Introducing Table Talk II
Introducing Table Talk II
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Table Talk II, marking a new season of thought-provoking discussions and spiritual exploration.
Unlike our previous seasons, which followed a three-year lectionary, Table Talk II will now embrace a one-year lectionary. The first one will be sent out in our Monday Morsels email newsletter on Monday, November 27.
In this email, we’ll share the reasons behind this exciting shift, offering insight into how this change will enhance our collective journey of faith. Thank you for being a valued part of the Table Talk community, and we look forward to embarking on this new season together.
Table Talk’s New Chapter
After twelve remarkable years exploring the three-year lectionary, we’re excited to celebrate this milestone and dive into a new historical chapter. Starting this Advent, Table Talk II embraces the rich narratives of the one-year lectionary, a time-honored tradition that has graced the church for centuries. As it has come down to us, it customarily receives some modifications provided by the church body publishing it. This particular version of the historic one-year lectionary is drawn from the Lutheran Service Book commonly used in Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations.
Reasons For Taking Up This Historical Liturgy
In our ever-changing world, innovation is the norm, and the three-year lectionary was a groundbreaking testament. Yet, the one-year lectionary offers a unique perspective. Beyond continuous biblical narration, it annually repeats crucial scripture texts, weaving them into the fabric of the church year’s themes and fostering a tradition that deepens over time. It aligns with the timeless concern for preserving past traditions, echoing Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:3. This repetition becomes a shared language, fostering conversations, supporting beliefs, and providing solace in troubled times. As the saying goes, “Repetition is the mother of learning.”
Another compelling reason for taking up the historic one-year lectionary: It offers Martin Luther as a guide, with traditional readings preached by Luther himself, found in Luther’s Church Postils and House Postils.
Appreciation for the Trinitarian Essence of the One-Year Lectionary
We can visualize the one-year lectionary as a Venn diagram, with intersecting circles marking the Time of Christmas, Time of Easter, and Time of the Church.This unique structure, with Good Friday/Easter at its core, guides us through the church year’s flow. With a heightened focus on penitence and repentance, it aligns with Luther’s call for a life of repentance. Get ready for a distinctive journey from Advent to an Easter resolution in Christ, including the special Sundays leading up to Easter, Septuagesima (70 days), Sexagesima (60 days), and Quinquagesima (50 days).
Download the Venn Diagram
Resources for Use with the One-Year Lectionary
Ready to explore the One-Year Lectionary? Your first stop is the ILT website under the Table Talk tab for the reading list, OR you can download it by clicking the button below.
Download the One-Year Lectionary
Check out Rev. Randy Asburry’s insightful presentation for a deeper understanding.
Download Rev. Asburry’s Presentation
For further exploration, consider print resources like:
- Planning the Service: A Workbook for Pastors, Organists, and Choirmasters by Ralph Gehrke (CPH, 1961)
- The Sermon and the Propers (4 volumes) by Fred H. Lindemann, again published by CPH (1958)
Asburry also recommends the online gem, Lectionary Central, a goldmine for sermons by Martin Luther on the texts we’re about to delve into.