John Hebenton's Podcast
Sunday sermons preached at St. George's Anglican Church, Gate Pa, Tauranga. These are mostly based on the RCL Lectionary readings for that Sunday, with a few variations for our own lectionary in this Province, and special events here at Gate Pa.
Episodes
Easter is a time to have our minds blown by and for our imaginations to run wild with the possibilities of what the reign of God might look like.
- What does that mean for us as we commemorate ANZAC Day and offer a place for our city to commemorate the Battle of Pukehinahina Gate Pa.
- What does mean for us facing very uncertain future as a parish?
John uses the story from Acts about Phillip and the Ethiopian to e...
Psalm Psalm 4
First Reading: Acts 3:12-21
Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-7
Gospel: Luke 24:36-48
Easter is a time to hear stories of the resurrection and how those first disciples respon...
A sermon exploring what it was like for those male disciples when they heard Jesus had risen – They had abandoned Jesus to his death, denied him, betrayed him. They did not die with him as Thomas promised not so long ago – and now he is back!!
- How does that help us read about these two appearances?
Thomas teaches us that the Resurrection is not something to be convinced of, but something to be experienced. And when we do i...
Gate Pa – Year B Easter Sunday 2024
Readings:
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Gospel:John 20:1-18
What I want to say:
Our friend died this week. The resurrection affirms that she is with God now. Swallowed in God’s life. I don’t know what that means or what it looks life. That is ok. I trust God for all that.
Thi...
A reflection to help people into the story of Palm Sunday, to ask where are they in this story, and what do they see?
Invite them to ask, as Jesus sees everything, what are we invited to see?
We watched Rev Dr Rodney Aist speak in front of Church of the Holy Sepulchre on St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness
Hosanna means both thanksgiving and praise, or God save us.
What do we see that we give th...
John talks about the writer of John's gospel and Jeremiah both reframe what is going on to find hope in the midst of despair.
As we approach an interregnum and gather for our AGM how might we reframe the story of Anglican Parish of Gate Pa?
What might the parable of the seed dying to bear fruit offer us in these fragile times?
What I want to happen:
How does John help us reflect on:
- What do we need to reframe as Angli...
Readings:
Hebrew Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm: 107:1-3,17-22
Epistle: Ephesians 2: 1-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21
What I want to say:
We began by watching part of the video - St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness, looking particularly at the Hermitage, Solitude and Community.
How do these themes help us this Lent?
Then John uses the Jer...
Last week we talked about “carrying our cross with some examples of “martyrs”.
When John got home he read about MLK Jr, and some of his experiences with his father in Jim Crow South – living the truth that he was created a man in the image of God. God made him "Somebody!" Carrying our cross can be as simple as this.
In light of that explore Exodus 20 – 10 Words – not as something to be done to earn God’s approval, b...
We began by watching Dean Richard talk abut the wilderness, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTZ5cuEz1kk&t=98s>
John then offers some thoughts on how Genesis 17 and Mark 8 help us in this Lenten time.
The Abrahamic Covenant offered in Genesis 12 and 15, and affirmed in Genesis 17 remind us that the blessing is so that the people of God will be a blessing for all people and all creation – so that humanity is restor...
It is Lent – traditionally a time to give something up, to pray and read the bible more, and to support charities.
John explores the point of all that using his three questions – whose are we, who are we, what is ours to do? He suggests that it is a time to begin again joining in God’s disruptive work in the world
What I want to happen:
People to take the time to both give up things that hinder living as beloved children of God, and ...
John uses Mark 1:40-45 to explore some ideas around the point of the healing stories in Mark, using David Loses’ “4 words about Jesus”. (https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/four-words)
What do these teach me/us about God and the divine presence?
What might they say about the Kingdom of God?
How might I live this?
What I want to happen:
How does all this help us be open to invitation in Lent to
We finished by...
John starts by exploring what Candlemas is. He then wonders what is revealed of Jesus in story from Mark 1 – that we might see and live in the reign of God today, and what has this to do with Waitangi Day?
What I want to happen:
- How are we a restored community of justice, generosity and aroha this Waitangi weekend?
You can read the notes here
John talks about Epiphany and what that is all about, and how we are to read our readings in light of the themes of Epiphany.
He uses the 1 Samuel story to explore place of others in call, especially with young people. Then use this story to talk about call.
Part of call is being knowing God speaks through and works through the unexpected.
Part of call is being found by God through others
When might we say we were found
Who we...
John talks about how we have two principal feasts and should not be displaced by any other celebration: Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord
Originally they were on the same day, and still are for many Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Both stories are unsettling, intense, almost violent. They rupture the lives of those involved
He finishes by asking
- Who is the God revealed in Jesus
- How do we live that revelation
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, using the story of the Annunciation from Luke's Gospel, John explores who is Mary, and how she might inspire us in our life of faith
And he invites us to reflect on who helps us be disciples and who we help.
You can read the notes here
Last week we were invited to “Wake up!”- John asks what does that mean for us?
He then uses John 1, particularly John 1: 26+7, and Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, to offer a response - waking up to God’s presence in the light of Christ in our midst
He uses Isaiah and Luke 1: 46-55 (Mary’s song of praise and protest) to think about where that light is found today, both within us and in our world.
Using John as our model, how do we be...
John wonders if we hear the call to wake up – In Isaiah, in John the Baptiser, in how Mark introduces his telling of the good news of God found in Jesus.
He explores each as they stand on their threshold and the urgency of each's message
Do we feel the urgency as we stand on our threshold.
- What thresholds do we stand on?
- In our wilderness what does it mean to wake up and live peace this Advent
Rev Debbie Garrett explores the themes of Advent using the gospel passage set for the day -Mark 13:24-37.
In all that is happening in this land and around the world today, we are reminded that God is our source of hope and the provider of joy and peace.
John explores the Reign of Christ from Matthew’s perspective using the Sermon on the Mount in particular, and applying that to the parable of the sheep and the goats.
What warnings do we need to heed as we leave Matthew and enter a new year.
How might we live the reign of Christ?
You can read the notes to this sermon here
John talks about how St Francis offers us important ways of living for our world today.
He gives thanks for the SPCA and their work inviting us treat all animals with care and respect and working so that all animals thrive.
In this service we give thanks for the animals we share our lives with
- Acknowledge the important place they hold in our lives
- Celebrate the deep bond we share with them
- Pray for God’s health and life f...
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