What do we learn from our history?

Readings:
Isaiah 58:1-12: Isaiah becomes an instrument of God’s truth – telling as he announces to rebellious Israel the depth of their sin in this stirring call for national repentance. The call to repentance ends with the announcement of divine mercy for the penitent.
Matthew 5:13-20: Jesus continues his sermon on the mount by urging his followers to be salt and light for the world by obeying all of his commandments.
 
The recording of today’s sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/H1ed1svYAng

Happy & Blessed
Readings:
Micah 6:1-18
Matthew 5:1-12

Blessèd are the poor in spirit:
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Blessèd are the sorrowful:
for they shall find consolation.

Blessèd are those of a gentle spirit:
for they shall have the earth for their possession.

Blessèd are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail:
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessèd are those who show mercy:
for mercy shall be shown to them.

Blessèd are those whose hearts are pure:
for they shall see God.

Blessèd are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called God’s children.

Blessèd are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of right:
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

The recoded sermon – Happy & Blessed – can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/sSq4twW06tA

In 2016, Pope Francis introduced six ‘Beatitudes for Modern Christians’. How do these compare to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5? How do you find yourself responding to them?
https://www.caritas.org.au/resources/library/the-beatitudes-for-modern-christians

Called together
 
Readings:
Isaiah 9:1-4
1 Corinthians 1:10-18

The invitation is given to every person by Jesus Christ:
"Come to me! Follow me! Be my disciples!"
We come to this place, to this time,
at the invitation of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Christ,
we accept the invitation to discipleship.
In the name of Christ,
as his disciples, we worship and praise God.
In the midst of a world where cruelty abounds,
we proclaim the God of Compassion.
In the midst of despair that threatens to swallow up
whole lives, whole peoples,
we proclaim the God of Hope.
In the midst of indifference and apathy,
we proclaim the God of Love.
 
You can access our printed service sheet here: Bulletin 22 January 2023, and the recording of the sermon can be watched here: https://youtu.be/aQLeGQdZjd0

May this holy season be for each of us 
a time of moving beyond what is “reasonable” 
and toward the star of wonder; 
moving beyond grasping tight to what we have 
to unclenching our hands and letting go, 
following the Light where it leads; 
moving beyond competition toward cooperation, 
seeing that all humans are sisters and brothers; 
moving beyond the anxiety of small concerns 
towards the joys of justice and peace. 
May we respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him
with willingness and gratitude, now and in the days ahead.

Look, See, Focus
Text: John 1:35-51
We don’t know what the first words Jesus uttered were but, in this passage we have the first recorded words that Jesus speaks in John’s Gospel. This is significant because this gospel was written by an eyewitness, but late in his life after years of reflecting on what he saw in Jesus. It is a crafted gospel, filled with meaning and no wastage of words. His first recorded words of Jesus, I believe, are important, significant and pointed.
“What are you looking for?”
 
View the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/w5UmvgbdLD4

Epiphany 1: the Baptism of our Lord
 
Readings:
Acts 10: 34-43: Listen closely to what Peter is saying and we discover that there is always an action to take. We are not simply receivers of the Good News-we are also doers and tellers of the Good News.
Matthew 3:13-17: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan and, rising up out of the water, the Spirit descends upon him and a voice declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Today’s sermon - Claimed by Jesus Christ – can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Mjv8BGMbw0I

God, who is wind and breath and whisper,
we are drawn to the sound of your voice:
The wind in the trees; our breath, in and out; the kind word –
in these we know your gracious, constant presence.
We recognise your voice in the words of the prophets
and all who speak for justice.
Your voice claims us.
Let us hear you, here and now, loving God. ​

Readings:
Isaiah 63:7-19
Matthew 2:13-23
 
When Herod realized that the visitors from the East had tricked him, he was furious. He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its neighborhood who were two years old and younger—this was done in accordance with what he had learned from the visitors about the time when the star had appeared. (Matthew 2: 16)
 
Our recorded sermon explores a bit more about King Herod.
​Watch it here: https://youtu.be/KNXpXY0To_w

Reading: Matthew 1:18 - 2:2
​
Gracious God, creator, and lover of the universe,
be born in us this Christmas Day as hope, peace, joy and love.
May we sing with the angels,
and delight in new life and new possibilities.
May your creation be filled with grace and wonder,
and your whole earth praise your holy name.
 
Our sermon for this Christmas Day - Stirring, Searching, Savouring – can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/BnuThOitrEA

This week’s service is our Christmas Music service, with the choir leading the congregation in singing a wide selection of music celebrating the season.
 
There is no sermon this week, but you can access the service sheet (bulletin) here:
Bulletin 18 December 2022
 
As we light our advent candles
Light of the world shine on us.
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us.
 
In this world of pain and darkness,
Light of the world, shine through us.
To all the people who don’t know you,
Light of the world, shine through us.
 
Jesus you are coming again,
Light of the world, light the way.
In the service here today
Light of the world, light the way.
 
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 
As we approach Christmas, O God, we wait with hopeful hearts for a fresh experience of your Holy presence in our lives.
Help us to have the patience to wait for you and to pay attention as did Joseph and Mary. Help us to be trusting and faithful as they were. May we continue to see your word come alive in our world.

This week is our Family Nativity Service, so there is no recorded sermon.
 
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming!
Light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love,
remembering the promises of God with prayer.
We light this candle in hope.  
We light this candle for peace.
We light this candle in joy!
 
To those who live as exiles from home in a dark time, to those enslaved as exiles due to others’ oppression, to those who are sin’s exiles from their best God-promised selves, the Lord speaks the joy of good news.
 
For those wishing to worship at home, our service sheet (Bulletin) can be accessed here: Bulletin for 11 December 2022
 

“Are you the One?”
Psalm 146.5-10
Matthew 11.2-11

On this second Sunday of Advent, Hamish explores the question that John the Baptist asked of Jesus.

And there are times when we, too, ask - Jesus, are you the ‘One’? Can I trust you with my life and my death? Can you still my restless soul?

God speaks to us words of hope, evidence to base our faith on in times of doubt and even despair.

​Watch the recording of the sermon here: https://youtu.be/CahTNul-C3s