HOW THE LECTIONARY WORKS

Multidimensional in its approach and design, this online lectionary offers a cycle of biblical readings for 60 liturgical moments and employs the extensive technological capacities of the Internet to enliven the multi-sensory imagination of those using this resource (e.g., provides art work, musical, or poetic renderings related to the biblical readings).  

Since the lectionary will be archived, materials that a preacher, worship leader, or lay leader did not get to use in 2008 will be available in 2009 and beyond. All materials have been prepared in a manner that we hope will make them beneficial for years to come. With some imagination, each user can make the lection readings, cultural resources, and worship resources useful for their worship or teaching experience. This lectionary is only a guide. As the Holy Spirit leads you, make the lectionary your own and enable it to bless the congregation you serve.

After lection readings are posted to the site, they also will be archived on the site. This allows persons to visit the site throughout the year and access readings as they need them. For example, while the calendar lists Women's Day as Moment 42 on Sunday, September 14, 2008, the lection reading with accompanying cultural resources, worship resources, and illustrations can be used whenever a congregation wishes. Simply go to the search box on the site, type in the words "Women's Day," and the lection reading will appear. Print it out or follow the process below :

The lectionary follows a calendar. There are sixty moments on the calendar for year one  which began with Watch Night in December 2007. Click the calendar button to view the entire calendar for year one.  All year one materials will be posted by September 1, 2008.

How to use the Lectionary

1. If you want preaching help for Young Adult Sunday click Lectionary Readings, scroll to Young Adult Sunday, click print, and you can access the material.  It will provide you numerous ideas around which to build a sermon.

2. If you need an illustration to accompany your sermon, click the tab titled Sermon Illustrations , review the subject areas, decide which illustration is most likely to be appropriate, and click on that illustration.

3. If you need to design a worship service for Young Adult Sunday, click Worship Resources, scroll to Young Adult Sunday, click print and you have an entire worship service for Young Adult Sunday. You can alter it to fit your congregation.

4. If you want cultural information for Young Adult Sunday, click the box titled Cultural Resources and scroll to that day on the calendar, click print and you will obtain history, poetry, songs and more related to that day on the calendar.  

In year one, lection readings with accompanying materials, (cultural resources, worship resources and sermon illustrations) will be added once or twice each week through September 1, 2008.  Year two calendar materials will begin being posted  September 30, 2008.

Thank you for visiting the site. Please send us email at info@theafricanamericanlectionary.org and give us your comments.

Sincerely,

The Lectionary Team