Gungahlin Uniting Church

108 The Valley Avenue, Gungahlin, ACT 2912

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God with Humanity – ANOTHER ROAD

December 26, 2022 by John

Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too.” The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They’ took out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road.
Matthew 2:7-12

Reflect on the word COURAGE for a few moments.

The wise men walked away. They didn’t stop to confer, take a vote and look for consensus before they took another road. They had the courage to take a risk. They risked angering Herod when they disobeyed his orders.

Risk-taking needs wisdom, courage and action. Would we have the courage to act when we hear cries for help coming from a neighbor? Have the wisdom to speak the right words when we find ourselves in a sexist or racist conversation? To offer our help to a young mum at her wits end with a distraught child in a shop? Often we do know what we should do, or what action we’d like to take. Taking the first step could be a risk, so we hold back or look the other way.

The wise men listened to the words of Herod and took a risk, so a baby and parents would be safe.

Give me the wisdom, God, to know what risks I should take for you. Give me the courage to act according to your will.


© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Filed Under: Advent, Meditations Tagged With: Advent, Meditation

‘God became one of us’ Christmas Sermon 2022

December 25, 2022 by John

Reading: Luke 2:1-14

In this sermon I would like to ask one important question and provide a surprising answer.

In the gospel reading Luke provides a picture that we most associate with Christmas: the baby Jesus in “swaddling clothes” and a “manger”. And a host of angels appear to shepherds in the field singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among us with whom he is pleased.” (2:14). Usually, the wise men make an entrance, but sadly not in this gospel reading (see Matt 2).

Now my question: “Why the big fuss?” When you think about it, we all had a birth scene. When I was born 72 years ago, I think my parents were excited by the event, but it caused no ripples beyond my immediate family. It was not particularly notable, just a sanitised hospital, no manger, shepherds, wise men, or angels. Handel or Bach did not compose music, neither Leonardo da Vinci nor Rembrandt paint my nativity scene. There may have been a line or two in the newspaper (I suspect not) but that was it. Completely forgettable except that I’m standing here today!

But the birth of Jesus led to an excitement which has lasted 2000 years. You can visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and countless churches throughout the world similarly dedicated. The artistic and musical legacy has enriched our Western civilisation. I think of libraries such as St Mark’s filled with books, universities such as Harvard which started in a pastor’s study, even wars have been fought in Jesus’ name. Today, right now, we gather… and the fuss continues.

It is reasonable to ask why? Can we offer an answer that does justice to this birth of one child in relative poverty, with a hint of scandal (Mary was pregnant before marriage), not of royal blood and in a context of world events ? insignificant.

What kind of event has such an impact? We need to come up with an answer that does justice to it. And that is no easy task.

Here is my answer: God became one of us. I will repeat that assertion: God became one of us. That is the traditional, orthodox and biblical answer. It is in the major creeds and faith statements of the church. It is enshrined in church traditions including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and more recently Pentecostal. Great theologians have wrestled with ideas of the Trinity, the Son of God being one of three consciousnesses in the Godhead, the idea of the humility of God through the incarnation, et cetera. This is my last of four sermons on Christology which includes who Jesus was and what he did for us. I acknowledge this is mind-bending stuff and hardly easy to follow, but you can step into the story wherever you like and of course step out.

I would suggest two entry points:

  • Literally ? that an amazing miracle occurred in the virgin-birth of Jesus. A perfect human being, in the words the creed, fully God fully human, came into existence.
  • Symbol ? that the birth of Jesus signalled a completely unique view of God and in a profound way identified humanity with divinity.

Your faith may not stretch to a literal belief in the assertion that God became one of us, but let us pause for a moment and consider how unique such a view of God is. The infinity of God ‘packaged’ in the human Jesus. This view of God, implied by the incarnation, is simply astonishing. God shared our common life, God saw life through human eyes, experienced human emotions, felt all the temptations we feel and even suffered an unjust and cruel death.

A few years ago Joan Osborne sang One of Us. The music video is on Youtube. She asked, “What would you ask God if you had just one question?” She went on to sing the following:

What if God was one of us?

Just a slob like one of us,

just a stranger on the bus,

trying to make his way home,

the way to heaven all alone.

Osborne is not a gospel singer but she expresses a depth of longing: God can you really understand us? The answer of Christmas is yes!

2022 has been another difficult year: COVID continues and people die, the invasion of Ukraine and wars of some kind persist on almost every continent, and now economic difficulties for many families and we are seeing a sharp rise in mental health problems in Australia. It is Christmas and we can only hope that in 2023 things will change for the better. What does the belief that God became one of us have to do with all this?

It means that God understands. This is not really possible if your view of God is a deity who remains in heaven and looks down on us. But if God became one of us, God understands our human experience. All our faults, frailties and fallible actions are completely intelligible.

In the church we affirm this view of God and keep the memory of Jesus alive. This is the message of Christmas. May the fuss continue…


Rev Dr Bruce A Stevens was the Wicking Professor of Ageing and Pastoral Theology at CSU (2015-2019). He is a minister in association at Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest and a clinical psychologist. He is the supply minister at GUC.

Filed Under: Sermons

God with Humanity – GOD IS WITH US

December 25, 2022 by John

This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel which means “God is with us.” After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord’s angel had told him to do. But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.
Matthew 1: 18-25

Reflect on the word IMMANUEL for a few moments.

Immanuel – God is with us.

As we re-tell the stories of Christ’s birth, as we listen or sing familiar carols and songs, as we gather round a festive meal or when we attend a worship service it is easy to feel that God is with us. Families and friends gather round BBQs in celebration. Children race around in excitement, shrieking and laughing in backyards and homes. “It’s Jesus’ birthday and we’re celebrating!”

Some sit alone in a rented room, in a shelter or on a street corner. Do they feel that God is with them?

Some make their way to Soup Kitchens, thankful that they are not forgotten on Christmas Day. Being politically correct in our secular society the word “Immanuel” and its meaning may not be talked of here.

“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called “Immanuel, “which means “God is with us”.

The message of Christmas brings good news to all the world. I praise and thank you, Immanuel: God is with us!


© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Filed Under: Advent, Meditations Tagged With: Advent, Meditation

God with Humanity – A SAVIOUR IS BORN!

December 24, 2022 by John

That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God”.
Luke 2:8-14

Reflect on the word BIRTH for a few moments.

“You will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying in a bed of hay.”

How much more mundane and familiar could it have been? No elaborate nurseries with color-coordinated accessories, or video cameras or flash bulbs exploding to record the birth. No text messages, phone calls, Face book or Twitter announcements.

Just a baby, in baby clothes, lying on a soft bed of hay.

Just angels and shepherd sharing the news.

How would such news be received today in the bush and the outback? This is our time for floods and fires, thick smoke shutting out the sun, frightened animals racing to safety and floods sweeping away homes and cities. Extraordinary acts of heroism, compassion and caring take place. Rescue workers, unafraid, respond to calls for help. Police men and women walk the street to keep them safe. Doctors and nurses work tirelessly in hospitals.

AND Babies continue to be born.

God says: Don’t be afraid. The Christ Child is born!

God of the Outback and the City, let me not be afraid. Let me hear your words again: “Peace on earth to everyone.”


© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Filed Under: Advent, Meditations Tagged With: Advent, Meditation

God with Humanity – POWER

December 23, 2022 by John

When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the Child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”. When King Herod heard about this, he was worried and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?” They told him, “He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judea, You are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel”.
Matthew 2: 1-6

Reflect on the word POWER for a few moments.

Power is both a personal and a political experience. It can be both positive and negative. It is the manner in which we chose to use power that makes it abusive or life-giving.

Abusive power is justified in many ways:

  • An abuser will use violence to prove control.
  • A co-worker will withhold information to protect personal power.
  • A Board of Management or CEO will structure regulations to maintain authority as power.

Abusive use of power creates isolation. God’s use of power creates community.

A few people saw a star, heard God’s message and chose to respond with the power of wisdom. A powerful King heard God’s message, was threatened and chose to respond with the power of protectionism.

How do we choose to respond to the power God gives to each of us?

God of Wisdom and Power, give me the assurance I need to use your power for the good of others. Empower me with your power that I may empower others


© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera

For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.

When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.

The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.

Filed Under: Advent, Meditations Tagged With: Advent, Meditation

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We are a community on a journey, we’ve grown from a small faith community planted in Ngunnawal in the early years of Gungahlin’s development to a thriving inclusive, intergenerational & multicultural community. As Gungahlin has grown we have seen a lot of change.

We are an open and inclusive community, everyone is welcome to use their gifts in worship, prayer, leadership, hospitality and teaching.

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Every Sunday, 9:30am
Gungahlin Uniting Church and Community Centre
108 The Valley Avenue
Gungahlin, ACT, 2913

Worship is for all ages, (0 to 93!) and seeks to be meaningful in different ways for us all.

In Jesus Christ we see how he drew near to each and all and so we hope our worship expresses this nearness too.

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