Tag Archives: god

Sermon: Pearls before swine?

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Brendan Byrne puts it this way, ‘only a person who has come to genuine self-knowledge and appreciation of his or her own weakness is qualified to set about fraternal correction’. We must remember that with the judgement we make we will be judged, and the measure we give will be the measure we get, so our judgements must be truthful, loving, and without self-righteousness. Continue reading →

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Sermon: Lead us not into the temptation of violence

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Avril Hannah-Jones

What would it do to us if we stopped and prayed the Lord’s Prayer morning, noon, and night? Would we be more willing to share our bread and forgive our debtors? Would we be reminded that all who take the sword will die by the sword, and so refuse to participate in or endorse violence? I encourage us all to try the experiment. Continue reading →

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Sermon: When warnings from history are being ignored

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Despite all the world’s danger and chaos, we who follow the Lamb of God know that we live in communion with the Creator, whose intention for the creation is justice and peace. As we take comfort in that relationship, so we also join with God in working for the day when the heavens will sing for joy, the earth exult, and the mountains break forth into singing, because God’s will is finally done on earth as in heaven. This is our calling as it is our prayer, now as throughout history. Continue reading →

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Christmas Day: Making room for Jesus

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church Christmas Day 2025 Luke 2:1-20 A few weeks ago, I was at a service of Lessons and Carols where I heard a new Christmas Song. This does not often happen to me, at least … Continue reading →

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Sermon: Making Peace

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Avril Hannah-Jones

Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church 7th of December 2025 Isaiah 11:1-10Matthew 3:1-12 Today, the second Sunday of Advent, is Peace Sunday, so naturally I have spent this week thinking about peace, and particularly about the peace most of us … Continue reading →

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