Sermons

Whether it's Spotify, Apple Music or Google Play Music, streaming services have changed the way we listen to and download music. Not only do they allow us to bop away to our favourite tunes on demand but they will quickly start to influence your listening by recommending new music to add to your playlist. But not all music streaming services will deliver what they promise. The same is true of life. The world claims to own all the best tunes, promising it knows what will bring music to our ears and joy to our lives. But the God who wrote the first song in creation knows the songs that will repeat the sounding joy over and over again. It's a song of life like no other.

#5 in series: Christmas Playlist

THEME VERSE:

The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone. John 1:4 NLT

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

In the cry of his Son, Jesus, born in a manger, God gives you the gift of free access, on demand, to the only playlist that knows the right song to breathe life into every moment It transforms any situation into a song that glorifies God and brings life and beauty to others.

Christmas Eve Service

Songs of Protest. Every revolution has them. Songs of solidarity that unite and inspire people to take action. Just the singing of these songs is considered a revolutionary act! Today we add to our playlist a song that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian called, “the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung.” Sung by a young, pregnant and unwed girl, this provocative song of hope by Mary, the mother of Jesus proclaims a revolution that is still turning the values, priorities and activities of the world upside down centuries after it was first sung. Today you are invited to join the revolution - a revolution of love – and add your voice to a song of hope that will continue to change and transform the world one life at a time.

#3 IN SERIES: CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

THEME VERSE

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. Luke 1:46b-48a

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Hope is a future certainty anchored in the reality of God’s present-tense grace. God has and is changing the world. When you, like Mary, allow yourself to be caught up in that plan, it will revolutionise the way you think, the way you act and the way you live, giving voice to a song of hope on your lips.

FAITH TALK

1. What has been the greatest revolution in your time?

2. How has the love of Jesus revolutionised your life?

3. How can we still be revolutionaries today in the world?

Everybody sings...in the car in the shower, along with ads on TV...wandering around the house doing odd jobs…on the job? Sometimes life has its own tune... maybe it’s a song of despair as we looked at last week. But sometimes it is a melody of expectation. A song that sings toward something new - a promise a pledge a commitment just waiting to be fulfilled. Young children know that sort of song when the tree goes up in the lounge room; there’s a promise just waiting to be kept. But when the promise is long in coming or seemingly forgotten, it can be hard to believe the promise even if it is right in front of our faces. This week we get to sing with a vocalist named Zechariah, who has been waiting so long he’s almost forgotten how to sing, but when the promise is kept and the expectation fulfilled you can hear his song across the centuries. Today you are invited to join in singing and experience the joy that this song of promise brings.

#2 in series: Christmas Playlist

THEME VERSE

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people" Luke 1:68 NLT

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

God has visited this world and what he promises is so much beyond human ability that it is almost unbelievable. But don't underestimate what the grace and love of God can do. For when you are willing to enter into and believe God's Word, the promise will become true for you too and fill your lips with a joyful song for eternity.

FAITH TALK

1. What song do you find yourself singing/humming most at this time? Why is that?

2. What makes it hard for you to believe the promises of God?

You know those tunes that get stuck in your head and you just can’t shake them. Maybe it is an ad jingle, a song you heard on the radio, some musical hiccup from your memory, something the kids practiced on their instrument but it’s stuck and it isn’t going anywhere except around and around in your head. Life often has its own playlist. Sometimes you “whistle while you work” Sometimes it’s a song of sadness or despair, of frustration and futility. Try as you might you just can’t seem to shake it and that tune persists, setting the tone for all you are and all you do. Between now and the end of the Christmas season, we’ll invite Jesus to rewrite the music for our lives. Instead of the same old songs stuck on repeat, we’ll allow Jesus to write us into ‘A Christmas Playlist’ and be swept into a song of hope for all eternity. Today we will explore what happens when we are stuck in a Song of Despair.

THEME VERSE

How can we sing the songs of the Lord

while in a foreign land? Psalm 137:4

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

When disappointment, disillusionment or despair sets in or the song has stopped in your life, don't give up. God has not forgotten you. He comes to save you and fill your life with a peaceful tune that ignites hope and anticipation.

FAITH TALK

1. 'All I want for Christmas is...' Complete the sentence

2. As we edge closer to Christmas, what is the song playing in your heart? Is it joyful or in a minor key, full of promise or full of despair? Share.

In the rhythm of life, sometimes we find ourselves out of tune...ever heard a violinist or trumpeter play out of tune? Ever heard someone sing out of tune? Though the note or the voice out of tune was still making music, it was just a little “off”. The ear would tell you something wasn’t quite right. When we think of Christmas, we think of family, joy, peace, love and hope but sometimes in the busyness of this season, what we hear and experience is not music to our ears. So today as we begin our season of preparation, we tune into Christmas and remember what Christmas is really all about.

#1 in series: A Christmas Playlist

THEME VERSE:

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Whenever life is out of tune

At the manger there's always room

To kneel before Christ the King

Who gives a tuneful song to sing.

FAITH TALK

1. What was your high and low from last week?

2. What do you most look forward to at Christmas time?

3. What is your favourite Christmas carol and why?

4. What about Christmas is always out of tune for you?

5. What things can you do to better tune into the real reason for Christmas"

The high five, the chest bump, the goal or try dance, the ticker-tape parade, the wedding reception, graduation ceremony…all have one thing in common. They’re celebration rituals. They are unique ways to celebrate special moments. So how do we celebrate in the Church? Sometimes in our desire to move forward we can fail to take the time to celebrate God’s goodness, faithfulness, love. We settle for a quick “thank you, God”…a “burst” of worship and then on to bigger and better things. But today, as we come to the end of the Church year, we’re Pressing Pause. It’s time to temporarily stop the forward motion of life and ministry and spend some time in reflection and taking in all of God’s goodness over the past twelve months… Today is a day to celebrate. For God has been good to us.

THEME VERSE

(God) did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” Joshua 4:24

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

God has been good to us. As we step into the future, our confidence is this: the God who has provided a way for us in the past, will make a way for us in the future. For the God we follow and serve is the same yesterday, today and forever. Step forward with courage and boldness for in Christ, we cannot lose…ever!

Turn and look at the person next to you. Do you relize that according the statistics, one of you will experience mental health issues sometime within your life. Have you ever felt paralysed by anxiety or experienced the depths of despair? Or maybe you know someone else who has? Mental illness can be a very lonely, isolating experience, both for those who are going through it, and loved ones who see them suffering. Despite all the advances in treatment, despite all the ways in which our culture has become more enlightened and compassionate, somehow mental illness remains in a category of its own, regarded as some sort of peculiar affliction that is best dealt with by toughing it out, picking themselves up and getting out of it, or pretending that everything is ok. Many are embarrassed to speak about it, especially in the Church, where for too long we have been silent about mental illness. We have let people suffer in silence, and alone without the support of the community to get alongside, support and encourage them in the deep places of the soul. It's time for that to change. Today we will encounter a God who will never abandon us in suffering but love us with an everlasting love and draws us up out of a desolate pit.

#3 in series: Shhh, we don't talk about

THEME VERSE:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

The pain of mental illness is real.

But there is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

And love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing in Jesus.

He will meet you, wherever you are.

FAITH TALK

1 Why do you think people don’t talk about mental illness?

2 Why do you think the Church has been silent on mental illness?

3 What’s the darkest time that you have ever experienced in your life and what did you think about God in that moment?

Domestic or Family Violence is hidden behind many closed doors, in places that should be a sanctuary. The statistics are frightening, it's impact devastating. A survey of domestic violence in Australia shows that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced at least one incident of violence from a current or former partner since the age of 15. IOne woman is killed every week as a result of violence in the home. Police respond to a domestic violence incident every 2 minutes. It's not a problem that we can ignore, be ignorant of, or silent about especially in the Church. God created the church to continue his work on earth and to be the vehicle for bringing his love and life to the world. He gave his Word, not be used as a weapon against those who suffer or as a means to control, but so it could be a shield for everyone in need of refuge and strength. Join us as we continue to look at how we can be a place of grace where healing can begin.

#2 in series: Shhh we don't talk about that

THEME VERSE:

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 4:6-8a

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

God cares about what has happened to you and is happening to you now. If you are being abused, we believe you. Jesus invites you to find comfort in his arms. If you are the abuser, know that this behaviour is unacceptable. Always. No asterisks. Jesus invites you to find forgiveness in him through repentance. For the home is a reflection of God's image, designed to be a sanctuary and safe place, characterized by tender strength, courageous protection, self-giving devotion, compassionate mercy, gentle nurture and unfailing love. May it be so in your home.

FAITH TALK

1. What do you understand by the term 'Domestic Violence.

2. Why do you think the Church has been silent for so long on the issue of domestic violence?