Preaching Term 3, 2022

Friends in Christ, this week's message is an update on preaching at the Cathedral throughout School Term 3 of 2022. 

From this Sunday, our Sub-Dean Chris Allan will begin a short series on "Great Prayers of the Bible", featuring prayers of Moses, Hezekiah and Nehemiah, and he is keen to encourage us practically in our own praying. 

Two-thirds of the way through that series we will pause, and in the morning, we'll hear from guest preacher Sam Allberry, who is out in Australia for the Singleminded conference we've been mentioning. 

Then our Associate Minister, Malcolm Gill, will give us a high level overview tour of the book of Romans, as "Good News for Everyone", through the lens of four great "therefore" sayings that mark turning points in that letter Paul wrote. 

And I will close out the school term with series called "5 Proverbs on..." covering the topics of leadership, our speech, sex, and work!

By the way, if you are ever in the city on Monday or Thursday evenings, please come and try our Choral Evensong service from 5:15pm.

It comes in the wonderful historic words of the Book of Common Prayer, adorned by the classic cathedral choir tradition. The Evensong content is drawn almost entirely from the Bible, in readings, psalm, anthems, and behind the liturgical foundation. Some parts are sung by the choir, others parts are spoken by others present. 

Evensong proclaims the wonderful things God has done for us, supremely in Christ crucified and risen. And it aims to draw from us a repsonse of repentance and faith, prayer and praise, leading on to a life of worship and obedience. Much of the Evensong service is in a language spoken by our ancestors several hundred years ago. It may sound old-fashioned, but its meaning is never out of date! It's a little spiritual oasis during the working week. 

On Thursday evenings, which I generally take, I have been working through J.C. Ryle's "Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke", slightly abridged and very lightly modernised. I often say that I reckon he's a better preacher than I am! 

Choral Evensong recommences after school holidays on Thursday 21 July. 

Warmly in Christ,

Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney