Dorcas barely rates a mention in the biblical texts. She is a disciple, a deacon, one who helps widows through simple acts of mending clothes. Her example moves an entire village and the people find when she dies that even their grief cannot overcome the power of God’s Spirit to ensure the power of one continues.
Sermon Sunday April 25th, 2010 (pdf)
St. David’s Oakleigh Uniting Church
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
We find Jesus and Peter meeting on the beach after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is one of those extremely awkward moments …
Not long before this event Peter had denied ever knowing Jesus, just at that time Jesus needed his friend the most. Three times Peter repeated this ritual denial, and then the heart-renching reminder as the cock crowed, and Jesus found his destiny on the cross.
So here in this beach a mysterious encounter. Peter is sure it is Jesus although there is an ambiguity about him. The Spirit of Jesus is vividly present and yet Peter’s eyes don’t quite know what to make of it all. And then comes a moment of undoing, a point of transition, and a step that sees Peter transformed into an entirely new disciple.
On the beach Jesus asks Peter three times to confirm his love. It annoys Peter, probably racked by pain and guilt of his earlier failure. And yet Jesus gentle hands over the mantle of discipleship to him in this process, “Feed my sheep.”
We find that Jesus invites and welcomes people with the worst of backgrounds – Peter and Saul are just two examples. Jesus also invites those who feel inadequate or lack courage – Ananias is one example. And we are encouraged by the generosity of love that gives us insight to God. And this love has the power to radically turn us around and transform Peter, Saul, Ananias, you and me into the people we are called to be.
Sermon Sunday April 18th, 2010 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
When Peter gets into trouble for proclaiming so boldly about his risen Lord, we are left wondering what has happened to transform this timid, fearful and impetuous disciple into the one we find in Acts. We look to a locked and fearful room for the encounter that changes everything.
Sermon Sunday April 11th, 2010 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
In and of itself, and empty tomb means just that – an empty tomb. A stolen body does not amount to resurrection, nor does breathing life into a corpse.
We find that the disciples see an empty tomb but do not understand. It is only once Mary has had an encounter that restores her to hope, to life, to renewed relationship – that she becomes witness to the risen Christ.
Sermon Sunday April 4th, 2010 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga