Worship Reflections by Rev Swee Ann Koh
30 June 2024 Cutting of Ties
Service to Mark the Conclusion of Rev Swee Ann Koh’s Ministry at Manningham Uniting Church and his Retirement on Sunday, June 30th, 2024 @ 2.30 pm A Reflection: My Story. My Testimony. My Account. Prologue First things first, thank you for coming to my Cutting of Ties and Retirement Service. When I announced to the congregation that I am retiring on 30th June 2024, I said: “Whether it’s good news or bad news depends on you.” Some of you might want to see me…
16 June 2024
Manningham Uniting Church Fellowship@10 16th June 2024: Pentecost 4 Theme: The Power of Small Text: Mark 4:26-34 Introduction“The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.” (Mark 4:26,27). “He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of…
2 June 2024
Manningham Uniting Church Fellowship@10 Holy Communion 02. 06. 2024: Second Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Listening to God’s Call Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and Mark 2:23-3:6. Introduction ‘In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.’ (1 Samuel 3, 1b) These words begin the story of the calling of Samuel. Are you a good listener? Do you know there is a big difference between hearing and listening? Hearing means that the sound waves go into your ear, make the eardrum vibrate, nerves in the snail-shaped structure are stimulated…
19 May Pentecost
Manningham Uniting Church Together@10 19th May 2024: Pentecost Theme: The flames have died down Text: Acts 2:1-11 Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. On this birthday of the church, we would do well to remember the stories our ancestors wove together about what it was like back in the beginning. We are told they were huddled together in fear. Afraid to go outside, in case the authorities might spot them. Tormented by their grief. Afraid the dream might be over. Some of them…
5 May 2024
Manningham Uniting Church Fellowship@10 5th May 2024: Easter 6Theme: Love, love, love Text: John 15:9-17 Introduction What are the top five languages spoken in the world? Chinese — 1.3 billion Native SpeakersSpanish — 486 Million Native SpeakersEnglish — 380 Million Native SpeakersArabic — 362 Million Native SpeakersHindi — 345 Million Native Speakers Next question. How many words for Love are there in Greek? The answer is eight. In English, we use “love” in many ways. We “love” our partner, we “love” the Spring weather, we “love” our friends”…
28 April 2024
Manningham Uniting Church Fellowship@10 28th April 2024: Easter 5 Theme: God is not WhiteText: Acts 8:26-40 Introduction Is God white? You know the answer. Right? According to Rev Dr Grace Ji-Sun Kim, “When Western Christians think about God, the default image that comes to mind is usually white and male.” In her latest book, When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity. She says: “Christianity is rooted in the ancient Near East among people of darker skin. But over time, European Christians cast…
7 April 2024
Manningham Uniting Church 7th April 2024 Easter 2 B Theme: Exposing our Wounds Text: John 20:19 – 31 Introduction Now who wants to share some of the feelings that you have identified in the various characters in John 20:19-31. Congregation share… Let us pray. All we have are a few brief stories. There’s the one about the empty tomb. A stranger robed in white, a gardener perhaps. Folded grave-cloths. Weeping women. Fleeing men. Horrible wounds. Rumours. Confusion. Doubt. Joy. Love. Fear. And always the nagging question. Why?…