New Song Church Port Perry

In a world of distraction, information overload, and constant pressure, how should Christians understand the time God has given them? Paul's letter to the Colossians reminds us that the Christian life begins not with what we do for God, but with what God has done for us in Christ. As God’s chosen and beloved people, we are called to receive his grace with thanksgiving and to live every part of our lives in the name of Jesus. How might a life rooted in Christ transform the way we see our time ...

Christians are called to give according to their means, but often we miss what's at the heart of our giving: our hearts, our very selves. When we give God our hearts, generosity is multiplied and God is glorified. When we grasp how generous God is to us, our hearts are freed to overflow in response to his inexpressible gift. Mike Tweedle, 30 August 2026

In the Parable of the Talents, we see that God entrusts each of us with gifts, skills and abilities; holds us accountable to what we have received; and will ultimately judge the outcome of our faith. We have a choice to make: will we faithlessly bury our talent out of fear; or will we faithfully use our talent to God's glory and our neighbour's good, as we trust in the generous heart of our heavenly Father? Rob Denhoed, 23 August 2026

Why does our endless obsession with our self-worth leave us feeling less and less worthy? Could it be that we have been looking for self-worth in the wrong place? Jesus wants us to see that in beholding the truly worthy one that we gain the perspective to worship God and trust his sovereign purposes and persevere through suffering and despair. So who is worthy? Why is he worthy? And for what is he worthy? Creighton Friedrich, 16 August 2026

What perspective does God’s heavenly throne room give us in the midst of our earthly struggles? In Revelation 4, Jesus pulls back the curtain to reveal the reality behind our circumstances. God is presently reigning, forever holy, and unsurpassably worthy. Seeing this heavenly reality gives Christians confidence, holiness, and perspective amid present hardship. Creighton Friedrich, 9 August 2026

What if Jesus had nothing good to say about a church? That is exactly the case in his letter to the church in Laodicea, which he calls lukewarm. If we care about the spiritual health of our church today, we need to ask: What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm? What do lukewarm Christians truly need? And what does Jesus offer those who recognize their need? Christ may have nothing good to say about lukewarm Christians, but he has everything good to say to lukewarm Christians. A lukewarm c...

Jesus knows that compared to the might of the Roman Empire, the church in Philadelphia seems to have little power. But what it has is far more important: the strength to keep faithful to God's Word. So what is a faithful church? What does a faithful church do? And what is the consequence of the church's faithfulness? Mike Tweedle, 26 July 2026

Jesus confronts the church in Sardis with a startling diagnosis: they have a reputation for being alive, but are spiritually dying. So what makes for a dying church? What should a dying church do? And what hope does a dying church have? Creighton Friedrich, 19 July 2026

What does Jesus say to a growing church? Christ commends the church in Thyatira for growing in virtue, warns against spiritual compromise, and calls his people to hold fast until he comes. True church growth is measured not merely by numbers, but by Christlike maturity, faithfulness to the gospel, and hope of reigning with Christ. Creighton Friedrich, 12 July 2026

How do you stand firm when the world pressures you to compromise? In his letter to Pergamum, Jesus calls his church to hold fast to him, reject false teaching, and cling to his promises. In other words, a resolute church needs right teaching. So what makes for a resolute church? Why does a resolute church need right teaching? And what promises of Jesus strengthen a church's resolve? Creighton Friedrich, 5 July 2026

In Jesus' letter to Smyrna, we discover Christ's encouragement to a faithful yet afflicted church: a troubled church need not fear suffering because it has a resurrection hope. So what trouble can a church expect? What's a troubled church to do? And what keeps a troubled church going when suffering comes? Creighton Friedrich, 28 June 2026

What does Jesus say to a hard-working church? Addressing the church in Ephesus, Christ commends patient endurance and doctrinal faithfulness, warns against abandoning our first love, and calls his church to remember, repent, and return. For the church that conquers by clinging to Christ, he promises the joy of everlasting life in the paradise of God. Creighton Friedrich, 21 June 2026

Where can Christians find strength to endure tribulation, suffering, and uncertainty? In John's vision, the risen Jesus reveals himself as the glorious Son of Man. His infinite glory calls us to worship, his victory over death frees us from fear, and his presence among his churches assures us in every trial. There is no greater assurance for the Christian in hardship that knowing Jesus for who he is. Creighton Friedrich, 14 June 2026

Many Christians find Revelation confusing or intimidating, yet it opens with a promise of blessing. How does God want us to be blessed by this book? With the knowledge of the three great truths at its heart: Jesus’ Revelation, Jesus’ Redemption, and Jesus’ Return. Far from fueling anxiety or speculation, Revelation calls Christ’s people to hear, keep, worship, persevere, and live in hopeful expectation of his coming. Let's find out what Jesus has to say to his church. Creighton Friedrich, 7 J...

What does it mean to live in the life of the Trinity? On Trinity Sunday, we explore Paul's great blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14 and discover how the Christian life is participation in the grace of the Son, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Creighton Friedrich, 31 May 2026

What does the Holy Spirit actually do in the life of the church? 1 Corinthians 12 shows us that God’s empowering Spirit works unity in and through the whole body of Christ. So let's understand: Who is the Holy Spirit? How does he empower us? And for what does he empower us? Creighton Friedrich, 24 May 2026 (Pentecost Sunday)

What happened after the Resurrection—and where is Jesus now? The Bible says he ascended into heaven, but that’s not just an ending. It’s an enthronement. As Paul explains, the ascension reveals God’s power at work: Jesus now reigns over the entire cosmos and leads His Church from His throne. Creighton Friedrich, 17 May 2017 (Ascension Sunday)

What does the church need most? As Peter concludes his letter he wants Christians to know that we need the Gospel of Jesus Christ, expressed through caring pastors, humble believers, and vigilant sufferers. If we stand firm in God’s true grace, God himself will restore, strengthen, and establish his people for glory. Creighton Friedrich, 10 May 2026

Is suffering proof that we're failed Christians? Peter offers those who suffer great reassurance: don’t be surprised by your suffering, don’t be ashamed of your suffering, and trust God while doing good. Trials are not signs of failure but of refining grace—sharing in Christ’s sufferings now, with the sure promise of future glory. Creighton Friedrich, 3 May 2026

How does the Gospel shape both our mindset and our life? Looking back to Christ’s cross and forward to his return, believers are called to reject sin, endure opposition, and live distinctly—marked by prayer, love, hospitality, and faithful service—for God’s glory in all things. Creighton Friedrich, 26 April 2026

How can you be blessed—even when life is at its worst? Peter called faithful exiles to refuse reviling and practice virtue, to refuse fear and honour Christ in our hearts, and to take the Cross to heart. Discover how true blessing is found not in circumstances or prosperity, but in communion with God through the risen Jesus Christ. Creighton Friedrich, 19 April 2026

Thomas is often called doubting Thomas, but really he's just interested in examining the evidence for himself. So, we might ask, what did it take for you to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Or, if you aren't a believer, what evidence would convince you to believe? Let's consider the risen Jesus, and perhaps we'll discover the great joy of a reasonable faith. Rob Denhoed, 12 April 2026

Was Jesus merely a victim of injustice? Was Jesus simply giving us an example of sacrificial love? Peter wants Christians to understand the power of the Cross is not in what we do for God, but in what God has done for us: reconciling sinners to himself. Creighton Friedrich, 3 April 2026

Is life a story without a happy ending? Is it childish and irrational to long for anything else? The Gospel proclaims hope - not merely a hope at the centre of Christianity, but at the centre of everything. That hope is the Resurrection of Jesus. But how should we respond to that hope? And what difference does that hope make to our lives? Let's consider how the first witnesses to the resurrection were invited to respond: come and see, go and tell, don't fear. Creighton Friedrich, 5 April 2026

We're used to leadership leading to perks, status and VIP treatment. In Christ, leadership has its privileges too: the real privilege of discipleship, love and service. John wants us to see: God is love and we are cleansed because of his love; the servant-leader model is an example of God's love for us; and because of his love we must follow his example and wash each other's feet. Mike Tweedle; 2 April 2026

On Palm Sunday we can look through the eyes of Barabbas and see the heart of the Gospel: Jesus takes the place of the guilty. Creighton Friedrich, 29 March 2026 (Palm Sunday)

What does it look like to glorify God in marriage? Peter calls wives and husbands to reflect the gospel in their relationship—through humble submission and honour. As each lives out their God-given role, marriage becomes a powerful witness to Christ’s love and grace. Creighton Friedrich, 22 March 2026

How can Christians glorify God as faithful exiles? Peter calls believers to practice willing submission—to the state, to workplace authorities, and ultimately to Christ himself. By following Jesus’ example in suffering, Christians bear witness to the gospel and entrust themselves to the God who judges justly. Creighton Friedrich, 15 March 2026

What does it mean to live as a Christian in a world where you don’t quite belong? Writing to believers facing social pressure and exclusion, the apostle Peter wants to share his vision of the Church as a royal priesthood: being nourished by God’s Word, built on Christ the cornerstone, and living faithfully as exiles in the world. Rev. Matt Usherwood, 8 March 2026

How do Christians live out their hope in Jesus Christ? The Apostle Peter wants us to see that because we were ransomed by the precious blood of Christ and born again through God’s living Word, our hope takes visible form in transformed lives of holiness, reverence and love. Creighton Friedrich, 5 March 2026 (rerecorded)

How do Christians relate themselves to the world we live in? Our calling isn't easy: we are in the world, but not of the world, yet for the world. So how do we live in the tension? The Apostle Peter tells us we live as faithful exiles: we are born again, we will have refining trials, and we have biblical confidence. Creighton Friedrich, 1 March 2026

Where do we find hope in the face of sin and death? Psalm 103 points to a love stronger than death: God's patient, prodigal and paternal love for us. God remembers that we are dust, and becomes dust like we are to redeem us. Creighton Friedrich, 18 February 2026 (Ash Wednesday)

When you take stock of your life, what counts as gain? What do you treasure above all else? For the Apostle Paul, the answer is clear: In Christ Jesus, Paul finds his acceptance before God, a new identity, and a living hope for eternity. Could the good news of Jesus reorder our values in the same way? What would it mean for us to leave lesser things behind and press on toward the goal? Bishop Dan Gifford, 15 February 2026 (Celebration & Rededication of New Song Church)

As the book of Jonah concludes, we find the prophet exceedingly angry with God. In fact, he'd rather die than accept the fact that God compassion toward sinners. Through Jonah dialogue with God we see that a self-righteous heart resents a gracious God: it will consider God's grace unjust, and it will consider God's mercy uncaring. But could the opposite also be true? What could it mean for us to humble ourselves before God and delight our hearts in his fathomless grace towards us sinners? Cre...

Nineveh—the violent city at the heart of an enemy empire—is the last place Jonah wants to go. Yet God sends his Word to guilty sinners, calling them to turn (and live). How does God's Word work grace in the life of guilty sinners? It announces his anger toward sin, awakens the sinner to repentance, and assures the repentant sinner of God's grace. God’s Word proclaims death to sin—but life to sinners. Creighton Friedrich, 1 Feb 2026

Jonah's resistance to God's gracious will have sunk him into the very depths of death and hell. Jonah cannot save himself, so what hope does he have? As Jonah prays he knows that even in the depths God still answers, raises and saves him. God's fathomless grace goes deeper than we can sink. Creighton Friedrich, 25 January 2026

Jonah is not the hero of this story. In fact, he's a reluctant and rebellious prophet who begrudges God's generousity. When God calls, he runs. Do we do the same? How do we try to resist God? Why can't we outrun him? And what's the alternative to resisting and running? Thanks be to God: his grace is stronger than our resistance and goes further than we can run. 18 January 2026, Creighton Friedrich

Prepare "your minds for action," writes the Apostle Peter; be "sober-minded". Being a Christian is not a mindless activity - God has designed us to engage our minds creatively towards the well-being and flourishing of our fellow image-bearers. So what could it look like for us to partner with God towards the physical, emotional and spiritual care of others in community? Patty Bowman Kingsley, 11 January 2026 pattykingsley.com

What's so significant about Jesus? Why would the world take notice of his birth in obscurity? In the story of the Magi's visit, Matthew wants us to understand who Jesus is by answering three questions: Is Jesus the Messiah? Whose Messiah is he? And if Jesus is the Messiah, what is our response? Like the Magi, if we can grasp who Jesus is we too can come and adore him. Mike Tweedle 4 January 2026 (Epiphany Sunday)

Christmastime is here - happiness and cheer? Christmas does not negate the darkness, violence and suffering of our world but it does reframe it, as we see Matthew the Evangelist do in the massacre of the Holy Innocents. In the face of real suffering, the Gospel’s answer is not sentimentality but hope: God is at work rescuing the devastated and raising the dead. God enters our grief, ennobles the human sufferer, and, in Christ, makes all things new. Creighton Friedrich, 28 December 2025 (Comme...

What's the most important thing about Christmas? Presents? Cheer? Joy? The Apostle Paul would have us consider: God's kindness, his favour, his goodwill towards us - in a word, God's grace. The grace of God has definitively appeared in Jesus Christ, saving us, sanctifying us, and sustaining us toward our blessed hope. This is the most important thing about Christmas - and it's good news. Creighton Friedrich, 24 December 2025

Over nine bible readings our Lessons & Carols service explores humanity’s deepest problem—estrangement—and God’s gracious answer in Jesus Christ, who comes to reconcile sinners and restore what was lost. Listen and consider the Good News and find assurance that God’s love in Christ is for you. 21 Dec 2025 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Choir & Congregation) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Congregation) Welcome (Pastor Creighton) Lighting of the Advent Wreath & O Come, O Come E...

Why does the world still long for a king? The biblical hope for a faithful ruler is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings—humble yet victorious, reigning not by force but by self-giving love. As the risen Lord who rules over all creation, Jesus calls for our allegiance now and offers unshakeable hope for the day when His kingdom comes in fullness. Creighton Friedrich, 14 December 2025

While human priests offered sacrifices, their ministry was always temporary and incomplete. As our Great High Priest Jesus Christ reconciles us to God—offering himself as the once-for-all sacrifice, atoning for sin, and continually interceding for us. Because of his finished work, we have full assurance before God and are invited to share in Christ's priestly ministry. Creighton Friedrich, 7 Dec 2025

As the Prophet Jesus fully and finally reveals God to us, not merely as God’s messenger but as God’s own Word in the flesh. Because he is the One to whom we must listen, our calling is to obey his voice, rest in his assurance, and bear witness to his truth in the world. Creighton Friedrich, 30 Nov 2025

If Christ is King, why am I so fearful that the world is spinning out of control? Is there hope to be had? True Confidence is found only in the God who rules over everything - including the forces of nature and the fury of the nations. Creighton Friedrich, 23 November 2025 (Christ the King Sunday)

As Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount he wants us to understand exactly what it takes to enter into the fullness of God's Kingdom. Discipleship means choosing correctly between two ways of living, two sorts of teachers to be believed, and two foundations for one's life. The decision is unavoidable, and the stakes are eternal. What will your choice be? Creighton Friedrich, 16 Nov 2025

What makes us so judgemental? Is it a symptom of a self-righteous heart? As God's kingdom reorders our life from the inside-out, it reorders our self-righteous heart from judging to grace. Creighton Friedrich, 9 Nov 2025

A saint is someone who is "in Christ". But what does that mean? And what does that say about our truest identity as Christians? Let's consider the Apostle Paul's four identifying markers: saints are predestined, are purchased, are heirs to promise, and are to praise the Lord. Rob Denhoed, 2 November 2025 (All Saints' Sunday)

We live in the most prosperous moment in history, and yet we also live in a moment with record levels of anxiety. Could anxiety be more than a material problem? Could it have a spiritual solution? Jesus wants us to understand: God's provision, God's protection, and God's paternal care reorders our anxiety. Creighton Friedrich, 26 October 2025

How does God's Kingdom reorder what we desire most? God cares far less about the amount of money we give and far more about the condition of the heart that gives. So what is our heart bound to? And where does it lead? The Rev. Canon Howard Edwards, 19 October 2025

God's Kingdom reorders all of life, including the heart of our prayers. So what does prayer look like when reordered by Jesus towards the heart of a compassionate Father? Performance is reordered to the personal; self-interest is reordered to submission; and self-reliance is reordered to dependence. Creighton Friedrich, 12 Oct 2025

God's kingdom doesn't merely reorder our outward self towards noticeably pious behaviour; it goes deep enough to reorder the inward core of who we are - our very heart - toward God's own glory. So be warned, Jesus says, against practicing self-righteousness to win the approval of others; especially in our giving, our prayer and our fasting. Mike Tweedle, 5 October 2025

God's kingdom reorders life toward heaven - starting with our own hearts. So what difference does that make to otherwise empty words, our desire for retaliation and our instinctive hostility towards our enemies? Jesus wants us to see: God's kingdom will reorder empty promises towards integrity, retaliation towards generousity, and hostility towards love and compassion. Creighton Friedrich, 28 September 2025

God's Kingdom reorders our whole life towards heaven, starting with the heart. So how does a heart reordered by God's Kingdom express itself in the midst of life's hardest challenges? An angry heart is reordered towards reconciliation; a lustful heart is reordered towards purity; and a hardened heart behind divorce is reordered towards loyalty. Let's discover a heavenly peace living life according to Jesus. Creighton Friedrich, 21 September 2025

Jesus wants us to be clear on how the kingdom reorders the purpose of our lives: we are called to influence the world for good (like salt) and to illuminate the world with truth (like light). But we can only understand the purpose of our lives in light of Jesus' purpose: to accomplish true righteousness. Creighton Friedrich, 14 September 2025.

It's hard to overstate the importance of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It's shaped our morals, our politics, our civilization. But what does it all mean? And how do we live it out? As we begin, we discover that God's Kingdom reorders our life toward heaven. This is life according to Jesus. Creighton Friedrich, 7 Sept 2025

What does it mean to take the lowest seat at the table? Christ’s call to humility is an invitation to the true wedding feast of the Gospel — where he lifts us up, unites us to himself, and sends us to share his hospitality with the world. Joel Reinhardt, 31 Aug 2025

The Good News of Jesus is not just an abstract truth - the truth of the Gospel is put into action on an ongoing basis by Christians together as the church. So when the church puts the Gospel into action, we spur one another on toward our good, our gathering, and our goal. Creighton Friedrich, 24 August 2025

The church isn't just a voluntary association or a holy rollers club - it's a family. And it's a family with a purpose: to live out the Gospel together. The Apostle Paul wants us to see that the church is a chosen people, clothed in grace, and called to care enough to bear with one another. Rob Denhoed, 17 August 2025

How does practising the Gospel enable a Christian and his or her church family to overcome spiritual stagnation and discouragement? What if two of the most important practices are the most easily overlooked? James exhorts all Christians discouraged by all sorts of trials: pray for one another and confess your sins to one another. Creighton Friedrich, 10 August 2025

Discouragement is easy, especially as we endeavour to live the Christian life. But what if God has given us a means by which we can be encouraged and encourage others along the way? A Church that puts the Gospel into practice encourages one another to be vigilant, to be self-controlled, and to be confident in light of Christ. Creighton Friedrich, 3 August 2025

Is there anything harder for us to do than forgive? In fact, why forgive at all if it excuses wrongdoing? For the Gospel-centred Christian, like the Gospel-centred church, forgiveness matters. It matters because forgiveness is God's command in Scripture, it's unnatural to us as sinners, and it shows us the heart of God in Christ. When we consider God's generous mercy and kindness toward us in Christ, we find all we need to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Mike Tweedle, 27 July 2...

In a disharmonious world, how can the local church be a living witness for the Gospel? The Apostle Paul reminds us: live in harmony with one another. Creighton Friedrich, 20 July 2025

God's Word doesn't deal with mere moral or behavioural issues - it transforms our hearts from the inside out. King David understands this. In Psalm 139 King David celebrates that God who knows us more intimately than anyone else ever can is the same God who restores and heals us, ultimately in Jesus Christ. God brings us from darkness into light. Guest Speaker: Shusma Adhikari, Executive Director of Aanandit Charity Center in Nepal. 13 July 2025.

A church that puts the Gospel into action serves one another. Why? The Apostle Paul wants us to understand that serving is true liberty, active love, and protects a church family from being laid waste. So what does serving look like today? Creighton Friedrich, 6 July 2025

What does it look like for a flourishing church to put the Gospel into action? We can get a picture from the "one another" commands in the new testament, starting with the most foundational command from the Lord Jesus himself: "love one another". Creighton Friedrich, 29 June 2025

Zechariah prophesies a time when the Lord will save his people. But he will save them in a way no one would expect. The Lord strengthens the weak, The Lord protects the weak, and The Lord saves the weak. Curate Matthew Usherwood 22 June 2025

The Trinity can be very confusing to wrap our heads around. In this sermon we look at the persons of the Trinity, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. The Trinity matters because it shows how helpless we are and it shows us how loved we are. 15 June 2025 Matthew Usherwood

Pentecost matters because the Holy Spirit matters. But who is the Holy Spirit, and what does he do? The first Pentecost Sunday shows us that the Holy Spirit fills the Christian, empowers the Christian for mission, and fulfills God's purpose in his world. Creighton Friedrich, 8 June 2025

Do we really need the Ascension? Isn't it only about the cross and resurrection? This is a common belief but if we don't have the Ascension we don't have Christianity. Paul makes this quite clear in his letter to the Ephesians. Matthew Usherwood 01 June 2025

When we look at the politics, pandemics and global tensions of our time there is much to fuel our anxiety. Is there anywhere we can turn for confidence in a world that feels out of control? King David understands: our security and well-being are completely in God's hands. We can find comfort confidence in a sovereign King who himself has suffered for us to secure our redemption. Bishop Dan Gifford, 25 May 2025 (Confirmation Sunday)

Where do we run to when we're desperate? The Psalmist understands: a true defence in trouble comes only from God and there are no other substitutes that can provide lasting confidence and peace. So wait for the Lord. Creighton Friedrich, 18 May 2025

Psalm 23 has been and is a beloved Psalm for many Christian over the centuries who have gone through suffering and hardships. This Psalm shows us that those who hear and follow Jesus' voice, who is the Good Shepherd, will be taken care of during any season of life. Matthew Usherwood 11 May 2025

Comfort and Confidence in anxious times requires trust in God - but what does trust involve? In the midst of his trouble, David understands trusting God involves dwelling with God, seeking after God, and waiting for God. So what can trusting God look like for us today?

If there's one claim at the very centre of Christianity (without which it wouldn't be Christianity) it's this: Jesus who died rose to life again. What would possess the earliest Christians to make such a extraordinary claim? Is it wishful thinking? Myth-making? Stupidity? The bold claim Easter Sunday makes is this: Jesus' bodily resurrection in history is reasonable. And if that's true, how do we respond to the reality of the risen Lord Jesus? Creighton Friedrich, 20 April 2025 (Easter Sunday)

Two criminals have been crucified with Jesus and are placed on each side of him. One mocks, while the other asks to be remembered. This moment shows the heart of Jesus and the hope of the cross and the resurrection. Speaker: Curate Matthew Usherwood, 18 April 2025 (Good Friday)

Why is the Lord's Supper so important, even essential, to the life of the church? Scripture bears witness: in the Lord's Supper we proclaim Christ as Saviour by partaking of Christ the Saviour - to our endless comfort. Creighton Friedrich, 17 April 2025 (Maundy Thursday)

Jesus now makes his way into Jerusalem in a Triumphant way. We see from this text that Jesus is the all knowing King, we see evidence of Jesus being King and we see how to worship the King. But, everything must be seen in light of the cross or we'll miss it. Matthew Usherwood 13 April 2025

James concludes his letter with a call for prayer in all season of life. Whether you are facing suffering, joy, sickness, prayer is the answer. But why? Gospel driven prayer orients the heart of a disciple of Jesus in a way that causes it to say “not my will but your will be done”. Matthew Usherwood 06 April 2025

Wealth promises freedom: security, assurance, abundance and so much more. But does it deliver? Greed, our inordinate desire to accumulate wealth, James understands, ultimately fails us: it condemns us, it corrupts us and it costs us. So where, if anywhere, can we find true freedom? Let's discover God's transforming generosity shown to us in Christ. Creighton Friedrich, 23 March 2025

"What is your life?" James asks. In other words, what's at the centre of your worldview? James leaves anxious people with no illusions: in life, our time and our control are finite. Therefore, wisdom demands that we submit our whole self to the Lord's sovereign will. If we're courageous enough to do so, we may just discover the antidote for our anxiety. Creighton Friedrich, 16 March 2025

If the church is purposed to be a community of God's grace for it's members and for the world, then why is it so often quarrelling with itself? James makes the solution clear: Christians must surrender self-centred desires, such as inordinate desires for pleasure, prosperity or pride, to be the community of grace it is called to be. Creighton Friedrich, 9 March 2024

Ash Wednesday is an unapologetic reminder: we are dust, and to dust we will return. Is Christianity only a delusional fantasy that allows us to deny the reality of death? Or does our biblical faith give us permission to face death with real and lasting hope? Psalm 103 testifies that we can find hope in a love stronger than death: God's patient, prodigal and paternal love for us. God remembers that we are dust, and does everything about it. Creighton Friedrich, 5 March 2025 (Ash Wednesday)

God's people, James understands, are called to be wise. But where does this wisdom come from? What is the characteristic difference between what is wise and what looks wise? And what kind of fruit does wisdom produce in our lives? Rob Denhoed, 2 March 2025

What is necessary for the mission on which God is sending us? In John 20 we see the risen Jesus sharing his peace with the disciples whom he is sending, transforming their fear to gladness, unforgiveness to forgiveness, and disbelief to faith. Even today Christ's peace can transform us for mission. Mike Tweedle, 23 February 2025 (World Mission Sunday)

James continues to get right to the point concerning the Christian life. This time he focuses in on the tongue and on how what comes out of our mouthes shows where our hearts are. It's impossible to tame the tongue and our only hope is the finished work of Jesus on the cross. 16 February 2025 Curate Matthew Usherwood

Isn't works based faith anti-gospel? James shows us it's not; if you find your grounding in the cross of Christ. He gives practical and Old Testament examples to drill his point home. Life changing faith is a visible faith. Speaker: Curate Matthew Usherwood 09 February 2025

The church bears witness to the Gospel of Jesus by it's love for one another and for its neighbours. So partiality, favouring some members over others, does more than strain relationships within the church: it inverts the Gospel and makes Christians judgemental, hypocritical and guilty. But is there good news that overcomes partiality with grace, sincerity, love and mercy? Creighton Friedrich, 2 Feb 2025

The Christian walk is not just one of passivity. It's requires faithful obedience. But if that's the case, doesn't that contradict justification by faith? In this sermon we will work through the idea of how true liberation leads to faithful obedience. Curate Matthew Usherwood 26 January 2025

If there's one guarantee we have in life it's this: we will face trials. Sometimes these trials are enough to devastate our faith; other times trials can strengthen our faith. So what makes the difference? James tells us that mature faith that overcomes the life's trials requires wisdom, humility and perseverance. Creighton Friedrich, 19 January 2025

Throughout the Bible, God puts his beauty on display through creation and sanctifies the arts for his kingdom. So what is God's heart for the artist? How does his heart shape our hearts towards artists we know, or artists we do not yet know? Artist and missionary Patty Bowman Kingsley helps us to understand our calling as makers who bear our Maker's image. 12 January 2025 pattykingsley.com

The wise men seem so familiar to us from so many Christmas pageants, but what purpose do they serve? The wise men demonstrate that the good news of King Jesus is for everyone. But how will we choose to respond to the arrival of King Jesus? With apathy, antagonism or adoration? Creighton Friedrich, 5 Jan 2025 (Epiphany Sunday)

The book of Psalms is a treasure trove of spiritual nourishment. Psalm 147 speaks directly to the heart of those who are brokenhearted, outcast and wounded. It also shows the posture that's needed to come before the Lord. Matthew Usherwood 29 December 2024

We all long for a world of peace; yet no matter how much we long for it, peace never seems to be achieved. Is peace even possible? Or is it just a nice sentiment for Christmastime? The heavenly hosts want us to understand their announcement: peace on earth is not a result of earth achieving the status of heaven, but rather heaven coming to earth. So where does true peace come from? What does true peace look like in action? And how should we respond to true peace among us?

Perhaps what Christianity brings to your mind suggests that God is very difficult to please, and he expects a lot from us. The Bible, we think, might have some good moral advice about the good God expects us to do, but seems to offer us no help in accomplishing it. But is that all there is to it? We might be surprised to find that instead of a morality tale about what we need to do for God, we find at the heart of Christianity a love story between God and his people, brought to its fulf...

Who was John the Baptist and why does he call out "Behold the Lamb of God" when he sees Jesus? This sermon explores, 1. The Humble Messenger, 2. The Lamb of God, 3. The Baptism of the Heart. Matthew Usherwood 15 December 2024

John's startling claim is this: if you want to know what God is like look long and hard at Jesus. In Jesus we see God's glory, grace and truth revealed. So what kind of God do we meet in Jesus? Creighton Friedrich, 8 Dec 2024

What does the Apostle John mean when he says the "Manifested Saviour" that we've, "seen, heard, and touched with our hands," and what does that mean for us? Does this relate to Advent at all? Matthew Usherwood 01 December 2024