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Bulletin (28 Sept. 2008)
2 October, 2008
Sermon (14 Sept. 2008)
2 October, 2008
by Rev. Dr John Evans
Exodus 14:19-31
Matthew 18:21-35
Do you ever have one of those days when everything seems to go wrong?
This happens to me, and it usually concerns some relatively small domestic project, like fixing a squeaking door or some such. First of all, you don’t quite have the right tool, and so you improvise. And then what you improvise with – breaks; so it has to be repaired. So you need to drive to the hardware shop, but have a flat tyre on the way – are you getting the picture? And by the end of the day, the door still squeaks, you have a new useless tool, and several other things to fix up, it has cost you a fortune, you didn’t really save money anyway, everyone thinks you are a grump . . and so on. Do you have those days? It can also happen with computers.
Such days are frustrating, even memorable – but hardly life changing. But a day, one day, one moment can change a life, a family, even a nation or the world. The day that just slipped by during the week was one of those days – 11 September 2001, or 9/11 as the Americans call it, changed the world . . . …
Sermon (7 Sept. 2008)
2 October, 2008
by Rev. Dr John Evans
Exodus 12:1-14
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
Last Friday week I stood in a cark park at Fulham – a hamlet, just this side of Sale. One way I looked out there were cows grazing – roaming free. The other way there was a high fence, razor wire and humans in large enclosed areas, and cells. Of course, I was standing outside the Fulham Correctional Centre. A gaol. It was not some reversal of nature – this was the response of our society to actions and deeds that were forbidden and punishable by law. I was there for a baptism: the celebration of a new life in context of guilt and sin.
In a civilised society, we are governed by law administered by courts. People have rights; one is not subject to the whim of a particular person or group. If there is a breach of the law, particularly the criminal law, there are consequences. There is a penalty. Some people go to gaol. In a strange way, it is a measure of our civil and democratic traditions we have gaols. Sadly, not all nations on this earth are the same. Last week in a news report coming out of Somalia it was described as lawless; a failed state. …
Sermon (31 August 2008)
3 September, 2008
by Rev. Dr John Evans
The reading from Exodus today is a pivotal, foundational passage for all of Scripture. It is a basic passage in understanding the story, the history of God. It is essential to our faith.
This reading tells us how God is to be known and named. God is to be known as “I AM” – in Hebrew this is “Yahweh”. God – is a verb and not a noun. God is within the very essence of being, life, existence and creation. God is the creator, God is the sustainer – I AM, says God, is my name.
God, we also learn from Exodus 3, is a God of justice. God heard the cry of the Hebrew people who were in slavery in Egypt – God “noticed them” as Ex 2:25 says. So Yahweh seeks to deliver them from Egypt and bring them up out of that land to a “broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” God is righteous and just.
And also very significantly, we learn that God acts in history – calling, in this instance Moses, to fulfil God’s will in this world. God says to Moses:
So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites out of Egypt.
God acts …
Sermon (24 August 2008)
25 August, 2008
by Rev. Dr John Evans
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
One of the first questions we ask when we meet someone is – where do you come from; where is home? Are you new here; where do you come from?
Place is important. We can make connections with someone because we might know that place, or someone else from that place. Of course place is not everything – but it is an important part of our identity. It tells us and others something. If I were to ask the question, perhaps an odd question, where does the church, the Christian church come from come; where was it founded? What would you answer? You might say Jerusalem – because of the story of Pentecost or where the rest of the Easter action took place. You might say Nazareth in Galilee, where Jesus began his public ministry and where he gave the quote from Isaiah and said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And these would be good answers.
You might, however, say Caesarea Philippi – and that also would be a good answer. In Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is? And who do you say I am?’ Peter replies,
“You are the Messiah, the Christ – the Son of the …
Bomb Harvest
19 August, 2008
This feature documentary about the impact of cluster munitions on Laos depicts Australian bomb disposal expert Laith Stevens training locals to deal with bombs leftover after the US ‘Secret War’ 35 years ago.
Bomb Harvest:
Meanwhile, local children are out hunting for scrap metal . . .
Timely and terrifying, yet filled with eccentric characters and moments of humour, Bomb Harvest is a vivid depiction of the consequences of war and the incredible bravery of those trying to clean up the mess. David Stratton gives it 4 stars!
When: 7:30pm, Tuesday 2 Sept
Doors open 6pm. Arrive early for a good seat. Excellent food and drinks available.
Where: Polly Bar
401 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Cost: this special fundraising screening is only $10
Bookings essential: yconnectvic@redcross.org.au or phone 8327 7715
