Going the Distance (Versus Not)

Going the Distance (Versus Not)

Have you ever been surprised, perplexed or disappointed by watching a Christian you admired leave church or renounce their faith? As hard as this is to grapple with, Jesus told his followers a parable to help them expect and understand it. Sometimes, some people have had hurtful or even harmful experiences of religious people and, for this reason, need space to recover. However, barring this, Matthew 13.1-23 give those with "ears to hear" a clear picture of what happens to people as they journey in faith. Some never understand the Gospel, and so move on very quickly. Others receive Jesus' love with joy and enthusiasm, but their commitment is shallow. As soon as something very painful happens in life, they struggle to sustain it. Some are keen, but the other commitments in their life overwhelm their relationship with God. Others are in forever, no matter what, forsaking all others. These will bear fruit and that is guaranteed.    Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 12 July 2026

Poverty and Generosity

Arguably, two topics we have most failed to educate young people in schools about are money and sex - how to manage personal finances and how to prepare for, choose and sow into a life partnership. This is also true in the Church! Whilst people have often received condemning (or even controlling) messaging around sex outside of marriage and tithing to the Church, many followers of Jesus feel ill-equipped in making decisions about money and sex. In today's teaching from Matthew 10.40-11.15, we encounter some general principles around stewarding finances for the Kingdom. Whilst some are called to fulltime apostolic ministries, it is only through benefactors who sow time and finances into Kingdom projects that the Church moves forward. Jesus assures us that every gift and risk taken is noticed by the Father and will be rewarded.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 28 June 2026

The Gift of Monasticism

What has been your experience of monastic life? Does it extend further than watching The Sound of Music? Perhaps your experience of brothers, nuns or priests in religious schools or communities has been negative? Perhaps very positive? In today's final topic in our 'God is Good For You' series, we considered the gift of monasticism to the Church and world, and its biblical basis. Drawing from Revelation 14.1-5, this week the congregation were invited to meditate on their own experience of three disciplines monasticism reminds us to mimic: missional creativity, putting others before ourselves and practicing daily rhythms of prayer.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 21 June 2026

Letting Ourselves Love Again

One of the greatest human triumphs is the decision to try again after failure, or love again after heartbreak. These decisions are the essence of how we renew after setbacks, both as individuals and as the Church. This Sunday, we continued our 'God is Good for You' series with a focus on how God guides us to rebuild, by turning hearts of stone into hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36.24-32). Drawing from the prophet Ezekiel's words to Israel in the 5th century BCE, we considered how God's spirit helps to remedy four unhelpful coping strategies: escapism, denial, self-sufficiency and intellectual pride. First, God calls us to commit to the process of rebuilding the ruins. Second, we rediscover the beauty of repentance and forgiveness. Third, we love again, realising we can't do life alone. Lastly, we embrace the spiritual gifts, and give up relying solely on our own intelligence to solve problems.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 14 June 2026

Rejoicing In All Circumstances: A Demonstration

Have you ever experienced what it is to rejoice on your worst day, or through your darkest year? If not, you are missing out! This week we practiced what it is to live the defiant, rebellious lifestyle of a disciple of Jesus. As Paul described in Philippians 4.4, we choose to praise and rejoice in all circumstances, because we know that whatever is happening today is not the end of our story. We celebrate, sometimes ahead of schedule, that all will be well, everything will be healed, relationships will be reconciled and God will have the victory over our stories. This Sunday, at the end of our service, we put on our dancing shoes as we welcomed a surprise visit from the Bay Street Brass band and danced in the street to When the Saints Go Marching In.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 7 June 2026