(Matthew 27.1-17)5 April 2020 – Neil Millar Today we begin the final week of our Lenten journey and the reading hints at a key touchstone of redemption: the capacity to see things as they are and to respond accordingly – the capacity to discern appearances, to recognize what really is good and true and holy, … [Read more…]
Over recent weeks, I have taken the advice of the health experts and chosen to stay within the confines of my home during the Covid-19 pandemic. During my time in self imposed isolation I have mulled over the statements of politicians, health experts and the media who claim that we are living in unprecedented times. … [Read more…]
Dear Friends The Covid-19 pandemic is bearing down on us and life has changed dramatically in recent weeks. Government directives restrict our movements. We are unable to gather for worship and normal activities –in ‘lockdown’. This ‘spatial distancing’ has caused me to think about the experience of loneliness, and how we can be with it. … [Read more…]
(John 11. 1-45) 28 March 2020© Sarah Bachelard It comes as a bit of a shock to realise that the story of the raising of Lazarus occurs only in the gospel of John. As in fact, do all the stories we’ve heard over the past four weeks – Nicodemus visiting Jesus by night, the Samaritan … [Read more…]
(John 9.1-41) 22 March 2020 – © Neil Millar In these past weeks of Lent, we’ve been reading the discourses in John, and noting how in each discourse Jesus challenges people’s taken-for-granted assumptions about aspects of the spiritual life. In the conversation with Nicodemus (John 3), he challenges the assumption that salvation is a birthright … [Read more…]
(John 4.5-42) 15 March 2020 © Neil Millar ‘God, I thank you that I am neither a Gentile, a dog, or a woman.’ Apparently, that was a popular prayer at the time of Jesus. And when you think of this kind of sentiment in the background, the conversion we’ve just heard is striking. Last week, … [Read more…]
(John 3.1-17) 8 March 2020© Neil Millar ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.’ Arguably the most famous verse in scripture. John 3.16. So well-known that we only have to quote the reference, and many know … [Read more…]
at St Ninian’s on Saturday 28th March 10-2 CRAFT AND REMNANT SALE Sale of sewing and craft items as well as remnants including materials, yarns, beads and haberdashery and more at St Ninian’s Uniting Church cnr Brigalow & Mouat Sts, Lyneham on Saturday 28 March, 10-2. Demos on how to make 5″ woven cloth coasters … [Read more…]
(Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7 & Matthew 4.11)1 March 2020 – © Sarah Bachelard No sooner are human beings brought to life, blessed and named as Man (Adam) and Woman, than they’re confronted by the lure of the serpent, a cunning deceiver who tempts them away from their rightful dependence on God. So says Genesis Chapter 3. … [Read more…]
(Matthew 5.21-37) – 16 February 2020© Neil Millar So, (after hearing that) hands up all the squeaky clean. Hand up if you’ve not transgressed in one of the areas Jesus speaks about here – never been angry, or lusted, never caused a crack in a relationship or gone back on your word? The first thing … [Read more…]