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, 2008Â (pdf)
On Saturday December 13th, the hall at St. David’s Oakleigh was transformed into a live Christmas Nativity, with an animal farm creating a live Nativity, as we remember the Christmas story where Jesus is born in a manger amongst the animals.
Each year we have a lucky door prize where the winner gets to take the family to the Rain, Hayne and Shine animal farm at Balnarring. We are pleased to announce that this year’s winner is:
Callum A.. of Huntingdale
Callum and his family were delighted with the news and we are too.
The next major St. David’s event for children and their families will be our Christmas Eve service on December 24th at 4pm. All are welcome.
Val Cormack is retiring as Pastoral Assistant to the Parish of Balkara. We have been richly blessed by her sharing of ministry in the parish for the last 15 years. The attached document is our formal minute of appreciation.
Minute of Appreciation – Val Cormack (pdf)
For the latest happenings from the Balkara Parish and the St. David’s Oakleigh congregation, check out our online copy of the Parish newsletter.
Parish News – December 2008Â (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, 2008Â (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, 2008Â (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, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
For the latest happenings from the Balkara Parish and the St. David’s Oakleigh congregation, check out our online copy of the Parish newsletter.
Parish News – Novemember 2008Â (pdf)
The second half of Matthew 25 has a story from Jesus about gifts given in abundance that are entrusted to people not normally considered worthy. It is a story about people growing into God’s trust. It is also a story of God’s abundance spreading through ordinary people trusting God enough to allow the gifts to grow. If we think about lamps and light, it is finding ways to hold the lamp up high so that the gift shines brightly and illuminates widely.
Sermon November 16th, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga