John Hebenton's Podcast

For most of this year we have ended the prayer for the day with “Through Jesus Christ our Liberator”. What we mean by naming Jesus our liberator?All of this weeks passages (Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28) speak in some way of Liberation. John uses these passages to explore what we are liberated from and what we might be liberated into, and how they might speak about our place on this hill in Gate Pa, and the events happening around us including BLM and the creation of a Maori Ward in Tauranga Moana.He finishes by inviting people to reflect onWhat we mean by naming Jesus our liberator?What are we being liberated from?What are we being liberated into?The notes for this sermon can be found here

Use my three questions to explore Matthew 16: 13-20, and nods to the bold women in Genesis and Paul’s renewal of mind.The three questions are -·        Whose are we?·        Who are we?·        What is ours to do?In light of all that - where have we experienced/received God’s abundant generosity and compassion? What difference does that make?You can find the notes to this sermon here.

John explores how there is more than one way to understand most things-         Lock down-         Quarantining-         Jesus treatment of the Canaanite womanIn all this lockdown level 2 means for us, let us take hold of sheer gift and abundance God’s blessing in this time.What gift do this weeks readings offer us as we settle into level 2.The notes for this sermon can be found here

Having a conversation exploring Peace Sunday from the perspective of the story of Jesus walking on the raging sea. Where do we here Jesus say “Be encouraged. It is I. Do not be afraid.” today?You can read the notes for this sermon here

John asks who are our role models of faith in the bible? For some it is Jacob, who wrestles with God for his whole story. We are invited to wrestle with the story of Jesus being compelled to act, out of compassion, getting the disciples to feed 5000 men plus women and children. ·         How does that help us into our celebration of eucharist?·         What does that mean for us today?We are invited to wrestle with what to do with this invitation – you feed them!The notes for this sermon can be found here

What is the kingdom of heaven like?A careless farmer wasting his seedA gorse bush? Yeast hidden is vast quantities of flour? What images would we use and how do we make sense of these images?How do these images help us see see the reign of God/Kingdom of Heaven breaking into our world today?You can read the notes here

A sermon from the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, which was also Refugee Sunday,  exploring the themes of Refugee Sunday through the lens of the story of Rebekah, and Jesus’ yoke from Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.How do we experience God’s faithfulness in all this?What is yoke of Jesus for us?The notes for this sermon can be found here

John explores the underlying message this week of God being the one who provides. How does the reading from Genesis 22:1-14 and from Matthew 10:40-42 help us explore this theme.I wonder - Where is the invitation for us in this harvest festival?The notes for this sermon can be found hereThe service can be watched on our YouTube channel

As we regather for the second time, and prepare for our AGM, some reflections and questions.We have spent 10 years hearing about not having maps for how to do church anymore. We certainly had no maps for doing church over the last 3 months. We had to make it up as we went.Some questions to reflect on - What was your best experience of church during the lock downWhat was the hardest thingWhat was the gift of that timeWhat three wishes do you have for the future as a result of your lockdown church experience“What do you see as the long term positive and negative effects of COVID-19 for your parish?”The notes for this sermon can be found here

As we returned to our church building to worship  together, we spent some time hearing each other’s stories.We used four questions1.     What was the most memorably good thing about lockdown 3 and 4?2.     What was the hardest thing about lockdown 3 and 43.     What was the gift of this time?4.  Where have you experienced the reign of heaven during this time?You can find the notes to this sermon here

John talks about how theology was for the first 1,000 or more years done by people immersed in the life and struggles of the people of the church. Theology was a pastoral response to the big issues they were facing. In the face of persecution for example, who is the God met in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The doctrine of the Trinity should also be read from a pastoral perspective. How do we respond to the community of love that is the Trinity? How do we experience this God in our everyday lives? How do we experience this God as we face the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic? How do we respond?So what is the gift of Trinity Sunday this year, and how do we live that out?You can read the notes for this sermon here

The story of the giving of the Spirit in John is different from Acts. In this time of relaxing pandemic, what does the story of the gifting of the Spirit in John offer us? As Jesus breathes on his terrified disciples offering them peace and a mission, how do we experience The Spirit breathed over and into us? When have been the moments of peace breath, forgiveness, and rejoicing? You can find the notes to this sermon here

John reflects on  the Ascension and Jesus final prayer while we continue to not meet in church and live our lives under level 2 restrictions, where do we see God at work?At the end of the sermon is a little bit about when we might return to having services in church.The notes for this sermon can be found here 

John explores John 14:15-21 and what Jesus says about the Spirit of Truth, the Companion. The gift of the Spirit is that the love of God resides in each one of us, that all may be drawn into the way of God – the way of compassion, generosity, justice and love.And the task of the Spirit is to invite us ever more deeply into love, so that we too might abide in divine love. While we might be physically distanced from each other, we are not distanced from God. While ee might not be able to gather,  we are still invited to live God’s compassion, mercy, justice, inclusiveness, passion, goodness, and peace: for ourselves, for each other,  for all people. John finishes by wondering what we hear in that promise?How have we experienced the Spirit over these weeks? How do we experience this Spirit in our new normal? How might we live that out?The notes for this sermon can be found here.  

John explores how putting John 14 back into the context of John's version of the last supper turns what Jesus says from hard to understand theology to words of comfort and hope in the midst of their terror and confusion. And in doing so they become words of comfort and hope in the midst  in the midst of pandemic lock-downs. Like those disciples we are invited into the image we saw last week of God being protector and provider, even in the midst of this dark time. How does Julian of Norwich help us do that?The notes for this sermon can be found here

This week we follow up on the 4th Sunday in Lent this year, when we also read the 23rd Psalm, and heard the first part of the story we are finishing today – the healing of the man born blind. That Sunday was our last Sunday in our church. We are unsure when we will able to return.What does God being both our protector and provider mean for us at this time?The notes for sermon can be read here

We are in a new normal – getting used to being church in some different and creative ways. Today’s gospel invites us to think about how we recognise the risen Jesus in the ordinary acts of gathering for meals and living in our bubbles. Hearing the story of the disciples meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus has a number of invitations-           What are your hopes in all this?-           How are you feeling?-           Is this something you can share with others-           Or just in prayer?-  what stories and passages from scripture come to mind as you think about your experience over the last 5 or so weeks, and as you look ahead.-  how risen Christ is being made known without our homes in our ordinary act of breaking bread?The notes for this sermon can be found here

Bonnie Hebenton preaches this week. She writes about the themeThe gospel readings this week and for today are all about Jesus' encounters with his disciples after his resurrection. Jesus is constantly reassuring everyone and helping them put aside their fear and anxiety. He keeps saying, "Peace be with you." This is an important reassurance for all of us in the midst of a pandemic, and our current isolation from one another. God has given us peace John 14:27 My peace I leave you, my peace I give you and it is ours to claim at any time. But, just like the disciples, we can easily be overwhelmed and not feel at peace at all. Being at peace is something we can practice. Now seems to be a good time to get in some practice!  Amen

A reflection mirroring the the events around holy week and Easter with our own experience of covid-19 and lock-down, and how the two stories might speak to each other.Quietly in the dawna single wordhas changed our worldWe are freedWhat does that mean for us this year?What changes for us in this moment?You can find the text of this here

Palm Sunday (Branch Monday in Matthew) is time to join the disciples on their journey of recognising Jesus as the King who comes in peace, saving all from all that oppresses, offering God’s healing and life. We join them and Jesus as we walk though this holy week to Golgotha, where Jesus accepts his crown hung on a cross.This week in lock-down offers a unique opportunity to enter this week more fully, holding the way of Palm Sunday in our hearts.Some questions and actions - What oppresses us in our lock down?This week take time to learn to what makes for peace, in your life, in this lock-down. Take time to be still, to experience something of God’s compassion and healing. Take time to know hope love, and joy.The notes for this sermon can be found here