Luke’s gospel has the mysterious risen presence of Jesus appear to the disciples in their locked and fearful places. However it may be possible, encounters like this have changed the hearts, minds and actions of people ever since. We explore how Jesus invites us into a hopeful future and what it might look like if we find ourselves there.

Sermon Sunday April 26th, 2009 (pdf)

If the resurrection of Jesus is the most radical story for the disciples to hear, our gospel reading this week brings it alive. The disciples are locked away from the world in fear, and Jesus becomes present to them in ways the belie our understandings. Regardless of how it happened, it has changed these believers forever, and the have come to experience ‘Good News’.

Sermon, Sunday April 19th, 2009 (pdf)

The gospel of Mark has an end at verse 8 that jars – the women were told the radical news that Christ had risen and were asked to share the news – but they ran away and told no one!

With the twelve disciples mute with fear and now the women, who is left to proclaim the good news? The community of Mark would have heard this as the call to become witnesses where these others have failed. In our worship today we reflect on those places we find the risen Christ and how we might become witnesses to this radical news:

Christ is risen, CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!

Sermon Easter Sunday 12th April 2009 (pdf)

For many people God seems closest when things are most difficult in life. This can be seen in many of the troubled regions around the world, today and throughout history. As we explore the Covenant relationship between God and the people as expressed by the prophet Jeremiah, we find something startling. God keeps reaching out faithfully and visions for us that the ways of God will rest deep within our hearts. This means that deep within we will know of God’s love for us, God’s life, God’s hope, God’s salvation.

Sermon March 29th, 2009 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

This is the beginning of Psalm 107, a psalm of delight and celebration because God has restored the people. There are many places where people might be in difficulty today, and many who know of God’s restoring love. Those who know God’s love are called to share God’s love and justice to those whose hope is dwindling. As we reflect on these things we share stories from our own parish life where this psalm is real in our lived experience.

Sermon Sunday 22nd March, 2009 (pdf)

St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

Psalm 19 is a beautiful celebration of creation that also invites us to think about the pattern of God’s law. It suggests we see God’s law in the pattern laid down in creation. More importantly, it proclaims law as life-giving. We explore the heart of this image of law and find ways to give God our thanks for things life-giving.

Sermon Sunday March 15th, 2009 (pdf)

Jesus echoes the opening lines of psalm 22 when he is dying on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The psalm conveys struggle and passion, it invokes God’s story and memory, and ultimately finds its way to rejoicing again. We reflect on these transitions and whay lament is important as way to find the story of God with us.

Sermon March 8th, 2009 (pdf)

In the story of Noah, God concludes by offering the rainbow as a sign of promise. The rainbow is a reminder that flood will never again destroy the earth. More importantly, the rainbow is a reminder of God reaching out to us. God initiates a covenant (a relationship of promise) with Noah and the distance between a God high above and humans down below dissolves.

We may continue to struggle with floods and bushfires, but God’s love continues as God remains in close relationship to all living creatures.

Sermon 1st March, 2009 (pdf)

Give me a “double measure” of your spirit, Elisha asks of Elijah at the critical moment of transition. We reflect on how God equips us for what is ahead, and how the gifts God has given are already far greater than we might have imagined.

Sermon February 22nd, 2009 (pdf)

In the wake of the devastating bushfires this past week in Victoria, we reflect on the countless acts of compassion and bravery and consider the gospel call to raise our lamps high that the light shines to effect.

Reflection February 15th, 2009 (pdf)