Archive: 2018

Anything worth having is worth waiting for

Posted: 28 December 2018

Christmas is over for another year but the message of the saviour born in David’s town is still there for us to think about. This week Simeon Cumberland will say farewell to us by speaking to us from an important passage in Luke. His namesake was there in Jerusalem soon after the birth of Jesus ready to welcome the king. The challenge for us will be to...

It’s Time

Posted: 28 December 2018

The most successful election campaign ever run in Australia was the 1972 “It’s time” campaign which brought the Labour party out of the political wilderness. Most people over 45 still know the song that went with the campaign. For Australians, it was something like Obama’s famous “Yes we can” campaign.

The very first words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark...

Christmas Services

Posted: 22 December 2018

Part of the Christmas tradition involves getting the family together. You might not have family around, but we'd love to have you part of our church family this weekend.

On Sunday we've got an amazing service lined up. I am speaking about how Christmas involves waiting: we live between the first Christmas and the second Christmas. We have peace in our...

Christmas: Disney and the real world

Posted: 14 December 2018

As we near Christmas, we are spending our time as a church reflecting on the early moments of Jesus' life. Last week we heard about Jesus' family tree. This week Al Stewart will be speaking on his birth and the way he presented a threat to the rulers of his day, and how even as a baby they sought to kill him.

Looking forward to seeing you there....Continue Reading

This Sunday: Sermon Impossible

Posted: 05 December 2018

We are finally in summer and into the swing of the Christmas season. We've got a bunch of special services over the next couple of weeks, the highlight of which will be our Christmas Eve and Day services which you can see here.

This Sunday and next we've got Al Stewart speaking on the gospel of Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus. This week Al is...

Christmas at Vine

Posted: 03 December 2018

Whether you go to church or haven't been in years, we'd love to invite you to celebrate Christmas with us.

Christmas Eve family carols service – 5pm  
With BBQ, jumping castles and activities for kids

Christmas Eve candlelight service – 9pm  
With cheese and wine

Christmas Day service – 9.30am 
With special program for kids...Continue Reading

Passing on the message: joy in salvation

Posted: 30 November 2018

Jonathan Swift once famously said:

“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.”

That line could sum up the problem in the life of Jonah.  His hatred ate away at the walls of his soul. Nowhere is that more clear than in Jonah 4:3:

“Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to...

He’s searching for you: joy in heaven

Posted: 23 November 2018

I wonder if you've ever thought of God being happy. Yes he's loving. Yes he's compassionate. Yes he's angry at injustice. But is he happy.

The Bible's teaching is that there is no being in all the universe who is happier than God.

What does that mean? Where do we learn that? Join us this Sunday as we stop to pause in our series rediscovering joy, by...

Storing up for eternity: joy in stewardship

Posted: 16 November 2018

Over the past 4 weeks we have been looking at joy in our life as Christians. It’s a joy in God which grows from knowing him in his word, and expresses itself in practical love for others. This week we are looking at how it’s possible to give generously and with joy.

For many people this subject scares them. But God doesn’t want us to miss out on the...

Everyone plays a part: joy in action

Posted: 09 November 2018

This Sunday is our annual Ministry Fair. Each year we take one Sunday to celebrate all the amazing ways people are stepping up to serve God in Surry Hills and beyond. I will be speaking on the topic of joy in action — how those who enjoy the new life in Christ can't help but serve others. After both services we've got a fair in the backyard in which you can...