Online Services

05
Nov

Loving God

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46 The Shema; the first commandment  If you have attended a Jewish service you would hear the prayer known by its first word Shema it starts  “Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Eḥad.    In English that is: Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one. The next line is the commandment […]

17
Sep

“How Do I Forgive?” A Sermon for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost – 17 Sept 2023

Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 Two little boys had quarrelled. But the next morning, Johnny took his cap and headed for Bobby’s house again. Surprised, an older member of the family said teasingly, “What! Going to play with him again? I thought you quarrelled only last evening and were never going to have anything more to do […]

03
Sep

God of the Future

Scripture: Exodus 3: 1-15; Matthew 16:21-28 Last week, we heard the story of the birth of Moses and how this Hebrew baby grew up to be a Prince in the court of the pharaoh of Egypt. Today, we have picked up the story years later when he was wandering in the wilderness, herding the flocks […]

20
Aug

How inclusive are we?

Scripture: Matthew 15: 21-28; Romans 11:1-2A, 29-32 The gospel story that we just heard is one that I have puzzled over on many occasions. We see all kinds of surprises in this story. Some, which surprise us, would not even have raised an eyebrow for the disciples. Nor to the Jewish Christians to whom Matthew […]

06
Aug

6 August 2023 – Memorializing the Apology (30 Years Later)

Readings: Joshua 1:1-9; John 16:7-9 Theological reflection Joshua was the successor to Moses and his task was to lead the people into the Promised Land after their exile in Egypt. In the wilderness the people of God learned to trust in the One who saved them. Joshua reminded the Israelites the Lord would be with […]

30
Jul

The Wonder of the Kingdom – A Sermon for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost

Reading: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 An advisor to Pope Francis approached him with great excitement. “Your Holiness, I have some very good news and some very bad news”, he says. “My son, I’ve had a hard day. Please give me the good news first to cushion the bad news.” The Pontiff requests. “Your Holiness, I just […]

23
Jul

Weeds & Wheat – A Sermon for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost – 23 July 2023

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 A priest was preparing a dying man for his voyage into the great beyond. Whispering firmly, the priest said, “Denounce the devil! Let him know how little you think of his evil!”  The dying man said nothing, so the priest repeated his order. Still the man was silent. Finally, as the dying […]

16
Jul

Tending the Soil of our Hearts – A Sermon for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 A New York City hipster moved to the country and bought a piece of land. He went to the local feed and livestock store and talked to the proprietor about how he was going to take up chicken farming. He then asked to buy 100 chicks. “That’s a lot […]

09
Jul

Rest for your soul

  Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19,25-30   Are you tired? Are there any here today who have never been weary? Never had to carry a heavy heart burden? Okay, you’re free to go and grab a coffee. Come back when the hymn starts. Because today we’re going to talk about Jesus’ offer to the weary and heavy hearted. […]