8th July 2012.

The reading is from John 17:1-19. Jane spoke on the Jesus prayer as he faced the greatest conflict with the evil one. Jane again stressed that prayer relationship we have with the triune God but also Jesus’ relationship to the world (cosmos). It is a world that God loves but is in rebellion and under the rule of the evil one. Jesus was sent to save the world and by the same token we are sent by Jesus as his ambassadors to be in the world. Nonetheless we may expect to be hated, just as the world hated Jesus. The talk then looks at how Jesus prays for us and teaches us to pray and as a consequence our relationship to evil.

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

July 1st 2012.

Looking at Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm, 1; 1-3 and John 7:37-41 Jane looks at the intertwining of Word and Spirit on the second of this mini series on prayer and spirituality. The passage in Ezekiel is a prophecy of resurrection not just revival. The passages help us understand how prayer builds relationship with a triune God as body, mind, soul and spirit. So in Matthew 6:7-15 it forces us to ask the same request “Lord teach us how to pray.” That we learn from Jesus what it means to discover true prayer. We further uncover this as a community of prayer. Where in building the walls of prayer this comes together to form a house of prayer for all nations as a means of bringing about God’s will and purpose on earth.

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

24th June 2012.

Jane begins a new sub theme within the “handing on the eternal flame” in the lead up to the Olympics in a few weeks time. This is the place of prayer and spiritualty. In bringing together prayer, theology, and practical Christianity and how it shapes our deepening spirituality. Jane spoke of six areas for spiritual growth drawing from Baptist distinctives of spiritualty but recognising and celebrating too other church streams where we have many things in common. The weight and ingredients may vary but the drawing together of these help call us to areas which may have been neglected and from which we can learn and (re)discover from others such as stillness and journey.

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

17th June 2012.

Jane reviewed and recapped the mini series on Hospitality taking a whistle stop tour through each word of the acronym and puling it together around the fact that God had already set the precedent in the love of stranger and of even enemy and that we are both commanded and compelled to respond. Yet we also have to be inspired and strengthened by the Holy Spirit for our love for stranger as it is likely to be more than we can give or cope within ourselves.

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

6th June 2012.

Looking at “you” in the ”y” of Hospitality, when stranger becomes neighbour. In the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 Jane explores the inter relationships between the culture and background of the scribes and the casting of the Samaritan as the hero. Jane asks the questions as to what sort of people do you feel are your Samaritans and our willingness to learn from their kindness and example as well as extend our love of neighbour to strangers.

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

3rd June 2012.

Jane spoke from Ephesians 4:1-16 around the place of Team and hospitality and where God’s gifted people work together to share the tasks. As friends and co-workers our working together is maintained by prayer and speaking the truth in love. This helps us deal with the inevitable immaturities that can threaten the unity of the team and in exercising mutual accountability. As we consider the various areas of outreach linked to the forthcoming Olympics we (like Paul) can get excited about people joining together in Jesus to achieve God’s will.

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

27th May 2012.

Jane spoke this Pentecost Sunday on Acts 2 using the word “Ignition” from the letter “I” in our mini-series on Hospitality. The talk looks at some of the metaphors of the Holy Spirit (fire, water, oil, wind) and how they combine to drive the power of Jesus’s authority in lives that demonstrates integrity and authenticity while also powering our lives for service. The work of the Holy Spirit combines too with holiness and, above all the consuming fire of God’s love, this is our motivator to mission and service.

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