Return to Revised Common Lectionary

A Return to the Revised Common Lectionary

Have you ever wondered how the weekly Bible readings are chosen? Sometimes when we're doing a series like Ten Together, we choose readings to fit that series. But most of the time we make use of a lectionary, a list of readings appointed for Sundays throughout the year. For the past six years we've been using the Narrative Lectionary which is a four-year cycle of teachings that begin each year in September with readings from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), then readings from one Gospel each year from Christmas through Easter, followed by readings from an epistle through Pentecost. Only two readings are appointed: the primary text and a supporting secondary text. 

Starting August 23, 2026, we're returning to the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), which is a three-year cycle of readings that appoints four readings each week — one each from the Old Testament, Psalms, Gospels and Epistles. As we begin with the Revised Common Lectionary, we'll hear from the Gospels and just one other reading. As we continue, we may add more! You can see the readings for each week listed in the front of the ELW hymnal in the pews. We are currently in Year A, the year that focuses on the Gospel of Matthew. At the beginning of Advent, we'll begin Year B which focuses on Mark. Since there is only a three-year cycle in the RCL, the Gospel of John is inserted in Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter, and occasionally at other times over the three years as well.

There's no “perfect” lectionary, but there are advantages to each of these two lectionaries we've used here at Muhlenberg. Since we've used the Narrative Lectionary for a number of years, it makes sense to return to the Revised Common Lectionary so we get to hear a different mix of passages from the Bible. The RCL is used by a variety of churches around the world, connecting us with Christians in a variety of denominations who are reading the same texts each week.