sermons

Easter Resources and Conference 2015

/ Ian

For our Diocese of Auckland LSMUs: We have secured Grafton Hall for our Conference 2015. The dates will be Friday 27 November to Sunday 29 November. These dates late in the month will mean most students will have already departed. Further information will be sent to units shortly.

Easter resources have been updated. Please note that the Music pages and Jane Williams Reflections pages are now marked Year B, Pt.2 from Easter Day onwards. I would like to acknowledge once again the resourcing provided by Chris Harris, and Natalie Sims comprehensive site, from both of which I seek to provide a digest of the best of old and new, including my own recommendations.

Easter blessings,

Ian

Reflection/action for December 28

/ Ian

This Jane Williams reflections page has been updated today. If you want to make use of the suggested congregational action/reflection you will need to do some preparation in advance as the entry makes clear (but not too much!)

The goal of this reflection is to remind us all that Christmas is a broader focus than the Christ-child: that the incarnation invites us all into the life of God as daughters and sons, if only we open ourselves to the Gift of God.

Christmas blessings,

Ian

Jane Williams on Advent 4

/ Ian

Click here for an application of Jane Williams’ interesting comparison between the First Testament reading and the Gospel for Advent 4. So, what’s wrong with a static nativity scene?

Greetings to all who will be wrestling with the familiar Advent/Christmas texts and seeking a fresh take on them this season!

Ian

Updates and Eucharistic Prayers

/ Ian / 1 Comment

Updates for Jane Williams’ reflection questions and ideas are posted through until November 16. Music lists are also available for all those dates, but the 16 November is a provisional list only, music-wise. There are some really good Youtube clips.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS

Did you know that there are many Eucharistic Prayers that you can use, including those authorized by Anglican Churches around the world? For example, Bosco Peters has provided a significant collection, including ones to use with children here .

There are two from the Church of England on this page. But do note that our NZ  prayers use language which is much more inclusive!

In the Diocese of Auckland, if you are creating liturgy, say, according to the rubrics on p.511ff), your Enabler should review it before use, or you can approach a bishop directly for approval.

 

 

Reflection questions for 19 October

/ Ian

Jane Williams’ reflections for 19 October are concerned entirely with the Gospel passage. This reading is the Pharisees’ intended trap for Jesus regarding payment of the census tax and his answer to them.

The questions provided are intended to help each listener to consider how their lives respond to both the state and the call of God to be active in giving “to God what belongs to God”.

(But note that the hymns and songs page utilises all the readings for the day).

Happy reflecting!

Ian

Updates today for 12 October

/ Ian / 1 Comment

Jane Williams Reflection questions/activities updated today, as well as the hymns and songs page. We’ve focused on the banquet imagery this week.

Our Local Shared Ministry Conference is nearly upon us. If you are attending we will be introducing the above resources at one of the sessions and would be pleased to hear from anyone who has been making use of them, and how that has been working (or not!).

We have a couple of people lined up for that purpose, but more comments will be welcome.

Ian