Worship Reflections from April 2026
26 April Easter 4
John | Oh, that today you would listen to God’s voice! Fellowship@10, 26 April 2026 Alison Sampson, reflecting on John 10:1-10 plus Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, Psalm 95 and other texts Many years ago, my husband and I stayed at a little bed and breakfast on the shores of Lake Te Anau. As we chatted with the other guests over breakfast, we quickly realised they were all sheep farmers. The couple from New South Wales ran 20,000 sheep, and checked…
19 April Easter 3
Luke | But we had hoped … A reflection on Luke 24:14-35 (Year A Easter 3) Alison Sampson, Manningham Uniting Church, 19 April 2026 ‘But we had hoped…’ say the disciples. The words are so deeply familiar. We had hoped that our marriage would endure. We had hoped the cancer was benign. We had hoped our daughter would live. We had hoped our son would come home. We had hoped for clarity, for success, for blessing. Oh, we had hoped. And…
12 April Easter 2
Thomas the doubter Thomas wasn’t present the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples. He wants evidence. He’s not going to accept these fantastic stories as factual without seeing the evidence for himself. When Jesus comes a week later and appears to the disciples, he talks directly to Thomas. The beginning is first his greeting …Peace be with you His tone in addressing Thomas has no note of judgement or condemnation, but is rather a tone of understanding and compassion. …Put your finger…
5 April Easter Sunday
Easter 2026: God’s Antidote to Stupidity Rev Dr Con Apokis Let me introduce our Easter Service theme: God’s Antitode to Stupidity with a sample of well-intentioned Christian stupidity from last year – none of us are immune to stupidity! Psalm 118:1-2 + 14-23 1 O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be…