Year C

Every Sunday of Year C in the Common Worship lectionary, with its readings, its liturgical colour and its place in the year.

Year C runs from Advent Sunday, 28 November 2027, to Christ the King, 26 November 2028 — and again every three years after that. There are 53 Sundays and principal feasts below; each has its readings, its colour, and what changes in the service.

Advent

Four Sundays of preparation before Christmas. Purple, the Gloria rested, and a lighter hand on the whole service.

First Sunday of AdventLuke 21:25-36 Second Sunday of AdventLuke 3:1-6 Third Sunday of AdventLuke 3:7-18 Fourth Sunday of AdventLuke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Christmas

The twelve days. White or gold, the Gloria restored, and the crib at the centre of the building.

First Sunday of ChristmasLuke 2:41-52 Second Sunday of ChristmasJohn 1:(1-9), 10-18

Epiphany

From the visit of the Magi to the eve of Lent: the showing of Christ to the world.

The Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany)Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Second Sunday of EpiphanyJohn 2:1-11 Third Sunday of EpiphanyLuke 4:14-21 Fourth Sunday of EpiphanyLuke 4:21-30

Sundays before Lent

The short green stretch between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, counted backwards from Lent.

Fourth Sunday before LentLuke 5:1-11 Third Sunday before LentLuke 6:17-26 Second Sunday before LentLuke 6:27-38 Sunday next before LentLuke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

Lent

Forty days of preparation for Easter. Purple, no Gloria, and a Tract in place of the Alleluia.

First Sunday of LentLuke 4:1-13 Second Sunday of LentLuke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)Third Sunday of LentLuke 13:1-9 Fourth Sunday of LentLuke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)John 12:1-8

Holy Week

Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday: the most closely shaped week in the calendar.

Palm SundayLuke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

Easter

Fifty days from Easter Day to Pentecost. White and gold, the Alleluia everywhere, the Gloria back.

Easter DayJohn 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12 Second Sunday of EasterJohn 20:19-31 Third Sunday of EasterJohn 21:1-19 Fourth Sunday of EasterJohn 10:22-30 Fifth Sunday of EasterJohn 13:31-35 Sixth Sunday of EasterJohn 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9 Seventh Sunday of EasterJohn 17:20-26 Day of Pentecost (Whit Sunday)John 14:8-17, (25-27)

Ordinary Time

The long green season after Trinity, running to Christ the King. The Sundays are numbered after Trinity and carry the RCL Propers.