To many Christians, church is an isolated event—they go each week, maybe even faithfully doing their own devotions throughout the week, but they attend worship not knowing the significance of the propers of the lectionary that week. This book is a week-by-week look at the propers (Introit, Collect, Gradual, Verse, Lessons, Hymn of the Day) of the three-year Lutheran lectionary, showing the thematic connections among them/For worshipers, this book will prepare them for the upcoming Sunday's worship. Congregation members will come to church prepared to worship and to hear their pastor's sermon—and to prepare for church in personal and family devotions the week prior.

For pastors or seminarians, it provides crucial understanding of the liturgical context in which their sermon will be heard. It will alert them to ambiguities, troubling language, and apparent disconnects the hearer may sense, allowing them to prepare sermons that will edify their members.