John Hebenton's Podcast
447 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago -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.
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Episodes
Living in the Resurrection
April 16, 2024 00:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBPsalm 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 responded. We hear them not to be convinced of the truth of the resurrection,...
Following Thomas!
April 09, 2024 01:00 - 14 minutes - 9.76 MBA 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 it changes everything! How might we live out our own resu...
I Trust God for That
April 04, 2024 00:00 - 14 minutes - 9.99 MBGate 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. This story is bigger than Liz, or me, getting into heaven, if that is what bei...
And So It Begins
March 24, 2024 22:00 - 8 minutes - 6.18 MBA 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 thanks for or that we or others seek deliverance from? – Use these palm fr...
Reframing the Picture
March 19, 2024 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBJohn 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 Anglican Parish of Gate Pa As we come to our AGM As we come to uncertain fu...
Being God’s Works of Art
March 12, 2024 02:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBReadings: 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 Jerusalem Bible version of Ephesians “We are God’s works of art...
Somebodyness
March 04, 2024 23:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBLast 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, but given to people already brought out o slavery with God’s presence in t...
Lenten Following
February 26, 2024 21:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBWe 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 restored, and creation renewed. Jesus reaffirms this when he says “Now is the tim...
Lent – A Testing Time
February 21, 2024 01:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBIt 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 take up new practices You can read the notes to this s...
What is the Point?
February 13, 2024 01:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBJohn 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 thinking about leprosy today and the work of the Leprosy M...
Candlemas Lighting Waitangi Sunday
February 06, 2024 23:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBJohn 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
Being Found on the Edge
January 14, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBJohn 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 were we revealed to be How have we and do we continue to live ...
Repentance, Rupture and Revelation
January 09, 2024 23:00 - 12 minutes - 8.41 MBJohn 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 We then watched "Rich" by Rob Bell, part of the Nooma series. The notes for thi...
Mary Our Model
December 24, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBOn 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
Wake Up
December 12, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBJohn 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 You can read the notes here
Watching and Waiting in Advent and Beyond
December 04, 2023 23:00 - 9 minutes - 6.11 MBRev 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.
Waiting Faithfully in the Reign of Christ
November 27, 2023 23:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBJohn 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
An Abundance of Talents?
November 21, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBJohn invites us to think about the Parable of Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 from several perspectives, reminding us that when we can hold those perspectives rather than looking for the one right way of reading it, we will gain a deeper understanding of all Jesus in inviting us to. He suggests that one we to read this that the Parable of the Talents invites us into the utterly outrageous gift of God’s mercy, love, life; and urgently requires us to live riskily and extravagantly that beatitudes...
Living Gratitude with Francis
November 21, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 5.67 MBJohn 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 for each of them And for their relationship with their human partne...
Difficult, Challenging, Inviting
November 15, 2023 01:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBJohn uses those three responses to explore the readings for Ordinary Sunday 32, especially Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25 and Matthew 25:1-13 . . In reading Matthew, and Jesus' story of the 10 bridesmaids John reflects on the 3 audiences that are involved in listening to this story, and how that helps us hear what it might say to us. We are invited to get ready to live lives of active waiting for reign of God, living for the long haul but looking for the surprising breakouts of the God’s justice, ...
George and the Serpent
August 07, 2023 09:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBFor our St George's Day celebration I wrote this little play about St George, the Serpent (no dragons in this play thank-you!) and the Empress Alexandra (no damsels in this play either - enough of that nonsense.) Here it is all acted out. You can find the script here
How we became St Georges
August 07, 2023 09:00 - 6 minutes - 4.53 MBCliff Simons talks about our early years as a church and when we became St George's
Intertwined in Life
July 18, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.56 MBSt Georges Anglican Church - Hori Tapu, has been doing the Season of Creation early. This week is also Matariki - the Māori New Year. John talks a little about the themes of the Season of Creation and how Matariki helps us engage with these. All this was by way of introduction to watching the "Prophetic Indigenous Voices on the Planetary Crisis- Aotearoa & Polynesia" presented at the Lambeth Bishops conference last year. I've written more about how these themes linked with this weeks readin...
Matariki and Harvest Festival
July 02, 2023 07:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBBonnie Hebenton preaches about how Matariki and Harvest Festvial support each other. In the pew sheet she writes "As we come to this Harvest Festival Sunday, the opening line from Philippians 4 is perhaps what should be foremost in our minds: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." Harvest is a time of looking back over what has been, pausing to give thanks and resting before the work of the new season so that we can reap a harvest again in due course. In Aotearoa New Zealand...
The Northern War 1845 to 46
June 24, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 68.2 MBSt. Georges Anglican Church, Gate Pa, sits on the site of the Battle of Gate Pā-Pukehinahina. Each year we try to offer free lectures to help people understand our history and how it shapes our present. The first talk was given by Dr Cliff Simons on The Northern War 1845 – 46, a well-known historian, speaker and author who specialises in New Zealand's colonial and military history. Cliff will be exploring the story of the Northern War 1845-46 within its historical context so that we can ...
Simply Sent
June 18, 2023 20:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBJohn talks about some of the themes from his time at the Franciscan Convocation in Phoenix. He then talks about Matthew 9:35-10:8 as a pivotal moment in the story, when 12 of his followers suddenly became "sent ones - apostles" no longer observing what Jesus was doing but taking part in proclaiming the reign of heaven has come near. He then explores the importance of Matthew 10:5-8 for Franciscans, how hearing this gospel on the feast of St Matthias in 1208 was a pivotal moment for Franc...
Treaty of Waitangi: He Tatau Pounamu viewing the Treaty through a reconciliatory lens with Dr. Alistair Reese
June 01, 2023 08:00 - 2 hours - 84.4 MBThe second lecture will be given by Dr. Alistair Reese on the Treaty of Waitangi: He Tatau Pounamu. Alistair is a well-known farmer, historian, public theologian and author who specializes in reconciliation work. He will be exploring the Te Tiriti o Waitangi through a reconciliatory lens. St. Georges Anglican Church, Gate Pa, sits on the site of the Battle of Gate Pā-Pukehinahina. Each year we try to offer free lectures to help people understand our history and how it shapes our present. Th...
Breathe on Us, Spirit of Peace
May 30, 2023 00:00 - 11 minutes - 7.84 MBRev Debbie Garrett writes "Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter. In the Book of Joel, the author foretells of a time when God will pour out his Spirit on all people. The name Pentecost comes from the number 50 in Greek and occurs 50 days from Easter. Jewish people possess a connected holiday called Shavuot, which occurs 50 days after Passover, and lasts three days. Consequently, the two holidays often overlap. Pentecost is rich in spiritual sig...
Making God’s Presence Known?
May 23, 2023 00:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBWhat difference does the Ascension make in our lives? John has a conversation about that, and suggests that one way to see the ascension is that it completes the Incarnation, and through it Christ becomes the Christ of all times and places. In light of that, we contemplate on the Ascension and Jesus final prayer in John 17 and take time to reflect on the invitation to make visible the presence of God particularly in love, just as Jesus did. You can read the notes for this sermon here
Being the Dream and Hope of God
May 18, 2023 01:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBHappy mothers day - John wonders what mothers day offers us? It has been a tough last three years – for many it is still tough with inflation. For churches like ours and many others covid has really hit many parishes – we are much more vulnerable than we were. This was a theme of parish planning day on Saturday. Easter is a time to reflect on reflect on and celebrate resurrection and to wonder what resurrection means for us as we regather and rebuild after the last three years. John agai...
It is The Way
May 09, 2023 02:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBJohn puts John 14: 1-14 back into its context. He reads it in its holy week context as Jesus offering words of hope to his disciples as words of hope and promise - that there is always a place in the heart of God, in the midst of our uncertainty and fear. And he reads it for the Easter season we are invited to also ask how these words help us see the risen Christ among us, active in our world. In particular how do we read "I am the way, the truth and the life." How might we be “We must be p...
Wiremu Tamihana - Living Resurrection in his time
May 04, 2023 03:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBCliff Simons uses his experience of visiting his sister in PNG while she was a missionary there to look at the work of Alfred and Charlotte Brown, and one of their key converts - Wiremu Tamihana Tarapipipi Te Waharoa. You can read more about Tamihana here
They Were Not There at the Beginning
April 09, 2023 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.96 MBA reflection/sermon inviting us to bring our own trauma from recent times and to join the two Marys’ at the tomb. And we are invite with them to have our world rocked and to know that God’s life cannot be contained. Jesus’ resurrection changes everything for them and us. We too are invited into the ongoing story to live resurrection lives. How have we met the risen Christ? How might we live resurrection? What changes for you this Easter? People and places which needs God’s resurrected ...
Finding Life with Hēni
March 28, 2023 02:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBHow we are at the moment? - How many of us feeling like field of dry bones in Ezekiel – in need of breath of God? We are reminded by our gospel reading (John 11:1-45) that with Mary, Martha and Lazarus we are invited to know Jesus as the “resurrection and the life.” We will then use the life of one of our “saints” Hēni Te Kiri Karamu, to see explore what this life might look like. What I want to happen: How does the life Hēni lived help us live life in these troubled times? You can rea...
The Samaraitan Woman and Georgina Beyer
March 18, 2023 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.82 MBJohn continues the Lenten theme of looking at people who lived the Beatitudes with persistence. This week he uses the story from John 4:5-42 – the story of an unnamed and mostly invisible Samaritan woman who is made visible though her persistence in conversing with Jesus. From that John explores some of the story of Georgina Beyer – a woman of great persistence You can read the notes for this sermon here
The Samaritan Woman and Georgina Beyer
March 18, 2023 03:00 - 12 minutes - 8.82 MBJohn continues the Lenten theme of looking at people who lived the Beatitudes with persistence. This week he uses the story from John 4:5-42 – the story of an unnamed and mostly invisible Samaritan woman who is made visible though her persistence in conversing with Jesus. From that John explores some of the story of Georgina Beyer – a woman of great persistence You can read the notes for this sermon here
A Persistent Faith - Florence Li Tim-Oi - First Woman Priest In The Anglican Communion
March 06, 2023 00:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MB· Born 1907 in Hong Kong, an ethnic Chinese named Li Tim Oi, which means ‘Much Beloved’. Father chose this name because he valued her as a daughter even when other Chinese preferred sons · When she became an Anglican and was baptised as a student she took the name Florence · 1931 aged 24 she was present for the ordination of Lucy Vincent as a Deaconess in Hong Kong cathedral and there was a call for women to give their lives to Christian Ministry. Minister asked, “Here is...
A Testing Time with Dorothy Day
February 27, 2023 00:00 - 28 minutes - 19.2 MBJesus invites us both into the wilderness, and to know he is with us in our wilderness. Being in the wilderness tested Jesus in his sense of who he was as beloved Son of God, and how he might live that out. Normally Lent is a time for us to reflect on those same questions - who we are as beloved children of God, how we forget that, and how we might live that out. But this year ongoing weather events are leaving many people in a wilderness of loss and grief, for themselves and others. What d...
Persistent Resistance
February 22, 2023 01:00 - 13 minutes - 9.25 MBWe continue our journey into the sermon on the Mount, holding the beatitudes as our map and key. We listen as Jesus continues to reinterpret the law for the new time he lives in, applying the law to new circumstances and requirements. He does do in ways that invite people to be subversive and persistent in the joining God to bring to perfection/completions all God desires – the empire of heaven. In what ways are we persistent in living the Beatitudes? Who inspires us with their persistence?...
Struggling to Live the Gospel
February 15, 2023 03:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBA sermon looking at Matthew 5: 21-37 in the context of the whole of the Sermon on the Mount, and as Jesus teasing our what the Empire of Heaven as described in the Beatitudes are really about. What does it mean for Jesus to fulfil the law? This week we are given examples of how Jesus reads the law. It is to create a community where all can thrive, not just the rich and the powerful. Where the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn etc… are able to be all God desires for them. This happens...
Giving Words
January 31, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBAs we end Epiphany-Christmas with its focus on light and revelation, we are given the Beatitudes from Matthew's sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 1-12). John explores how Jesus gives words to what he is already doing, and what he will continue doing. Jesus is living the empire of Heaven and inviting his disciples to join him. In an election year in all that has happened what uncomfortable positions might this invite us to consider? You can read the notes for this sermon here
Called To Have Our Minds Blown
January 23, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBJohn explores Epiphany as time of intentionally seeing the world differently (repentance) and living that out (call). What are they wrapping their minds about at the moment? You can read the notes for this sermon here
Taking time to reflect on God with us
December 19, 2022 23:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBLet’s read Matthew on its own terms and not in Luke’s shadow Today we read the stories of two men, one faithless and untrusting (Ahaz in Isaiah) and one faithful and trusting (Joseph in Matthew). When I read this, I am reminded of John Dun Scotus – Francisan theologian of high middle ages - "The Incarnation is caused simply by God's generous and free love, and is not provoked by anything a mere human creature has done [i.e., because of the Fall].” Finish with quick overview of Advent - ...
Joining John in Mind Blowing Joy
December 13, 2022 00:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MBJoy reminds us that for many, Christmas is not a time of joy. For many reasons it is very hard. John was finding life hard too. Explore some different ways of reading John’s questions. And then reflect on joy, and where we see God’s joy in the world, and what we might need to hear and see to know joy We are invited to reflect on what joy means this advent. You can listen to this sermon here.
Why does God send a Messiah? - and other interesting questions
December 06, 2022 01:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBJohn asks “Why does God send a messiah” How we answer that shapes how we read this story and what we are preparing for in Advent and what we are celebrating at Christmas. We then explore identity and repentance in light of this. Take time at the end of each day to give thanks for ways God brought peace and hope into your day, and to reflect on the roots that might help you to live peace. You can read the notes for this sermon here
Advent - What are we Waiting For
November 28, 2022 23:00 - 13 minutes - 9.58 MBThe Rev Debbie Garret talks about what the season of advent is about and uses the readings set for this Sunday: Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 to explore what this all means for us. What are we preparing for? What do we hope for this Advent?
Christ our King?
November 22, 2022 21:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBWhere does Christ the King Sunday come from, and in light of that discuss · What images or words of Christ’s kingship come to mind? · What is unhelpful about Christ the King? · Where do we look in the bible for our images of Christ the King? · What does Christ the King offer us? Christ the King is complicated and contested. It means different things to different people and can be used to justify some appalling things. One of those is the shameful story of the cr...
What are we Paying Attention To
November 15, 2022 22:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBJohn begins by reminding ourselves that the questions we ask, what we look for and how we look, determines what we see, even when we read scripture. What questions are being brought to the gospel, and what might Jesus in Luke be inviting us to see? In light of that what does apocalyptic language like Luke 21 invite us to pay attention to. In a world with so much seemingly going wrong what does Isaiah 65 offer. Where are the signs of life? You can read the notes for this here
All Souls - A Time to Grieve
November 09, 2022 23:00 - 8 minutes - 5.71 MBAs part of our service dedicated to remembering those who have died Andrea talks about the history of All Saints/All Souls, and Halloween. The price we pay for love is to grieve. May we love well and grieve well.
Feeling Uncomfortable with Zacchaeus
November 01, 2022 05:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBUsing Amy-Jill Levine's book “Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi” I want to retell the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus a couple of different ways to open up the option of more than one way of reading a these stories as parable. · How do we feel when we read this story? · Do we read verse 8 in the future tense, as something he will do in response to Jesus wanting to come to dinner, or in the present tense as a defence of against the grumbl...