20th May 2012.

Jane spoke to the need for love to be the motivator in “Hospitality.” The reading is from 2 Corinthians 5; 11-21. Love of stranger is derived from Jesus which causes motion into action that comes from our heart. Our energy of love must come from Jesus as it outstrips our own. That in the midst of responsibilities and duties we need to be ruled by Christ’s love for others and that this love can grow as our understanding of Jesus grows.

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

13th May 2012.

Jane spoke to Mark 2:1-12 noting that the workers are few and the balance between genuine availability to God and his work and in fulfilling our responsibilities to others is a difficult one to strike. Jesus was not always available to some people in the way they wanted and made it a priority to go to the lonely places to be with God. Jane raised a series of questions. What is the best use of our time and resources? Are we spending enough time listening to God about what He wants you to do? Are we doing our share of kingdom work? Are some of us too available to people and not to God? What is really driving us forward or keeping us stationary? To be doing God’s work is to be genuinely available to God.

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

6th May 2012.

Geoff brings the talk this week from Acts 10:1-35 covering the second Pentecost as described by Luke. Entitled “tea for two” as the first “T” in “Hospitality” the talk examines whether modern western attitudes towards hospitality as illustrated in the Broadway song “tea for two” models new testament biblical models. It looks at the three lessons Peter learned towards a Spirit inspired hospitality and the journey it required and left with three questions to ask ourselves about the giving and the receiving of hospitality.

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

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