Celebrating St. George

Readings:

Hebrew Scripture:      Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm:                         107:1-3,17-22

Epistle:                        Ephesians 2: 1-10

Gospel:                        John 3:14-21

What I want to say:

We began by watching part of the video -  St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness, looking particularly at the Hermitage, Solitude and Community.

How do these themes help us this Lent?

Then John uses the Jerusalem Bible version of Ephesians “We are God’s works of art,”, and asks, do we see ourselves and others as works of art?

He uses this to reflect on John 3 – second half of the conversation with Nicodemus – which is all about identity as well.

Belief as Trust – what does it mean to trust God

-          For our identity – quote Mary MacLeod Bethune (1875–1955)

-          For all we need

Were does the cross fit with all this?

What I want to happen:

Reflect on how "Hermitage, Solitude and Community" help us grow into being God’s works of art, to trust this image and receive the grace to see this in others.

You can read the notes to this sermon here

Last week we talked about “carrying our cross with some examples of “martyrs”. 
When John got home he read about MLK Jr, and some of his experiences with his father in Jim Crow South  – living the truth that he was created a man in the image of God. God made him "Somebody!"  Carrying our cross can be as simple as this.

In light of that explore Exodus 20 – 10 Words – not as something to be done to earn God’s approval, but given to people already brought out o slavery with God’s presence in their midst – in clouds and tent of meeting.10 Words taught them to live as people marked by God’s compassion and generosity – displaying that justice, mercy, aroha for all – Blessed to be a blessing

John portrays Jesus as one step further – not marked by God’s compassion and generosity, but God’s compassion and generosity enfleshed! He is God’s compassion and generosity.

Read John 2 and John’s “Temple Incident” in light of that, remembering that when John is written there is no temple! Jesus is not superseding  the temple – the temple is already gone

Through the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, we are God’s compassion and generosity in our place

What I want to happen:

How do we embody God’s compassion and generosity in our lives.

We finished by watching some of Rev Dr. Rodney Aist's reflections on the desert in the Youtube video "St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness".

You can read the notes for this sermon here

We began by watching Dean Richard talk abut the wilderness, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTZ5cuEz1kk&t=98s>

John then offers some thoughts on how Genesis 17 and Mark 8 help us in this Lenten time.

The Abrahamic Covenant offered in Genesis 12 and 15, and affirmed in Genesis 17 remind us that the blessing is so that the people of God will be a blessing for all people and all creation – so that humanity is restored, and creation renewed. 

Jesus reaffirms this when he says “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Let that blow your minds and change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” What does that look like?

John explores how Caesarea Philippi shapes Peters hopes for this kingdom, and how Jesus rejects this way of violence and power over, as he did in the wilderness. His way is love, replicating the service he received from the angels offering God’s healing mission particularly to the poor, marginalised, rejected. This way can only lead to rejection and death. And Jesus invites us into this way – to follow him, because in this way is life - resurrected life.

Briefly offer Archbishop Janani Luwum as an example of living this way.

What I want to happen:

How does this help us reflect on whose we are, who we are and what is ours to do at this time of change.

You can read the notes to this sermon here

It is Lent – traditionally a time to give something up, to pray and read the bible more, and to support charities. 

John explores the point of all that using his three questions – whose are we, who are we, what is ours to do? He suggests that it is a time to begin again joining in God’s disruptive work in the world

What I want to happen:

People to take the time to both give up things that hinder living as beloved children of God, and take up new practices

You can read the notes to this sermon here

John  uses Mark 1:40-45 to explore some ideas around the point of the healing stories in Mark, using David Loses’ “4 words about Jesus”. (https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/four-words)

What do these teach me/us about God and the divine presence?

What might they say about the Kingdom of God?

How might I live this?

What I want to happen:

How does all this help us be open to invitation in Lent to

We finished by thinking about leprosy today and the work of the Leprosy Mission. We watch this video <https://leprosymission.org.nz/shanne>

You can read the notes for this sermon here

John starts by exploring  what Candlemas is. He then wonders what is revealed of Jesus in story from Mark 1 – that we might see and live in the reign of God today, and  what has this to do with Waitangi Day?

What I want to happen:

-          How are we a restored community of justice, generosity and aroha this Waitangi weekend?

You can read the notes here

John talks about Epiphany and what that is all about, and how we are to read our readings in light of the themes of Epiphany.

He uses the 1 Samuel story to explore place of others in call, especially with young people. Then use this story to talk about call.

Part of call is being knowing God speaks through and works through the unexpected.

Part of call is being found by God through others

When might we say we were found

Who were we revealed to be

How have we and do we continue to live that out

How do we help other people, especially young people, be found?

You can read the notes for this sermon here

John talks about how we have two principal feasts and should not be displaced by any other celebration:  Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord

Originally they were on the same day, and still are for many Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Both stories are unsettling, intense, almost violent. They rupture the lives of those involved

He finishes by asking

• Who is the God revealed in Jesus
• How do we live that revelation

We then watched "Rich" by Rob Bell, part of the Nooma series.

The notes for this sermon can be found here

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, using the story of the Annunciation from Luke's Gospel, John explores who is Mary, and how she might inspire us in our life of faith

And he invites us to reflect on who helps us be disciples and who we help.

You can read the notes here

Last week we were invited to “Wake up!”-  John asks what does that mean for us?

He then uses John 1, particularly John 1: 26+7, and Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, to offer a response - waking up to God’s presence in the light of Christ  in our midst 

He uses Isaiah and Luke 1: 46-55 (Mary’s song of praise and protest) to think about where that light is found today, both within us and in our world.

Using John as our model, how do we bear witness to this light?

Advent is time to take time to nurture that light within, that we might see light of Christ in our world and give witness to it

You can read the notes to this sermon here