Steeple Church

On Sunday we kicked off our NAIDOC week celebrations which included the opportunity to reflect on our journey at Steeple with walking in solidarity. We were reminded of our rich history including Christian elder William Barak whose legacy is celebrated throughout NAARM.

We then explored the scripture Hebrews 10:23-25 with the encouragement of this years NAIDOC week theme “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”.

We are proud at Steeple of the many wise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices who have shown us great hospitality and love. We hold on to the hope of justice being realised by our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

Sunil encouraged us to discuss together at the table:

What does holding onto hope look like for you today?

What do you think it looks like for your Indigenous
brother and sister to hold onto hope? How are you going to find out this week?

We left with an invitation to spur one another on and to take new steps with the work of solidarity, affinity and action. What step will you take?

Are we hungry, ready and willing to be led by the Spirit? Or are we, like the pagan worshippers, still trying to command God to do our will?

There is a danger in the church of trying to lock the Spirit down - to define boundaries - to find control - or to pursue experiences of the Holy Spirit for how it benefits us, where we seek the Power of the Spirit without Knowing the Spirit.

When we do, we find that like a flame or a wind, the Spirit slips through our closing fingers.

Emmanuel explored how God invites and draws us instead to join the dance of the Father, Son and Spirit, not as spiritual clones but delightful to God in our diversity.

If you missed this message, head to the Steeple Youtube channel to catch up!

Are you a green thumb? Maybe you love being out in nature and would love to get involved in bringing our Steeple garden to life?

There are plenty of ideas and potential projects that we can begin to dream up, and plan for - and some we're ready to get our hands dirty for too!

If you're interested in being involved or have some plant-life or creativity to contribute get in touch with us in DMs and we'll connect you to the crew. Those interested will be meeting on Sunday 7th July (after the service), to do a walk around. Reach out to get involved.

BRING A PLATE - 7th July 10am Service - Sunday a little different.

NAIDOC week kicks off from the first Sunday in July and we're doing Church a little differently!

Bring a plate (or packet) of morning tea to share and make sure you arrive before/by 10am to nab yourself a hot drink for the morning, as the team will be taking last orders shortly after the start of the service.

We're going to gather around tables, chat over food and join with the celebration of NAIDOC which honours and lifts up the rich cultural history that makes Australia unique. We'll draw from Common Grace resources, alongside indigenous voices and art to not only learn and celebrate, but act, in support of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the gift they are to our nation.

As it's an ALL IN service, there won't be a kids program, but there will be fun ways for them to engage.

PLUS...on Sunday 14th July, our Learning & Formation Catalyst Jarrod, will be with us in person - exploring a little more about what it could look like to engage our faith alongside other expressions. A great one to prioritise if you've ever had personal questions about Christians involvement with indigenous practices/culture.

Sometimes we imagine Incarnation means that Jesus “broke into the prison of an earthly body, and then got out again”.

Did Jesus merely come to offer an escape from earthly reality? Or does He promise far more?

The incarnation is this: Not *just* that God is made known. Not *just* that God experience humanity. But that God holds the keys to Life and Death itself - and is doing something about it!

Jarrod explores the richness of the Incarnation as part of our Ancient Paths series and invites us to live differently, in the hope in what God has done, is doing, and will do.

You are Loved. Go be Love.

This blessing we speak over people during communion is not a conditional act to earn love, but instead an invitation to be generous from a place of love.

Made in his image = You are Loved
Being formed in his likeness = Go be Love

We are created in God’s image - to simply be, and to represent God to all creation.

We are also called to grow - formed increasingly into the likeness of God, a being of community and unity, through communion with God and with each other.

CREATED ON PURPOSE AND FOR PURPOSE!

Sunil continues our Ancient Paths series, unpacking the clear yet complex calling placed on the people of Jesus - to love God, love our neighbours - and take care of ALL of God’s good creation.

To listen to the full sermon check out our YouTube page or link in bio.

We’re on the hunt for a Kid’s Ministry Director!

Do you know someone who loves to see Children understand who Jesus is, for, to and through them? If you (or someone you know) values collaboration, innovation and active expression of the heart of God for children, families and community - we’d love to chat!

Maybe you’re curious to learn more about what it could look like to be part of a team intent on cultivating an atmosphere of welcoming participation and fostering inclusive environments where people learn they are loved by Jesus.

Click the link in bio, or get in touch to chat! (OR shoot this post through to someone who sounds like a good fit)

This role is part time, 2 days a week, working from our newly opened, redeveloped ministry space in Balwyn.

What if our biggest concept of ‘God’ is too small?

The God revealed in Jesus is on the edge of human comprehension. Can we really intellectually grasp the fullness of this revolutionary concept of God being a singular being of 3 distinct persons? Of a God who IS love?

Instead of intellectual understanding, we are invited to step into trust - to join with this God, in spirit and in body – and take part in the nature, character and deep love of this 3-in-1 God.

Continuing our Ancient Ways series, Joel challenges us to consider the dangers of certainty and the wonders of community in our wrestling with just who God is.

GOD IS MYSTERY.

Religion often promises us Certainty. The right beliefs, the right rules, the right formulas to experience what you desire from the world, your community and yourself. But when these formulas fail…we either conform to what we know doesn’t work out of shame or desperation - or reject it entirely.

Jesus invites into a different way of thinking: God as mystery… where the story of God is continuing, not complete.
We are drawn in to wrestle with uncertainty. Being willing to live in, even embrace discomfort. Trusting and living in God’s goodness.

Kicking off our Ancient Ways series, exploring the paths taken and tried & tested practices taken by countless generations of people seeking God, and finding Jesus, Mel explored the power of the mystery of God, of not-knowing, and the dangers of certainty

We’re looking to employ a Kid’s Ministry Director!
Do you know someone who loves to see Children understand who Jesus is, for, to and through them? If you (or someone you know) values collaboration, innovation and active expression of the heart of God for children, families and community - we’d love to chat!

Maybe you’re curious to learn more about what it could look like to be part of a team intent on cultivating an atmosphere of welcoming participation and fostering inclusive environments where people learn they are loved by Jesus, to go and be love - all expressed through warm engagement and hospitality to each other, and to our local communities.

Click the link in bio, or get in touch to chat! (OR shoot this post through to someone who sounds like a good fit)

This role is part time, 2 days a week, working from our newly opened, redeveloped ministry space in Balwyn.

RHYTHM & REASON NIGHT - hard to spell, fun to attend!

On Wednesday the 29th May (7-8:30pm), we're creating space to gather for some great chats, updates on behind the scenes stuff and a team based, learning sesh; a great way to get on the same page, and move forward together (one of the takeaways from our collaborative art piece last year!)

This is for you if:
- you just wanna hang out
- you serve on a team
- you're interested in joining a team
- you're curious about Steeple

We hope that this will be a loved regular catch up, once a term, for inspiration, prayer and learning together.

It's a casual set up, so if you're coming straight from work - feel free to bring your dinner along to munch on while we chat!

A popular story in the bible is when Jesus rebukes the Disciples who keep the children away from Him. Jesus makes it known that he loves children and that we must be like 'these' to enter God's Kingdom.

As we continued in the 'Jesus Showed Us' series we were reminded of a God who loves all, even those who do not love God.

What Sunil's message explored on Sunday was the idea of hurdles that we create which in turn stops us experiencing God's presence and goodness. Hurdles not only for ourselves but also those around us.

We can:
1. Stop being a hurdle to others
- Encourage those around us including children in their faith journey and to pursue spiritual disciplines
- Model spiritual practises at home
- Be inclusive and welcoming reflecting God's love for all.

2. Stop being a hurdle to yourself
- Embrace vulnerability and community
- Trust in God's provision and presence
- Shift from a "me" mindset to a "us/we" mindset

3. Remove hurdles that have been set for others
- Practise Kingdom generosity
- Advocate for those seen as "children" - the last, the lost and the least
- Love unconditionally, as God first loved us

If you missed out on the message, you can catch up via the Steeple YouTube channel.

If you're someone who experiences pain or complexity this Mother's Day, we pray you will feel the nearness of God who is with you.

Gentle Mother's Day to those in waiting and wanting, for those who have lost, for those who grieve their mothers, or whose relationships are painful, and for the many who care for children yet feel outside of the motherhood celebrations in some way. We acknowledge you in your story.

This Sunday is Mother's Day and we'd love to celebrate with you with some post-service treats! If you won't be around for that, we want you to know that we value you, and honour the many forms of motherly love that expressed find expression through biological mums, those growing babes, the spiritual mothers, step-mums, grandparents and foster carers; any and all wonderful humans who bring motherly care to the world.

Thank you for everything you put your hand to in caring for, and nurturing the physical, emotional and spiritual life around you. For the seen, and the unseen moments.

We thank God for you, and celebrate you this Mother's Day.
💔 If you're someone who experiences complex emotions during this time, we just want you to know we're mindful of your experience too. We endeavour to navigate this gently and thoughtfully during the service - and as always - you're free to engage as much, or as little as you'd like.

On Sunday, in our Jesus Showed Us series based on Bradley Jersak's book, we explored how Jesus reveals God's longing to reconcile all who are lost back into His embrace, a cause for rejoicing. Jesus, a master storyteller, shared this truth through a parable, akin to crafting a great film, rich with tropes, visual composition, sub-plots, and character development.

Tropes:
Jesus starts His parable with a familiar trope: "A man had two sons." Pharisees and teachers of the law recognized this motif from other biblical tales like Cain and Abel or Jacob and Esau. Parables invite identification with characters, and here, expectations are subverted as the younger son's actions align more with the older son.

Visual Composition:
In storytelling, details matter. Each element informs how we perceive the narrative, characters, and ourselves. Overlooking these nuances can hinder our ability to extend the same compassion the father had for his lost son to those in our lives who are lost.

Sub-Plots:
Much like a great movie, this parable contains multiple narratives:
- The Younger Son's Narrative: Marked by shame, guilt, and a distorted understanding of worth.
- The Older Son's Narrative: Defined by resentment, self-righteousness, and a refusal to embrace reconciliation.
- The Father's Narrative: Embodies extravagant love, reconciliation, and healing, urging us to participate in the joy of reconciliation.

Character Development:
Jesus challenges us to move beyond identifying with the sons and instead identify with the father. We, too, are made in our Heavenly Father's image, called to reflect His love and participate in His work of healing and reconciliation.

Reflection Questions:
- How do the details in the lives of the lost around us shape our compassion toward them?
- Are we content to remain in the comfort of the Father's house, or do we actively seek out the lost?
- What narratives do we hold about ourselves and others, and how do they align with the father's extravagant love?
- How can we actively embody the Father's love and grow in His likeness?

What an incredible Sunday. Our series on .jersak's children’s book, “Jesus Showed Us” this week looks at the child who gave their little lunch for the feeding of the masses.

Our Learning and Formation Catalyst, Pastor invites us to consider a more Christlike vision of God when it comes to miracles, beyond two popular (but unhelpful) paradigms in many church cultures:
- magical thinking
- merely metaphorical thinking

And instead hear Jesus’ challenging invitation to partner with God in the miraculous. As Desmond Tutu said about the work to end the evils of apartheid, “God, without us, will not; as we, without God, cannot." Or as Brad puts it in his children’s book, “Would you like to be God’s helper?”

NEXT SUNDAY the 21st April will be Ps Cory's last Sunday as Movement Catalyst and we're gonna take some time to pray for, thank and celebrate him and the entire Mitchell fam!

If you've been along for some or all of the last 7 year journey with Cory as Senior Pastor/Movement Catalyst please do come along for this special service.

There'll be all the regular elements of our Sunday service, but some extra special twists - and of course - some food, coffee and chats to finish.

Our Eastertide series is on .jersak ‘s children’s book “Jesus Showed Us”. Initially a children’s book might feel like a change of pace from our lent series on spiritual maturity, “The Joy of Paradox”. Yet as Jesus teaches, the kingdom of God belongs to “these little ones”. Spiritual maturity is not the accumulation of more and more ideas, or even experiences, but opening in Christ to this one deepening revelation: that God is love.

This week invites us to contemplate “what our kid’s angels see” based upon Matthew 18:10, “Take care not to despise one of the little ones. I tell you this: in heaven, their angels are always gazing on the face of my father who lives there.”

What comes to mind when you hear this teaching from Jesus? The great 5th century theologian and preacher John Chrysostom linked this passage to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did to the least of these, that was me. You did it to me.” In the vulnerable, those without power, those unable to dominate or manipulate others, those often made invisible and deemed not valuable, we have window to Heaven, an opening to God’s future, an invitation to encounter the living GOD. The angels of the vulnerable see clearly this reality we are invited to deepen in, that Jesus shows us what God is like.

To listen to this thought-provoking message, you can go to our website, our Youtube channel or head to all good podcast platforms to catch up on all previous messages.

On Sunday the 14th April, we’re having a party to officially launch the fact that we’re now in our Steeple Church home at 208 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn!

It hasn’t been without blood, sweat and tears to get to this point - and it certainly deserves a party to celebrate with all of our Steeple People and Friends!

So pop the day in your calendar, we’ll gather at 10am for our service and celebration 🎉

STEEPLE HOUSE PARTY.

Sunday 14th April 🎉

It's been a long time coming, but it's time to party and everyone is invited!

On Sunday 14th April we're celebrating the beginning of a new season in and on the property of our new Church home at 208 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn.

Of course we'll celebrate in Steeple style which means we'll revel in Jesus with plenty of good tunes, worship, prayer, vision-casting, coffee and food!

Service will start at 10am with more festivities to follow 🎉

HE IS RISEN.
HE IS RISEN INDEED. ✝️

Good Friday Liturgy
John 18:1-19:30

We seek you Great I Am, Lord God Almighty.
Today reveal to us the power of your vulnerability.
Disarm us, heal us.
And heal all we have hurt, even our enemies.
Let us know remember their names.
Amen.

SERMON RECAP

continued to share on “the poetry of spiritual maturity being the joy of paradox”. Nowhere more is that paradox found than in the phrase “Good Friday”.
Why is Friday good? Jarrod encouraged us to return to our experience of worship in the silence from where ancient Christianity discerned, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). With the help of Mitri Rehab, Kallistos Ware, and Rowan Williams, Jarrod shared these 4 questions to keep our declaration of Friday good, and our revelation of God Christlike:

- Does it see Friday as changing us or God?
- Does it see Friday separating Jesus from the Father?
- Does it separate Friday from Sunday? Does it separate the
Cross from the Incarnation, Resurrection and Ascension?
- Does it change the state of the universe or just how we feel?

To listen to this thought-provoking message, you can go to our website, our Youtube channel or head to all good podcast platforms to catch up on all previous messages.

Iconography by Arsen Bereza

"This is the Table, not of the Church but of the Lord.
It is made ready for those who love and for those who want to love God more.

So come – you who have much faith and you who have little.
You who have been here often and you who have come for the first time.
You who have tried to follow Jesus, you who have failed to follow Jesus,
and you who have just decided to follow Jesus – come!

Let nothing keep you from loves feast,
Let no one empty this table of loves power,
Leave judgement behind and receive mercy,
Leave indifference behind and recognise God’s family,
Leave now if necessary and go be a forgiver, then run back!

Because it is The Lord who invites you,
And it’s God’s will that those who desire healing,
and hunger and thirst for God’s justice should encounter the Holy Spirit here.

So come.”

Are you coming to the table this Easter Sunday?

It’s become a loved rhythm at Steeple, reflecting, sharing and feasting together as we celebrate the redemptive story of Easter.

If you (plus friends or family) will be joining us for this special time of celebration, please do take a few seconds to head to the link below and complete the RSVP so we can prepare to cater for everyone on Sunday, March 31st.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclSjRyof22C4PApIrEFoubLOXE89BJ4GgzH5p9531PdWs-9g/viewform

Two questions…

As Tim shared with us on Sunday - “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” and “who is my neighbour?” - are two sides of the same coin.

Both questions are about living out of the power of the resurrection, out of the power of God’s promised future, in this present and broken world, now!

Both questions are about loving God and bringing Gods loving presence into this world by knowing who our neighbour is and by living God’s love out, tangibly, in real time!

We don’t have to wait to participate!

The social and the spiritual, are both profoundly important questions that invite us, all of us, to participate in all that God is up to in the world, now!

To re-watch or re-listen check out our YouTube channel or our podcast!

EASTER

Our Easter Steeple rhythm is one of gathering around to share the table together, reflect on our Lord and what that means for and through us, and celebrate the Good News of Jesus.

This year we’ll be gathering twice over the Easter week:

- Good Friday at 10am for a Contemplative Service

- Resurrection Sunday at 10am for a Celebratory Feast - for this one we’re asking that you RSVP (link in bio)

Feel free to invite someone along (and register them too)! Many folks are often looking for a place to visit over Easter and as a community, we'd be stoked to offer them beautiful Steeple hospitality: food, warmth and great conversation.

THIS SUNDAY: REV. TIM COSTELLO AO
Tim’s combination of dignity, humility, integrity and approachability has made him one of the most trusted and respected voices in Australia.
A voice that has unrelentingly spoken out for justice for those doing it tough.
A voice that has spoken out for justice unashamedly in the name of Jesus, so much so that in 2014, a National Trust poll elected Tim one of Australia’s 100 national living treasures!
Tim’s public life as a pastor to all, a lawyer to the down and out, a Mayor to St Kilda, a CEO of World Vision Australia, and now as the Executive Director of Micah Australia, has been marked by good news to the poor. While detractors might disagree with Tim, it’s near impossible not to respect him.
And we are so excited to welcome Tim to worship and share with us this Sunday morning, 10am!