Rereading the Bible Again (For the First Time)

1192 Pages·2011·3.47 MB·English

by  Sarah Johnson

Rereading the Bible Again
(For the First Time)

Choral Readings of Scripture
From the texts of
The Revised Common Lectionary

By

George A. Scranton
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Re-reading the Bible Again
(For the First Time)

Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………...13
Preface …………………………………………………………………………...13
What is a speech choir? ………………………………………………………….14
For the Director ………………………………………………………………… 21
Establishing and directing a speech choir: Selecting the Ensemble….…21
Listening to one another in the ensemble..…………………………...….22
Degrees of difficulty in the orchestrations………………………24
Technical details: Regarding the use of symbols (/, //, . . .)……25
Technical details: Color coding of the texts……………………26
Attitudinal detail: Characterizations of Jesus and God:………….26
Other uses for these orchestrations of the Lectionary texts:……..26

THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Year A
First Sunday in Advent
Integrated Psalm 122, Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44…..…28
Second Sunday in Advent
Individual Texts:
Romans 15:4-12………………………………………………………….31
Matthew 3:1-12…………………………………………………………..32
Integrated Texts:
Isaiah 11:1-9, Psalm 72:1-19…………………………………………….36
Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-6………………………………………...38
Isaiah 11:1-10, 35:8-10,Psalm 72:1-19, [Matthew 2:9-11]………………41
Third Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts (First Alternative – 5M/6W)
Psalm 146:1-2,5-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 3:1-12
(including Luke 1:46-55)………………………………………………...46
Integrated Texts (Second alternative with 3M & 2W)
Psalm 146:1-2,5-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-15, James 5:7-10…..52
Forth Sunday in Advent
Integrated Text
Psalm 24, Isaiah 7:14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25………………..57
Year B
First Sunday in Advent
Individual Text:
Psalm 130:5-6: A Call to Worship………………………………………61
Integrated Texts:
Psalm 80:1-7 integrated with the Prayer our Lord taught us
(with additions)………………………………………………….62
Psalm 130:5-6, Isaiah 63:15-64:8 & Mark 13:33-37……………………66
Psalm 130:5 & 1 Corinthians 1:3-9: A Benediction…………………….71
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Second Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts:
Isaiah 40:1-11 & Mark 1:1-8 continuing with………………………….73
Psalm 85, 1 Peter 3:8-15a & the Beatitudes……………………………79
Third Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts:
Luke 1:46b-55 & Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11………………………………….84
John 1:6-8, 19-28 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24………………………….87
Forth Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts:
2 Samuel 7:1-14a, 16-17 & Psalm 89:1-4, 14-18……………………….91
Luke 1:26-38 & Psalm 89:1……………………………………………..95
Individual Text – a benediction
Romans 16:25-27………………………………………………………..98
Year C
First Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts - Alternative Reading One (3 Men & $ Women)
Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10,
Luke 21:25-36, & I Thessalonians 3:11-13……………………………..99
First Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 25:1-10, Jeremiah 33:14-16,
Luke 21:25-36, & I Thessalonians 3:9-13……………………………...103
Second Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading One (3 Men & 3 Women)
Malachi 3:1-4 & Luke 3:1-17 (with Mark 1:1-2 & John 1:19-27)……..110
Second Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 126, Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3”1-6, & Philippians 1:3-11…………116
Second Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Three (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 126, Malachi 3:1-4, & Luke 3:1-6………………………………119
Third Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading One (5 Women & 4 Men)
Isaiah 12:2-6, Zephaniah 3:14-18a & Philippians 4:4,7………………..122
Third Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 3 Women)
Luke 3:7-18, Isaiah 12:1-6, Zephaniah 3:11-18, & Philippians 4:4-7….126
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Individual Texts – Alternative Reading One (4 Men & 4 Women)
Psalm 80:1-7, Micah 5:2-4, & Luke 1:39-56 &
(John 1:1-2,14 integrated with Hebrews 10:5-10)…………………...…133
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 80:1-7, Micah 5:2-4, Hebrews 10:5-10, & Luke 1:39-56……..140
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A Traditional Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols…………………………..143
Choral Readings for 3 Men & 3 Women.
First Lesson ~ Genesis 3:8-15
Second Lesson ~ Genesis 22:15-18
Third Lesson ~ Micah 5:2-4
Fourth Lesson ~ Luke 1:26-35, 38
Fifth Lesson ~ Luke 2:1-7
Sixth Lesson ~ Luke 2:8-16
Seventh Lesson ~ John 1:1-5, 9-14
Epiphany Sunday (Alternative Reading One)
Journey of the Magi by T. S. Eliot (Arranged for three voices)………………..152
Epiphany Sunday (Alternative Reading Two)
Isaiah 60:1-6 & 10 (Arranged for three voices)………………………………...155
Epiphany Sunday
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14,
& Matthew 2:1-12………………………………………………………157
THE SEASON OF LENT
Ash Wednesday Years ABC
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Isaiah 58:1-12 & Joel 2:1-2, 12-19……………………………………..168
Integrated Texts – A prayer for Healing (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 51:1-13, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, & Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21…...172
Year A
First Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17, 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19,
Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 130 & Psalm 32………………………………178
Second Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, & John 3:1-17……186
Third Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts Variation #1 (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 95, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, & John 4:5-42……………..193
Integrated Texts Variation #2 (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 95, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, & John 4:5-42……………..205
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
John 9:5-42 & Ephesians 5:8-14………………………………………..222
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
1 Samuel 16:1-13 & Psalm 23………………………………………….230
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Matthew 20:25-28, Psalm 23, & Romans 8:1-4………………………..234
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (2 Men & 3 Women)
Ezekiel 37 & John 11:1-45……………………………………………..237
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Sixth Sunday in Lent (Liturgy of the Palms)
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading One (3 Men & 3 Women)
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 & Matthew 21:1-11……………………………..246
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 2 Women)
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 & Matthew 21:1-11……………………………..251
Sixth Sunday in Lent (Liturgy of the Passion)
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading One (3 Men & 3 Women)
Matthew 26:14-46 & 56 & Philippians 2:5-11…………………………256
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 2 Women)
Matthew 26:14-46 & 56 & Philippians 2:5-11…………………………264
Year B
First Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (2 Men & 3 Women)
Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, Mark 1:9-15, & I Peter 3:18-22
(Including Isaiah 64:1)…………………………………………………272
Second Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, & Psalm 22:23-31…………..278
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31, & Romans 4:13-25……………………282
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Mark 9:2-9, Romans 4:13-25, & Psalm 22:23-31………………………286
Third Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………290
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16.
Exodus 20:1-17.
Psalm 19.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
John 2:13-22.
Third Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………………………………..…..301
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
Psalm 19 & Exodus 20:1-17
John 2:13-22 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………312
Numbers 21:4-9.
Psalm 107.
Ephesians 2:1-10.
John 3:14-21.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)
Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107, John 3:14-21, & Ephesians 2:1-10………320
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Fifth Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………...…………………….327
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Psalm 51.
Hebrews 5:4-10.
John 12:20-33.
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………335
Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 12:20-33, & Hebrews 5:4-10.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Psalm 51.
John 12:20-33 & Hebrews 5:4-10.
Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51, John 12:20-33, & Hebrews 5:4-10…….348
Sixth Sunday in Lent (Liturgy of the Palms)
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………355
Mark 11:1-11.
John 12:12-16.
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29.
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading One (3 Men & 3 Women)……………360
[Luke 4:16-21, Matthew 5:1-11, 11:5] Mark 11:1-11, John 12:12-16,
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, [Isaiah 61:1], and my added interpretative material.
Integrated Texts – Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 2 Women)……………371
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Mark 11:1-11 [Including Zechariah 9:9].
Sixth Sunday in Lent (Liturgy of the Passion)
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………375
Isaiah 50:4-9a.
Psalm 31:9-16.
Philippians 2:5-11.
Mark 14:1-15:47
Integrated Texts Alternative Reading One (3 Men & 2 Women)………………395
Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:6-16, Philippians 2:5-11,
Mark 14:1-15, 15:1-39 (40-47) [Including Matthew 5:3-11].
Integrated Texts Alternative Reading Two (3 Men & 2 Women)………...……413
Philippians 2:5-8, Mark 15:1-39, Psalm 22:, 31:9-10, 69:21,
Isaiah 50:6, 53:7-9, 11-12, Amos 8:9, & Hebrews 13:1-12.
Year C
First Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………………………………...….422
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………….432
Deuteronomy 26:1-11 & Psalm 91
Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 & Psalm 91
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Second Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………442
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Luke 9:28-36
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………452
Psalm 27 & Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Philippians 3:17-4:1 & Luke 13:31-35
Third Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………460
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………468
Isaiah 55:1-9 & Psalm 63
Psalm 63, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 & Luke 13:1-9
Psalm 63, Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 & Luke 13:1-9
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………482
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-14
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………….488
Joshua 5:9-12 & Psalm 32
Psalm 32 & Joshua 5:9-12 (alternate version)
Psalm 32 & 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 & Luke 15:1-3, 11b-14
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………………………………..….499
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………….……………..506
Isaiah 43:16-21 & Psalm 126
Psalm 126 & Philippians 3:4b-14
Sixth Sunday in Lent (Liturgy of the Palms)
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………511
Luke 19: 28-40
Psalm 118
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Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………….516
Luke 19:28-40 & Psalm 118
Psalm 118 & Luke 19:28-40 (Alternate reading)
Sixth Sunday in Lent (Liturgy of the Passion)
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………525
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14-23:56
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………….546
Philippians 2:5-11 & Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11 & Psalm 31:9-16 (version #1)
Philippians 2:5-11 & Psalm 31:9-16 (version #2)
Isaiah 50:4-9a, Luke 22:14-23:56, Psalm 31:9-16, & Philippians 2:5-11
Holy Week Year ABC
Monday
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………575
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 36:5-11
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………….584
Psalm 36:5-11 & Isaiah 42:1-9
Hebrews 9:11-15 & Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 36:5-11, Isaiah 42:1-9, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11
John 12:1-11 & Isaiah 42:1-9
Tuesday
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………604
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 71
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
John 12:20-36
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………617
Isaiah 49:1-7 & Psalm 71
John 12:20-36, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71
Isaiah 49:1-7, John 12:20-36, Psalm 71, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
1 Corinthians 1:18-31, John 12:20-36, Psalm 71
Wednesday
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………649
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
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Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………..657
Isaiah 50:4-9a & Psalm 70
John 13:21-32 & Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3
Isaiah 50:4-9a, John 13:21-32, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3
Maundy Thursday
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………………………………….675
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 116
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………………………685
Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 116
Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 116, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Psalm 116, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Good Friday – A Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness/Shadows)
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………..710
Isaiah 53:1-3
Luke 22:39-46
Isaiah 53:7-8
Matthew 27:47-56
Zechariah 13:7
Luke 23:1-11
Isaiah 53:4-5
Matthew 27:15-26
Psalm 22:1-2, 16-18
Matthew 27:32-51a
Exodus 26:31-33
Luke 23:44-49
Isaiah 53:9-11
John 19:38-42
A Service of Tenebrae (A Service of Darkness/Shadow) –
With Holy Communion (3 Men & 3 Women)…………………………….……725
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:39-46
Matthew 27:47-56
Luke 23:1-11
Matthew 27:15-26
Psalm 22:1-2
Matthew 27:32-51a
Luke 23:44-49
John 19:38-42
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Good Friday Years ABC
Individual Texts (3 men & 3 Women)……………………………………….…738
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:16-25
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
John 18-19
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………….768
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-25
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, John 18-19, Psalm 22, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Holy Saturday – The Story of Salvation
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………………………………….804
The Flood – Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea – Exodus 14:10-15:1
Salvation Offered Freely to All – Isaiah 55:1-11
The Valley of Dry Bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Burial of Jesus – Matthew 27:57-66
Holy Saturday Years ABC
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………..…………………………..820
Job 14:1-14
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24
Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
1 Peter 4:1-8
John 19:38-42
Matthew 27:57-66
Integrated Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)………………………………………..832
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 & Job 14:1-14
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24 & Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
Job 14:1-14 & Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, Matthew 27:57-66, Job 14:1-14,
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24, 1 Peter 4:1-8
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24, John 19:38-42, Job 14:1-14
1 Peter 4:1-8 & Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
The Season of Easter
Easter Sunday Year A
Individual Texts (1 Man & 1 Woman)…………………………………………855
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
John 20:1-18
Individual Texts (3 Men & 3 Women)……………………………………….860
Acts 10:34-43
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (same as years B & C)
Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-18 (same as Years B & C)
Matthew 28:1-10

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