(John 2.1-11) (Epiphany 2) 20 January 2019 – © Neil Millar In vino veritas – in wine truth. The title of todays’ sermon was inspired by a cartoon by Michael Leunig (see bulletin). It may have you a little concerned about where I’m heading today, (after all, I did come from a denomination known for … [Read more…]
(Luke 3.15-22) The baptism of Jesus13 January 2019 – © Neil Millar Well, once again this Sunday we’ve taken a chronological leap in our recapitulation of the gospel story. Jesus is now thirty, and on the cusp of commencing his public ministry and mission. Prior to that commencement, Luke records two experiences that complete his … [Read more…]
(Matthew 2.1-12) Epiphany 6 January, 2019 – © Neil Millar I started the sermon last week by noting that liturgical time can be disorientating because it unfolds differently to chronological time (with which we’re more familiar). Last Sunday (only days after Christmas) we contemplated an event that occurred when Jesus was 12 years old. And … [Read more…]
(Luke 2.41-52) Christmas 1 30 December 2018 – © Neil Millar Liturgical time can be a strange thing, and at this time of the year it almost plays tricks on us. Barely has the dust settle on our Christmas gatherings and here we are reading about Jesus as a twelve-year old. It’s a big jump … [Read more…]
(Luke 2.1-18) (Christmas 2018) 25th December, 2018 – © Neil Millar ‘Do not be afraid’, the angel says to Joseph (Matt 1.20), and to Mary (Lk 1.30), and to the shepherds (Lk 2.10) – ‘Do not be afraid’. ‘Fear not’ it’s a recurring motif in the bible, and here in the gospel accounts of Christmas. … [Read more…]
(Luke 1: 39-45) (Advent 4) 23 December 2018 – © Sarah Bachelard The story we’ve just heard tells of the episode our tradition calls ‘The Visitation’ – the visit of the newly expectant Mary to her more heavily pregnant cousin Elizabeth in the Judean hill country. It’s one of the most beautiful and poignant scenes … [Read more…]
(Luke 3.1-6) (Advent 2) 9th December 2018 – © Neil Millar ‘Wild the man and wild the place,wild his dress and wild his face,wilder still his words that tracepaths that lead from sin to grace.’ So begins a wonderful hymn by contemporary American hymn writer Thomas Troeger (1994:29). It’s a hymn about John the Baptist, … [Read more…]
(Luke 21.25-36) (Advent 1) 2nd December 2018 – © Neil Millar Today the Christian liturgical calendar begins again – happy new year! It’s cycle C in the three-year lectionary and Luke’s gospel will be a key text throughout the year. Now,you’ve just heard the reading set for today and you’ll notice it wasn’t as chipper … [Read more…]