From the Desk of the Minister
Collect: Creator of Life, Living Word God, Spirit of the Living God, we come into
your presence through the gate of Christ. In your guidance we feel calm and safe
because of the love you have offered all the world through your Son Jesus Christ
our Lord, Amen
Jesus is the Gateway
I love the Gospel of John because it reveals to us that the intention of his writing
is to restore people to life again. Sin had affected our first parents and in fact
flowing down to us. John is trying his best to make sure that the Son of God, Jesus
Christ is the only way back to life. In this gospel reading for this Sunday, John
presents Jesus as the ultimate leader who loves and brings life to his followers. In
v.10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full.”
To become a good shepherd is to come out of the shell of selfishness in order to
be attentive to those for whom we are responsible and care for. The shepherd
symbolizes watchfulness by being alert to the enemies. His duties entail the
constant exercise of vigilance. He is awake and watching all the time. He calls his
own sheep and leads them out. He goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow
him because they know his voice.
It is important to know that the sheep follow not because they see but because
they recognise the voice of the leader. There are many voices out there in the
world. Whose voice is really important for you to listen to and then respond?
Today we also read Psalm 23 alongside John 10: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack
nothing.” When we have the Good Shepherd and obey his voice, we are likely to
endure all situations in life and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Grace & Peace. Maile
From the Desk of the Minister
Collect: O God, who in the death and resurrection of your Son, have raised up
this fallen world: may we and all your people, whom you have saved from the
gates of everlasting death, rejoice in your eternal presence; through Jesus Christ,
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The hopeless restored again
The story of the two disciples who walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the
Sunday evening is a sad one because of the recent loss of their leader, and the
future is uncertain and hopeless. These two disciples, possibly Cleopas and his
wife Mary, were stuck in a situation of grief associated with a real loss of hope
and may be the reason for their going to Emmaus. Emmaus might be home for
them. They went back there for good. Jesus did not ascend straight away and so
his followers were distraught. Jesus knew that this would be the main trouble
with his followers, their slowness to believe that he has been raised again.
This event probably happened after he appeared to his disciples in the Upper
Room. These two went home with heavy hearts and life seemed to be worthless.
But the story turned when Jesus joined them. Jesus asked, “What are you
discussing together as you walk along?” They replied, about Jesus. They crucified
him and the women did not find the body.” And then it opened up an interesting
conversation where the stranger started to unfold the bible to them. As they
approached the village, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they
invited him to stay with them. He went in to stay. Jesus took bread, gave thanks,
broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they
recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. The question for us is how
is our journey of faith? Luke has invited us to accompany him on a journey of
faith, faith that will take us through anxiety and sorrow to meet the risen Christ.
Today we remember his words, ‘He will never leave us nor forsake us.’ Jesus
meets us wherever we are. He always provides the means of transformation for
our journey. Let us always invite him so that we can see the grace of God in our
lives. Happy journey with the risen Lord!!
Grace & Peace. Maile
From the Desk of the Minister
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery, has
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been
reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what
they profess by their faith; through the same Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Christ breathed on them the Peace”
Last Sunday, we celebrated the great victory of Christ from death in the tomb;
today, the first meeting of Christ with his disciples after his resurrection. Christ
appears in the Upper Room, no longer limited by the conditions of the flesh. Yet
he is the same Lord: the wounds are there in his hands and side.
His first words are a customary greeting, “Peace be with you”; yet how significant
they are coming from him at this time!
“Peace on earth” was the proclamation at his birth; “peace and rest of soul” was
his offer in his public ministry; “my peace I give unto you” was his legacy to his
disciples; peace between God and man through his Atonement; peace between
man and man through his grace. To set forward this word of peace among men is
now laid upon the Church, and the word is still set forward at the end of every
Holy Communion and Funeral – “The Peace of God which surpasses all
understanding…” Today, in the Upper Room, he did not rebuke them for running
away or for their disbelief. He said to them, “Peace be with you”, and then he
showed them his hands and his side. Peace for a Christian does not mean
absence from conflict. Many persecuted Christians hiding behind locked doors in
China and other places, must have found comfort in this Gospel and been glad
when they realised that Peace comes from knowledge of the presence of the
Lord, and that they can share the strength and victory of his Resurrection. Let us
continue to share the Peace of the Lord with ourselves and others.
Grace & Peace. Maile
From the Desk of the Minister
Collect: Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ,
overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who
celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the
death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Day of Victory
St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14 – And if Christ has not been raised from
death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe. In v17,
he also says this – And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is a delusion
and you are still lost in your sins. Well, we have to give thanks to God for the way
of the cross and also the great victory of the resurrection so that we can be still
affirmed that our faith is not in vain and our preaching is not worthless.
The day of resurrection is a day of victory for all Christ’s followers around the
world. Every Christian Church celebrates this special Day as the day of victory for
our Christian Religion. The testimony of the centuries is that most other great
religions have ethical value, but none, save Christianity, has redemptive and
transforming power. The cross is the world’s supreme symbol of hope.
Resurrection is the Love that never ends.
To break the power of sin was a task that only God Himself could accomplish.
Had Jesus not been crucified he would have gone down in history as a great, no
doubt the greatest religious teacher, but he would not have been the Saviour of
the world. There have been many religious teachers, Buddha, Mohammed,
Confucius and others, but there is only one Saviour – Jesus Christ. Today, we are
reminded that we are an Easter People! This is the day the Lord has made; Let us
rejoice and be glad in it. Happy Easter and God Bless!
Grace & Peace. Maile
From the Desk of the Minister
Collect: God in whom we rely, Christ in whom we have faith, Spirit of all our
hopes, we come to worship you and to affirm our confidence in your love. God of
life, you have given us our very existence. Even when we are dried up and feel
only hopelessness and despair, you enliven us with your Spirit and raise us up
once again. Breathe into us and bless us with your grace and love, that we might
choose the way of life as we journey toward the resurrection and beyond. Amen.
From the desk of the minister:
“Believe in him who is life”
The three readings from Ezekiel, Romans and John are talking about death and
affirm that with God’s power, life can be given to us again. The valley of dry bones
is hopeless and cannot be revived according to our human perspectives. There is
no possibility of life. But with God, everything is possible. When God asked
Ezekiel whether these bones can come back to life, he answered, “Only you can
answer that”. Ezekiel was told to speak to the bones and the dead bones received
all of the tissue they needed, and the breath of life revived them.
In Romans, Paul contrasts the Spirit with selfishness. Selfishness leads to a moral
and emotional death within both the individual and the community. Paul
encourages the church to allow the Spirit to work within to counteract the
influence of selfishness. There are only two ways to go. We either choose to be
controlled by human nature, resulting in death; or to be controlled by the Spirit,
resulting in life and peace.
Lazarus is dead, and his sisters are mourning because Jesus arrives too late. Jesus
knows all the situations that he is coming into when he meets the family. When
we think about this story, we are now in the heart of John’s Gospel. Jesus makes
his key “I am” statement – he is ‘resurrection and life’. Only with the echo of this
in mind can we make sense of Jesus’ own arrest, trial, crucifixion and death. And
this statement about himself brings forth the ultimate declaration of faith, “You
are the Christ, the Son of God, come into the world.” Today, we are encouraged
that even in the worst situations in life, let us believe and trust Jesus. For he
alone can turn the worst situation into a joyful and peaceful celebration.
Grace & Peace. Maile
Rev Maile Molitika – Minister’s Message
“The Essence of Maundy Thursday”
Maundy Thursday is always a reminder to all Christians,
about the ultimate love of Christ
Maundy comes from Latin, which means ‘command’, ‘a command to love and the revelation of that
love is Christ Himself. Jesus knew that his time on earth is coming to the end. According to the
Gospel of John 13, Jesus is having a meal with his disciples and he rose from the table, took off
his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist. Then he poured some water into a basin and
began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel. Peter was reluctant have his feet
washed by Jesus, but Jesus said, “If I do not wash your feet, you will no longer my disciple.”
After Jesus washed their feet, he went down to his place at the table and explained – “You call
me Teacher and Lord and it is right that you do so, because that is who I am. I, your Lord
and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet. I
have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you”.
The first lesson that we learn from this last supper is the servanthood of Jesus. No one in the
disciples would have thought about this washing of the feet. Jesus himself the Lord and Teacher
came down on his knees to wash his disciples’ feet. We need to be humble at all times. Jesus’
biggest act of service showing His humility when He washed the feet of His disciples on Maundy
Thursday. This action is often taken as a sign of servitude and humility, usually performed by a
servant for their owner or their guests.
The second lesson that we learn from Jesus on Maundy Thursday is the new commandment.
He did not tell to his disciples, to fight the good fight for Him so the people will know that you
are my disciples. He said in John 13:34 – 35 “And now I give you a new commandment: Love one
another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another. if you have love one another,
then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” Love one another is a command of Jesus
to show that we are his followers. Humility and Love are the essence of Maundy Thursday.
Let us start this Easter Weekend with a clear conscience, pure heart and a joyful attitude.
We all come as one big family of God, to listen to him, to study his words, to pray, to fellowship,
and to recharge our lives from the bread of life, the Living water, and the True Vine.
As we come together this weekend we lay all our troubles and concerns
into the mighty hands of God. His hands are bigger than ours.
So our trust and hope are given to Him who knows the past, present, and the future, Amen.
Grace & Peace, Rev Maile
The Servant King
(An Easter Meditation)
I have a regular Easter ritual! On Good Friday I retreat to my study, don my
headphones, go online and listen uninterrupted to John Stainer’s
Crucifixion. Ironically, I have never sung it in a choir, apart from an acapella
quartet, “God so loved the world”. Nevertheless, this beautiful oratorio
never fails to bring me to my knees in gratitude, deep affection, and
recommitment to the core values of our faith. Easter brings us to the foot
of the cross and the very essence of our Christian faith. We are confronted
once again with the truth of a pure, sinless divine Being, who gave himself
totally and absolutely to those whom he loved, even to the point of dying
for them: for us!
The story is described simply and poignantly in the words of Philippians 2.
Most significantly, the poem begins with a focus on attitude (v.5), a good
place to start! It all begins with attitude: our attitude towards life, towards
others, or towards personal relationships. The Apostle urges his readers
(which includes us) to adopt the same attitude as that of Christ. At the very
beginning, at its very core, is an act of self-abnegation: He does not cling
selfishly to his own rights, status, or position. On the contrary, the very core
of Christ’s attitude is self-denial, for the sake of others. He does not cling
to his “divine rights” but foregoes them, intentionally and voluntarily. He is
the ultimate epitome of humility.
The cross in my photo is West Australian Jarrah, and the base a
piece of mallee root. They were brought together by the skilful
hands of our faithful member Alan Donaldson into a simple worship
centre for our lounge room buffet as a silent testimony to our
calling in Christ. Easter is before us every day!
This attitude was expressed in a deliberate act of letting go: He emptied
himself (v.7) and adopted the role of a servant (doulos). He becomes the
Servant-King who washes the feet of his disciples, who walks alongside them
on dusty roads, sits with them on the hillsides yarning all night, and never
asks them to do what he does not himself do. He leads them by his own
example, both in words and actions.
But as if that’s not enough, there’s more, much more! The ultimate
expression of his humility was to become “obedient unto death, even death
on a cross” (v.8). The Roman cross was not a nice way to die. It was
absolutely barbaric, humiliating, repugnant, shameful and unbelievably
cruel. There is one brief but beautiful passage in Stainer’s Oratorio where a
bass singer sings “Oh ’twas love”, echoed by a tenor, followed by “Yes, and
still thy patient heart is yearning, with a love that mortal scarce can bear”.
Divine love contradicting human barbarism!
Here is our model for Christian discipleship and service. Where else in the
world can we find such a model? Many down through the centuries have
found their deepest motivation through meditation on the cross. People such
as Zinzendorf (founder of the Moravians), Wesley, Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther
King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mercy Ships, and thousands of others,
have all found their inspiration for service in the crucified Christ, the
Servant-King. Certainly, it is the heart-beat of my own faith and service.
But that is not quite all! The Faithful Servant is vindicated through a mighty
act of resurrection. Christ is risen! The cross is empty! The Servant has been
restored to a position of honour and is worthy of worship, praise and
adoration (v.9. Rev 5:12). The victim has become the Victor! (Tom Holland).
Faithfulness, integrity, sacrifice and loving service are ultimately rewarded.
The Divine King reigns!
Yet the challenge remains, to all Pastors, Ministers, Elders, church leaders,
and indeed all disciples: are we ready to follow Him in sacrificial service?
This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow him;
To bring our lives as a daily offering,
of worship to the Servant King. (Graham Kendrick, TiS256)
Rev Graham Warne
From the Desk of the Minister
Collect: Jesus, you come to seek us sinners so we can be transformed to be like you. Satisfy our thirst for life today and every day along life’s journey through wilderness ways. Help us to find time in this forty days, and forty nights of Lent, and on all of our days, for spiritual refreshment and growth in grace, your grace, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. From the desk of the minister: God’s intention for us to be saved
Well, this is another interesting conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. Last week we had a conversation of Jesus and Nicodemus. The beginning of the gospel reading for today is a journey of Jesus from Judea to Galilee. Two roads were used by travellers during this time. They either go through Samaria, or used the road that bypassed Samaria. Because of the relationship between Jews and Samaritans are not good, Jewish people often choose the road that bypasses Samaria just to make sure they won’t meet any Samaritans.
But according to v.4, Jesus had to go through Samaria. He chose this way for a reason. Maybe Jesus wanted to meet the enemy. We often avoid our enemy. If we see someone who is our enemy in the supermarket, we usually deviate so to avoid the meeting.
Jesus’ intention in this story was to go through Samaria so he can meet the enemy and transform her to be a daughter of God. This woman has avoided interaction with others. She chose to come to the well about noon because she knew that no one would come at that time to get some water. But to her surprise, someone was waiting at the well to meet her. Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (for Jews do not associate with Samaritans). “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would be giving you living water.” At the end of their encounter, the woman left her jar at the well and went back to tell the people about this man. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” When we encounter Jesus deeply, our lives would be transformed for He is the giver of Living Water. He is our Saviour. Grace & Peace. Maile
Collect: God of grace abounding, Christ for all humanity Guiding Spirit, we come
to worship you, turning away from whatever may tempt us to idolatry. May our
contrition be genuine and our resolution to serve your purposes sincere; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The temptation of Jesus
Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is often described as a time of preparation
and an opportunity to go deeper with God. It’s a time for personal reflection that
prepares people’s hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.
We are setting our eyes to the cross and Easter but before we arrive on that
occasion, we have to make ourselves right in the presence of God. Lent is a time
of looking into ourselves and our relationship with God and others.
After his baptism Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert, where the devil
tempted Jesus. Jesus went to the wilderness to overpower the devil. The first
temptation is using his power to change stones into bread. Jesus provides bread
for others but he will not use this power for himself. He trust’s in God’s
providential care.
The second temptation is on the top of the temple. Again the devil challenges
Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God, as his enemies did when he hung on the
cross. This time, the devil even quotes scripture (Ps 91:11-12) Jesus refuses to let
his confidence in God become presumption.
The third temptation takes place on a very high mountain. The devil offers Jesus
the political power he claims over all the nations of the world. Unlike the
Israelites of the OT, Jesus remains faithful to God. He names the devil Satan, the
enemy of the humans. When Jesus was tested in the wilderness, fasting and
prayer won the battle for him. During his time in the wilderness, Satan unfolded
all his missiles before Jesus without success, because the Word of God has power
to destroy the missiles of the devil. After 40 days, the devil gives up. Resistance
often win the battle.
Grace & Peace. Maile
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Collect: Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good
pleasure that is the name of your beloved Son, we may abound in good
works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with
you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever, Amen
From the desk of the minister:
We are called to be one and followers of Christ
The context of our reading from the Gospel today is the story of Jesus being
tested in the wilderness. In all of the temptations that Satan came with, Jesus
was victorious because his life was based on the Word of God. No wonder many
people failed when they were tempted by the devil, because they were not
thoroughly based in God’s Word. David in today’s Psalm assures us that the
Lord is “my light and my salvation, I won’t fear anyone”. David had the
confidence to say that when God is our light and salvation – whom shall I fear?
Like they always say, I am in a good hands, so when we are in God’s hands,
we are assured safety and peace in mind.
In the Isaiah reading we are also reminded that we once lived in darkness in our
journey of life, but when Christ comes into our lives, the darkness is gone.
Several times in the Bible, the followers of Jesus are called to be light in the
world. The Hebrew word for light is or, which mean to “illuminate” or “dispel
darkness”. The idea behind the metaphor of light is that Christians are to
illuminated from moral, physical, emotional, and spiritual darkness.
Quoted by Dave Adamson.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in
the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isa 9:2) In verse 4, – David’s
greatest desire was to live in God’s presence each day of his life. I do hope that
this is our call as well. As we continue our journey this new year, we are always
reminded that living in the presence of God will make us endure all
circumstances of life. When Jesus calls his followers, they immediately left what
they had been doing and followed Jesus. Unity is Christ is paramount for all
followers. Let us continue to be one in Christ and obey his commands.
Grace & Peace, Rev Maile
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Collect: Lord , help me to accept the love others offer
but to trust the faithfulness you offered before I was even born.
Gracious Father, thank you for loving me and for joyfully
showing me mercy when I sin against you, Amen.
From the desk of the minister: The only One to trust
As we continue our journey during epiphany, we are reminded of the one to
trust. I am sure we have experienced some kind of failures and troubles in the
past because of putting our trust in someone and that person let us down. When
you get married you might think you’ve married your soul mate or the one who
completes you. The bible teaches that you should never place someone on that
position so that they take God’s place. In Psalm 118:8;
“It says – It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.”
Yes, marriage provides opportunity for sharing vulnerabilities and building trust,
but even as close as marriage is, it was never intended to replace the only perfect
trust you’ll ever find – trust in God. David, in this psalm, is willing to let God
take control. Instead of slipping and sliding around in that awful place, he is able
to find a firm foothold.
He is deeply grateful for God’s intervention.
He counts his blessing, remembering what God has done in the past.
If the Lord has been able to help David in this way, then he can help others too.
Only God can be trusted and it won’t regretted. As the year unfolded before us,
let us put our trust in the One who has everything for us.
Grace & Peace, Rev Maile
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Collect: “God shows no partiality” based on ethnicity, gender,
or any other natural characteristic”, may our Lord God accept us as
we are, teaching us through the love of Jesus Christ, and that we
may be willing to hear and learn from the Holy Spirit, Amen.
GOD WAS WITH HIM (and with us)
This weeks Lectionary from Acts provides us with the first instance
that Peter preaches to a Gentile! Jews tried hard to stay within
the boundaries of their religion; today our societies are multicultural
and includes friendships, marriages, business
and sporting situations that are inclusive.
In Peter’s day, all the associations were with your own kind and only
out of necessity were other denominations or factions allowed in.
Peter would have been hesitant at first to go to Cornelius’s home
to speak about the new Church, Cornelius was a Gentile, one whom
Peter should not be associated with. However, we should be able
to realise that most of the Church of Jesus Christ were, in fact,
Gentiles at this time!
We, as individuals, are blessed with the knowledge that God,
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the Trinity, three in one.
We cannot dictate to others who should or shouldn’t believe,
God directs all things, Jesus is the life of the Church
and the Holy Spirit ministers to us every day.
Our ears, eyes and mouths should be open to listen, see, and then
to speak of the love of Jesus Christ in all our lives.
Blessings to all