A useful resource for ministers and parishes, seeking a fresh approach to the New Testament.
Buy it locally or from Amazon.
First Thoughts on Passages from the Gospels in the Lectionary, now supplemented with First thoughts on the Epistles readings. The aim of these is to offer some initial reflections on the readings in the lectionary as an aid to people preparing sermons. The comments are not meant to be exegetical commentaries, although they include exegetical observation. They also include reflections which point to contemporary issues. They are also, by the same token, not sermons, not an attempt to say to people what sermons ought to be about. They are offered as a stimulus only. I have written them with only the Greek text before me, so that occasionally your translations may have opted for alternative ways of reading the text. If you sense this is the case, please check other translations or refer to detailed commentaries.
This is a developing resource and I value feedback on whether you find it is useful and on how it might be changed/improved, made more useful.
New: First Readings where they are from the New Testament (Acts). A group of Melbourne colleagues, led by Revd Prof Howard Wallace of the Uniting Church Theological Hall, has now launched commentaries on the Old Testament passages. and in Adelaide Revd Dr Anna Grant-Henderson is also offering Old Testament commentaries on the Lectionary.
For the Year of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew - An introduction for preachers.
Christ the
King: 23 November Matthew 25:31-46
Christ the King: 23 November Ephesians 1:15-23
For the Year of Mark
The Gospel of Mark - An introduction for preachers
Advent 1: 30 November Mark 13:24-37
Advent 1: 30 November 1
Corinthians 1:3-9
Advent 2: 7 December Mark 1:1-8
Advent 2: 7 December 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Advent 3: 14 December John 1:6-8,19-28
Advent 3: 14 December 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Advent 4: 21 December Luke 1:26-38
Advent 4: 21 December Romans 16:25-27
Christmas Day 1: 25 December Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20
Christmas Day 1: 25 December Titus 3:4-7
Christmas Day 2: 25 December John 1:1-14
Christmas Day 2: 25 December (alternative) Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)
See also
The Christmas Queue
- Reflections on the Journey to the Christ Child
The
White Ficafolia - a Christmas reflection
On the Hillside - Perspectives of a Bethlehem Sheep.
Christmas and Cronulla - a reflection on violence and hope
See also a Prayer
for the New Year
Advent Studies
The Christmas Stories
- exploring their background and meaning
A useful resource for ministers and parishes, seeking a fresh approach to the
New Testament.
Buy it locally or from
Amazon.
Earth, Air, Fire, Water
- Studies in Sustainability
Australia's Day of
Apology to the Stolen Generations of its Indigenous Peoples, 13 February
2008
Finding Faith in Fact and Fiction:
Making Sense of the New Testament while Maintaining our Integrity and the
Integrity of the Text. An earlier
version of a paper was delivered to the Progressive Christian Network of
Victoria, November 2007
Approaching
the New Testament as Source of Faith and Witness to Faith A Paper read at
the Australasian Theological Forum, Canberra, November 2007, to be published in
revised form with footnotes in the conference proceedings.
Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality and Leadership
a paper prepared for the UCA Doctrine Working Group Colloquium, February 2008
The Zacchaeus Tree
- A Reflection
Does the Cross
mean "No"? Further Reflection on Christians and Other Faiths
Other Faiths: A New
Testament Perspective
Baptism, Water, and our World
a reflection on baptism
Bartimaeus, but where is Jesus?
Judas:
The Gospel of Judas -
Some Observations
A Prayer about God's
Holiness;
Approaches to
scripture: considering the options
and see also the Response from my Old Testament
colleague, Dr Suzanne Boorer
Preaching as an invitation to engage God-stories
A Service of the Eucharist - for use within
Worship
Other resources:
Year A Lectionary Index First thoughts on the Matthew
and other Gospel Passages, Year A
Year of Mark(John) Index First thoughts on the Mark(John)
Passages, Year B
Year of Luke Index. First thoughts on the Luke and other
Gospel Passages, Year C
The Role of John's Gospel in the Three Year Lectionary
Hochzeitsansprache zur Trauung von
David und Anja
Ordination charges for Deacons and Ministers of the Word in the
Uniting Church in Australia
Ordination Charge for Revd William Pickett as
Minister of the Word, 23 October, 2004, Armadale Uniting Church
Ordination Charge for Revd Janelle Macgregor as
Minister of the Word, 26 September, 2004, Kalamunda Uniting Church
Ordination Charge for Revd Isobelle Shortreed as
Deacon 26 June, 2004, Bridgetown Uniting Church
Ordination Charge for Revd Lesley deGrussa-Macaulay
as Deacon 19 March, 2004, Dianella Uniting Church
Links to links: try the following:
Liturgy: A New Zealand site for
liturgical resources
Stepping Stones:
A Guide to Lectionary Based Resources for Worship and Teaching - from John Maynard
Sermons & Sermon Lectionary
Resources by Richard J. Fairchild
Lectionary Resources provided by David
Beswick
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