The Sunday Bible readings in the Revised Common Lectionary

These links are to Year A, Year B and Year C will take you to the PowerPoint lesson for the Bible readings for each Sunday in the three-year lectionary cycle. Lick on the link Year A B or C, then locate the lesson. The PowerPoint decks are numbered and titled with Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and the Proper also known as Ordinary time. These are linked to a OneDrive Cloud location and may be viewed online or downloaded.  

USE

These may be used to facilitate an adult education group discussion for an Episcopal Church. On the other hand, you may use these as a personal study about the readings for each Sunday. Each power point deck deals with the designated scripture readings for that Sunday, the collect from the BCP for that Sunday, and related artwork chosen for readings or the Collect.

Why these were Created

These were developed for a Sunday morning discussion group that meets for about one hour. The slides can be projected on a screen or shown on a television set placed so that the entire group can easily see the slides. The leader should have a general knowledge of theology and scriptures. The leader may be a member of the clergy or a layman who is qualified by for example completion of the four-year EFM (Education for Ministry) program or an equivalent. 

Sources

The scripture commentary is taken largely from the introductions, footnotes, and reference materials in the New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocryphal / Deuterocanonical Books, from the New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Roland E. Murphy, 1989 Edition, Oxford University Press. The collects are drawn from the Book of Common Prayer 1979 using the modern language. There are other sources used which are indicated in the materials. The Notes page feature of the PowerPoint decks will often have more information than the slide. The group leader will need minimal skills with PowerPoint as each deck is complete with maps and animations. 

Scope and Time Available

A presenter can download and edit the decks as needed for the circumstances. The decks are long as they cover the readings and alternative readings and the collect. If there is limited time, then a class might cover only some of the readings. A facilitator may wish to cover only the Collect and one of the reading selections such as the day’s Gospel. 

Discussion

The class works best as a group discussion using the PowerPoint for the basic information about the reading. Some members may want to participate by reading the scripture aloud to the others and exchanging comments. Others may not want to speak at all but may wish only to listen or read the PowerPoint slides. Very often one of the readings on a given Sunday may spark a spirited discussion that uses up class time. When this happens let the discussion go and if needed skip to the end. When this happens that’s a good day. Even when there is ample time for formation a lively discussion will make the time seem short.

Questions

If you have questions about the use of these PowerPoint decks or glitches you can contact me by email at jbcross@cei.net.

The Ascension Ascension Day May 14, 2026 May 18 is Ascension Day.
This day had special associations for the city-state of Venice. In Venice, Ascension Day was celebrated with an unusual ceremony (an important naval victory occurred in 998 AD, on Ascension Day). During the event the Doge travelled in the Bucintoro, a golden barge, out into the Lido, where he cast a ring into the sea, as a symbol of the marriage or union between Venice and the Adriatic. Such a ring had been given to a twelfth-century Doge by the Pope in gratitude for his peacemaking.  Canaletto, The Bucintoro Returning to the Molo on Ascension Day
c. 1730, Oil on canvas, 182 x 259 cm, Private collection  The Collect O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Collect The Central Concept: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before… The Collect seems to be about the Holy Spirit, and one might expect readings explicitly about the Holy Spirit as the readings open with Acts. In each of the three years there is a part of John 17:1-11 [A], John 17:6-19 [B] and John 17:20-26 [C] in this section of John Jesus prays that his followers may have a relation with God similar to His, that God be one as we are one or that God be in them as He is in Jesus. In a way you will see that these seem related to the Acts selection. The Collect The Holy Spirit is mysterious but perhaps this Collect offers us an insight, that God and Jesus as Father and Son dwell in us perhaps as the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then represents in us the presence of God, in the upper room and any where two or three are gathered together. Acts 1:6-14 When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up,  Acts 1:6-14 and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-14 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.  ASCENSION  Ascension Day Ascension of Christ Despite the great importance and influence of the early Church's belief in the ascension of Christ, it is only described explicitly in the New Testament three times.  In Acts, after the resurrected Christ reminded his apostles that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, he was "lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight" (Acts 1.9). Luke 24:50-52 He “was carried up into heaven.” The second-century CE addition to the conclusion of Mark adds that after Christ's ascension he "sat down at the right hand of God" (Mark 16.19). Ascension in social context of the day In the Hellenistic world the ascent of a king, prophet, hero, or holy man to the heavens, the place of the gods, was a well-known motif signifying the divine status of the one who ascended.  Heracles was deified through an ascension to heaven, and  Ganymede became immortal when Zeus lifted him into heaven to serve as cupbearer to the gods. {Largest moon of Jupiter} Ascension - OT OR JEWISH TRADITION Gnostics and the Ascension Acts Mark Matthew and Galilee Forty Days The 40 days is from V.3 about appearing during 40 days. Forty – Noah’s rain and flood; Moses on the mountain; the manna’s period; several OT periods of peace lasted 40 years; David’s and Solomon’s reign; the temptation – all periods of Forty. Easter Seventh Sunday RCL A
Various Ascension Images Ascension Mosaic
1175-1200
Cupola of St. Mark's, Venice
 

Mary, flanked by angels, and twelve apostles Giotto, Scenes from the Life of Christ: Ascension, 1304-06
Fresco, 200 x 185 cm
Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua Pietro Perugino, The Ascension of Christ, 1496-98
Oil on panel, 342 x 263 cm
Musée Municipal des Beaux-Arts, Lyon Hans Memling: Triptych of the Resurrection, c. 1490
Oil on wood, central panel 62 x 45 cm, wings 62 x 19 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris; Right panel: Ascension Hans Memling: Triptych of the Resurrection, c. 1490
Oil on wood, central panel 62 x 45 cm, wings 62 x 19 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris; Right panel: Ascension Albrecht Durer, The Small Passion Ascension, c. 1510
Woodcut, 12.6 x 9.8 cm Tintoretto:
The Ascension, 1579-81
Oil on canvas, 538 x 325 cm
Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 Exsurgat Deus1 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate him flee before him.  2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.  3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *
let them also be merry and joyful.  4 Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;
exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *
YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!  Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 Exsurgat Deus 5 Father of orphans, defender of widows, *
God in his holy habitation!  6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; * but the rebels shall live in dry places.  7 O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,  8 The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.  Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 Exsurgat Deus9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.  10 Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.  33 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.  Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 Exsurgat Deus 34 He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *
he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.  35 Ascribe power to God; *
his majesty is over Israel;
his strength is in the skies.  36 How wonderful is God in his holy places! *
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!  Liturgy for a festival celebration in the temple Liturgy 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.   THE FINAL SECTION OF 1 PETER Omitted part of Chapter Four 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And  “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”  19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.  Omitted Parts of Chapter Five V 5 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly,. . . The second section is a short Epistle type sign off with greetings. Advice from Peter “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.“ Sounds good, but how do you feel about this. Are you comforted by this? Have you ever tried to do this? Final Comment of First Peter John 17:1-11 Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. John 17:1-11 "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; John 17:1-11 I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. "  Context Text Note High Priestly Prayer The reading is specifically a part known as “Jesus’ high priestly prayer.” It is in three parts:  V 1–5: Jesus’ prayer for himself.  V 6-19 Jesus’ prayer for his disciples, left in the world after his ascension (John 17.11), is that they may be one as are the Father and the Son. V 20–26: Jesus’ prayer for the church universal will express their unity in love, thus fulfilling its mission of leading the world to believe. ASCENSION Discourse Were it not for the placement of these statements in John, this could have been an Ascension discourse.