Sermons on Advent
The Light of the World – Christmas Day 2025
Christmas Day Worship – The Light of the world made his home with usReading: John 1:1-14 Preacher: Rev Phil Swain Celebrate the birth of Jesus in a way which is full of life and love. We will be singing Christmas carols with our Christmas band, “show and tell” (a chance for people to show off their Christmas presents), a creative talk for the kids, some special Christmas prayers, and our minister Phil will share the story of how the Light Read more
A Christmas Pantomime – Christmas Eve 2025
A creative and humorous play a Christmas Pantomime performed by many of our kids and young people who have attended the “Countdown to Christmas” program. Hear the Christmas story through this creative Christmas Pantomime like you’ve never seen before! Heroes and Villains take the stage, with plenty of audience interaction, to help us find the light of Christmas.
The Light of Joy
Advent week #3 – The Light of JOYReading: Luke 2:1-20 Preacher: Rev Phil Swain We continue our Advent journey as we light the third candle — the Candle of Joy. For some people, joy comes naturally at Christmas but for other the joy is more complicated. What does it mean to speak of “great joy” at Christmas? Our reading from Luke 2:1–20 shares the story of the shepherds who most likely were not initially feeling joyful — overlooked, tired, and Read more
The Light of Peace
Advent week #2 – The Light of PeaceReading: Luke 1:26-38 Preacher: Rev Phil Swain We continue our Advent journey as we light the second candle — the Light of Peace. We’ll be looking at Mary’s conversation with the angel in Luke 1:26–38, and that her first reaction wasn’t peace but rather she was “greatly troubled.” Why would words of favour and promise unsettle her? And how does she move from confused and overwhelmed to a place of trust and peace Read more
New Growth: Isaiah
Bible Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 As we moved through Advent Season we are this Sunday we are exploring how anticipation and hope (and also songs and music) can help us capture the Spirit of Christmas (which is Jesus). Our text from Isaiah 9 talked about how the Hebrew people hoping for a saviour “those living in a land of darkness a new light has dawned”. What are we hoping for or anticipating this year as we move closer towards Christmas. Are Read more
Advent – Imagine Peace
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7Preacher: Rev Phil Swain Last Sunday Kevin helped explored Christmas HOPE and the anticipation that a time was coming when weapons of war would be transformed into ploughs. Is this what PEACE is about? In our reading this week is also from Isaiah – Isaiah chapter 9, were find that this promised saviour will also be called the Prince of PEACE … but what sort of peace is this referring to? Using some Christmas symbols that we find Read more
Ponder these things (9am)
Series: Near (Advent Christmas 2021)Theme: Ponder these thingsBible Reading: Luke 1:1-4, Luke 2:19Preacher: Rev Phil Swain It’s been a busy and intensive Advent journey and so this Sunday we are following the example of Mary and taking some time to “ponder things in our heart”. This will be a quieter, more relaxed worship service with things for the kids to do as well as time to be creative, to think and to discover. I am really excited about this different Read more
Through the Wilderness (9am)
Series: Near (Advent Christmas 2021)Theme: Through the WildernessBible Reading: Matthew 1:18 – 2:1Preacher: Rev Phil Swain Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year … but what about when it isn’t. This Sunday we are going to explore how the symbolism of the wilderness connects with the Christmas Narrative – including Jesus’ time as a refugee in Egypt. A different way of thinking about Christmas which taps into the hope and joy that comes with the Read more
Prepare the Way (9am)
Series: Near (Advent Christmas 2021)Theme: Prepare the WayBible Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 / Mark 1:1-3Preacher: Rev Phil Swain This Advent we are letting the voice of Isaiah and John the Baptist to help us focus on what Advent is about … Preparing the way for Jesus to come close to us at Christmas. Isaiah spoke to people going through a dark time that a light was coming. John was saying that one was coming who could save us. How do we Read more
Advent #4 – Quiet Joy (10:45am Traditional Worship)
Theme: Rejoice (Sunday 6 December, 2020)Series: Advent 2020Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-56Preacher: Phil Swain Do you have a Christmas memory that just makes you smile everything you remember it? Something heart-warming or joyous that just captures the spirit of Christmas? Marion and I have a great memory of a Christmas conversation with Matthew when Matt was very young. It was Christmas and we were doing something in the loungeroom, and Matt was chatting away. (Which was not that unusual because Matt Read more