Resources for faith and life |
Welcome to 'Conversations' ...
Worship, prayer, preaching, inspiration and song from Aotearoa New Zealand |
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Brought to you by Silvia Purdie from Christchurch, New Zealand Silvia is the Minister at Cashmere Presbyterian Church. Check out their website. |
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Trinity Sunday this week
New resources and sermons HERE
New resources and sermons HERE
True that ?!
Scripture and science, ecology and theology
A study written for Middleton Grange School ‘Authentic Christian Teachers’ programme
June 2019
Five themes on what the Bible says about the world:
1) Does God love the world? Should we?
2) 'world', 'earth' and the Bible. What words does the Bible use and what do they mean?
3) Sin, transgression and iniquity in relation to climate change
4) Ecosystems and the Trinity
5) the knowability of things ... the value of scientific method
Scripture and science, ecology and theology
A study written for Middleton Grange School ‘Authentic Christian Teachers’ programme
June 2019
Five themes on what the Bible says about the world:
1) Does God love the world? Should we?
2) 'world', 'earth' and the Bible. What words does the Bible use and what do they mean?
3) Sin, transgression and iniquity in relation to climate change
4) Ecosystems and the Trinity
5) the knowability of things ... the value of scientific method
New Communion liturgy:
The Salvation Table: A Liturgy of Holy Communion
A full Communion liturgy, with congregational responses, and including Psalm 23
Welcome to this table, the feast of salvation
We come around, we stand ready
Jesus is our host, and Jesus is our food
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord
Come in the name of Christ, who declares all are welcome
The Salvation Table: A Liturgy of Holy Communion
A full Communion liturgy, with congregational responses, and including Psalm 23
Welcome to this table, the feast of salvation
We come around, we stand ready
Jesus is our host, and Jesus is our food
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord
Come in the name of Christ, who declares all are welcome
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101 Paper Cranes
May 2019, Cashmere, by Silvia Purdie 100 paper cranes arrived last week from Allegheny, Pennsylvania in a courier box that felt empty but was full of colour. A letter introduced “a handmade mobile of cranes to symbolize peace and healing”. “In case this letter is too serious”, she wrote “let me take a moment to share the fun we had in making paper cranes. The first ones we made were not symbols of peace and healing – more like monsters from the Jurassic Period! – but we persevered. These cranes were made in the chaos that goes on while living, sent with our hope for peace and healing and with all the laughter that comes from continuing to move forward in life. Receive these cranes in the spirit in which they were folded.” I held a pure white paper crane yesterday in a young friend’s bedroom. She found it on a desk at Uni a gift left by a stranger a gift which gave her strength on a bad day. Squares of paper folded in and folded out squeezed and pinched tight then opened out, suddenly a bird, stately, intent, about to fly. Made in the chaos as a sign of peace. Made with love to speak into pain - empty but full of spirit. |
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Greetings with the paper cranes:
You’re in my family’s thoughts and prayers. Stay strong! Greta May God bless all of us. Love and peace, Belinda & Alison I know words mean next to nothing right now, but please know our hearts are with you in these chaotic times. Don’t force yourself to be okay before you actually are. Healing takes time. Emily Thinking of you and praying for you. Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Thank you for the courage and love you have shown the world! May you experience courage and love everywhere you go! Always protect people, and always forgive. Caleb Thinking of you and praying for peace and healing in your community and country. Your community has been an example to the world of how to console and take action during a terrible ordeal. God bless, Maria, Adjunct Prof, Mathematics, Pennsylvania, USA Our hearts are with you. We grieve for your community. I’ve hope these cranes bring a message of peace and healing. Words are never enough. Mary |
Responses from the Cashmere congregation:
To the Community College of Allegheny County Math Honour Society, the Smithfield United Church of Christ and the Boy Scout Troup 109 from Cashmere Presbyterian Church, Christchurch New Zealand May 2019 To our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world - thank you so much for your kindness and thoughtfulness. May you receive manifold blessings for all of this. May you also know all his love and peace. Thank you. Lovely to know you are thinking of us here in NZ Blessings to you all Thank you for thinking of NZ at this time ‘Kia kaha’ – stay strong Thank you for your thoughts with us at this time. Blessings on you. Thank you for your lovely thoughts and concerns. It is so touching feeling your love and compassion, and knowing that we’re one in Christ – however far we are living apart. Thanks for this lovely sign of peace and encouragement! It’s sad to know that we are connected by tragic incidents but it is so much more joy to experience consoling love which we also send back to you! Be blessed! It’s such a great feeling to know that people on the other side of the world know how it feels to go through something as dramatic as this. We all feel very blessed with the cranes you have gifted us with! Thank you! Kia kaha |
New sermons:
The Trinity: Being and doing
John 16:5-15
Romans 5:1-5
I have a question for you this morning – are you more of a ‘do-er’ or a ‘be-er’?
If you had to choose, are you a person who gains most of your identity and purpose from the things you do and achieve, or do you gain most of your identity and purpose from who you are, and who you are there for?
The ‘being-ness’ of all things flows out of the being-ness of God with the Word. Even before the Word is spoken it exists in relationship. John’s gospel begins here, and John’s theology draws us deeper and deeper into being-in-relation
Sermon on 'Paraclete': Two names for the Holy Spirit
John 14:15-26
If you have ever watched Doctor Who you will know that the Doctor travels through space and time in something which looks on the outside exactly like an old fashioned phone box. Barely big enough for one person. But when you step inside it is enormous. The Tardis is bigger on the inside than the outside.
John’s gospel is definitely like that. Every word, indeed, is bigger on the inside than the outside. This morning we’re in chapter 14, and this spins around, in the tardis zooming through a time warp kind of a way, around a huge central idea, that God and Jesus are one and that we get to be part of that one-ness through the Spirit.
Strong and steady under stress
Acts 16: 16-34 - Paul & Silas in prison in Philippi
Learnings about how to deal with tough situations with strength.
So what are the Acts of the Apostles that we celebrate today?
First, prayer and song in the place of pain, made possible through laying down habits of prayer and song in our every-day.
Second, calling out in care to a person in need: habits of compassion, reaching out, to anyone and everyone, without barriers or prejudice
Third, speaking words of faith; being able to put into words what you know to be true about Jesus, strong simple communication
and Fourth, a meal, sharing together with others in hospitality and in communion.
Courage, “Kia kaha!”
Bible Readings: Luke 24:36-49 Romans 8:9-21
we have a simple phrase, planted deep in our nation’s soul. It is this: “Kia kaha”.
These are words we have heard a lot this past month. Kia kaha, Christchurch. Be brave. Have courage.
This is what Jesus says to us, risen from the grave - Kia Kaha!
The energy, power and strength that burst Jesus out of death, this is his Spirit, the same Spirit that breathes in you and whispers in your heart - Kia kaha!
The Trinity: Being and doing
John 16:5-15
Romans 5:1-5
I have a question for you this morning – are you more of a ‘do-er’ or a ‘be-er’?
If you had to choose, are you a person who gains most of your identity and purpose from the things you do and achieve, or do you gain most of your identity and purpose from who you are, and who you are there for?
The ‘being-ness’ of all things flows out of the being-ness of God with the Word. Even before the Word is spoken it exists in relationship. John’s gospel begins here, and John’s theology draws us deeper and deeper into being-in-relation
Sermon on 'Paraclete': Two names for the Holy Spirit
John 14:15-26
If you have ever watched Doctor Who you will know that the Doctor travels through space and time in something which looks on the outside exactly like an old fashioned phone box. Barely big enough for one person. But when you step inside it is enormous. The Tardis is bigger on the inside than the outside.
John’s gospel is definitely like that. Every word, indeed, is bigger on the inside than the outside. This morning we’re in chapter 14, and this spins around, in the tardis zooming through a time warp kind of a way, around a huge central idea, that God and Jesus are one and that we get to be part of that one-ness through the Spirit.
Strong and steady under stress
Acts 16: 16-34 - Paul & Silas in prison in Philippi
Learnings about how to deal with tough situations with strength.
So what are the Acts of the Apostles that we celebrate today?
First, prayer and song in the place of pain, made possible through laying down habits of prayer and song in our every-day.
Second, calling out in care to a person in need: habits of compassion, reaching out, to anyone and everyone, without barriers or prejudice
Third, speaking words of faith; being able to put into words what you know to be true about Jesus, strong simple communication
and Fourth, a meal, sharing together with others in hospitality and in communion.
Courage, “Kia kaha!”
Bible Readings: Luke 24:36-49 Romans 8:9-21
we have a simple phrase, planted deep in our nation’s soul. It is this: “Kia kaha”.
These are words we have heard a lot this past month. Kia kaha, Christchurch. Be brave. Have courage.
This is what Jesus says to us, risen from the grave - Kia Kaha!
The energy, power and strength that burst Jesus out of death, this is his Spirit, the same Spirit that breathes in you and whispers in your heart - Kia kaha!
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Family Tree: Material about my family tree, ancestry, where my ancestors came from in England ...
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In 'Conversations.net.nz' you will find:
GOD ... resources for worship, especially 'Calls to worship' and confession - prayers and home-grown 'psalms' - sermons - Communion liturgies - all-age worship ideas & reflections for children's ministry PSALMS ... reflections on Biblical Psalms interpreted and reworked for prayer and for use in worship LOVE ... poetry, discussions on marriage & intimacy and dramatic explorations of Biblical love stories ... reflections on grief and death SONG ... original music, for worship and for kids ... and lots of lovely photos! 
Because I believe ... that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true! that growing to maturity in Christ takes work that courageous honesty of heart and soul is required that worship is wonderful that each person is a taonga, a treasure, no matter the age, assets or abilities that the local church is the hope of the world. |
In conversation ...
... chatting with friends over coffee ... finding words for the moments and movements of mind & body, my spirit alive with God-Spirit ... getting to know Jesus Christ, ever curious as to what he would say and do ... bringing every fibre and phrase into the eternal conversation of Father Spirit Son ... conversations with children and elders, with church as it is and as it might be ... with my people in my place and offered to everyplace ... with pain and with celebration, with beauty and with scars, with the sacred and the ordinary, with scripture, song and silence. All material here is copy-right free; you are free to copy and paste to your heart's content. I just ask that you acknowledge the source and help promote my website.
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