Get reading for Worship!
Did you know that most of the time we follow a pattern of scripture readings in our worship services? It’s called “following the lectionary” and it is based upon a three-year cycle of Bible readings. Many churches follow this pattern — Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic, etc. Sometimes, we set aside the lectionary readings in order to do a sermon series based upon other Scripture readings that we would not otherwise hear in worship.
We invite you to spend some time each week “reading ahead” and pondering the readings that you will hear in upcoming worship services. If you take this challenge, think about how it
Sunday, April 5
Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day
Readings and Psalm
Overview
Easter turns the world upside down. It defies our expectations with hiddenness and bluntness: Mary does not recognize the resurrected Jesus (John 20:14), the good news is heralded by an earthquake and terrifying angels and is brought to the women of the church first, rather than to the Twelve (Matt. 28:1-10). The radical reversals prophesied in scripture and revealed in Christ’s life and ministry culminate in the good news we proclaim today: Christ, through death, has triumphed over death. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Ps. 118:22).
Easter offers the mystical possibility of transformation in every moment. In this season, what is dying and what is being born? For our communities? For our families? For our world? What is breaking open like a seed to die (John 12:24) so that new life might thrive?
The theme is framed candidly in Colossians: “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). In the season of Easter, we are invited to allow old husks to fall away so that Christ’s new life may emerge. This part of the resurrection story is strange, unsettling. We are invited, after all, to share fully in Christ’s death as well as his resurrection (Rom. 6:5; 2 Cor. 4:10-11). Terrifying, but in the mystery of the Holy Spirit’s work in us, we receive it as hope (1 Peter 1:3).
On this Easter day, we are honest about how God is stirring us to transformation, and we may be called to faithfully lament the letting go. Almost simultaneously, as we embody Christ’s resurrection in the present, we celebrate it with great joy (Matt. 28:8). In our desire to be hidden in Christ’s abundant life (John 10:10), we can even name seasons of suffering as Christ’s resurrection emerging (Phil. 3:10).
Sunday, April 12
Second Sunday of Easter
Readings and Psalm
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Christ’s resurrection: the fulfillment of God’s promise to David
Psalm 16
In your presence there is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11)
1 Peter 1:3-9
New birth to a living hope through the resurrection
John 20:19-31
Beholding the wounds of the risen Christ
Acts 2:14a, 22–32
In this passage, the apostle Peter the Apostle boldly proclaims that Jesus’ resurrection is not a surprise, but the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to King David. Quoting David’s words, Peter shows that God had foretold that His Holy One would not be abandoned to death. The resurrection is proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that God is faithful to His word.
Psalm 16
This psalm is a song of deep trust in God’s protection and presence. It culminates in the beautiful promise: “In your presence there is fullness of joy.” What begins as a personal prayer becomes a prophetic declaration pointing to resurrection—confidence that God does not abandon His people, even to the grave.
1 Peter 1:3–9
Here, Peter celebrates the living hope believers receive through the resurrection of Jesus. This hope is not fragile—it is alive, secure, and eternal. Even in the midst of trials, faith is refined and strengthened, leading to joy that is “inexpressible and filled with glory.” Salvation is both a present reality and a future promise.
John 20:19–31
The risen Christ appears to His disciples, bringing peace and showing His wounds. When Thomas the Apostle doubts, Jesus meets him with grace, inviting him to see and believe. This passage reminds us that faith sometimes wrestles with doubt—but Christ is faithful to reveal Himself. The story ends with a purpose: that all may believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name.