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Reframing the Picture

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You can listen to this sermon here   Gate Pa – Lent 5 2024 Readings: Hebrew Scripture:     Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Psalm:                         51:1-12 Epistle:                        Hebrews 5: 5-10 Gospel:                        John 12: 2-35 What I want to say: Explore how John and Jeremiah reframe what is going on to find hope in the midst of despair. As we approach an interregnum and gather for our AGM how might we reframe the story of Anglican Parish of Gate Pa? What might the parable fo the seed dying to bear fruit offer us in these fragile times? What I want to happen: How does John help us reflect on: What do we need to reframe as Anglican Parish of Gate Pa As we come to our AGM As we come to uncertain future with my retirement How does this morning’s reading from John help us be that seed Help us be vehicle for new life find hope.   The Sermon 1.      Introduction That was a crazy little story Greeks want to see Jesus Go to Phillip He goes to Andrew -  

Reframing Sunday

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A while ago I was talking to someone about how our goals often change in the second half of life. He mentioned a book he had read on how in the first half of life we strain to be successful, and in the second half we let that go and live to be significant. To be significant you need to be imaginative and reframe what your life is about, and then live towards that. Reframing is a big theme is today’s readings. Jeremiah (31: 31-34) reframes the covenant from obedience for a reward to the vehicle the people are shaped by God’s generosity and mercy already experienced. In the shadow of a destroyed temple, Law moves from the lost Ark to the Way of God written on their hearts so that the people live as beacons of God’s generosity and mercy, to each other, their neighbours, and all creation. John too is in the business of reframing. John's version of the story of Jesus is so very different from the other three. God only speaks here, not at the baptism. No transfiguration. The angst of

Being God’s Works of Art

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You can listen to this sermon here   Gate Pa – Lent 4 Year B - 2024 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: How do the themes of Hermitage, Solitude and Community help us this Lent Use the Jerusalem Bible version of Ephesians “ We are God’s works of art,” -           See ourselves and others as works of art? Use 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 i