Gospel Lesson Plans
The word Pentecost comes from the Greek meaning fiftieth day. This was the Greek name for the Hebrew Feast of Weeks, which took place fifty days after Passover. The Hebrew festival commemorated the calling of the Hebrew people into covenant with God at Mount Sinai. The new Christians kept this name because this was the same day the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. The church saw this as the beginning of a new covenant relationship between the followers of Jesus and God. This new relationship is summarized by the prophet Jeremiah, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33)
Old Testament Lesson Plans
The Season After Pentecost is the longest season of the church year, spanning almost half the calendar year. The weeks after Pentecost are called Ordinary Time coming from the word “ordinal” which means counted time. This time is not ordinary as in common or regular, but it is the time of counted weeks between Pentecost and Advent. The liturgical color of the season is green. It is often thought of as a season of growth both in our personal faith and in the life of the church. Common themes to focus on throughout the season are:
- Our relationship with God.
- Our relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another through our prayers, the sacraments and life in the body of Christ.
- The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
- The Church and its work for God’s mission.
| Year A | Date | Scripture | Old Testament Lesson Plan | Gospel Lesson Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day of Pentecost | Acts 2:1-21 John 20:19-23 | The Gifts of the Holy Spirit | Gifts from the Spirit | |
| Trinity Sunday | Genesis 1:1-2:4a Matthew 28:16-20 | Discovering God: Trinity Sunday | God’s Call to Us to Mission | |
| Proper 6 | Sunday between June 12 and June 18 inclusive (if after Trinity Sunday) | Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) Matthew 9:35 - 10:8, (9-23) | Laborers in the Harvest | |
| Proper 7 | Sunday between June 19 and June 25 inclusive (if after Trinity Sunday) | Genesis 21:8-21 Matthew 10:24-39 | Where is God? | God Knows Us |
| Proper 8 | Sunday between June 26 and July 2 inclusive | Genesis 22:1-14 Matthew 10:40-42 | This is Only a Test | Welcoming Christ |
| Proper 9 | Sunday between July 3 and July 9 inclusive | Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 | God Shows the Way | My Yoke is Easy |
| Proper 10 | Sunday between July 10 and July 16 inclusive | Genesis 25:19-34 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 | Sibling Rivalry and God’s Love | Seeds and Soil |
| Proper 11 | Sunday between July 17 and July 23 inclusive | Genesis 28:10-19a Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 | The Lord is With Us | Wheat and Weeds |
| Proper 12 | Sunday between July 24 and July 30 inclusive | Genesis 29:15-28 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 | Waiting and Patience | Have You Understood All This? |
| Proper 13 | Sunday between July 31 and August 6 inclusive | Genesis 32:22-31 Matthew 14:13-21 | Lifelong Faith Journey | Being Fed and Feeding Others |
| Proper 14 | Sunday between August 7 and August 13 inclusive | Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Matthew 14:22-33 | Family and Feelings | Do Not Be Afraid |
| Proper 15 | Sunday between August 14 and August 20 inclusive | Genesis 45:1-15 Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 | Forgiveness | Words from our Heart |
| Proper 16 | Sunday between August 21 and August 27 inclusive | Exodus 1:8-2:10 Matthew 16:13-20 | Baby Moses | Who Do You Say That I Am? |
| Proper 17 | Sunday between August 28 and September 3 inclusive | Exodus 3:1-15 Matthew 16:21-28 | Answering God’s Call | Stumbling Block |
| Proper 18 | Sunday between September 4 and September 10 inclusive | Exodus 12:1-14 Matthew 18:15-20 | Passover Meal | Conflict Resolution |
| Proper 19 | Sunday between September 11 and September 17 inclusive | Exodus 14:19-31 Matthew 18:21-35 | Parting of the Red Sea | Forgiveness |
| Proper 20 | Sunday between September 18 and September 24 inclusive | Exodus 16:2-15 Matthew 20:1-16 | God Provides | We Are All a Part of God’s Work |
| Proper 21 | Sunday between September 25 and October 1 inclusive | Exodus 17:1-7 Matthew 21:23-32 | Water | What God has Given Us To Do |
| Proper 22 | Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive | Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Matthew 21:33-46 | God’s Instructions to Live and Love | Jesus is the Cornerstone |
| Proper 23 | Sunday between October 9 and October 15 inclusive | Exodus 32:1-14 Matthew 22:1-14 | Focus on God Our Creator | We are Invited |
| Proper 24 | Sunday between October 16 and October 22 inclusive | Exodus 33:12-23 Matthew 22:15-22 | God’s Presence in Our Lives | Giving to God |
| Proper 25 | Sunday between October 23 and October 29 inclusive | Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Matthew 22:34-46 | Remembering and Celebrating Moses | The Greatest Commandments |
| Proper 26 | Sunday between October 30 and November 5 inclusive | Joshua 3:7-17 Matthew 23:1-12 | Faith and Following God | Following God Humbly |
| All Saints | November 1 or the First Sunday in November | Revelation 7:9-17 Matthew 5:1-12 | n/a | Blessed Saints: All Saints’ Day |
| Proper 27 | Sunday between November 6 and November 12 inclusive | Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Matthew 25:1-13 | Serving the Lord, Walking with God | Be Prepared |
| Proper 28 | Sunday between November 13 and November 19 inclusive | Judges 4:1-7 Matthew 25:14-30 | Being a Leader | Using our Gifts |
| Proper 29 | Sunday between November 20 and November 26 inclusive | Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Matthew 25:31-46 | Shepherds and Giving Thanks | Service and Giving Thanks |