Journey of a Thousand Steps

Do you ever feel like religious doctrines seem man-made? When we hear phrases like "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in Church prayers and creeds, we might wonder whether the language comes from a patriarchal, institutional construct. We may find it distant, jarring, even 'cold' as a concept? This Trinity Sunday we explored the experience of God who is all the kinds of love we need to be fully human:...

How do you feel about believing in miracles? Today, as we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, we saw that Jesus uses miracles to provide evidence that he is real, that he is loving, that he is God. John 14.8-14 shows us that all those who believe in him will be given the authority to "do the works" that he was doing, and "even greater things that these" so that people will see evidence and believe....

Why go to Church on a Sunday when you could sleep in, catch up with an old friend, spend quality time with your family or play golf? There are good reasons why we are time-poor these days, as we chase important career ambitions, build homes, buy homes and, increasingly, spread our time building networks and relationships formed across the globe. Is going to Church on Sunday a habit of the past? Th...

This week Heather and Adam were back from annual leave and took the opportunity to share the story behind how they decided to serve in two congregations (something they always thought they would be against). When has God guided you to understand His will and His character differently to your previous ideas or beliefs? How does the Holy Spirit teach us and guide us and how to we know for sure? This...

Have you always told yourself that regular Church attendance isn't important? Or, have you been a regular attender, tithing and serving on rosters, yet found the experience did not enrich your faith? John 20.19-31 tells us two stories in a row about Jesus appearing at an early church gathering: the first without Thomas present and the second with. When Thomas is away he misses the experience of Je...

The first witness of the Resurrection was Jesus' friend and Apostle, Mary. The account of her experience, as well as that of John and Peter in John 20.1-18, tells us straight away what the Resurrection was like and why Jesus did it. First, we see that it was a very natural experience as Mary reconnected with her friend in a garden. It was hugs and words and no bells or whistles or dancing angels o...

If someone were to ask you to explain in thirty seconds why Jesus had to die on a cross, what would you say? The cross has a power that is unmistakable and undeniable. Even the symbol of a cross standing in a church carries an emotional impact for people as they enter. The story of Jesus bring betrayed, sentenced and crucified, as we read aloud every Good Friday, never ceases to be deeply moving....

How do you feel about being affiliated with the institutional Church? Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem in John 12.12-16 reminds us that He never saw Himself as merely starting a spiritual movement for local communities or individuals. Accepting the title of a Messianic king, Jesus saw Himself as launching a campaign for world change. He had a very big plan in mind, even though the method thr...

"Leave her alone," Jesus said when His friend, Mary, was criticised for her act of love towards Him. In John 12.1-8 we encounter a story of Jesus sharing a final meal with His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary, days before His journey to the cross. Mary prophetically anoints His body with a highly expensive perfume (and a lot of it), and takes down her hair to dry His feet. As the fragrance fills t...

The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known of Jesus' teachings, but perhaps least understood. Rather than a simple story about a son who wasted his money and his time until he 'came to his senses', it is primarily an answer to the question, "Why does Jesus party with 'sinners' and tax collectors?" To answer this question, Jesus tells a story about why an older son who has been f...

Every relationship of depth and meaning reaches a moment of decision: "Are you in or are you out?" When decisions are forced by dictatorial rule, religious manipulation, or worse, violent extremism, doctrine about judgement and 'sin' can be dangerous. However, in Luke 13.1-9, Jesus explains what he does and does not mean by these concepts and why love eventually has to ask, "Are we doing this, or...

Our lives inevitably face three kind of pressure that will test our true character: experiences of lack, waste and abandonment. This week, Heather engaged a Gestalt technique to illustrate what it's like when voices other than God are tempting us to believe that we can't cope with lack, that we aren't good enough or haven't achieved enough, and that nobody wants us or truly loves us. The season of...

What do the great Christian leaders who have changed the world, fought slavery and won, championed the equality and dignity of women and children, and who are making strides for racial justice in our world today have in common? Like Jesus, they know three things about themselves that Jesus reveales in Luke 9.28-36 (the story of the Transfiguration). First, they know who their inner circle are (Pet...

This week's sermon explored one of the more controversial and powerful commands of Jesus: to love and forigve all people, including our enemies. Whilst the teaching in Luke 6.27-38 has often been misused and misappropriated in the life of the Church, forgiveness itself is not the same as reconciliation, is not separate from accountability for behaviours or healthy boundaries in relationships. Nor...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in relationship patterns that seem to repeat, over and over again? Are you starting to think there are no good fish left in the sea? Luke 5.1-11 shows us that miracles happen when we are prepared to cast our nets into the deep and try again. In this story, Peter shows us what faith looks like, as he takes a risk even though he is tired, the timing feels off and t...

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Luke 2.22-40 speaks of Jesus being a "sign that will be opposed." We meet people of deep faith: Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna, and notice the difference between their faith and the fears of those who only want religious control. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 2 February 2025

Why did Jesus go back to Nazareth when he knew he was not going to be received there? In Luke 4:14-21 we see Jesus face rejection by his own family and friends. Why? He doesn't skip the harder towns, and neither should we. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 26 January 2025