Texts:
John 18:17, 25 – 27
Acts 2: 14, 22 - 24, 32 – 33
 
One of our Cashmere folk raises butterflies in his lounge! He carefully stewards swan plants and caterpillars through to the point where he is able to release monarch butterflies from his lounge window. In part this is a response to the decreasing numbers of butterflies, under threat as they are to the introduced pest wasps. But I also sense a lovely fascination with metamorphosis, the amazing transformation from humble caterpillar to majestic butterfly, from crawling along to flying free.

This process of caterpillar is a wonderful and beautiful metaphor for what happened in the early disciples and what is possible for all of us.
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Hear more about this in the recorded sermon, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/nODYVnZWFgc

Text: John 20
 
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
 
The resurrection story in John’s Gospel addresses some huge existential issues that humankind is presently facing, but the resurrection of Jesus rings out through the ages with resounding answers to these deep angsts.
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Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/CmyNf0X8Wgs

Text: Matthew 21:1-11

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday – Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a Donkey – a significant event in the Christian calendar. We think about how central this event is to the Christian family and to the world.

The recorded sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/8oTO6ZmCgRY

Texts:
Psalm 65:9-13
John 11:17-27

Today is our Harvest Thanksgiving service.

Watch the recorded sermon here: ​https://youtu.be/voK3IxxMP6A

Text: John 9:1-41

Today we look at Jesus Healing a Blind Man in a way that has echoes of Creation in Genesis.  May we be encouraged as we look at this Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Watch the recorded Sermon here: https://youtu.be/WWmkrX8VTvs​

Text: John 4: 1-30
 
Call to Worship (based on Jeremiah 17: 5-10)
This is what the Lord says:
When we put all our trust in human strength--
in systems, success, security, or ourselves--
we end up with diminished and dried up lives
We know what it feels like to run on empty.
We know the ache of unfulfilment
A life rooted only in material things is like a shrub in the desert--
surviving, but not flourishing.
God, we don’t want to just survive.
We want to live.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord--
not halfway, not when it’s convenient--
but fully.
When we trust in God,
we are like trees planted by water--
steady when heat comes,
unafraid in drought,
alive and growing even in hard seasons.
Plant us by Your living water.
Grow deep roots in us.
Keep our leaves green.
We come to worship the One who knows us
and loves us.
We come to trust the Lord--
our living water,
our steady stream,
our source of life.
 
The text this week tells the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. It starts with one tired and thirsty man by a well alone, and ends with a crowd of previously disconnected people enthusiastically crowded together!

Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/NyhSkK9XBNI 

Text: John 3:1-18

Psalm of Praise (Psalm 121)
We lift up our eyes to the hills, from where will our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the Author of every new life.
The Lord is our Helper, He will not let our foot slip as we guide the next generation.
Just as a parent watches over a child, the One who keeps us will not slumber.
Today we celebrate our tamariki—their coming in and their going out.
We let our hearts be warmed by their presence, we let our minds be filled with wonder.
Let us worship the God of the journey, the God of the hills, and the God of the newborn heart.
Amen.
 
The theme for this week’s sermon is Considering God’s Love, and the recording can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/4FLMhFEtxWc

Text: 
Matthew 4:1-11
Genesis 2: 15-17

The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
We too are led into the wilderness of our lives, facing trials and choices.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
We hunger for righteousness, yet we are often tempted by bread that does not satisfy.
But Jesus said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Let us worship the One who endured the desert to bring us the Bread of Life.  Let us find our strength in Him.

Today's Sermon is based around the reading from Matthew 4 - The Temptations of Christ.
Watch the recording here: 
​https://youtu.be/j76_DmpHgEs

Text: 1 Corinthians 3: 1-15

Call to Worship based Deuteronomy 30:15–20
Today the Lord sets before us choices
We choose life, that we may live as the people of God.
The Lord calls us to love Him,
to walk in His ways,
and to keep His commandments.
We will seek to love the Lord our God,
listen to His voice,
and hold fast to Him.
For the Lord is our life and the length of our days.
In Him we find our hope and our future.
Let us worship the God who sets before us life--
the God who calls, who leads, and who blesses.
We choose the Lord our God.
We choose life.
Let us worship Him together.
 
The previous chapter finished with Paul expounding the realisation of our full potential as Christians.

In chapter 3 Paul really changes gear from expounding ideal Christian life to dealing with the actual reality of immature Christian life! His overall thrust in these verses, 1 Corinthians 3: 1-15, is to encourage growth. He uses 3 images in quick succession to get his message of growth across, firstly human development, secondly gardening, thirdly building.
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You can watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/5u4LbjHfPbw

Text: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-12

Friends, we gather today, called to be a beacon of hope and love in our community. Remember the words of Jesus: "You are the light of the world."
We are called to shine brightly, illuminating the path for those who seek truth and love.
Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, may our faith be evident in all we do.
We will let our light shine before others, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
As we worship today, let us commit to being reflections of God’s love and grace.
Together, we shine! Amen.

Hamish continues our Case Studies in Corinthians with a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 2. You can watch it here: 
https://youtu.be/Sy_HoR6h2zA