The theme for Lent 2023 is “Cross Focus: How Parables can reveal spiritual truths about the Cross”. We will be looking at a number of Jesus’ parables from the Gospel of Matthew and how they can help us focus on the cross.
| Date | 9am Worship | 10:45am Worship | Night Church |
| 26 Feb Lent 1 | Parables about Forgiveness Matthew 18:15-35 (P) | Parables about Forgiveness Matt 18:21-35 (P) | Free-Form WWHAY with Will |
| 5 Mar Lent 2 + Communion | Parable about Fairness Matthew 20:1-16 (K) | Parable about Fairness Matt 20:1-16 (K) | Forward Facing Fairness (K) Matt 20:1-16 |
| 12 Mar Lent 3 | Parable about inclusion and Choice Matthew 22:1-14 (K) | Parable about Choice Matthew 22:1-14 (K) | Free-Form God & Science? |
| 19 Mar Lent 4 | Parables about Readiness Matthew 25:1-30 (P) | Parables about Readiness Matt 25:1-13 (P) | Forward Facing Judgement (P) Matt 23:14-46 |
| 26 Mar Lent 5 | Possible Church in the Park & Picnic (Bobbin Head Classic) Matt 25:31-46??? | ????? | Free-Form Indigenous Issues??? |
| 2 April Palm Sunday + Communion | Palm Sunday (Kids Focus Idea) Matthew 21:1-17 | Palm Sunday Matthew 21:1-17 | Night Church Passion Week & Easter Experience |
| 6 April Maundy Thursday + Communion | The Last Supper Matthew 26:17-30 | ||
| 7 April Good Friday | The Crucifixion Matthew 27:27-61 | ||
| 9 April Easter Sunday | The Empty Tomb Matthew 28:1-10 | The Empty Tomb Matt 28:1-10 | NO NIGHT CHURCH |
26 Feb – Lent #1.
Parables about Forgiveness
| Preacher: Phil | Reading: Matthew 18:15-35 |
On the First Sunday of Lent, the theme will be how the cross of Jesus helps us to focus on Forgiveness. God is so generous when it comes to forgiveness and in response we are called to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Sermon context will include an overview of our Lent Theme and the purpose of parables, as well as exploring the Parable of the unforgiving servant.
Kids Church Material
- Spill the Beans – Loose Kingdom
- Living the Word (K-2)
- Living the Word (3-6)
- Kids Stuff Activity Sheet
Bible Study Material
5 Mar – Lent #2
Parables about Fairness
| Preacher: Kevin | Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 | Communion |
You may say it is unfair when you read Matthew reading first. By most standards of justice, the labourers who worked longest in the vineyard were entitled to expect the largest amount of pay: who started latest and worked the shortest time really must be happy with a small proportion of that pay.
The person who has been a leader in the church for many years has the same status as the person who has just come to church from last week. As we seek to live by and under the grace of God and that he gives not because of how long we have been in Church; or how hard we have worked for him; or how righteous and spiritual we are; or anything else; but simply because of his love and generosity then he will deal with us out of the abundance of his grace and blessing.
Those who are last will be first and those who wish to be first will be last. There is nothing that can be fairer than that.
Context / Connections
Worship Resources
Kids Church Material
Bible Study Material
12 Mar – Lent #3
Parables about Choice
| Preacher: Kevin | Reading: Matthew 22:1-14 | |
Today’s parable compares the Kingdom of God to a wedding banquet. The banquet is prepared, everything is ready and the king, perhaps somewhat satisfied summons the guests. Shockingly, some simply ignored the invitation; others headed out of town. The rest beat up and killed the king’s messengers.
He opens the banquet hall – and everyone, regardless of whether they are good or bad, is invited to come and share in the royal wedding banquet. Even though absolutely everyone is invited and absolutely everyone is given all they need. Even though they know that the King is going to arrive in person to meet with them sooner or later, there are still people choose to say No.
We should realize that even though we are recipients of an invitation, we must also suitably dress. This is in line with Matthew’s Jewish theology throughout his Gospel which emphasizes that the gifts of God should bear fruit in works of loving kindness and justice. We dream of the day when the joy of the banquet will be ours and we enjoy that joy with our host, God our King.
Context / Connections
Worship Resources
Kids Church Material
Bible Study Material
19 Mar – Lent #4
Parables about Readiness
| Preacher: Phil | Reading: Matthew 25:1-30 | |
Context / Connections
Worship Resources
Kids Church Material
Bible Study Material
26 Mar – Lent #5
Possible Church in the Park
| Coordinator: Phil | Reading: Matt 25:31-46??? | |
Context / Connections
Worship Resources
Kids Church Material
Bible Study Material
2 Apr – Palm Sunday
Kids Focused Worship Idea
| Coordinator: Kevin | Reading: Matthew 21:1-17 | |
We are planning to have kids focused Worship service on Palm Sunday. We will follow ‘messy church’ model – Kids will join the main 9 am worship for about first 20 minutes and then move to the hall where they explore the meaning of Palm Sunday with different craft activities, songs and games. We are hoping to see many young families on Palm Sunday.
Context / Connections
Worship Resources
Kids Church Material
Bible Study Material
6 Apr – Maundy Thursday
| Coordinator: Phil | Reading: Matthew 26:17-30 | |
Context / Connections
Kids Church Material
7 Apr – Good Friday
| Coordinator: Kevin | Reading: Matthew 27:27-61??? Or others | |
On Good Friday,
Context / Connections
Kids Church Material
9 Apr – Easter Sunday
| Coordinator: Phil | Reading: Matthew 28:1-10 | |