‘Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something – find it and keep it lit!’
(Mary Lou Retton)
As Jesus calls, we are invited to follow. And as we follow, we answer the call of God on our lives. The detail of it will change from person to person, but the process, the way to get there is the same.
Sermon 13th January, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
Cicero once suggested that the function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. As the Wise Men travel from the East in search for an infant Jesus, we explore what it means for them to be wise, and how we might journey into wisdom.
Sermon, January 6th, 2008, St. David’s Oakleigh (pdf)
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
Christmas means many different things to different people.
For those who are reminded of loved ones lost, we pray you find comfort through the gift of the Christ-child.
For those who find annoyance in the endless ‘merry making’ that seems either superficial or to pass them by, we pray you find moments of delight and joy that truly have meaning.
For those who find themselves alone, we pray you be comforted by the presence of God-with-us, as known in the story of Jesus.
For those to whom the religious event of Christmas seems to alienate your own beliefs of trample on the integrity of your religion, we pray you find open and accepting people to encourage you in your own journey.
For all people, regardless of faith, creed, background or other things that might cause fear or indifference, let us be inspired by the life of Jesus and other inspiring prophets to work together to transform this world into a place of peace.
May you find a safe and blessed place this Christmas. Blessings from the people of St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh, and the Balkara Parish of the Uniting Church.
As the stormy weather in Melbourne this week has caused all sorts of chaos, it is reminder that the cosmos has been brewing for an event that keeps surprising us – Immanuel means God is with us …
Sermon, Sunday December 23rd, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
On Saturday, the St. David’s Uniting Church again hosted their annual ‘Search for an Angel’ event.
Search for an Angel is a fun event for children where they look for angels who provide clues to the gift of Christmas. The ‘treasure hunt’ ends with a live nativity of farm animals and baby Jesus.
A big thanks to all who helped make the day a success. And big congratulations to our two prize winners who get a free entry to the Rain, Hayne and Shine animal farm on the Mornington Peninsula.
This year’s winners are:
The Ferdinands family of Oakleigh &
John Berlangieri of Mt. Waverley.
You can check out a photostory of the day here (1MB)Â : Search for an angel 2007 (1M)
or for those with a fast connection, you can check out this larger version (7MB): Search for an angel, 2007
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”
John the Baptist is in prison and seems life-weary. His purpose in life was to proclaim the coming of Jesus and now he questions whether his life has had meaning and purpose.
For all who are jaded or find Christmas a distressing time, the answer the Jesus provides might spark some new hope, and a place to lay down the heavy burdens that seem to track close to us.
Sermon Sunday December 16th, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a world where wild animals live in harmony. His image of utopia is a pointer to the difference that the promised one will make.
If this promised one comes to us at Christmas, it is time to consider those places of hope and promise and the difference that God’s work of Christmas makes.
Sermon 9th December, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
On Saturday December 15th in Oakleigh we will see the return of Search for an Angel.
This is a special event for younger children and their parents to help spread the good will of Christmas.
In Oakleigh mall (Eaton St.), and the path from there down Drummond St. to the Oakleigh Uniting Church, there will be angels waiting to be found by the children. Not only will our angels be spreading Christmas cheer, they will be giving out clues to the meaning of Christmas which can then be handed in at the church for some Christmas prizes.
One of the prizes of Christmas is waiting for all comers at the church. Our animal farm is a fun re-creation of the stable where Jesus was born. Christmas is a celebration of all the life and hope and love that Jesus brings us.
Prizes for children include an Advent showbag with lots of things to bring Christmas good will. Food, drinks and craft will also be available.
This event is a free gift to our community because we believe it is important to share freely the heart of Christmas.
If you have enquiries, please email us or call Rev. Arnie on (03) 9562 7559.
Isaiah shares words of hope for a peaceful future where swords will be beaten into ploughshares. We explore what it means to be people who “walk in the light of the Lord”, and our own call to peace in the name of Christ.
Sermon 2nd December, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
It is the day after our federal election and the church is celebrating Christ the King Sunday. As Australia anticipates what new leadership will bring to the country, we reflect on the kind of kingship that Christ offers. Christ the King invites us into a new era of hope with vision for a better future, but the changes begin with our response to Christ.
Sermon Sunday November 25th, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga