Testing Truth
Readings: 1 John 1:1-2:2 & John 20: 19-31

​Thomas said:

Open our eyes, Lord,
we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him,
and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord,
and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord,
we want to see Jesus.

For those unable to join us at church today, Hamish has recorded a message which can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/mc4mR9stm-c

​PALM SUNDAY
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

Readings:
Psalm 118:1-4, 24-29
Mark 11-1-11
Philippians 2:5-11
 
Lord Jesus Christ, on this day you entered Jerusalem in triumph
but riding on a colt, a sign of humility.
As we hear this story and as we seek to follow you,
help us not just to shout 'Hosanna' and 'Blessed is the coming kingdom'
but also to remember that we too are called to humble service
and to work for the coming of your kingdom of justice here and now. 
Amen.
 
For those unable to be at Church this morning, we have recorded a message which you can access here: https://youtu.be/HLp9QuVF8MY

Texts:
Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
John 12:20-33
​
The theme for this week’s service is “The Vortex of Grace,” and is about the contrast between exclusion and inclusion. The ultimate key message is that God’s love graciously extends a hug of welcome to all humanity.

Hamish has recorded a message for those who cannot be at church, which can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/iW_zVWZvoWg

Theme: Under Construction
Readings:
Ephesians 2: 11-22
John 2: 13-22
(we used this video account from The Jesus Project:https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/life-of-jesus-gospel-of-john.html/cleaning-the-temple/english.html)
 
In John’s Gospel, the clearing of the Temple takes place at the beginning, whereas in the other 2 gospels in which it is mentioned it is placed in the week before Jesus dies.
Almost certainly the placement of this incident near the beginning by John was no accident. The fact that he radically changes the placement of this story suggests strongly there is spiritual significance in the change, it is here right at the beginning for a reason! It is designed to provide a frame for his whole message about who Jesus is and what did he come to do
 
The recorded message can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/gLXykSCwCJE

A pdf will be available to download from next week on the News page.

Theme: Noah’s ark prefigures baptism
 
Text: Genesis 9:8-15; Mark 1: 9-11; 1 Peter 3:19b-22
 
In the reading today from 1 Peter 3, we hear that the ark prefigures baptism….we have this thread through the lectionary readings today, first from Genesis 9 the story of the flood and ark, then from Mark a baptism, Jesus, followed by Peter indicating those two stories are related – that Noah’s story prefigures or is a type of baptism.
 
Watch the recorded version of today’s service and sermon here:
https://youtu.be/TyRtc2Z4fpM

Replenishment
Mark 1:29-39
Can you think of a time when you felt so busy that you were out of control, in danger of burn-out or running on empty? Sometimes the busyness is filled with good things, exciting momentum and a buzz of activity that creates an adrenalin rush capable of carrying you through… but for how long!
Jesus knew this situation absolutely! His ministry was young but was proceeding full bore! It was exciting, successful, attracting a buzz of demands and popularity!
​
We explore this a bit more in this week’s sermon, which you can view here:
https://youtu.be/InQj3xT0aUo

Momentous

Text: Mark 1: 14-20
 
The timeless truth of Mark 1: 14 -20 is - it is all about a Momentous Moment, a Momentous Calling and a Momentous Movement. The urgent message to then and now is don’t miss this magic moment!

Make a decision to work for the kingdom of God and make it the priority calling of your life! The task is urgent!

Here is the link to the recorded version of the service for today:
https://youtu.be/QE1T_pxCovM 

Jonah: A reluctant prophet, some repentant sailors, and the worst sermon ever preached!
Anne Shave leads us in exploring the story of Jonah this week, and a recorded version of the service can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/7GOBTPqE9TQ
 
In addition to this if you would like to watch an entertaining and informative nine-minute overview of the book of Jonah, check out this Youtube clip where Jonah is explained using graphic art - the story is sketched as the commentary is spoken:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c

Merry Christmas everyone!

We are looking forward to a candlelit service at 11.30pm tonight (Christmas Eve) and then Christmas Day at 9.30am.

Hamish has recorded the message that he will be giving on Christmas Day, and that can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/SW0IBHfn3-M

Services on 27th December and throughout January will be at the usual time of 10am, however the recording of services will only resume mid-January.

​We wish all a peaceful and blessed Christmas.