New Song Church Port Perry

We want God's kingdom, but how do we get there? Surely by climbing the ladder of God's approval, no? In Luke 14 we see that God's Kingdom reverses our expectations: the way up is down, to have we must give, and to live we must die. Hear God's great invitation to us in Christ: Come, for everything is ready.  Creighton Friedrich, 5 Nov 2023.

Jesus gives his disciples the framework and mindset on how to pray. But he tells them to do it shamelessly. In this sermon we will explore what exactly it means for a disciple to be shameless in prayer.  Matthew Usherwood, 29 October 2023

Good News is worth sharing. That's why Jesus sends 72 disciples out to spread the Gospel: "the kingdom of God has come near you' - and what the 72 were commissioned to proclaim then is what we are commissioned to proclaim now. Luke wants us to see that  our going & telling is personal , proclamatory , and persevering . Creighton Friedrich, 22 October 2023

On the side of a mountain Jesus' disciples see his radiating glory made manifest and they hear the most crucial command of the Christian life: listen to Jesus . But why should we listen to Jesus? Luke understands that we listen to Jesus because of the work that he has accomplished , because of our confusion , and because of Jesus' unique person. Creighton Friedrich, 15 October 2023

Who do you say that Jesus is? Is he the Christ of God or a good moral teacher? Depending how you answer, you will either be a disciple of the world or of Jesus. In this sermon we will discuss, Who is Jesus? How does he prove it? And, what does this mean for me?  Matthew Usherwood, 08, October, 2023.

Why do I need someone to represent me? Can't I do it myself? The story of the funeral procession of the son of a widow, shows us we can't. Jesus does something so remarkable, that it forces us to stand still and watch.  Matthew Usherwood, 01, October, 2023.

(Note to listener: the recording begins 1 minute into the sermon  - Creighton is sharing about his first time preaching.) What does it take for the preacher to get kicked out of church? As his public ministry begins Jesus preaches a scandalizing sermon: God’s grace abounds not to those who know that they deserve it, but to those who know that they don’t . So we might wonder: what’s so offensive ab...

Who is Jesus?  If he is who he says he is, what must I do?  Isn't Christianity just another way too be a good moral person? The gospel of Jesus, presents a whole new way of living, that is radically different from what the world offers. Come & See who Jesus is.  Speaker: Curate Matthew Usherwood, 17, September, 2023

Here at the very beginning Luke wants to make the conclusion of his careful investigation clear: The Good News of Jesus is intellectually credible and existentially satisfying . The Good News must be taken seriously, and it demands a response. Luke offers his text to anyone who searches for truth and meaning. Will you come and see who Jesus really is?

Our world promises many different forms of rest, but if we are truly honest with ourselves, they will eventually fail us. Jesus promises true rest, everlasting rest, through a completely different way of living.   Matthew Usherwood,  03 September  2023 

Part 8 - We all of something or someone of ultimate value – a purpose, pride or pleasure that we glory in. The Tower of Babel asks us a question that harkens all the way back to the garden (and points to humanity's hope of future flourishing): will the thing that I glory in lead to futility or flourishing? Creighton Friedrich, 27 August 2023

Part 7  (Baptism Sunday) - The flood tells us that the serious condition of sin disintegrates humanity and creation. But as Noah and his family step out into a vibrant green new world, we see that our God of grace works to renew what sin has disintegrated. And God works his renewal through Covenant . So what does his Covenant mean for his people today? Creighton Friedrich, 20 August 2023

Part 6 - God designed humanity and creation for flourishing, yet from one generation to the next violence and evil multiplies. Now we begin to glimpse the terminal stage of sin: creation itself disintegrates back into the waters of chaos from which it came. But there is hope for Noah and hope for us: the God who judges sin is the same God who delivers us.  Creighton Friedrich, 13 August 2023

Part 5 - East of Eden, humanity lives in the tension of God's renewing grace and the disintegrating, sinful corruption of our nature. But will God's grace always be challenged by the corrupted, the vengeful and the violent? Or can we find a seventy-seven fold forgiveness which overcomes the cruelty of a Lamech world?  Creighton Friedrich, 6 August 2023

Part 4 -  Resentment is Cain's road to rage and self-destruction, but is there hope for rescue from our own resentment? Even in our lowest and darkest moments, we can see God's mercy in Christ shining through.

Part 3 - Where did it all go wrong? Genesis tell us that human beings were created 'very good' - and yet everything is not the way it's supposed to be amongst God's image bearers. So how do we understand our desperate condition? And how does God's divine compassion meet our need?

Part 2 - God intends men and women to flourish - but the question for our present moment is how?   Will flourishing be realized when I determine my most authentic self for myself? Or is there a still deeper way to which Genesis 2 points? Could flourishing  be realized when I am most free to discover the authentic self that God created me to be?

Part 1 - When we start at the beginning, we see that God's desire for the whole of creation is for it to flourish . But this raises some important questions: who is this Creator God? How does he relate to his creation? Who then am I? And what does it mean that I bear God's image? Genesis 1 gives us the foundation for human flourishing. Creighton Friedrich, 9 July 2023

We all desire to live a life of contentment, yet even in the best of circumstances the promise of self-sufficiency never seems to deliver. How is it then that Paul can boldly say that he has "learned the secret" of contentment, even in his lowly circumstances? What could contentment through self-surrender to Christ mean for our relationships, our anxiety and our Christian behaviour?

The fact the Christ Jesus has made us his own is reason for Paul to strive towards the ultimate goal: the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. What then does it look like for pilgrims like us to strive towards our heavenly home? Matt Usherwood, 25 June 2023

We all have something we value above everything else, something that infuses our whole life with meaning and purpose. For Paul, Christ Jesus was of "surpassing worth" to everything else - and the question we want to ask is: Why?   What makes Jesus worth it for Paul? His answer challenges our self-righteous striving and centres us in resurrection life. Creighton Friedrich, 18 June 2023

We all long to live a world of peace where justice and harmony are realized. But why does lasting peace always seem to elude us? The Apostle Paul would have the church consider: Realizing peace requires us to have the mind of Christ. But just what does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Creighton Friedrich, 11 June 2023

Paul writes his letter to the Philippians in prison and in dire circumstances. It might seem reasonable for us to conclude that Paul's ministry is finished, but that's not the conclusion Paul reaches: "What has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel." Here is the paradox of the Gospel and the Christian life: what often seems to us to hinder God's purpose ma...

Part One. The Apostle Paul prays that the Philippian Church would "abound in love for one another" - a love that elevates our affections and consecrates our actions. But is the church known for as a community of love? How can fickle hearts abound in love for one another? Creighton Friedrich, 28 May 2023 (Pentecost Sunday)

How does a Christian respond to suffering? It's one of the great questions of the faith, isn't it?  Peter writes to encourage suffering Christians: when we endure suffering we ought not to be surprised , or to count ourselves forsake n, or to be ashamed . The Cross is proof - God remains faithful to us in suffering. Creighton Friedrich, 21 May 2023 (Ascension Sunday)