Fourth Sunday before Advent
The Common Worship lectionary readings for Fourth Sunday before Advent in Year B, the liturgical colour, and what changes in the order of service.
Year BOrdinary Timered
The readings
This Sunday is a Proper, so the Old Testament reading and psalm come in two tracks. Choose one and stay with it for the season — the continuous track reads a book straight through week by week; the related track picks an Old Testament reading that speaks to the Gospel.
- Continuous track
- First reading
- Ruth 1:1-18
- Psalm
- Psalm 146
- Second reading
- Hebrews 9:11-14
- Gospel
- Mark 12:28-34
- Related track
- First reading
- Deuteronomy 6:1-9
- Psalm
- Psalm 119:1-8
- Second reading
- Hebrews 9:11-14
- Gospel
- Mark 12:28-34
Citations follow the Revised Common Lectionary as used in the Church of England's Common Worship principal service lectionary. Verse numbering can differ very slightly between Bible translations.
The liturgical colour
Red for the Spirit and for blood: Pentecost, Passiontide, and the feasts of martyrs. On this Sunday the colour is red.
What changes in the service
The standard shape: Gloria and Creed included, nothing seasonal displacing them.
- RCL: Proper 26
In SundayHQ this is the ordinary template shape. You set your order of service once; when the season turns, one click applies the seasonal change and leaves the rest of your parish's own wording alone.
Hymns that fit these readings
Suggestions matched to the readings above, each with the reason it was chosen:
- Opening — Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Lobe den Herren; carries a full church
- Gradual — Love divine, all loves excelling The two great commandments: love God, love neighbour
- Offertory — God moves in a mysterious way Quieter offertory for a reflective Sunday
- Communion — Let us break bread together Simple, and sung without books
- Final — Ye servants of God, your master proclaim Proclamation, carried out of the door
When it next falls
| Date | Liturgical year |
|---|---|
| 31 October 2027 | Year B |
| 3 November 2030 | Year B |
| 30 October 2033 | Year B |
| 2 November 2036 | Year B |
Year B comes round every three years. The date moves because the whole calendar hangs off Easter.
The same Sunday in the other years
Questions
What are the readings for Fourth Sunday before Advent in Year B?
First reading Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Psalm 119:1-8; second reading Hebrews 9:11-14; Gospel Mark 12:28-34.
What colour is worn on Fourth Sunday before Advent?
Red. Red for the Spirit and for blood: Pentecost, Passiontide, and the feasts of martyrs.
Which season is Fourth Sunday before Advent in?
Ordinary Time. The long green season after Trinity, running to Christ the King. The Sundays are numbered after Trinity and carry the RCL Propers.