The rather strange story of Jacob wrestling at the Jabbok River still speaks to us as we wrestle with the changes in our church. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 19]

Do you approach Sunday morning worship as a duty, a ritual that must be fulfilled? When Jesus healed ten lepers, nine fulfilled their religious duties; but one outsider rushed back to thanks Jesus, falling at his feet in worship. He recognised his healing as a free gift of grace. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 19]

Our stories are important. They tell us who we are, and what our lives are about. But God's story tells us WHOSE we are, and that transforms our stories into stories of hope. Our stories show that God has always been with us; and so we can trust that he is with us for the next part of the journey. [Organ - Pentecost 17]

Jesus summarized how we should live in these terms: first, loving God, and then serving those in need. His parable of the rich man with Lazarus lying at his gate, unaided, was very counter-cultural, and still speaks strongly to us today. [Organ - Pentecost 16]

Today, congregation member David, who has spent almost 7 years coming to services in a wheelchair, walked into church. Truly a time for thanksgiving, on this Thanksgiving Sunday. (We also gave very generously to our Emergency Food Bank pantry, serving those who need some help.) As Paul encouraged Timothy, we pray always with thanksgiving. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 15/Thanksgiving Sunday]

When we talk of love, we're not talking mushy stuff. We're talking a decision to put others first and serve them, even in the worst of circumstances (hear, for example, today's story of Eugenie). Fortunately, this is what God does for us - always! So let's celebrate! [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 14]

In the days when salt was much more than a flavouring - it was also a preservative, an antiseptic, and used as currency - Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth." He also taught that there is a cost in staying salty and being a disciple: our self-interest has to die away, so that we can live for others, being salt to the world. [Organ/choir - Pentecost 13]

(Father's Day in Australia.) Jesus went to a Sabbath lunch at a Pharisee's house, and through parables gave good advice to guests and host about being graceful in table fellowship. Theses are lessons not just for the table, but for life. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 12]

We sometimes wonder what is God doing here? Certainly the woman healed in the synagogue, the last time that Jesus taught there before his journey to the Cross, was surprised by God's action for her. And what is God working in this place? [Organ/Choir & Cantata - Pentecost 11]

Jesus wanted us to become as skilled at "reading the times" as we are at reading the weather. Surely these are times when together we look to Jesus, and welcome and encourage each other. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 10]