Moses finds himself living in exile ‘beyond the wilderness’ because he took God’s justice into his own hands and killed an Egyptian guard.
From moments of being flawed and exiled, God calls ordinary human beings back to life in line with God’s purposes.
Sermon August 31st, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
For the latest about what is happening in the Balkara parish, check out our parish newsletter below. Parish News – August 2008
God take our tears …. USE THEM TO WATER SOMETHING NEW.
The gospel story of the Canaanite woman pleading with Jesus that her daughter be free from torment is particularly troubling for those who desire healing and yet do not get the healing we desire. Is God not listening? Is our faith too small? Is God doing something else that we do not expect?
These are not academic questions for people who grieve. This week has been a difficult week for my family, so they are my questions as well.
Sermon 17th August, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
These words from Jesus come in the form of an archetypal story full of fearful elements – storm, dark, night, raging sea, depths, distance from shore, and even ghosts.
The ghost that appears is actually the comforter. Jesus message to the disciples is, “take heart, it is I, do not be afraid”. We reflect on where God is present amongst the storms and how God may be found.
Sermon 10th August 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
Adriana Aranha speaks of simple and yet astounding ways to address poverty and hunger in an urban setting in Brazil and concludes that ending hunger is easy. As we reflect on the story of Jesus feeding a large crowd, where his disciples can only see scarcity, we are challenged to think how we might be more like Jesus and allow the abundance of God to guide us.
Sermon 3rd August, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga