Journey of a Thousand Steps

A Woman Who Spends Her Time, Her Sexuality, and Her Money... and a Man Who is Offended

"Leave her alone," Jesus said when His friend, Mary, was criticised for her act of love towards Him. In John 12.1-8 we encounter a story of Jesus sharing a final meal with His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary, days before His journey to the cross. Mary prophetically anoints His body with a highly expensive perfume (and a lot of it), and takes down her hair to dry His feet. As the fragrance fills the house and sinks into her hair, and His, we see her marking a moment of anguish and deep sorrow with extravagant love. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice is preempted as beautiful. As we watch this scene we are invited to consider how we will spend our time, beauty and riches? Are we prepared to let our lives look wasteful to others?  
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 6 April 2025. 

Why The Best Party You Have Ever Been to Should Be at Church

The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known of Jesus' teachings, but perhaps least understood. Rather than a simple story about a son who wasted his money and his time until he 'came to his senses', it is primarily an answer to the question, "Why does Jesus party with 'sinners' and tax collectors?" To answer this question, Jesus tells a story about why an older son who has been faithful can't celebrate with his younger brother who has lived large and lost big. In Luke 15.11-32, Jesus draws out the danger of a scarcity mindset that sees those who spend everything they have on their own pleasure as having more fun, and those who don't, as overlooked by God. This week's message features a song by Cory Asbury called The Father's House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHWRlRkkvV0
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 30 March 2025. 

Why Sin and Judgement Aren't Outdated or Imperialist Categories

Every relationship of depth and meaning reaches a moment of decision: "Are you in or are you out?" When decisions are forced by dictatorial rule, religious manipulation, or worse, violent extremism, doctrine about judgement and 'sin' can be dangerous. However, in Luke 13.1-9, Jesus explains what he does and does not mean by these concepts and why love eventually has to ask, "Are we doing this, or are we not?" This week's message features a song by Paul Cole from 1996, which you might remember from Dawson's Creek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_dVEtLPdDE
Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 23 March 2025. 

Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness Meets Gestalt Psychotherapy

Our lives inevitably face three kind of pressure that will test our true character: experiences of lack, waste and abandonment. This week, Heather engaged a Gestalt technique to illustrate what it's like when voices other than God are tempting us to believe that we can't cope with lack, that we aren't good enough or haven't achieved enough, and that nobody wants us or truly loves us. The season of Lent begins with the account of Jesus' interfacing with the devil in the wilderness and His responses reveal to us how He defeats the devil's lies and will ultimately overthrow his power. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 9 March 2025.

The Decision to Come Down From the Mountain (Otherwise Known as The Transfiguration)

What do the great Christian leaders who have changed the world, fought slavery and won, championed the equality and dignity of women and children, and who are making strides for racial justice in our world today have in common? Like Jesus, they know three things about themselves that Jesus reveales in Luke 9.28-36 (the story of the Transfiguration). First, they know who their inner circle are (Peter, James and John). Second, they know how to connect and stay connected to Heaven. Third, they make the choice to come down from the mountain and follow their calling. Do you know who your best friends are? Do you regularly practice your spiritual gifts? Do you know your life's calling? Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 2 March 2025.

Forgiveness is Not a Feeling

This week's sermon explored one of the more controversial and powerful commands of Jesus: to love and forigve all people, including our enemies. Whilst the teaching in Luke 6.27-38 has often been misused and misappropriated in the life of the Church, forgiveness itself is not the same as reconciliation, is not separate from accountability for behaviours or healthy boundaries in relationships. Nor is forgiveness a feeling. This week we explored the decision to forgive and the neuroscience of how this is achieved. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 23 February 2025.

Go Fish

Have you ever found yourself stuck in relationship patterns that seem to repeat, over and over again? Are you starting to think there are no good fish left in the sea? Luke 5.1-11 shows us that miracles happen when we are prepared to cast our nets into the deep and try again. In this story, Peter shows us what faith looks like, as he takes a risk even though he is tired, the timing feels off and the evidence is that he is wasting his time. Once he takes the plunge, God's love shocks and overwhelms him. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 9 February 2025

Signs of False Religion

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Luke 2.22-40 speaks of Jesus being a "sign that will be opposed." We meet people of deep faith: Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna, and notice the difference between their faith and the fears of those who only want religious control. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 2 February 2025

Showing Up For One or Two People

Why did Jesus go back to Nazareth when he knew he was not going to be received there? In Luke 4:14-21 we see Jesus face rejection by his own family and friends. Why? He doesn't skip the harder towns, and neither should we. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 26 January 2025