Lectionary Resources

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.

Pentecost 17: 7 September Matthew 18:15-18
Pentecost 17: 7 September  Romans 13:8-14
Pentecost 18: 14 September Matthew 18:21-35
Pentecost 18: 14 September  Romans 14:1-12
Pentecost 19: 21 September Matthew 20:1-16
Pentecost 19: 21 September  Philippians 1:21-30
Pentecost 20: 28 September Matthew 21:23-32
Pentecost 20: 28 September  Philippians 2:1-13
Pentecost 21: 5 October Matthew 21:33-46
Pentecost 21: 5 October  Philippians 3:4b-14

New

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
The Christmas Stories - exploring their background and meaning
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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