Nicodemus visits Jesus under the cover of darkness because he knows there is something about this controversial figure. This reflection is written from the point of view of Nicodemus and is a journey of discovery.

I am Nicodemus (pdf)
Rev. Adelene Mills, Penguin TAS

The stories we tell about ourselves and the world have the power to shut out hope and possibility – or to open our eyes to the things that God can do. The reflection on the people of Israel who are thirsty at Rephidim, and the encounter at the well between Jesus and a woman from Samaria shows us how different attitudes can radically change our lives.

Sermon February 24th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s UCA, Oakleigh, VIC
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The dual stories of Adam and Eve being tempted by the snake in the garden, and Jesus being tempted into the wilderness are archetypal stories of the human condition. The message this week ponders the reality that “life is difficult”, as Scott Peck puts it, and considers where God is during the highs and lows of life.

Sermon Sunday February 10th, 2008 – Lent 1 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top is a reminder that in Jesus, heaven and earth find their place of meeting. As we anticipate the difficult days of journey towards the cross of Easter, being touched and encouraged by Jesus to “get up and do not be afraid” helps us on this journey.

Sermon, Sunday February 3rd (Transfiguration)  [pdf]
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The gospel reading this week is a call to Jesus’ disciples to learn the ‘fishing for men’ trade. This has sparked much evangelistic zeal over the centures. Sacha explores for us ways to live as disciples with an integrity to Christ’s call.

Sermon 27th January, 2008 (Sacha Miller-MacDonald) [pdf]
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh

As Jesus begins his ministry and calls Simon Peter, destined to be the leader of the Roman Catholic church, we reflect on a bold initiative by Richard Branson to gather a group of Elders to be brokers of world peace. In terms of our own personal journey, we too can live as elders who make a difference in the lives of others.

Sermon Sunday January 20th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

‘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, 2008 (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

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, 2007 (pdf)

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

“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, 2007 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga