Blake continues our "In Formation" series by delving into the topic of praying for others. The practice of praying for others and receiving prayer for ourselves refuels and shapes us to be effective in mission in God's world. This is a great talk – not to be missed.

This is a fascinating, not-to-be-missed interview with Jin Russell that looks at the ways we can reach beyond ourselves in serving this beautiful world God has created. Inspiring and practical, Jin provides us with invaluable insights on how to create change in our society.

Jin is a member of Saint Augustine’s and in her work life is a Senior Paediatric Registrar (doctor for the kiddies) who has a vision to see all children and their families in Aotearoa NZ absolutely thriving. She is a PhD student with Growing Up in NZ, the country's largest study of children and their families. On a personal level, Jin is a maths nerd, a bookworm, and a foodie (with a capital F). Married to a philosopher, Matheson, and mother to two super-cute boys, Chester and Toby. In her spare time, she is learning how to swim (like, not drown)!

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). In a world overwhelmed with connections via social media, there is somehow a severe lack of meaningful relationships in our society along with a pervasive wave of loneliness. Given we’re called by God to live in community with each other, how can we build genuine community together, and what does it look like for our family at Saint Augustine’s?

“The generous invitation at the heart of Christian worship is to ‘wake up’, to come to our senses and worship Jesus, thus being liberated from the slavery of loving things which cannot and will not satisfy.” Andy speaks to our worship life and asks the question, ‘who are we becoming?’ as worshippers and as a worshipping community. If the power of ‘practice’ is ‘as we do the practice, the practice does something to us’, then what were the practices that gave shape and rhythm to Jesus’ lifestyle of worship?

This week we begin a new series thinking about how our actions and decisions impact and shape us spiritually. Much of current Western thinking understands the church as like a petrol station, where you go to get your spiritual tank filled. The Bible understands the church more like Karate Dojo, where you learn through practice and copying the way of the Master, Jesus. Our lives can then become a reflection of his. "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training," Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, "They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

We can get caught up in Easter eggs and holiday antics but Blake invites us to take a fresh look at the power that sits at the heart of Easter. The Lord of Life has overcome the power of death and his touch of life can connect us to God's power and presence.

Blake looks at the way that Jesus became an "end point" for darkness – both in our lives and in our world – and the challenge for us to also be such an "end point".

Welcome to VII Stations, a contemplative journey through the Gospels, towards Resurrection Sunday. The format of the podcast follows the age-old church practice of Lectio Divina, or “divine listening.” Lectio Divina invites us to resist the temptation to analyse and dissect the scripture, but instead to listen with our whole hearts, looking always to see Jesus’ face and hear His voice through the scenes from the Gospel.

Artwork by Scott Erickson - follow ‘scottthepainter’ on Instagram. Podcast episode produced and written by Andy Campbell and Hanna Balemi, narration and readings by various voices from Chapel, music by Rhys Machell from his ambient album In Glass, mixed by Vivek Gabriel of Gabriel Audio.

Welcome to VII Stations, a contemplative journey through the Gospels, towards Resurrection Sunday. The format of the podcast follows the age-old church practice of Lectio Divina, or “divine listening.” Lectio Divina invites us to resist the temptation to analyse and dissect the scripture, but instead to listen with our whole hearts, looking always to see Jesus’ face and hear His voice through the scenes from the Gospel.

Artwork by Scott Erickson - follow ‘scottthepainter’ on Instagram. Podcast episode produced and written by Andy Campbell and Hanna Balemi, narration and readings by various voices from Chapel, music by Rhys Machell from his ambient album In Glass, mixed by Vivek Gabriel of Gabriel Audio.

Welcome to VII Stations, a contemplative journey through the Gospels, towards Resurrection Sunday. The format of the podcast follows the age-old church practice of Lectio Divina, or “divine listening.” Lectio Divina invites us to resist the temptation to analyse and dissect the scripture, but instead to listen with our whole hearts, looking always to see Jesus’ face and hear His voice through the scenes from the Gospel.

Artwork by Scott Erickson - follow ‘scottthepainter’ on Instagram. Podcast episode produced and written by Andy Campbell and Hanna Balemi, narration and readings by various voices from Chapel, music by Rhys Machell from his ambient album In Glass, mixed by Vivek Gabriel of Gabriel Audio.