Sermons by Rev Phil Swain (Page 3)
One in Christ
Readings: John 17:20-26 & Galatians 3:23-29Preacher: Rev Phil Swain with Rev Kevin Kim We are celebrating together as a church as all three worship congregations (9am, 10:45am and 6:30pm) are joining for our annual combined worship service at 10am. The theme this year is “One in Christ” and we celebrate how God brings together a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, experiences and giftings to be a community. The two readings acknowledge our oneness in Christ and Phil and Read more
Love, Love, Love
Love, Love, Love God’s prevenient, unfailing, unconditional, amazing love for us (and a little bit of Phil & Marion’s love story as well) Reading: 1 John 4:7-21Preacher: Rev Phil Swain This Sunday is all about love! It is actual Phil and Marion’s 29th wedding anniversary and Phil is taking the opportunity to share a little of their love story (with some envelopes that have to be seen to be believed) as an analogy to ultimately point to God’s prevenient, unfailing, Read more
Pentecost 2022
Pentecost 2022 Readings: Acts 2:1-21Preacher: Rev Phil Swain This Sunday is Pentecost – the day where the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit! The church will be dressed up in red, orange and yellow and we encourage you to come dressed in something of those colours too! Phil will helping us to understand the context in which the day of Pentecost occurred and how this can speak into the context the current day church finds itself. Click here Read more
Around the Table
Around the Table (Creative Worship Experience) Reading: Matthew 26:20-29Lead by Phil Swain and Cam Giacometti A more intimate and relaxed time of worship focused on the imagery of tables. Phil will share a little about the importance of tables for gathering and sharing and Cam will read us a kids book and lead a discussion about our experiences of tables before summing up. Click here to download PowerPoint Slide PDF Questions for reflection or small groups Our own experience of Read more
EHC#4 – The Rhythm of Sabbath
“Emotionally Healthy Church”The Rhythm of Sabbath Reading: Exodus 20:8-11, Hebrews 4:1-11Preacher: Rev Phil Swain If we want to be able to care for other people we must start by caring for ourselves, and in this next instalment of our “Emotionally Healthy Church” series we are exploring the Biblical principle of “Sabbath” and how stopping, resting, delighting and contemplating can bring us life. The rhythms of the Sabbath is more than just about taking “me time” but finding ways to renew Read more
EHC#2 – Looking Back in order to go forward
“Emotionally Healthy Church”Looking Back in order to go forward Reading: Genesis 45:1-15, Hebrews 12:1-3Preacher: Rev Kevin Kim We are continuing our series on exploring what it means to be an emotionally healthy church and addressing some of the issues that lie below the surface (a bit like an iceberg). This week Phil will be looking at how our past experiences, upbringing and the example and wisdom past down to us shape the people we are today. For some people this Read more
Good Friday 2022
How do we plan in a changing world, especially when it comes to our Church’s vision.
Palm Sunday & Songs behind the Hymns
Palm Sunday & Songs behind the Hymns Contains Kevin’s Palm Sunday mini-sermon and Phil’s two mini-sermon “Story behind the Hymns” … When I survey the Wondrous Cross and Thine be the Glory. Enjoy! Isaac Watts wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” in preparation for a communion service in 1707. Originally, the hymn was named “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ,” following the practice of the day to summarize a hymn’s theme in the title. Isaac Read more
Lent #5 – Loosening the Chains of the Spiritually Poor
Loosening the Chains of the Spiritually Poor Bible Reading: Isaiah 1:13-20 Preacher: Rev Phil Swain In the last of our Lenten Series on Loosening the Chains we are looking at how we can help the spiritually poor. What does it mean for a person to be spiritually poor and how does the upcoming Easter message speak to this. A powerful ending for our series on injustice and a great way to prepare for Holy Week and Easter. Click here to Read more
Lent #3 – A Broken world and broken people
A Broken World and broken PeopleBible Readings : Micah 6:6-8 / Luke 7:36-50Preacher: Rev Kevin Kim As our Lent journey brings us closer to the cross, this week we are considering the injustice and oppression that arise from “morally poor” decisions – issues such as racism, climate change, corporate greed and more. What does Jesus and the Bible say about these issues and how can we as Christians begin to loosen the chains of the injustice that morally poor decision Read more