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Sermon: Widows and Mites 11.11.18

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

I would like to look at both our readings today.

The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament is a simple story that can be read in about 10 minutes. But it is full of meaning. It is a story of kinship, caring and loyalty, and faith in God – although God is not specifically referred to. The key characters are Naomi and Ruth. Naomi is a Hebrew woman from Bethlehem who was married to E’lim’e’lech. Now early on in their marriage there was a great famine, and they moved into the country of Moab. There, their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, married Moabite women Or’pah and Ruth.

In chapter one, Naomi’s troubles are … Read More »

All Saints Sunday 4 November 2018

There’s the story of a ninety-year old priest who was venerated by everyone in his local town as a living saint. When he walked down the street everyone would greet him reverently as ‘Father,’ even non-church people – such was his reputation. He was also a loyal member of the local Lions Club, and every time the Club met he would be there, always on time and always seated at his favourite spot.

Then one day the priest disappeared. It was as if he vanished into thin air because, search as they might, the townsfolk couldn’t find any trace of him. The following month, however, when the Lions met, there he was as usual sitting in his favourite spot. “So, Father,” everyone cried, “where have you been?”  “In prison,” he calmly replied.

“In prison! But Father, for … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 18 November 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

Welcome to our service this morning, particularly if you are visiting Banks Peninsula. Please join us for morning tea in the lounge after the service. Visitors and newcomers are especially welcome.

Today’s Prayer

God of ages, in Jesus you set a corner stone

and a sure foundation; you are the true and living way.

May we stand firm in the face of all that shakes our foundations,

certain in the knowledge of your love.

We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Childlessness has unfortunately afflicted couples who have desperately wanted children down the ages. It still brings immense heartache and grief to many families despite the advances of reproductive medicine. The story of Hannah’s barrenness (1 Samuel 1: 4-20) and how through intense prayer God heard her plea … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS
Sunday 4 November 2018
9.30am St Peter’s, Akaroa
11.30am St Luke’s, little Akaloa
Welcome to our services this morning, particularly if you are visiting Banks Peninsula. Please join us for morning tea in the lounge after the service. Visitors and newcomers are especially welcome.
Today’s Prayer
Almighty God, we are your saints, each of us is a unique part of the church. Today we give you thanks for all your saints – holy and ordinary, living and past who together make up the mystical body of Christ.
Give us grace to grow in virtue and to seek you daily;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Mike’s Message
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Today is All Saints Sunday, when we remember and give thanks for all the saints of the church. It easy only to think of the saints as those whom the … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 14 October 2018

9.30am St Peter’s

11.30 Duvauchelle

We welcome you all, parishioners and visitors, to our services this morning. We are really pleased to have you with us and hope that you will join us for morning tea in the lounge after the service.

TODAY’S PRAYER

God of the possible, and the impossible;

when we come to you with questions

and struggle with your answers,

grant us faith in believing as we await

the treasure from heaven,

which is your promise;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.  Amen.

MIKE’S MESSAGE

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

We often turn to the Bible for comfort. When we are distressed and hurt we seek words of compassion from God. Hebrews 4:12-16 says that God’s Word (Logos) is “living and active” and sharper than a scalpel. God’s word cuts to the truth of who we are – often bringing … Read More »

THE COMBINED CHURCH OF AKAROA AND THE BAYS

Sunday 30 September 2018

9.30am Trinity – All Age Service

11.30 Pigeon Bay – Holy Communion

We welcome you all, parishioners and visitors, to our service this morning. We are really pleased to have you with us and hope that you will join us for morning tea in the hall after the service.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that when you were on earth you loved children and spent time with them. It’s good to know that each one of us is important to you even though we sometimes don’t feel very special.

Please teach us to love you so that as we grow we will always know you as our constant friend and you will be able to use our lives to bring your love to others. Amen.

Mike’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

This year you … Read More »

Sunday 30th September: Not an “us” and “them”

Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you…and this is what I command you, to love one another.” (John 15: 14,17)

I don’t think if Jesus came to us today as a human being, that we would necessarily recognise him. He wasn’t a priest, he criticised his religion and was often in conflict with the religious people of his day. He criticised people’s attitude to money… for instance he said, “You cannot serve God and money.” (Matt 6:24)

It seems that his common response to those who were attracted to him and wanted to become a follower was to say: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow me” (Matt 19:21).

He was … Read More »

Sermon for 16 September 2018: Spring Fever

I seek to speak in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I do not understand the resurrection, but I do believe in it. And, like St Paul I do believe it makes all the difference about being a Christian.

One of my favourite passages of scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:17, “…if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, the old has passed away behold the new has come.”

If we are in Christ we participate in his victory over sin and death, now. The Holy Spirit, which was given to us us at baptism, brings about the likeness of Jesus Christ within each of us; unleashing the potentiality locked away within us all, as in a seed, to become a new creation within us.

Resurrection is already ours; we already can taste and … Read More »

Sermon for 9 September 2018: ‘The dogs under the table’

The book of Proverbs was something of a manual for how the upright should live, negotiating the complexities of the ocean of life, whether the sailing was smooth and whether it was not. It exhibits many parallels to an Egyptian text called “Instruction of Ameneope” produced around 1,000 BC and rediscovered in the 1920s. Hence Proverbs 22 is a collection of sayings which could be derived from this Egyptian text.

I would like to begin this morning with my interpretation of what Proverbs 22 is saying to us.

“Having a reputation for honesty and integrity is more important than money in the bank. Being kind and considerate is more important than having investments or expensive jewellery.

Before God, both rich and poor and equals, for the Lord God is the Creator of them both.

They … Read More »