The following piece was first written for the September 6, 2026 pew sheet at St Augustine’s Anglican Church. I share it here again in the hope that it may continue to encourage and bless.
This Sunday we come to the final sermon in our short series 'Faithful Living,' with the theme 'Serving with Joy.' It is a fitting way to conclude the series: faithful Christian living is not simply about believing the right things, but also about offering our lives to God in loving and willing service. Last Sunday, it was a privilege to present our Mission Action Plan 2026–2030 to our church. We have now completed the process of consultation, discernment and planning; the next step is to prayerfully and wisely put the Plan into practice. This will require leadership, servanthood, focus, dedication, hard work and determination. I am very conscious of my own responsibility in this, as well as the important roles of our Wardens and Parish Council. But, as I emphasised in last Sunday's sermon, the realisation of our MAP will also depend upon the active and faithful participation of our whole church family. God has given each of us gifts, and each of us has a part to play.
This Sunday is also Father's Day. We give thanks to God for fathers and for the important role they play in guiding, caring for, loving and providing for their families. We recognise that fatherhood carries both privilege and responsibility, and we pray that fathers may have wisdom, patience and grace as they fulfil the calling entrusted to them.
At the heart of both faithful living and our life as a church is serving with joy. Jesus gives us the pattern. In Mark 10, he tells his disciples that 'the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' And in Philippians 2, we are directed to the mind of Christ, who humbled himself and gave himself for us. Christian service therefore begins not with pressure or obligation, but with Christ's gracious service to us. Having received his grace, we are freed to serve God and others with humility, generosity and joy. Our service may take many forms – leading, teaching, praying, giving, welcoming, encouraging, caring, working behind the scenes – but all of it matters when it is offered to the Lord.
As we look ahead to the years before us, may St Augustine's be a church where people not only gather for worship, but also grow together, serve together and share joyfully in God's mission. May we each ask: Where has God called me to serve, and how can I serve with joy?
Let us pray:
Gracious God, you have called us to serve you and one another with joy, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ, who humbled himself and gave his life for us. Give us the mind of Christ, that in humility we may put the interests of others before our own, use the gifts you have given us faithfully, and serve you with glad and willing hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Above image: South Australian landscape, reproduced from L'Anse French Café, 'Discovering places to visit in South Australia,' (2025).
