29th April 2012.

Jane explored inclusion and the need for this to be coupled with integrity in the “ I “ of “Hospitality.” The reading was from Ephesians 2:13-22. While the message is the same we need to be prepared to change our company and our practice, and therefore have to be willing to see change in ourselves. All of us need to reconsider our behaviour and thoughts in the light of what God requires of us. God through His forgiveness and grace creates an inclusive community that has integrity as a many voiced church.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the VPBC website.

April 22nd 2012.

This week we continue on the theme of hospitality this time looking at the importance of cultural awareness. In looking at the phrase coined by Bishop Ambrose in response to Augustine’s query “when in Rome do as the Romans do” and using the passage from Romans 14:13-19 and I Corinthians 9:19-23 the talk looks at Paul’s attitude of mind and heart. The talk raises a number of practical issues where a willingness to change our usual practice is tinged with the willingness to share all the blessings of the gospel.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the VPBC website.

15th April 2012

Moving to the S for “Street “ as part of the Hospitality mini-series of sermons. The reading is from Luke 14:12 to 24, which includes the parable of the “Great Banquet.” Using the encounter with being at dinner with the Pharisee the talk looks at the motives for offering hospitality. Then linking this to the expectations of who they thought would be there at God’s feast and Jesus challenging those assumptions and behaviours. Jane then gives 5 practical tips for inviting those outside the circle of “people like us. “

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the VPBC website

8th April 2012

8^th April

The Easter Sunday service today is led by Jane. Continuing in using the word “hospitality” as an acronym we get to the letter “O” for the “Open Tomb.” The reading is from John 20:1-18. In exercising hospitality as a gospel value we are reminded of Hebrews 13:2. God reached out to strangers in welcoming us to “ come and eat “ reflected in our sharing today of the communion meal. The open tomb itself is an open invitation to come and see and tell.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the VPBC website

1st April 2012

1^st April

A Palm Sunday service this morning, with Jane as the speaker, that looked at the area of hospitality. There is a third memory verse from Hebrews 13:2. The talk reflects on with whom and how Jesus spent his last few weeks before his arrest and looking at some of the homes and people he spent time with. To think about who comes to your home and asking discussion questions about why do you think they like coming what do you feel about when they go? That showing hospitality is a gospel virtue ( 1 Peter 4:9) , and that there are many different models and means of comprising households and home. Yet they all can be a great space to meet an essential need to know the love of God. We were reminded that Jesus began the longest journey of his life from a home.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the VPBC website