Welcome to our service today. You can find the reading and reflection below:  Luke 4:14-21 The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry 14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,     because he has anointed me         to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives     and recovery of sight to the blind,         to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ Reflection This morning, we hear that Jesus begins his ministry by bringing good news—to the poor, the blind, the imprisoned, and the oppressed. I wonder how many of us begin our day with the news. Watching it or listening to it. Even on holiday over the last two weeks, I found myself checking the news. I wondered why I felt the need to do this. I spoke to someone about it, and he told me he never checks the news when he’s on holiday. The news is so often about sad or bad things -  calamity, some tragedy, or political intrigue. Imagine what it would be like to start each day with stories of human goodness, generosity, kindness, or self-sacrifice. Imagine if the first story we heard each morning was one of courage or integrity. What difference might it make to how we see the world? Today we are hearing about this Good News. The Greek word for it is euangelion. It wasn’t a common word then. It related more specifically to hearing the news of a military victory or the crowning of a new ruler. But Jesus took this word and used it to announce a time when things would change. The beginning of God’s reign, God's Kingdom.     Jesus begins by proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour. That’s how his ministry starts—that’s what we hear this morning. It prompts us to consider our own proclamation for this year of 2025. Proclaiming Good News, release, recovery, freedom, a new beginning, and a time of blessing. This is what those who follow Jesus were born to do, baptized to do. Who are the people in our lives who need to hear this Good News today? So many complicated things go on in our heads, shaping how we see the world. In this year of the Lord’s favour, what might need to shift in the way we see things? I’ll give you a minor example of how perspectives can be challenged. We’ve been going to Great Barrier Island almost every year since 1992, when our children were born. Returning there always brings back memories. I remember once, quite a few years ago, being picked up by a taxi van to take us to the airport. In the back of the van, I heard this strange shuffling noise. Looking down, I saw a huge brown creature in a box—something that looked like an alien. I asked the driver, “What on earth is that thing in the back of the van? And is it dangerous?” He replied, “Nothing to worry about, mate. That’s my pride and joy.” I asked, “What is it?” “That, mate, is a packhorse crayfish,” he said. “The biggest one I’ve ever caught. I’m going to stuff it.” I thought, “You actually go after these things intentionally? And now you want it as a trophy on your wall?” To me, it looked like a giant wētā on steroids—the last thing I’d want in my home. But for him, it was beauty. This minor moment reminds me that the way I see the world isn’t the only way. I need to accept that someone else can see beauty andtake pride in something I can’t. But what about the more significant views we hold that might have serious consequences? The man who drives his car into a Christmas market—what stories or words has he been listening to that led him to do that? And what about the firefighters in California, risking their lives to save others—what stories or examples have shaped them? Jesus starts his ministry by telling a story—the basis for all that is to come. The words we listen to, the words we tell ourselves, and the words others speak to us have a profound effect on how we see, think, and live. As we follow Jesus, our calling is to be people of the Good News. We proclaim that Jesus is risen, that hatred, fear, and even death itself have been overcome. That’s not mere optimism; the resurrection of Jesus is not about having an optimistic view of the world. But it is about basing our lives on the Good News - that God raised Jesus from death - and his ongoing work abiding in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Scripture tells us that in the beginning—the beginning of the first year ever—was "the Word." God’s Word brought forth creation. And today, Jesus speaks a word: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” Proclaiming Good News, release, recovery, freedom, a new beginning, and a time of blessing. This is what those who follow Jesus were born to do, baptized to do—from the start. Jesus understood how hard it is for people to change the way they think about themselves, others, and God. That’s why he used language like being born again, or dying to our old selves. We get trapped in destructive ways of thinking and acting—what Scripture calls sin. But repentance means we’re not defined by our past mistakes. We can change. Things can change. The Good News creates a new reality. We’ve all heard words that changed us—words that altered how we saw the future or the past. A conversation, a telephone call, an email, or a letter can change everything. We remind the children, and we remind ourselves that God loves us, and we are each special. Jesus read in the synagogue and said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” That challenge upset many of his hearers. We’re not meant to walk away without making a decision. Something needs to be fulfilled. I invite you to hear God’s word today: you are loved, you are forgiven, and you are given eternal life. You don’t need to be afraid. You are offered extraordinary freedom as a gift. Grace. Joy and peace that, as scripture says, “passes all understanding.” So think of someone who longs to hear a word of Good News. Pray for them. Speak to them. Be the person who shares a word that opens a new future for them. When you get home, maybe send a message or make a call to say, “I was thinking of you today, and I just want to offer you some words of encouragement.” Let us proclaim the Good News this year. I’m thinking of someone now. I’m going to do it. AMEN

NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The information contained in this e-mail message is CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use, review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this document is strictly prohibited. If you have received this document in error, please immediately notify us by telephone (call our office) and delete this transmission. THANK YOU.