|
Luke 19:1-10 |
Salvation to the house of |
|
|
2 |
Jeremiah 32:36-41 |
I will bring them back |
|
Romans 6:9-23 |
From death to life |
|
|
Matthew 12:22-28 |
Satan’s power overthrown |