The Common Lectionary (see REFORMED WORSHIP 1) provides pastors with a guide for preaching on the Christ-centered events and teachings of the liturgical church year. Below are the Scripture passages that year A of the lectionary suggests for the Sundays from Easter to Pentecost. Also listed are hymns and service music that focus on the themes of the resurrection and the presence of Christ in our lives. Hymn page numbers are given for four hymnals:
The Hymnbook (HB)
Westminster Press, 512 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Psalter Hymnal (PH)
CRC Publications, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560
Rejoice in the Lord (RL)
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 255 Jefferson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Trinity Hymnal (TH)
Great Commission Publications, 7401 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19126
EASTER SUNDAY
Scripture Lessons Acts 10:34-43, Col. 3:1-4, John 20:1-18
Psalm 118:14-24
Metrical settings: HB 69, PH 234,RL128,TH326
Hymns
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (HB 204, PH 356, RL 325, TH 205)
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain (HB 205, PH 362, RL 315-316, TH 200)
The Strife Is O'er(HB203, PH358, RL319, TH201)
Anthems
Christ Is Risen (Paul Sjolund. Walton Music Corp., #W2160. organ—medium)
The Strife Is O'er (arr. Henry Ley. Oxford University Press, #42.219. organ-medium)
This Joyful Eastertide (arr. Charles Wood. Mills Music. #64147—easy)
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Scripture Lessons Acts 2:14a,22-32; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Psalm 16:5-11
Metrical settings: HB 68, PH 21-23, TH 581
Hymns
At the Name of Jesus (HB 143, PH 372, RL 336, TH 124)
O For a Thousand Tongues (HB 141, PH 383, RL 362-363, TH 133)
Praise the Savior, Now and Ever (PH361.TH174)
Anthems
At the Name of Jesus (Ralph Vaughan Williams. Oxford University Press, #40 P 100. organ, descant—medium)
His Spirit Leads On (Easter carol) (Lloyd Pfautsch. G. Schirmer, #51972. Brass or organ and percussion— difficult)
O Sons and Daughters (arr. Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. G. Schirmer, #9950— easy)
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Scripture Lessons Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
Psalm 116:12-19
Metrical settings: HB 32, PH 228-230, TH 537
Hymns
Come, Let Us to the Lord Our God (HB125,RL37,TH516)
I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art (HB 144, PH 432, RL 366, TH 135)
When Morning Gilds the Skies (HB 41, PH 322, RL 365, TH131)
Anthems
Christ, Be Thine the Glory (Heinrich Schutz. G. Schirmer, #10123—medium)
God's Son Has Made Me Free (Edvard Grieg. Augsburg, #11-1004—medium to difficult)
0 Savior of the World (John Goss. G. Schirmer, #4257. organ—easy)
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Scripture Lessons Acts 2A2-A7, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10
Psalm 23
Metrical settings: HB 104, PH 38-40, RL 89-90, TH 77,141
Hymns
1 Love Thy Kingdom, Lord (HB 435, PH 479, RL 409, TH 280)
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (HB 458, PH 417, TH 644)
You Servants of God (HB 27, RL 598, TH 136)
Anthems
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (arr. Virgil Thompson. W. Gray, #CMR 2046 —easy)
The Lord Is My Shepherd (Thomas Matthews. H. T Fitzsimmons, #2137. organ, soprano solo—easy)
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Scripture Lessons Acts 7:55—60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14
Psalm 31:1-8
Metrical settings: PH 53-54
Hymns
Faith of Our Fathers (HB348,PH443,TH487)
For All the Saints (HB 425, PH 442, RL 397, TH281)
Lead On, O King Eternal (HB332, PH484, RL423, TH 488)
Anthems
For All the Saints (arr. Earl Rosenberg. Carl Fischer, #CM 6637. organ, descant —easy)
Greater Love Hath No Man (John Ireland. Galaxy, #1 50301. organ, soprano solo, baritone solo—medium to difficult)
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Scripture Lessons Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21
Psalm 66:8-20
Metrical settings: HB 296, PH 118-120
Hymns
Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven (PH 360, TH 204)
Fairest Lord Jesus/Beautiful Savior (HB 135, PH373, RL370, TH 129)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (HB 193, PH 368, RL 596-597, TH 226)
The Day of Resurrection (HB 208, PH 364, RL 317, TH 197)
Anthems
Beautiful Savior (Carl F.Mueller. Carl Fischer, #CM 6345. SA, organ—easy) If Ye Love Me (Thomas Tallis.Boosey & Hawkes, #5524 —medium)
ASCENSION SUNDAY
Scripture Lessons Acts 1:1—11, Eph. 1:15-23, Luke 24:46-55
Psalm 47
Metrical settings: PH 86-87, TH61.RL103
Hymns
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (PH 366, RL 346)
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (HB 132, RL 593-594, TH 218)
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (HB 47, PH 448, RL 463, TH 330)
Jesus Shall Reign (HB 496, PH 399, RL 233, TH 374)
Anthems
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (arr. Jean Pasquet. Theodore Presser, #312-41054. organ, descant, with opt. cong. and brass—easy)
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (T F. H. Candlyn. Carl Fischer, #CM 622. organ—easy)
Psalm for Ascension (Ps. 47) (Valerie S. Sterk. CRC Publications, #24-1047. organ, tambourine, opt. congregation and brass—medium)
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Scripture Lessons Acts 1:6—14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
Psalm 68:1-10
Metrical settings: PH 122-125
Hymns
Crown Him with Many Crowns (HB213, RL600,TH216)
Jesus Shall Reign (HB 496, PH 399, RL 233, TH 374)
Lord, Speak to Me (HB298, PH404,RL436)
Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns (PH 400, TH 298)
Anthems
Crown Him with Many Crowns (arr. Walter Pelz. Augsburg, #11-9093. A concertato for choir, cong., organ, and 3 trumpets—easy)
O Worship the King (arr. Walter Pelz. Augsburg, #11-2034. organ, with optional cong. —easy)
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Scripture Lessons Acts 2:1—21, 1 Cor. 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23
Psalm 104:24-34
Metrical settings: HB 26, PH 315,RL2,TH13
Hymns
Breathe on Me, Breath of God (HB 235, PH 391)
Come, O Creator Spirit (HB237, RL377.TH251)
O Spirit of the Living God (HB242, RL378,TH253)
Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayer (HB 243, PH 392)
Anthems
Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Eric Thiman. G. V. Thompson, #G-546. organ—easy)
Send Forth Thy Spirit, O Lord (J. Schuetky. Raymond Hoffman, #H 2006—easy)