Recorded Worship Service Videos

Service 9 August 2026

Matthew 14:22-33: Today’s reading challenges modern readers who seek scientific explanations, but Matthew’s aim is not to prove a miracle but to show why we need Jesus. Our identity is shaped not only by what we stand for but also by what we deny, resist, or fail to do, just like the disciples who denied Jesus and like Paul who confessed doing what he hates. Though we are marked by fear, divided thoughts, and little faith, Jesus walks toward us in our chaos, gives us authority, lifts us when we sink, and frees us to live with his power rather than our doubt.

Service 2 August 2026

Matthew 14:12-21: Jesus begins the feeding of the 5,000 in deep grief after losing John the Baptist, seeking rest in a quiet place. But his retreat is interrupted by crowds, and instead of turning away, Jesus responds with compassion. This moment reveals the mystery of God’s incarnation. Jesus shares our exhaustion, our burdens, and our longing for rest. The miracle begins when Jesus accepts the unexpected people, the disruption, and even the small offering of bread and fish. Our living places are never perfect, but when we accept life’s interruptions with faith, we too experience God’s mystery and the miracles that follow.

Service 26 July 2026

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52: Jesus describes the Kingdom of God through small, ordinary images, such as mustard seeds, yeast, hidden treasure, and simple nets. These objects seem insignificant, but their movement and transformation reveal God’s way. Unlike our desire for glory, size, or power, God chooses what is small, overlooked, and undervalued. Like a weed such as a mustard plant or unwanted yeast, God uses what others dismiss. We are the same, often unnoticed, but deeply loved, forgiven, and used by God. Our small acts of kindness, prayer, and faith become large in God’s hands. In God’s Kingdom, the insignificant becomes precious, fruitful, and life giving.

Service 19 July 2026 with Pastor Nicola Snoek

In Matthew 12:24–30 and Matthew 13:36–46, Jesus explains that God will ultimately separate good from evil. Romans 8:12–25 reminds believers that they are children of God, led by the Spirit, called to put aside the old life and live in hope. Paul teaches that present suffering is temporary, and all creation longs for the future freedom God will reveal. Together, these passages emphasise patience, discernment, and the hope-filled perseverance of God’s people.

Service 12 July 2026 Preacher: Stephen Beasley

Matthew 18:21-35. Peter's question in verse 21 — "how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" — actually sounds generous by rabbinic standards of the day, where three times was often considered sufficient. Peter probably expected praise for suggesting seven. Jesus' answer — "seventy times seven," — isn't really a number at all. It's a way of saying forgiveness isn't something you keep a ledger for. The moment you're counting, you've missed the point.

Service 5 July 2026

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30: Jesus compares His generation to children in the marketplace. It is about distracted, self-focused, and unmoved generation. Our modern world mirrors this attitude, absorbed in personal interests and majority’s expectation. The church is often seen as strange or outdated because it does not fit society’s standards. Jesus teaches that ministry does not depend on brilliance but on the burdens we carry for God’s Kingdom. Christians bear these burdens as the meaning of the cross, trusting that Christ transforms sorrow into joy and weariness into true rest. Though the world is unmoved, our faithful burden brings deeper purpose.

President's Message for the 49th Anniversary of the UCA

The President, Rev Charissa Suli, celebrates the 49th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia, giving thanks for its history, diversity, and shared faith. Using the image of an unfinished Tongan fala (mat), she describes the Church as a community continually being woven together by the love of Christ—across cultures, differences, and challenges. Charissa acknowledges the covenant with First Peoples, the burdens many congregations carry, and the Spirit’s call to renewal, courage, and deeper prayer. Looking toward the 50th year "Jubilee", she invites the Church to heal divisions, confront racism, and continue weaving Christ’s love for future generations.

Service 21 June 2026

Romans 12: 1 – 8: Paul teaches that true community is formed when every part of the body works together with purpose. However, modern life is marked by loneliness, shame, and hiding that is a sign of the brokenness first seen in Adam and Eve. We long for the harmony of paradise, but fences, boundaries, and fear shape our world. Our Op Shop becomes a deeply theological response to this brokenness, when it is a place where walls come down, dignity is restored, and people are seen without judgement. Through precious acts of service, volunteers help rebuild community, offer connection, and reveal God’s healing love. In this way, our Op Shop can give them an idea of God’s perfect community.

Service 14 June 2026

Matthew 9:35-10:8: Jesus’ command to heal, proclaim, and cast out demons feels impossible in today’s world, where public evangelism is often misunderstood or ridiculed. And the disciples themselves were unqualified, conflicted, and socially insignificant. Peter denied Jesus, Judas betrayed Him, and others came from opposing backgrounds. Their calling shows that God chooses ordinary, vulnerable people so that the good news itself carries the power, not human ability. Like the messenger from Marathon who simply shouted “we won,” our lives are meant to embody God’s Euangelion. God provides, as seen in Genesis 22, and sends us not for our strength but for His purpose and authority.