This week’s sermon by Hamish is called “Matariki Herenga Waka ‘a mooring place for all canoes’” and is a continuation of the Abraham’s Legacy Sermon Series.
The reading is Genesis 25: 19-34 (p. 28 OT).

This week Mark is delivering a sermon on "Maturing Faith". The reading for this week is Genesis 22:1-19.

​Text: Genesis 12:1-9

The theme for this week's Sermon is the first of the "Abraham’s Legacy" Sermon Series.

Text: Acts 2:1-21

Today is Pentecost – the day when the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mark considers this momentous event in his sermon, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/xlUVnxikCXE?si=2ZW9i3OWzcMSWrLK

Text: Acts 1: 6-11
 
Call to Worship for Ascension Day based on Psalm 68
Sing to God! Sing praises to the One who rides upon the heavens!
We rejoice before the Lord, whose name is mighty and glorious..
From the highest heavens, God’s voice resounds in power and majesty.
Christ is ascended and reigns in glory over all creation.
Proclaim the strength of God, whose power fills heaven and earth.
Awesome is God in holiness and splendour!
Blessed be God, who gives strength and power to the people.
We come to worship the risen and ascended Christ. Alleluia!
 
 
While often glossed over because the idea of Jesus just disappearing up to the clouds seems a bit weird to our modern ears. It feels more like the stuff of myths and legends. However, it is such a mistake to quickly gloss over this incident in the Easter story.
We must not let our modern world view blind us to the core message being communicated, that this ascension story is a key element in the overall Jesus story.
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Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/Kq8YQIVQaC4

Text: Acts 17: 16-33 (Paul in Athens)

Paul arrives in Athens as part of his second missionary journey; he has already been in Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea and his is heading towards quite a long stint setting up a church in Corinth.

This text captures key elements of the ongoing work of Paul and the Apostles in the book of Acts: The idea of spreading out; The idea of a hunger for God; The idea of making God known.

There are lessons here about interacting with people who are expressing interest in spiritual things. We can learn from Paul to applaud that interest and work with that interest to invite exploration of the life-giving answers Christianity bring to spiritual enquiry.
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Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/BWIWFaFaAjY
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