Sermon and Service Recordings

8:00pm, Sunday, December 21, 2014

Series: Lessons & Carols 2014

First of three traditional Lessons & Carols services, featuring eight Bible readings, choral and community singing, and a brief meditation by our senior pastor. [ Lessons & Carols 1 - Christmas ]

Audio:Request CD or Subscribe to Podcast Text:Printable (PDF)

Home Delivery

9:00am, Sunday, December 21, 2014

by Aldi Elberts

Passage: Luke 1:31

In our own lives, we can see parallels with Mary's situation. Firstly, like Mary, we are (unexpectedly) highly favoured, beloved of God no matter who we are. Second, while Mary conceived physically, in us the Holy Spirit is born when we believe, and grows within us. Third, while Mary went into labour, we are also called for be fellow labourers with God, bringing his Kingdom into this world through our lives. And in a final contrast, where Mary was delivered of her son, we are delivered by her Son. And both kinds of delivery lead to inexpressible joy. [ Organ/Choir - Advent 4 ]

Audio:Request CD or Subscribe to Podcast Text:Printable (PDF)

Signs Leading Home

11:00am, Sunday, December 14, 2014

by Andrew Brook

Passage: John 1:6-28

Duration: 20 mins 39 secs

Most of us are very used to road signs, and most of the time we follow or obey them. They are not beautiful, but functional. In a similar way, John the Baptist wasn't particularly attractive, with his wild clothes, peculiar Paleo diet, and unwashed desert lifestyle. But he clearly pointed to the coming Messiah, and the crowds therefore flocked to him. What they heard was a call to repent -- to turn around and go back the other way, to God. And in this Christmas season, how well are we functioning as living signs like John, that point to the coming Messiah? [ Organ/Choir - Advent 3 ]

Audio:Listen Download Request CD or Subscribe to Podcast Text:Printable (PDF)

Is Hope Still Possible?

6:00pm, Sunday, December 7, 2014

by Andrew Brook

Passage: Isaiah 40:1-11

Series: Thomas Place Big Questions

When struck by personal tragedy, or facing fears about our world, hope can seem difficult. We may feel guilty, beyond hope. Or despondent, fearing that God doesn't hear our problems. Or fatalistic, thinking nothing we do makes any difference. But hope is not in the absence of bad things. It is found through discovering that God suffers with us, and will redeem all things. [ Thomas Place - Advent 2 ]

Audio:Request CD or Subscribe to Podcast Text:Printable (PDF)

Preparing for Homecoming

9:00am, Sunday, December 7, 2014

by Aldi Elberts

Passage: Mark 1:2-3

Duration: 19 mins

Preparing for our own homecoming requires some preparations. First, in repenting, we need to let go our own baggage, starting with the false idea that we can save ourselves. We need to leave the broad path that society offers, and follow Christ's narrow way. There must be nothing we put ahead of Christ. He forgives us, so that we might become righteous, a new creation. In that new life, we can expect more, having great expectations in our Christian walk. [ Organ/Choir - Advent 2 ]

Audio:Listen Download Request CD or Subscribe to Podcast Text:Printable (PDF)

Spiritual Housekeeping

11:00am, Sunday, November 30, 2014

by Andrew Brook

Passage: Mark 13:24-37

Duration: 19 mins 30 secs

Like Lent, Advent is a time of preparation. Focusing on Christ, the Incarnate One, and his return, is a bit like preparing our house for an important visitor. In fact, we can use the metaphor of house cleaning to help do some stocktaking of where we are up to in our journey, and what is important to us now. But there is one huge difference between Christ and any other important visitor. Jesus doesn't judge us on our preparations. Instead, he is the one who cleans up our messes, and make us presentable. [ Organ/Choir - Advent 1 - Advent preparations ]