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Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: John 12:1-8] As Lent draws on towards Good Friday, the readings start to introduce undertones of what is to come. Mary the sister of Lazarus offers Jesus her worship. What does this call forth from us? 
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Psalm 27; Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 with Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 13:31-35] Two days ago our nation was rocked by the news of a terrorist massacre in Christchurch. We are shocked, frightened and appalled. We feel violated. Yet as we turn to the readings for today we find all of them concern lament: Lament when under attack; Lament for barrenness; Lament over worldly Christians and Jesus lamenting over the People of God's unwillingness to come to him. We find that God does not object to lament and indeed responds positively. We find the Psalmist embraces lament with confidence and seeking God.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 6:27-38; Genesis 45:5-12, 15] We continue hearing Jesus' challenging ethical teaching.
[Psalm 1; Jeremiah 17:5-10; 1 Cor 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26] We pick up Jesus' ethical teaching with his declaration of what it is to be blessed - and not blessed!
Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 5:1-11] Both Isaiah and Peter were called by God. They were called to obey and called to preach. Both of them were overwhelmed with awe in the presence of God and gave a whole-hearted response. What about us?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Hebrews 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40] The season of Epiphany culminates with the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, when two prophets recognise who the baby is - the fulfillment of their longings for the Messiah.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: John 2:1-11] When Jesus turned water into wine, John recorded it as the first of his signs. The Messiah was being revealed to his people. Epiphany is the season of the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah - God with us.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 2:41-52; 1 Sam 2:18-20,26; Col 3:12-17] Jesus grew in stature, wisdom and the favour of God and men. Growth is part of God's creation ordinance we needn't despise the processes of growth and development. We can learn from what Luke records about Jesus as a boy.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20] I love the celebrations of Christmas but what are we celebrating? Let's turn back to the Bible to find out...
Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 1:39-45; Hebrews 10:5-10] How do you choose a new house? God chose a simple Hebrew girl to be the mother of his Son. He looks for those in whose heart He can dwell today.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36] As we come into the Advent season, it is a time of preparation, of hoping, of looking forward - to Christmas, yes but also beyond that to the time when Jesus comes again.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 15:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Isaiah 2:1-5] WW1 was devastating yet there is hope - hope proclaimed at every ANZAC service and silently at countless memorials. What is that hope?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Luke 11:1-10; Philippians 4:15-20] Let's look again at Jesus' instructions for prayer and come back to him asking boldly.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 10:456-52, 2 Chronicles 7:11-15, Hebrews 7:23-28] Blind Bartimaeus gives us a model of passionate, bold and persistent prayer; Jesus intercedes for us before God's throne; from 2 Chronicles we are encouraged to seek God's face. Let's turn to God for help in all our needs.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Mark 10:35-45; Isaiah 53:4-12] Jesus teaches us again about service and the ransom he was about to make for all humanity.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Genesis 2:18-24, Hebrews 1:1-4, Mark 10:2-16] Jesus is asked a dangerous question about divorce and he tells us about God's intention for marriage ...
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