First Reading

Go Baptism! Lectionary Date: January 9, 2022 [1st Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C] Why go to the Old Testament for "Baptism of our Lord" Sunday?

God Delights in You Lectionary Date: January 2, 2022 [2nd Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C] A dip into Hebrew poetry for this first Sunday of 2022.

Hannah's Roar Lectionary Date: December 26, 2021 [1st Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C] It's a party episode! --> All 3 First Reading co-hosts together to chat about Hannah's song!

Mary and Consent Lectionary Date: December 19, 2021 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel rounds out Advent this year with a reflection on the problem of consent in Mary's story.

"Pure" Grace Lectionary Date: December 12, 2021 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel starts in the Gospel and works back to the Good News in the Old Testament.

The Medium is the Messenger Lectionary Date: December 5, 2021 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel highlights the power of the covenant this Advent.

To You, I Lift My... Throat? Lectionary Date: November 28, 2021 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year C] Rachel introduces Advent with an extended reflection on (surprise, surprise) the "nefesh."

Am I Great, or What?! Lectionary Date: November 21, 2021 [Reign of Christ Sunday, Year B] On "Christ the King" Sunday, how about a sermon from the Hebrew Bible on what makes for Godly leadership?

Preaching Hannah's Story Lectionary Date: November 14, 2021 [25th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Hannah, the woman from the margins, shows up at the center of Israelite society with a request for God.

First Reading Takes On the Bechdel Test Lectionary Date: November 7, 2021 [24th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] It's a big week for First Reading! As we dive into the resolution to the Book of Ruth, we have invited a guest to help us unpack the context of this story—special for its unusual focus on female protagonists. Ashley M. Wilcox is a Quaker minister and the author of The Women’s Lectionary: Preaching the Women of the Bible throughout the Year, a handbook for feminist preachers. You (yes, you!) can hire Ashley as a preaching coach through her online resource, Preaching with Confidence. Ashley has been traveling around the country to speak, preach, and lead workshops on women and spirituality for more than a decade. For the past four years, she has been teaching preaching to students at the Candler School of Theology. You can connect with Ashley and learn more about her work at her website. This week also marks the debut of our newest cohost, Rosy Kandathil! Rosy is a PhD candidate in Heb

Halloweenreformation Day Lectionary Date: October 31, 2021 [23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] And when better to preach from Ruth, the story of two saints perched on the precipice of death?!

God's Consolation Lectionary Date: October 24, 2021 [22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Job is a long book that only gets a small showing in the Revised Common Lectionary. So we invited a scholar to help us unpack this week's conclusion to the book in the context of the themes raised by the whole. Dr. Will Kynes is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Samford University. His research focuses on wisdom and suffering in the Hebrew Bible viewed from the varied perspectives of various biblical texts and their readers across history. Dr. Kynes is currently working on a book on how different cultures have found hope in the biblical tradition of wrestling with God. He is also the cohost (with Rony Kozman) of a great new podcast, "The Two Testaments," which you can find over at www.thetwotestaments.com. So (after you listen to First Reading), head over there and give them the First Reading bump!

Melchi-who? Lectionary Date: October 17, 2021 [21th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Tim opts for the Second Reading (Third Reading?) since it has lots of OT in it.

Divine Intervention Lectionary Date: October 10, 2021 [20th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Rachel hears the voice of a concerned friend in this challenging text.

They will Become One Flesh Lectionary Date: October 3, 2021 [19th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Tim revisits the garden to rethink the creation of gendered humans.

For Such a Time as This Lectionary Date: September 26, 2021 [18th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Esther is a rich and complex biblical story—which is why it's unfortunate that it only appears once in the 3-year lectionary cycle. But to help us make the most of this occasion, we invited Rosy Kandathil to join us for a deep dive into Esther. Rosy is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible at Emory University, where she is writing a dissertation on the collision of humor and violence in the book of Esther. Rosy's insights help us get to the core relevant issues of the book: how it navigates multiple identities at once, deals with the challenges of thriving in diaspora, and hosts some of our own deep questions about violence and vengeance. Buckle up for a great episode!

A Person of Valor Lectionary Date: September 19, 2021 [17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Rachel explores the expansive meaning of an often-pigeonholed text.

The Tongue of a Learner Lectionary Date: September 12, 2021 [16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Tim sets his face like flint to offer a nonviolent interpretation of this famous text!

The Sharing is the Blessing Lectionary Date: September 5, 2021 [15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Rachel gives an overview of wisdom literature, and tackles the prosperity gospel—all in one episode!

Carrot and Stick? Lectionary Date: August 29, 2021 [14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B] Tim explores the gift (and threat?) of God's instruction.