Texts:
Ephesians 3: 14-21
John 6: 1-21

Loving God, we come to you in worship today.
Strengthen us in our innermost being
and dwell in our hearts through faith.
May we be rooted and grounded in Christ,
whose love is beyond all knowledge.
Help us comprehend even the smallest part
of the beautiful mystery of your grace.
Grant that we may experience the fullness
of your presence with us.
 
The Ephesians passage profiles Paul’s fervent and heartfelt prayer for the church, that we might be jolted out of our tendencies to be small-minded and lacking in vision. He wants us to expand our understanding, knowledge and experience of God.

Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/d0WVYSIAIPY

​Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

A pivotal verse in our Ephesians reading is ‘With his own body Jesus broke down the walls that separated them and kept them enemies.’
Paul was talking about the walls that separated Jews and Gentiles in his time. But this wall building enterprise is everywhere! In this Ephesians passage, Paul talks about God’s desire to break down those walls wherever they exist.

Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/sANNCT3DrqY

Text: 2 Samuel 5: 1-10

A love that never ceases
A creativity that designed the universe,
A hope that cannot be quenched,
A pursuit of reconciliation no matter the cost:
These are the things that are of God
 
Today, as a dreadful war rages in and around Israel, we look back to the establishment of Jerusalem as David’s city – David is confirmed as King of Israel and makes his base, his capital city, Jerusalem. This sermon seeks to look back, look at the present, and look forward in terms of this troubled city and the place of Israel in the history, present and future of the world. It has been for so long, and certainly is today, a pivotal place in human affairs.

Firstly, a disclaimer: this is complicated and confusing. The more I looked into this, the more I realised I did not know! This topic lends itself more to a conversation than a sermon – so I will put out there my thoughts and definitely invite engagement from you, the listeners.
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Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/Knm3e4egpeY

O God of peace, you established Jerusalem as the Lord's House and a place of peace, and you have called on all who live there to love you and prosper. Instil in her inhabitants – Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Christians and Muslims - a hunger for justice and dignity and a resolve to end the distrust that culminates in violence.
Let us burn incense, not children. Let us break bread, not bodies.
Let us plant olive groves, not cemeteries.
We beg for love and compassion to prevail
on all your holy mountains.

Reading: Mark 6:1-13

Following two dramatic stories of healing, Mark now tells of Jesus being rejected by the people of his hometown – after all, he is “only” the carpenter’s son!

​Jesus then goes on to send the 12 Disciples out to preach and teach – calling them to be Faithful Followers.

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

Lord of all, inspired by your word and your love,
your apostles preached the good news to those they encountered.
Strengthen us as we seek to respond to your call
and to the needs of others,
that through the goodness of our actions,
the thoughtfulness of our faith
and the quality of our common life,
many would come to know the joy of life with you,
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.