Notes for each week are to be found under "events". An overview of the Sunday readings at St James’s Here at St James’s we choose Bible lessons based on the ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) which is widely used in many Anglican (Episcopal), Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in America and around the world. This lectionary differs slightly from the older Episcopal lectionary which is printed in the back of our Book of Common Prayer. For more details about the RCL see the following websites: www.commontexts.org/ and http://divinity.library.vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/. The first lesson is usually from the Old Testament. This month we will read from the prophets Zephaniah, Ezekiel and Isaiah. On All Saints Sunday we read from Revelation. The psalm is chosen as a response to themes in the first lesson. At 8 am we usually read the psalm and at 10:30 we usually sing it using a printed insert with text and music. The second lesson usually comes from the New Testament epistles (letters). This month we will read from Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, Ephesians and Corinthians. On All Saints Sunday we will read from 1 John. The Sunday Gospels follow a three-year cycle. We usually read from Matthew in year A, Mark in year B and Luke in year C. This month we complete year A and begin year B. “Sunday scriptures in Context” - A Bible discussion group - 9:15 to 10:15 This group is for people who want to grow with others in understanding the Holy Scriptures and trying to follow Jesus in the light of the Word of God. Our discussions are based on the Lectionary readings for each Sunday of the church year. We meet in “The Upper Room” up the stairs above the Parish Hall for an hour before the main service. We share our questions, knowledge and personal thoughts about the lessons for that Sunday. Visitors, newcomers, occasional and regular participants are always welcome. As we consider the lessons for the day we are guided by questions about: – what each passage may have meant in the original historical and Biblical contexts, and - what we hear the spirit saying to us in our present social and personal contexts. This list of the lessons, brief introductory notes and questions is provided each month to encourage people to read and reflect on the lessons ahead of time and to bring their own questions and insights. Because of time and group interests the Sunday discussion group usually concentrates on just a few of these questions. For more information contact The Rev Judy Gay at 617-547-0838 or judyjohngay@comcast.net