When we hear of an unclean man having an evil spirit cast out of him, it is difficult to relate such a story to our daily lives – unless we have experienced directly something similar. We reflect on the importance of imagination when it comes to sharing vibrant experiences of faith, and the integrity of living as though our experiences truly matter.

As a congregation at St. David’s, we then reflect on our own lived experiences and how we grow in faith and live out our faith in community.

Sunday February 1st, 2009 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

When Jesus passes by the lakeside at Galilee and calls to Simon and Andrew, James and John, they are faced with a difficult choice – stay with the familiar, the safe, the expected and keep on fishing? Or take a step of faith and find new things that have even greater value and importance?

Sermon January 25th, 2009 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

Occasionally our lives open up to the profound presence of God’s love and care. It would seem that an event like this inspired the author of psalm 139, resulting in a beautiful poetic reflection on God’s presence. We reflect on these things and that while we might rattle the doorknob, it is God who opens the door.

Sermon – 18th January, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

John is baptising in the wilderness to prepare the way for Jesus. Preparation comes in the form of repentance, which literally means “turn around”. When Jesus presents himself for baptism, it signals the start of his ministry, and also a most profound means by which we can align ourselves with our Creator.

Sermon – 11th January, 2009 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The magi followed a star to find the light revealed to the world. As they looked for Jesus, they encountered Herod who was threatened by the light. Both magi and Herod were leaders in their own right, but they are very different in their responses to Jesus. We reflect on our own choice to live in the light or find a home in shadows.

Sermon 4th January, 2009 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) are all very different when it comes to recording the birth of Jesus. In Matthew there is a long genealogy, in Mark there is nothing at all, in Luke we find most elements of the story we are familiar with, and in John the image presented is beyond time and space.

We reflect on the importance of signs in each of the gospel, and how the point us to deeper mystery and divine truths.

Reflection – Christmas Day 2008 (pdf)

Mary gets some radical and unexpected news from an angel, and her plans are out the window. We reflect on what it means to make room in our lives for God’s radical in-breaking, and how God still finds ways for radical things to happen in our lives when we are open to the call.

Sermon – 21st December, 2008 (pdf)

The psalm (126) this week records the delight of being restored to Zion, the Holy City. For those in exile in Babylon it wasn’t always this way – and the hopes and dreams of God restoring them was just as important as hope fulfilled.

We think about our own hopes and dreams and what it means to wait for Christ to come at Christmas.

Sermon December 14th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The gospel of Mark begins with John the baptist preparing the way for Jesus. As we consider what it means to make room for the master in our lives, we reflect on a Tibetan story that challenges us along our Advent journey.

Sermon 7th December, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The 25th chapter of Matthew is apocalyptic in its message, and the writer provides a stark contrast between those who followed the way of Christ and those who do not. Within this message lies a startling kernal of truth – it is within the ordinary and everyday encounters of living in Jesus’ way that we actually encounter the risen Lord.

Sermon November 23rd, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga