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Readings:
Jeremiah 23: 23-29 Luke 12: 49-56 Hebrews 11: 29-12:2 Our Guest Preacher this Sunday is Rev Dr Geoff King, with the theme “Running the Human Race” Whilst there is no recording of the sermon this week, here are some points to ponder, and thoughts for the week: Points to ponder: How would you define faith in general and Christian faith in particular? How do ‘people of faith’ respond when faced with texts which seem to challenge some of the core beliefs of their tradition? Today’s readings provide plenty of challenges, as well as a memorable metaphor from the imaginative mind of the apostle Paul. Jeremiah 23: 23-29 is a warning to all ‘false prophets’ that the ‘word of God’ is like ‘fire’ and a ‘hammer’ – hardly comforting images. Luke 12: 49-56 features Jesus, elsewhere worshipped as the ‘Prince of Peace’, telling his followers that he has come to bring ‘not peace, but rather division’ (Matthew’s version of this story is even more graphic: ‘I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.’ Hebrews 11: 29-12:2 concludes Paul’s catalogue of the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ with an appeal to his readers to ‘run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.’
Thoughts for the week Faith is a commitment to the world’s transformation through God to a kingdom of justice and peace. (James W. Douglass, Lightning East to West, 1980, p. 5) Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. (Helen Keller (1880-1968)) The Christian life is as simple and as challenging as this: to love God and to love that which God loves. This is the central meaning of faith. Given the premodern meaning of “believe,” to believe in God is to belove God. Faith is about beloving God and all that God beloves. The Christian life is about beloving God and all that God beloves. Faith is our love for God. Faith is the way of the heart. (Marcus J. Borg, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a life of faith, HarperSanFrancisco 2003, p. 41)
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I see, I wonder, I understand! Readings: Isaiah 1:1 & 10-20: The prophet Isaiah, who is probably best known to us for his beautiful prophecies of the coming of the suffering servant, is introduced to us here in a much darker vein. The theme of these opening verses is of punishment for the wayward ways of God’s people. Luke 12: 32-40: The recurring theme in all of our Scripture readings for today is that we are called to be faithful and out of our faith to do what is right. What is it for us to see, to wonder and to understand as we look at the world and the many issues confronting us, our way of life and values to day? Can we gain a godly or holy perspective on our life and the life of the world? Watch the recording of this week’s sermon here: https://youtu.be/wEuStbo9yJE Full of faith,
We will work together for justice. Full of faith, We will hope for the future. Full of faith, We will live together in peace. Full of faith, We will follow Jesus together. Texts: Matthew 6: 9-13 Luke 4:17-20 Today, Guest Preacher Professor Jonathan Boston speaks on The Christian Faith and Public Life. Jesus commands us to love our neighbours. But what does this commandment mean for our many and varied roles – whether as parents, employees, employers, students, investors, citizens, public servants, retirees or elected officials? Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/Oj2VzFCsQ3A Readings: Hosea 1:2-10 Colossians 2:6-15 Since we have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord let us live in union with him, keeping our roots deep in him, building our lives on him, and becoming stronger in our faith. (Colossians 2:6-7) The Sermon - Fullness of Life in Christ – can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/LKumHvIGxAc Wounded & Abandoned: The Parable of the Good Samaritan through an Intergenerational Lens. Reading: Luke 10: 25-37 The commentator Robert Capon claims the parable is misnamed! The focus of the story is not the ‘good Samaritan’, but rather the ‘man who fell among thieves.’ This, then, should be ‘The Parable of the man who fell among thieves’ – a man who descends into dangerous territory, where he is robbed of life. Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/X5kjJv_rhUg Who is my Neighbour? Luke 10:25-37: A man walks up to Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life. In response, Jesus tells the story of the Samaritan who showed active mercy to a man in desperate need. The story is told of an Englishman in discussion with another man, who happened to be Jewish. The Englishman said to the Jewish man, “Why do you Jews always answer a question with a question?” The Jewish man replied, “Why shouldn’t we?” Our reading from Luke’s Gospel for today of the Parable of the Good Samaritan reminds me a bit of that story. Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/0UXpKHy00y We thank you, O God, for your hand that cares for us with hope, your heart that beats to the rhythm of our life, and your breath that fills us with love.
Open our eyes to the unexpected compassion alive and active in our world and lead us as your disciples to be the unlikely agents who give your love a smiling face. Fake News or Real News! Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Luke 10:1-11 & 16-20 “Whose voice do you listen to?” Often it is the one we agree with because that reinforces our point of view. Our response often depends on the circumstances in which we find ourselves. In our reading from 2 Kings for today we find a very ancient example of status, money, power, politics and the looming threat of war provided by a Military leader, a King, a Prophet of God and captive slaves. Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/wCI8Pp2j82U Keeping in step with the Spirit Readings: Luke 9:51-62 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 The fruit of the Spirit [Tune: The Ash Grove] The fruit of the Spirit is love for our sharing, It's joy in the gospel that we have from you. It's peace that we live out with courage and daring; It's patience, for we know that we have sinned, too. It's kindness in all things and generous giving; It's faithfulness seeking to follow your way. It's gentleness, Lord, and it's self-controlled living; Now make us more fruitful in these things, we pray. (Copyright © 2006 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) The recorded sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/zlHtxMtFx64 Refugee Sunday: The Healing Power of Christ in a Damaged and Divided World Readings: Galatians 3.23-29 Luke 8.26-39 Responsive Psalm (22:19-28) 19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you[a] I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him-- may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. The recorded sermon for today can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/IlPWR8evTsU Trinity Sunday Readings: Proverbs 8:1-4 & 22-31: Proverbs personifies Wisdom as a woman who calls out to humanity to follow her, to listen to her and thereby be led to the way of life. John 16:12-15: Jesus promises to send the “Spirit of truth” who will teach and guide his followers in the way of his truth. In the sermon today, David looks at “Making sense of what we mean by the Trinity!” You can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/_DDbFy7yYpY If you would like to use the service sheet for personal worship, you can access it here:
Bulletin 12th June 2022 |
Worship ResourcesWorship Services are held at 10am every Sunday. For those unable to join us in person, a recorded version will be available from 9am each week. Archives
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