Central Church Port Kembla

What is the cross all about? There are many, many things we can see God doing through the cross. This week Caro lays out the idea of the reconciliation of all things that we see in 2 Corinthians 5:19, Colossians 1 and Ephesians 1.

This week Oran explores the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree. What is the meaning behind the only violent act of Christ recorded in the gospels, and how is it relevant to us today?

Caro shares the plan for our Church in 2021…COVID dependent of course. Listen to what our new rhythms of gathering will become.

Drawing from the book of Acts, Carolyn shares what it looks like to be the people of God in a changing world.

Oran shares his recent personal experience with fear and vulnerability.

Final wrap up - Sermon on the Mount by Central Church Port Kembla

Caro unpacks the beatitude ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled’ and we look at the power dynamics present in issues of justice and injustice.

Caro shares the prayer of St. Brendan and how it has been providing connection and meaning in her life and she invites us to find ourselves in the words of this ancient prayer. Prayer of St Brendan Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with you. Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in your hand. Tune my spirit to the music of heaven and somehow, make my obedience count for you. Amen.

Caro has a conversation with Becca about the writing of a Psalm that took all our community’s words describing our relationship with God during isolation and lockdown. We chat about people’s diverse experiences of the spiritual life and how the Psalms give us space to feel every emotion available in our human experience and bring it before God.

Caro talks about the desert father saying: “Go into your cell and your cell will teach you everything.” And how we can mine the lockdown season of COVID-19 for all its treasure. Here is the list of questions Caro throws out: Spirituality • Where, when and how did you most often experience the presence of God? • What parts of your character did you feel God developing during this time? • Describe your relationship with God during this season in 3 words. • If you missed gathering together as church, what did you miss the most? How does this help you understand what’s important for your spiritual life? Body • What gave you energy? • What drained your energy? • Did you exercise more or less than in normal life? How has this felt? • Have your eating patterns changed? • What changes to your lifestyle have you made and do you want to keep them? Creativity and Purpose • What creativity emerged in you? • What frustrated you the most and what did you do about that? • Have any dormant dreams, ideas or hopes risen up in

Oran unpack the idea of this COVID-19 time as liminal space and then dives into how we can wait in this in between space well.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Becca guides us through a time of reflection in prayer connecting with the maternal images of God present in the scriptures. Music by Karl Verkade karlverkade.bandcamp.com/track/bridge…extended-mix Intro and outro music by Chris De Souza desouzamusic.bandcamp.com/track/right-single

The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” Music by Karl Verkade Song: Bridge in E Major (extended mix) https://karlverkade.bandcamp.com/track/bridge-in-e-major-extended-mix Intro and outro music by Chris De Souza Song: Right https://desouzamusic.bandcamp.com/track/right-single

A Guided Meditation for encountering God’s love when you feel you lack control of your situation. Becca leads a gentle guided meditation for when we’re feeling the stress and anxiety of lacking control over our situations. She helps you engage your body, mind and spirit resting in the present moment of God’s love. This one is not a jogging or driving or washing up episode

Cheryl leads us through a guided prayer reflection using Psalm 91. In this episode you’ll want to be sitting somewhere still where you can engage with God yourself, as Cheryl will lead you to ask Jesus some questions and let Him speak to you. This one is not a jogging or car or washing up episode

Caro chats with Chris about the new song he wrote at the beginning our social isolation for the COVID 19 pandemic. You can purchase this song via Bandcamp here is the link: https://desouzamusic.bandcamp.com/

Prayer of St Aidan Leave me alone with God as much as may be. As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore, Make me an island, set apart, alone with you, God, holy to you. Then with the turning of the tide prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond, the world that rushes in on me till the waters come again and fold me back to you. Amen. Aidan of Lindisfarne

Caro shares an introduction to the new COVID19 (Coronavirus) season.

Carolyn, in continuing our look at the sermon on the mount, starts our look at the beatitudes.

Do you wish to provide episode notes for this recording? Carolyn continues our look at the sermon on the mount with “true and false disciples” found in Matthew 7:21-23