Journey of a Thousand Steps

We live in a world where people, at best, have no idea what a church leader or priest does, and at worst, wouldn't trust this kind of leadership. In Paul's first letter to young Timothy, a leader in the early church in Ephesus, he reminds us that to be a leader of faith, as a priest, elder, deacon or lay leader, is both hard work and truly beautiful. When we allow a culture to emerge that lowers the standard of work and moral conduct required of leaders, this gift becomes lost and the church suffers. Today we were encouraged to raise the bar, in terms of what we expect from church leaders, and the standards we strive to role model in our own lives as disciples.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 26 April 2026  

This week we continued our teaching series on 1 Timothy with an exploration of one of the most controversial texts in the Bible - chapter 2. Paul writes to Timothy with advice about how men and women should behave and relate to each other in the early Ephesian church. This is one of the key texts that is referenced to support the theological position that God designed women to be subordinate to men, and not to hold positions of authority or biblical instruction over men. Our congregation took a deep dive into the historical context of this passage, even moving around the church, as we considered the changes that were happening for men and women, Jews and Gentiles, after the resurrection of Jesus. We considered the need for contextualisation in reading texts like this, whilst seeking the consistent and timeless Word that God wants us to heed for the Church now, as then.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 19 April 2026   

Have you ever been in a church that spoke unlovingly in the name of 'truth'? Have you ever been in a church that felt it was loving to avoid parts of scripture that are countercultural or difficult to understand? Today we started a new teaching series, looking at Paul's advice to the young leader, Timothy, in Ephesus. Timothy was leading a community divided about how to understand the scriptures, pray and worship, interact as men and women and select leaders. This Sunday our guest preacher, Adam Cetrangolo, shared stories and tips about how to walk the balance between truth and love.  Podcast by Adam Cetrangolo, 12 April 2026  

What is your greatest vulnerability at the moment? Is it a biological struggle with a habit or addiction? Is it a psychological struggle to stop behaviours you don't like, but that you still, somehow, seem to go back to? Is it a vulnerability to being harmed by a relationship or group who are being unkind to you? We all experience these vulnerabilities, just as our nation is feeling the push of war and economic destruction from the other side of the world. We live in an environment that is hostile to wellbeing and safety. This is why Easter is good news for us. There is a way to be lifted out of the chaos and grounded in another world - one where we can have eternal citizenship to a place that is safe, loving and just.   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 5 April 2026

The Cross sits at at the center of the Christian faith, and is a symbol at the front of most churches. What is your understanding of why this is? The cross is uncomfortable, unsanitised. It tells us that there is both victory and suffering in this faith. This is not a religion that is easily made-up or ready to 'sell.' Sure, it gets distorted - many congregations either overplay personal suffering in the life of faith, or deny it, pretending that journeying with God guarantees a life of fortune and blessing. This Good Friday, we were invited to look at the cross - to see Jesus' choice to face the pain sober; the gift of his new family, formed by the grace of God, who stood at the foot of the cross; and, the reality of betrayal.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 3 April 2026 

Have you ever ended a relationship that you really wanted to work? Or thought about it? This week we visited the boldness of God and of Moses in their interactions with one another, in the aftermath of the people's unfaithfulness at Mt Sinai. God is seriously contemplating separation. The covenant has been broken and God is deeply hurt. Our guest preacher, Julia Pope, drew out this uncomfortable, yet real, side of God. Moses is bold in his responses in Exodus 33-34. He knows God has every right to walk away, but asks that God stay, saying, "I don't want to go without you. In fact, I want to experience more of you, grow closer to you!" It's a bold request. What bold request would you like to make of God this Easter?    Podcast by Julia Pope, 29 March 2026

Today we talked about marriage in ancient Israel. Marriage can be a painful and sensitive topic for us in the Church today, because our ideals have often been weaponised to exclude people. However, we can't sideline the centrality of marriage as a symbol of God's love in the scriptures. So, we seek to understand it. As Israel entered into a covenant relationship with God, they stepped through four phases that mimicked entering into a marriage. These indicated that God was not a dictator who sat above them, but the spouse and best friend who wooed and committed to them. Which stage are you at in your journey with God? Do you give him a chance to be known? Are you serious about making a committment to be faithful to him? Have you given him first place and allowed him into every part of your life? Are you collaborating with him to love and serve the poor, and those who don't know true love in their lives? Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 22 March 2026 

What do you do when you feel under threat or depleted? Do you find yourself withdrawing, arguing or freezing up - unable to lead or make decisions? Throughout the Exodus teaching series, we have seen Moses and the Israelites respond in all three of these ways whilst under pressure. In Exodus 17.1-17, as they fear for their survival they consider giving up and going back to slavery. They start to argue heavily with their leader and create division. Then, in a moment of weakness, Moses freezes up and pressures God to do a miracle, to prove that everything will be okay. In this story we remember the call to praise God and remember His goodness, including and especially in the face of lack.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 15 March 2026 

Have you ever made a brave decision to leave behind an old way of living, a toxic relationship or workplace, or even an unsafe homeland, only to find the new way of life harder at first? This Sunday we learned about the first month in Israel's history after leaving Egpyt. Their celebration and elation was quickly followed by doubt, hardship and grumbling. Exodus 16 reminds us that when we get free, life gets harder before it gets easier. There are very good reasons for this. We can't leave slavery and move immediately into building a better, more prosperous life. As disciples of Jesus, we learn to embrace the wilderness seasons of rest, healing and recalibration. What step towards freedom are you taking today? Are you deciding to leave slavery, embracing a season of recovery, or stepping into your destiny, ready to build? Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 8 March 2026

Why do Christians speak of drinking the Blood and eating the Body of Christ? In this week's teaching from Exodus 12.1-13 we revisited the history of terms like "blood of the lamb," "redemption price" and the significance of "firstborn sons" in ancient times. We saw that Jesus chose the Passover meal to inaugurate a new covenant, where he became the firstborn son who paid the redemption price that saves us from death. What does this mean in practical terms? It means we are in a solid, evidence-based position to live free from the fear of death. We receive the same inheritance that Jesus has - a full and blessed life, starting now, and that will be completed, forever.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 22 February 2026

It is natural for us to ask why God allows suffering, but do we really want the answer? The story of Israel's exodus from Egypt to freedom reveals the reality of slavery and idolatory at the core of all human destruction - of the ecosystem and social wellbeing. In the account in Exodus 7-10 we watch the order that God has given to the world, physically and spiritually, reverse thorugh ten plagues - a ripple effect. God allows the consequences of human pride, greed and dehumanisation to unravel, but promises to provide a way out. He will not compromise with Pharaoh. His Promise is full freedom. Every single thing that has been taken from us, will be returned, and then some. His promise is Freedom++. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 15 February 2026 

Have you ever felt you were too old, too young, too inexperienced, not reputable enough or not psychologically strong enough to pursue your dreams? If yes, you are in good company. This week we read the story of Moses being called into leadership at the age of eighty, as he encountered God at Mount Sinai. He had been living in Midian as a shepherd for forty years and his life in Egypt was well behind him. He was elderly and had every reason to doubt that the elders of Israel would listen to him, as a man who had grown up in the Egpytian palace, never himself experiencing slavery or living among them. What's more, Moses had a speech impediment and was afraid of public speaking. Exodus 3.1-15 reminds us that God always gives us the training, favour and psychological strength we need to step into our calling and see His promises fulfilled.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 8 February 2026

Sometimes we have good reasons to feel afraid, as Moses' mother and sister did at the very beginning of his life. This Sunday we celebrated three Confirmations and launched a new teaching series on the book of Exodus. As we consider the beginnings of Moses' story in Exodus 1.17-2.14, in the bulrushes, we see God at work in a dangerous situation, caused by an evil political regime. Moses' protection through a time of genocide was a sign of hope. This hope gives us the courage to stand against evil and represent God's Kingdom.  Podcast by Bishop Genieve Blackwell, 1 Febraury 2026 

A critical skill that we need in our personal lives and for the church to be healthy, is knowing how to share our faith with people in our lives who don't currently share it. We all have people we deeply love, in our families, friendship circles and workplaces, who do not share our faith. Many Christians today are journeying with a husband or wife who is not involved in church. How are we meant to navigate this? Is it wrong to desire others to come to faith in Jesus? Today we practiced four disciplines, drawn from 1 Peter 3.8-22, that help us to love others enough to desire them to know God's love through Jesus Christ. Knowing how to help people take steps towards God without being pushy or judgemental is a critical skill for every disciple. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 25 January 2026

How do you know who your person is? Who is the right friend, companion or life partner? Today we explored Paul's advice to the early church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 7.25-40). He presented a view that was as countercultural then, as it is now, that though marriage is a good gift, it is better to be single. Though he was speaking to a specific an audience who lived in an unsafe context, which is harder for those with children, his position presents an important corrective about how we choose relationships. We do this in a reverse order to the world around us. Instead of elevating romantic or sexual love, we elevate God. Instead of asking what we want in a partner, first, we ask, "Who am I and how am I called to love?" Instead of building a life around a person, God brings companions to us on the journey of discipleship. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 18 January 2026 

We want to be a church that helps people find financial freedom and lean into the adventures God is calling them into. Jesus came that we could have fullness of life (John 10.10). This means not having an empty bank account, or, a full account that comes with a spiritually bankrupt life. This Sunday we spent time considering how to revise and prayerfully plan a personal budget for 2026, that invests in long-term fruitfulness, saves for a rainy day and avoids the trap of short-sighted living. James' letter to the early Church (James 5.1-12) gives us a powerful reminder that the investments we make in this life will be seen and celebrated in the next, if not immediately. Equally, if we sell out to entirely self-indulgent living, we will be participating in death and destruction in ways that won't be hidden from our eyes forever.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 11 January 2026 

How do you feel about the word 'purity'? The Church often has a reputation for nurturing unhealthy attitudes towards sexuality or natural human desires, or perhaps trying to 'cleanse us' of things that aren't dirty. Whilst we don't want to and were never meant to burden people with shame, today we were reminded by Paul's advice to a young church leader, Timothy, that the Church is called to be clean of the things that hurt people in the world. This week we considered his advice in 1 Timothy 5.1-8, which describes four ways we want to be noticably more transparent, and more pure, than the world. First, we are to be effortful in caring for the elderly. Second, we listen to and invest in young people. Third, we are respectful towards members of the opposite sex, and, lastly, we are generous towards those who are homeless.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 4 January 2026 

How do you stocktake the year that's been and set goals for the year ahead? Would you like to try a biblical framework for your planning? As we prepare to enter the new year, this final Sunday of 2025, we considered Paul's teaching to the Corinthian church about the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15.18-25). If we believe that we have been spiritually reborn in Christ and will be physically resurrected after we die, our end-goal starts in Heaven. We don't simply look to what we can achieve in the time we have on earth. We look back from who we are in Heaven, and seek obedience to the mission God has entrusted to us. This week's message comes with a practical, guided reflection to consider your priorities for the year ahead.    Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 28 December 2025 

By the end of this message we hope you will see how believable the Christmas story is - not a fariytale! So many of the details in the accounts of Jesus' birth are too random, inconvenient and imperfect to have been made up. In the middle of an economically depressed and unsafe political context; as well as a socially lonely and difficult situation, signs and wonders emerged. This is exactly how faith leads to social change. First, a small team of people are faithful to a calling, long before there is evidence that it is real. Secondly, life keeps throwing difficulties at the situation to make it even harder than it already was. As people persist in faith, early adopters arrive (shepherds). Then come the wise donors who believe, even though they come from outside of the community. Are you ready for this life?  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2025

Do you ever wonder whether the story of Jesus' birth is simply a ridiculous fairytale? As we take a close look at Joseph's story in Matthew 1.18-25, we see his anxiety and uncertainty as he faced a very hard decision. We also notice three dynamics that combined to make sense of something crazy. First, he had knowledge of the scripture and recalled the prophecy of a birth that would come only from God. Second, he had a deeply personal encounter with God through a dream, which calmed his anxiety and gave him a reason to believe in a miracle. Third, he loved Mary. Their love and faithfulness was also a confirming sign that God was at work, even in a very unexpected way. To discern what is from God, versus what is fanciful or crazy, we also need three things: knowledge of the scriptures, confidence in hearing the Holy Spirit and close friendships within the Body of Christ.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 21 December 2025 

Even the greatest of leaders experience doubt. At the end of his journey, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus - 'What on earth is going on and why are you moving so slowly?' The words in scripture read, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” ( See Matthew 12.2-12) John was under immense physical and psychological pressure as he faced imprisonment, but he was also confused by the way Jesus was starting his ministry. It seemed slow and very different to the way John had led a massive campaign for people to choose repentance. We are no different. When we are under pressures, battling pain or grief, and confused by the pace at which God is moving, we may also cry out, “Are you the one? What are you doing? Why are you moving so slowly?” Jesus answers - he will heal before he scales his work, and he won’t allow us to skip this part of the process. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 14 December 2025  

What makes a movement last? John the Baptist built a following that scaled quickly (we know this from Christian and non-Christian historic sources)!! This week, as we continued our teaching series, 'The Sifting Years', we considered John's strategies as a leader of systemic change. His cry was to convert people to an entirely new economy - one led by God as the CEO of our lives and Prime Minister of our home country. The biblical language is that "the Kingdom of Heaven has come near." In Matthew 3.1-12 we see a leader who exemplifies this change in his own life, provides a new process for people to step into, builds a movement that is replicable and scalable, and sets a high bar. Those who don't meet the standards are called out. To truly turn away from the economy of the world and live under Heaven's Rule means three things for us today. 1. We share with those who have less than us from every pay cheque. 2. We forgive and don't leave people trapped in debt. 3. We are content with our wages and live within our means.  Imagine a nation that did all of these three things in every budget. There is one. It's the true Church and you can step into it right now. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 7 December 2025 

Have you been watching the news? This month we are praying and donating to support communities across South East Asia affected by Cyclone Ditwah, as we continue to hold in prayer so many nations impacted by war and many individuals recovering from religious persection and abuse in religious institutions. Where is God is allowing so much hurt to go on? This week we took a deep dive into Jesus' plan, as recorded in Matthew 24. He told us to expect four things to continue and increase before it will, finally, end: wars, natural disasters, persection of Christians and the worst of human suffering, in the middle east. Heather explains how our God is both just and merciful. He promises a final call; an end to suffering. A day will come when justice will be served. Still, He is the God of grace, second chances and forgiveness, and so the human race has been gifted time. This means we are to expect division over the Gospel, but never be divisive ourselves. We let God do the heavy lifting. Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 31 November 2025

We aren't meant to be church mice! This was the take home message this Sunday. Heather shared some of the reasons why church communities can become timid and happy to be small, keeping the bar low on their Mission Action Plans. As Heather shared the three-year plan ahead of Holy Trinity, she encouraged the congregation to move towards making a noise in the local community - not an offensive, rude noise, but a BEAUTIFUL and skilled sound. This Sunday, we concluded our teaching series about Christian Worship, considering Psalm 150, which describes a people who sing and dance in a loud and bold way.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 23 November 2025

How can God be both good and all-powerful? Surely God can be good, but powerless to stop all suffering, or all-powerful and, therefore, unkind? This week we explored the meaning and practice of worship as described in Psalm 145, in which the singer makes a promise to praise God every day, in all circumstances. We encountered the commitment that people of faith have to exhalt, bless, praise and confess God, even through trial, hardship and persecution. Heather shared a personal example of praising God from a place of despair, and how the Bible answers the question, 'Why pray to a God who lets bad things happen?' God is good. God is all-powerful. God respects the rules of war, and worship is our weapon.    Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 16 November 2025  

Are you someone who loves singing and dancing in church, or are you more likely to arrive fifteen minutes late so you can miss the opening worship? Music in church is often one of the greatest sources of conflict in church communities. This is no surprise, since it matters, and is so much more than the icing on the cake of Christian life. Today we considered the lyrics in Psalm 96, which tell us about why worshipping God in song is important. We learned that though there are many reasons why music aids our faith journey, its primary purpose is to make the weightiness of God's power and love (His kavod) felt, tangible and declared.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 2 November 2025

What if it were possible that we will see a revivial of faith across the nations in our lifetime? This week we welcomed Cameron Healey, the Senior Pastor of Albert Park Baptist Church, to share with us from Isaiah 9.1-7. Cameron spoke about God's promise that light will shine in the darkness, as he shared from his experience of praying in the area of Port Melbourne and setting up a 24/7 Prayer Room. He said, "God is working, doing a new thing in this area." Podcast by Cameron Healey, 26 October 2025 

This Sunday we launched a new, five week teaching series called 'Christian Worship', exploring the meaning of prayer and worship in our lives. We hosted a guest preacher, David Jones, who shared with us from Psalm 95, about his own experience of inviting God to soften his heart.  Podcast by David Jones, 19 October 2025

What credibility rating woud you give Christianity as a source of wisdom about sexuality or finance? Do you feel the Bible holds wisdom the world needs, or are you inclined to think of biblical teachings about money and sex as outdated? It is a common and understandable response to the moral failings of Church leaders, to throw out the credibility of the whole tradition. However, Paul, in his letter to the early Church across Asia Minor, provides very specific counsel about how we are to respond to sexual and financial immorality by Christians, especially leaders. In Ephesians 5.1-20 he outlines why God does not want or expect us to partner with people who are unsafe to be with romatically or financially. He then provides a vision for cutting unhealthy relationship ties and continuing to walk with Jesus, step by step.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 12 October 2025 This week's sermon ends with a song for reflection by U2 - 'Walk On' - https://open.spotify.com/track/3pUWV5hvXsI9diJ9TeNeCh 

Some churches seem to care more about truth, standards and biblical orthodoxy than compassion and kindness. Other churches can kindess and inclusion above truth. But in truth, love rejoices in facing hard things, having hard conversations. For this reason Paul urges the Church to "grow up", to "mature", and to find the balance between speaking the truth and showing love. Today at Holy Trinity, we considered Paul's words to the early Church in Ephesians 4:1-16, where he provides a pathway to spiritual maturity. He describes a need to nurture all of the gifts that God gives to the Body. To guide us into truth, God raises up teachers, prophets and evangelists. To mature us in our ability to love, He raises up pastors and apostles. Join us on our journey to strengthening all gifts and learning to speak the truth in love.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 5 October 2025

How do you feel about the way Christianity is represented in the media today? One of the earliest marks of Christian faith, from its infancy, when it was still considered a small, Jewish sect that was likely to phase out, was its multi-ethnic, multicultural framework. No longer did followers of this faith need to share the same national, political or cultural identity. Gentiles were welcome, and they weren't expected to convert to the Jewish way of life to join. This wasn't a development that anyone was expecting, least of which the Apostle Paul, who pioneered the mission of the early Church to non-Jewish nations. The early Church wrestled with the change that the death and resurrection of Jesus was bringing to history. The movement was now meant to honour the Jewish nation, reject antisemitism, but also allow a multi-national identity to emerge. Ephesians 3.1-13 reminds us that, today, if we are going to share the Good News of Jesus, it cannot be exclusively tied to political allegiance, cultural preferences or language.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 28 September 2025  

Do you ever feel as though you are fighting a battle that you never chose? Perhaps it is with your teenager or colleagues, or your line manager at work? Perhaps there is an internal battle you observe, with unhelpful thoughts or temptations? This week we welcomed guest preacher Campbell Brice, who spoke to us about the armour we are encouraged to "put on" in Ephesians 6.10-18. Campbell started by describing some of the daily battles we face with evil; that the battles are real and, therefore, we do need armour. But so often, we create our own "do it yourself" armour, that works for a time, but ultimately lets us down. The armour of Christ is better, stronger, and made to fit.  Podcast by Campbell Brice, 21 September 2025

"Once we were dead," says Paul to the early church across Asia Minor. Once we were dead, but now we are alive together with Christ. We can sow into the things that lead to life, or that which leads to death. These are our choices, says Paul in Ephesians 2.1-10.  This final Vision Sunday for 2025, we considered where the signs of life have been in our past and present at Holy Trinity, and where there have been symptoms of death. The signs of life are always warmth, growth and activity. Signs of death are coldness, hardness, inactivity. As we looked at the things we naturally excel at, the ways God has used Holy Trinity to lead people to life, against that which has held us back, we thought about what it would be like to scale our capacity, making our church open and accessible every day of the week: a 24/7 House of Prayer for all.  Watch this space. Our new vision and Mission Action Plan is beginning to take shape! Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 14 September 2025

Do you ever wish you had a portal, so you could travel back and forth from different parts of the world in seconds? Imagine if you could literally move back and forth from Heaven in seconds, as easily as walking through a wardrobe. C. S. Lewis depicted this concept so beautifully in the Narnia Chronicles. The real life version is, however, even better. Today, we began our six weeks series exploring Paul's letter to the Ephesians (or the early church in Asia Minor). The letter gives us a profound and beautiful exposition of the ways in which we have something even better than a portal: adoption into the family of Christ. Ephesians 1.1-14 reminds us that we belong to Heaven, with a promised inheritance that we begin to experience, now, on earth. Because of this, we can't travel back and forth from earth to Heaven, but we can live in the overlap. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we can be confident in our ability to be hear God's counsel and walk in His presence right now.    Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 7 September 2025 

Have you ever been in a church that had big plans and exciting projects, but these collapsed as soon as the leadership changed? Or have you ever been in a church that built stability on keeping everything the same as it's always been? This Sunday, we considered Jesus' teaching about humility from Luke 14.1, 7-14, which highlights two temptations that church leaders, in particular, must avoid: The temptation to exhalt themselves, by using a congregation to advance their own following, style and branding. The temptation to prioritise the preferences and opinions of people who give time and money to the church, against those who have little or nothing to give. Please pray for us at Holy Trinity, as we discern our vision moving forward, that we will submit our own ideas, preference and desires to Jesus, and our lives to one another.   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 31 August 2025 

Have you ever felt anger or regret about the way your money has been handled? Have you ever been cheated out of fair pay, a fair property settlement, child support payments or your rightful inheritence? Do you carry shame or regret about financial losses in your life, or have high hopes of building your financial portfolio? This week we took the opportunity to strengthen our financial literacy based on what Jesus teaches (which is a lot). As we considered the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21, we learned that wise financial management and investment can start at any age or stage of life, on any income. Jesus cares about our needs, dreams and that we see good returns for wise investment.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 3 August 2025  

Do you ever feel stressed that you don't have enough money, support, confidence or strength to do what you really want to do? When Jesus' disciples asked him, "Teach us how to pray," they weren't just asking for a general lesson on prayer (Luke 11:1-13). They were in the middle of building the mission of their organisation, with a growing team that was now seventy leaders strong. They were asking, 'Compared with other groups, how do we pray?' Jesus' response spoke directly to the times we feel the most pressed and unsure of ourselves as we journey with Him as disciples. The famous words of The Lord's Prayer, teach us exactly how to pray when we feel underesourced, inadequate, unhealed and lacking in desire, or motivation for the things of God.   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 27 July 2025

Is it more important to be a good person or to go to church? Chapter 10 of Luke's Gospel could trick us. After relaying the parable of the Good Samaritan, which sends a clear message that there's no point being religiously observant if you walk past a neighbour in need, Luke immediately hits us with the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Suddenly we are told that spending time with Jesus, receiving His teaching, is more important than good works. What the? Martha's honesty and frustration with Jesus comes from two sources we can all relate to: internal worries and external pressures. This week we did a deep dive into the internal worries and external pressures that stop us prioritising the most important activity of all: time with Jesus.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 20 July 2025

How do we discover or step into our life's purpose? We all wrestle with this question. Perhaps you are someone who, like the lawyer in today's passage (Luke 10:25-37), wonders whether the Christian faith can really help you know this. When challenged to be specific and to properly explain the way to have fulness of life, Jesus responds with the parable of The Good Samaritan. The story tells us that it is in the most inconvenient, unexpected moments of love, that God puts right in front of us, that we discover the big answers. By stopping for the one, even when we don't want to, we find ourselves falling into the life we were uniquely born for.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 13 July 2025 

This week we encounter Jesus' brilliance as a manager and founder. He knows how to build a startup ministry from nothing, even whilst facing opposition! As we see in Luke 10:1-24, he passes on three financial strategies to his newly appointed team of 72. First, he instructs them to offer their services for free (no exceptions). Secondly, he says to have no hesitancy relying on partners and donors to finance the movement. He calls these people "promoters of peace." Thirdly, the disciples are to avoid any capital that comes with compromise. If you'd like to watch these strategies unfold in real time, hang out with us at Holy Trinity, Port Melbourne! Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 6 July 2025 

Everyone who follows Jesus eventually encounters a tension; a very painful tension. What do you do when your faith is growing ahead of the people you love, even the people you love the most? Sometimes, we have to let go of hoping that a friend or family member can stay with us on the journey, and give ourselves permission to move ahead of them. Sometimes we even risk the possibility that if we go where God is taking us, they may walk away altogether. This week we were reminded by Luke 9.51-62 that Jesus himself faced this: people who promised to follow him anywhere, but weren't really prepared for what that would mean. Some friends rejected him outright, even leaving him with nowhere to stay. There were times when he invited people, "follow me" and they said, "Yes, but ...". This message is an assurance of two experiences in the life of a disciple: sometimes it will hurt, but it will always, always, be worth relinquishing control, in the long run.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 29 June 2025

Does anyone remember the song 'Blow Up the Pokies' by The Whitlams (1999)? It was a song written about gambling addiction and the chorus was marked by a plea: "I wish, I wish I knew the right words to make you feel better, walk about of this place." Have you ever met someone who was very hard to help, or seen a situation that seemed too hard too fix? This week we encountered the power of Jesus to break the toughest barriers to freedom in the story of the Gerasene man: Luke 8: 26-39. But wait and beware - freedom of this kind only comes with a willingness to have our systems disrupted.   You will want to finish this episode off by listening to the song: https://open.spotify.com/track/1iNkpCJOAOokeapM774xGE Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 22 June 2025

Do you ever feel like religious doctrines seem man-made? When we hear phrases like "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in Church prayers and creeds, we might wonder whether the language comes from a patriarchal, institutional construct. We may find it distant, jarring, even 'cold' as a concept? This Trinity Sunday we explored the experience of God who is all the kinds of love we need to be fully human: parental, letting go love; child, growing into adulthood love; and friendship love, which is loyal, faithful and true. As we see the love that Jesus invites us into, in John 16.12-15, any notion of a cold, heartless, cruel Father God melts away. We come face-to-face with a love that is utterly unmatched, total and "finished."  Today's sermon ended with a time for reflection on a song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir called My Help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPqOdLKwcsM&list=RDaPqOdLKwcsM&start_radio=1 Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 15 June 2025. 

How do you feel about believing in miracles? Today, as we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, we saw that Jesus uses miracles to provide evidence that he is real, that he is loving, that he is God. John 14.8-14 shows us that all those who believe in him will be given the authority to "do the works" that he was doing, and "even greater things that these" so that people will see evidence and believe. This week, Heather named some of the dangers and untruths that often go hand-in-hand with the way churches talk about miracles. She explains what miracles are, what they are not, and provides practical steps for taking up our authority as inheritors of the Kingdom of God.   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 8 June 2025. 

Why go to Church on a Sunday when you could sleep in, catch up with an old friend, spend quality time with your family or play golf? There are good reasons why we are time-poor these days, as we chase important career ambitions, build homes, buy homes and, increasingly, spread our time building networks and relationships formed across the globe. Is going to Church on Sunday a habit of the past? This Sunday, Heather continued to teach about the Holy Spirit and why there is a kind of love that we cannot experience outside of participation in the true Church.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 1 June 2025

This week Heather and Adam were back from annual leave and took the opportunity to share the story behind how they decided to serve in two congregations (something they always thought they would be against). When has God guided you to understand His will and His character differently to your previous ideas or beliefs? How does the Holy Spirit teach us and guide us and how to we know for sure? This week, Adam shared from John 14.23-29 about how the Holy Spirit is our Teacher, Guide, Truth-Teller and Defender.    Podcast by Heather and Adam Cetrangolo, 25 May 2025. 

Have you always told yourself that regular Church attendance isn't important? Or, have you been a regular attender, tithing and serving on rosters, yet found the experience did not enrich your faith? John 20.19-31 tells us two stories in a row about Jesus appearing at an early church gathering: the first without Thomas present and the second with. When Thomas is away he misses the experience of Jesus appearing and filling the disciples with the Holy Spirit. His faith suffers as a result. This week's Gospel reading reminds us that faith is 80% lived and experienced publicly, and only partly in private. Limiting our faith to a private expression is like limiting a relationship to sex. Very. Limited.   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 27 April 2025. 

The first witness of the Resurrection was Jesus' friend and Apostle, Mary. The account of her experience, as well as that of John and Peter in John 20.1-18, tells us straight away what the Resurrection was like and why Jesus did it. First, we see that it was a very natural experience as Mary reconnected with her friend in a garden. It was hugs and words and no bells or whistles or dancing angels or glitter. Secondly, Jesus' reason for appearing in a resurrected body and then returning to Heaven was strategic and purposeful. This Easter Sunday we considered these things and heard a testimony from Jude Becela, who was baptised into new life this day.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 20 April 2025. 

If someone were to ask you to explain in thirty seconds why Jesus had to die on a cross, what would you say? The cross has a power that is unmistakable and undeniable. Even the symbol of a cross standing in a church carries an emotional impact for people as they enter. The story of Jesus bring betrayed, sentenced and crucified, as we read aloud every Good Friday, never ceases to be deeply moving. This week, after reading the Passion narrative in John 18.1-19.42, we considered how to make its meaning plain. The cross means that there is no suffering God hasn't experienced and cannot meet us in. It also means there is no compromise, dehumanisation or harm that God cannot make us totally free from.    Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 18 April 2025. 

How do you feel about being affiliated with the institutional Church? Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem in John 12.12-16 reminds us that He never saw Himself as merely starting a spiritual movement for local communities or individuals. Accepting the title of a Messianic king, Jesus saw Himself as launching a campaign for world change. He had a very big plan in mind, even though the method through which He planned to change the world was not what anyone was expecting. Jesus made a way for a new order and the world has never been the same since. It was bigger than expected. It was political. It did have social, economic and institutional structures attached. So how do we stay proud to be a part of this movement in light of the many reasons to distrust and dislike institutional religion?   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 13 April 2025.