This week, Peter focuses on the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Was Jesus 'too late' to heal him as he did not show up when requested by Mary and Martha?  What can we learn from this?

During this series on Anger, Helen talked about what makes God angry, looked at some ways to master anger, as well as ways to not be crushed by anger that is vented at us. In this last part of the series, Helen preached on hidden roots which make us more likely to react in anger and how to get rid of them.

In today's Intergenerational Service, Helen and Wendy explored the topic of Anger through John 4:5-42. Helen looked at some ways to master the anger that rises within us, as well as ways not to be crushed by anger that is vented at us.

As we go through Lent, we will be looking at the subject of anger more closely. Today, Helen Hardcastle preached on what makes God angry?

As we move into Lent, Peter reflects on sin as the distortion of the good.  Rather than think about giving up chocolate for Lent, what about asking, "What is your growth point for me, Lord?"

In today's service, we hear more of Jesus teaching on the Law in the Sermon on the Mount.  Sometimes we think the Law is not good, but it shows us the good way to live and Jesus calls us not to minimum compliance but to whole-hearted obedience.

In today's intergenerational service (second week of the month), Ian continued through the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus gave authoritative interpretations of the Law, going to the root issue behind behaviours. 
Wendy led the activity in creating 'anger' spinners using CDs.

On the day before Waitangi Day, Ian looks at the missionaries being salt and light, some features of the signing and a simple way we can be more like salt and light in our daily life.

Third Sunday after the Epiphany. Revd. Trevor reflected on Matthew 4:12-23, Jesus' first followers and what it cost them to give up to follow him. Have we heard Jesus' call and willing to do something for the Kingdom of God to make this happen?

As we hear John the Baptist proclaiming Jesus as Christ, Son of God, Eternal One, Lamb of God, we are challenged to consider depth of our commitment to Christ and how ready we are to tell others about him.

Last Wednesday the Christmas season ended and on Thursday we moved into Epiphany when we celebrate the revelation of Christ to all people starting with the visit of the Magi.  That revelation rolls on through the years to our own day, as we see in the sermon.

First communion of 2023 led by Revd Anne Aspden. She also preached on how we are blessed to be a blessing and how to go about blessing others this year.

We have the choice of two Christmas Services:  The Midnight service on Christmas Eve where the Revd Anne Aspden led and preached and the Family Communion on Christmas Day at 10am where Anne led and the Revd Trevor McCracken preached. 

Join our service today as Peter offers a different perspective - an angel's view - of the incarnation!

The Third Sunday of Advent has a theme of Joy. The readings relate to John the Baptist. So in this Intergenerational service we have a discussion about what brings us joy and look at two times John was joyful. This is from 14:50 in the video.

John baptised people to prepare them to receive Jesus; today we have two baptisms in the service.
Angelica shared her courageous testimony at 21:40.  The baptisms start at 25:20.

In the Sermon blog we have the sermon for the 8am service which was entitled "Hope, Peace, Jpy and the Love - the attendants of Christ."

The second Sunday of Advent carries a theme of Peace. Isaiah gives us hope in Christ's future reign of peace.

Here we are on Advent Sunday 2022.  The first Sunday of Advent carries the theme of Hope.  In today's Old Testament reading we hear Isaiah's message of Hope to Israel even in the midst of the disaster of defeat and exile.  Yet there is the hope of a future reign of peace.  We too can have hope in the midst of trials and stress - it is the promise of God.

As we close the Church year with the Sunday before Advent, our attention is drawn to Jesus as King.  Jeremiah prophesied of a righteous king; Luke tells us of Jesus crucified yet with two people acknowledging his kingship: Pilate (with irony) and the criminal to his side (with great faith).  Paul takes us behind the scenes as it were to understand that Jesus is the King of God's kingdom, he is redeemer, saviour, creator.
Have you prayed - will you pray - "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom"?

In the gospel, Jesus gives an overview of history leading up to the Second Coming.  He warned his followers of two dangers: (1) false teachers preaching false hope and (2) giving way to fear at the thought of what is to come.  In today's service we explore this passage with material supplied by Barnabas Aid.

There is hope for life after death for those who believe in Jesus. We will also one day be resurrected to life. Jesus' resurrection guarantees ours.​​

It is Saints Day on Tuesday - what is that about?  When the New Testament refers to saints it means Christians.  The portion of the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of the HIP we have as God's people: Hope, Inheritance and Power.

In today's service:

• Peter and Helen are presented with their Lay Licences from the Bishop
• Peter draws our attention to three followers of Paul and their different responses and the outcomes of those choices.  Demas, Luke and Mark illustrate possible courses for a disciple with the consequences and values write large.  Here is encouragement to be steady or to come back after failure along with a warning of what to avoid.   
  
• East Africa is suffering the consequences of drought with limited food supplies - what response might we make to ease the lack for those we are connected with in Kondoa?

Today in our service we look at 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, where Paul speaks of the importance and inspiration of Scripture. 

In the readings, two men hundreds of years apart are cleansed of leprosy, healed and come into relationship with God.  We see the importance of testimony, of giving thanks and glory to God, of encouraging others to believe that God can heal them and use them to heal others.

The Bible tells us that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ."  In today's service, Ian looks at the nature of faith and a way which may help us to hear God.
In summary it is: 1. Quieten yourself; 2. Look for vision; 3. Hear God as a spontaneous flow of thoughts; 4. Record this in a journal.