All Categories - Mount Eliza Anglican Church

The Joyful God

24/6/2026

When we think about God, joy might not always be the first attribute that comes to mind. Many imagine Him as solemn, serious, and distant. Yet, Scripture paints a far more vibrant picture — one of a God who delights in His creation, rejoices over His people, and invites us into a celebration beyond our imagination.
Two passages we will read this Sunday Revelation 21:1–7 and Matthew 22:2–14, give us a glimpse of this joy-filled heart of God. Together, they reveal a God who not only restores all things but also throws open the doors to His eternal banquet.

In Revelation 21, John describes a breathtaking vision: a new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with His people. Every tear is wiped away, death is no more, and sorrow is replaced with unending joy.
This is not the image of a reluctant ruler tolerating His subjects — it’s the picture of a joyful Creator making all things new. The language is deeply personal: “They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” This is the joy of reunion, restoration, and relationship.
God’s joy is not abstract; it’s relational. He delights in being with His people, and His ultimate plan is to remove every barrier that keeps us from Him.

In Matthew 22, Jesus tells the parable of a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. The feast is lavish, the invitation is generous, and the joy is overflowing. Yet, surprisingly, many refuse to come.
This parable reveals another facet of God’s joy — He is a God who invites. The banquet is a symbol of His kingdom, a place of abundance, celebration, and love. But the joy of the feast is not complete without guests. God’s heart is to see His table full, His people gathered, and His joy shared.
The sobering twist is that some reject the invitation, and others try to enter on their own terms. The joy of God’s kingdom is freely offered, but it must be received with humility and readiness.

When we hold these two passages together, we see a God whose joy is both restorative and invitational. He is not content with a broken world — He is making all things new. He is not satisfied with an empty table — He calls everyone to come and feast.
For us, this means joy is not just something we experience in God’s presence; it’s something we are called to reflect. We live now as people who have tasted the first fruits of that coming feast, inviting others to join in and pointing toward the day when God’s joy will fill all creation.

The joyful God is not a distant deity but a loving King preparing a wedding feast and a faithful Creator renewing His world. His joy is not just for Himself — it’s for us, with us, and through us. The question is: will we accept His invitation and live in the light of His coming joy

Yours in Christ,
Rev Tanya

The Life-Giving God

18/6/2026

What, if you lost it, would make you feel that life wasn't worth living?
Think about that for a minute.
That's a weighty question, isn't it?

I've started listening to an audiobook this week. A novel called 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig. It starts with the protagonist losing her cat to a car, a whole list of deep life regrets around unrealized dreams, disappointing relationships, and most of all disappointment in herself as she slowly cut herself off from people she used to know. Suffice to say - the beginning is rather depressing. And she decides her life is no longer worth living.

Then she ends up in this 'in-between' place called 'the midnight library' where she has the opportunity to revisit past regrets and see what her life might've become if different choices and outcomes had been made. Would life be worth living if she married 'the guy'. Would life be worth living if she took a chance on the band of their young adult life. Would life be worth living if she'd just been less anxious? And if life is worth living in any one of those alternate realities, she will have the choice to stay in it.
That's what I assume the rest of this book is going to explore - but I haven't got there yet.

What I find interesting already is that so much of what we seek to fill our lives with for meaning becomes demands that we can never quite measure up to. Whether it is power, approval, comfort or control that we strive for, we never quite 'make it'. They become our modern-day idols that promise life but deliver a million tiny deaths before the big one whenever we don't end up getting those things.

Jesus demonstrated that he can deliver us from death. He proved that by actually overcoming death himself. Jesus' resurrection delivers us, not just from a literal death, but also from the "million deaths" we will suffer before we die if we've put our trust in power, approval, comfort or control.

Let's go back to that weighty question: What, if you lost it, would make you feel that life wasn't worth living?
See if your answer to that leads you to one of those little idols.

God's love for you doesn't depend on you measuring up to certain demands, because Jesus has already measured up for us, if we put our trust in him. That is the difference between little idols and God - our God, is a Life-Giving God. One who loves you unconditionally. A life with God, is a life worth living.

Amy

Fulfilling God

10/6/2026

Last Sunday we reflected on our God being “The Liberating God” as discussed at our Life Explored Course last week.
This week let’s consider how he is our “Fulfilling God.

Life has a way of leaving us thirsty.
We chase after success, relationships, possessions, and experiences, hoping they will fill the deep emptiness inside. Yet, no matter how much we drink from these wells, the thirst always returns.

In John 4:6-14, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well and offers her something radically different — living water. He tells her that whoever drinks from the water He gives will never thirst again, for it will become a spring welling up to eternal life.

This is the heart of the fulfilling God — He doesn’t just give us temporary relief; He satisfies the deepest longings of our souls. The woman at the well had been searching for meaning and love in all the wrong places, but in one encounter with Jesus, she found the source she had been missing all along.

We see this same truth in Luke 15:14-32, in the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son thought fulfilment would come from independence, wealth, and pleasure. But after squandering everything, he found himself starving and empty — both physically and spiritually. When he returned home, expecting rejection, he instead found a father running toward him with open arms, restoring him fully.

Both stories reveal a God who doesn’t just meet our needs — He overflows them. He is not a God of scarcity but of abundance. He doesn’t just quench our thirst; He transforms us into people who carry His living water to others.
When we drink deeply from God’s presence, we discover:

True satisfaction that no earthly thing can match.

Unconditional love that welcomes us home no matter how far we’ve wandered.

Purpose and identity rooted in Him, not in our performance or possessions.

If you’ve been drinking from empty wells, the invitation is still open: Come to the fulfilling God. He is the well that never runs dry, the Father who never stops running toward you, and the source of joy that never fades.

I look forward to seeing you in Church this Sunday,

Reverend Tanya Cummings

Liberating God

4/6/2026

At our LIFE EXPLORED course at SLIMS PIZZA RESTERAUNT on Monday night we reflected on the way God brings people out of Bondage and into Freedom.

We looked at the story of God’s relationship with his people in the book of Exodus. God liberating His people from slavery in Egypt is one of the most powerful narratives in Scripture. It’s not just ancient history—it’s a living testimony of God’s heart to set His people free, both physically and spiritually.

In the book of Exodus, the Israelites were trapped under the cruel oppression of Pharaoh. Their cries for help rose to heaven, and God responded with compassion and power. Through Moses, He confronted the might of Egypt with miraculous signs, parted the Red Sea, and led His people into freedom.
This wasn’t just about breaking physical chains—it was about revealing God’s character. He is a Deliverer who hears the cries of the oppressed, fights for His people, and leads them into a new life of promise and purpose.

Just as Israel was enslaved in Egypt, humanity is naturally enslaved to sin. Sin binds us with guilt, shame, destructive habits, and separation from God. But just as God sent Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, He sent Jesus to lead us out of spiritual bondage.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus broke the power of sin and death. He didn’t just open a path to freedom—He became the path. In Him, we are no longer defined by our past or trapped by our failures. We are free to live in the light of God’s grace, empowered by His Spirit to walk in righteousness.

Freedom is not just a one-time event—it’s a daily journey. The Israelites had to learn to trust God in the wilderness, and we too must learn to walk in the freedom Christ has given us. This means:

Renewing our minds with God’s truth instead of the lies of the enemy.

Choosing obedience even when it’s hard, trusting that God’s way leads to life.

Resting in grace, knowing our freedom is secured by Christ, not our own strength.

So, I invite you to reflect on your relationship with the God who split the sea for Israel. He is the same God who breaks the chains of sin today. He doesn’t just set us free—He calls us into a life of purpose, joy, and intimacy with Him. If you feel trapped, remember: your Deliverer has already made a way.

After our bible discussion about these things on Monday night, three young people gave their lives to Jesus – making Him their own Lord and Savior.
Praise God for sending Jesus to set us free and that he is still saving, liberating and working in people’s lives today.

Please continue to pray for all participants in the LIFE EXPLORED course, and particularly these new believers. Pray also for those being Baptised and confirmed this coming Friday (5th of June) at 5pm in the Peninsula Grammar Chapel.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel,

Tanya

Generous God

28/5/2026

On Wednesday mornings, we have a traditional service in the Historic Church at 10:30am.
Yesterday we explored the question of our purpose in life. Perhaps you've asked yourself one of these questions before:

Why am I here?
What should I do in this life?
What am I going to leave behind?
What will my legacy be?
What will I be known for?

There are so many pressures in this life on earth to 'succeed' according to the measurements the world sets before us. Most of those have to do with career advancement, and earning more money. We keep striving and striving - but does it make us happy? Are we content? A life ruled by money is a life that asks for more and more of a person without assessing the capacity, the cost, or the benefits to a person's overall wellbeing. A life ruled by 'success' is a life of always working and never resting nor giving.

A life ruled by these things means that when retirement hits and a new season of life comes along, again we ask ourselves - what is my purpose, why am I here? Our value as human beings is not contingent on what we do with our lives or our contribution to the workplace or society. Our value lies in being created human beings, made in God's very own image.

God doesn't ask us to work for our salvation. He gives it - willingly, generously so.
He doesn't come with demands and requirements, he comes with promises.
Jesus says, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (Matt. 11:28).
Jesus says, 'I haven't come to be served, but to serve, and give my life as a ransom for many' (Mark 10:45).
God does the work FOR us.
Jesus says, 'I have come to seek and save the lost' (Luke 19:10).

God is a GENEROUS God. His love overflows for us, into us, and through us.
If this generous God rules your heart - how does that impact your purpose for the time you have left on this earth?
May His generous love shape us, change us, and guide us.
Amen

Amy

Pentecost

22/5/2026

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost which was the ultimate turning point in human history: the moment God moved from dwelling among His people to living inside them. From a biblical worldview, this event launched the global church and reversed the ancient curse of division.

To understand Pentecost, we have to look back at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). There, human pride resulted in fractured languages and scattered nations.
At Pentecost (Acts 2), God used the diverse languages of the world to unite people under the Gospel. The sudden wind and tongues of fire signaled a new era. God did not erase cultural differences; He used them to declare that His kingdom belongs to every tribe, tongue, and nation.

The timing of Pentecost was precise. It took place during the Jewish Feast of Weeks, a festival thanking God for the first harvest.
Just as farmers gathered the firstfruits of the earth, Pentecost marked the first major harvest of souls for the Christian Church—3,000 people were baptised in a single day.

We have a few people in our congregation preparing for baptism and/or confirmation at this time. Please keep them in your prayers.
Pray for them and all of us that the Power of the Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives, changing us from the inside out, and enabling us to boldly live and speak up for Christ.
Pray the Holy Spirit will equip us all with unique gifts to serve others and share hope.
And pray the Holy Spirit will continue to break down racial and social barriers to create unity within the world wide Church, and unite us as family in our Church at Mount Eliza.
Pray we will trust the leading of the Holy Spirit today, and continue to change and grow more into the people and church He wants us to be; Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, equipped for ministry and mission, bold in our witness and united as family.

May the Holy Spirit draw us closer together and further into the mission of God.

God bless you,
Reverend Tanya Cummings

God is Good

14/5/2026

I wonder, where do you see God's goodness in the world?

When I'm looking at an amazing view of the sunset, I'm often in awe and thinking, 'God is Good'.
When I'm staring dwarfed at the mountain ranges of the Remarkables in New Zealand, and I feel small and God feels big, I think, 'God is Good'.
When I'm seeing the sunrise over an Icelandic glacier, exploring the big ice caves, and staring out over the 'iceberg lagoon', I think, 'WOW - how good is God?!

The bible tells us from beginning to end, that God reveals his goodness to us through his Creation.
So - what do you like to see that makes you think, 'God is Good'?
Where do you like to go or visit or experience to make you feel small and God feel BIG?
When do you notice God's goodness?

This Sunday we're going to explore God's goodness, some questions around perhaps doubting God's goodness, and reflect on what to do in response to God's goodness in our everyday lives.
I look forward to seeing you then!

Amy

The maternal characteristics of God

7/5/2026

When we speak about God, our language often leans toward the familiar — “Father,” “Lord,” “King.” These titles carry deep meaning, yet they only capture part of the picture. Across scripture, tradition, and human experience, God is revealed not only as a strong and guiding Father but also as a tender and nurturing Mother.

This dual imagery isn’t about assigning God a gender — rather, it’s about recognizing that the divine nature transcends human categories. God embodies the fullness of love, protection, and care, expressed in both maternal and paternal ways.

The Paternal images of God, such as Father, often evokes images of strength, guidance, and provision. Like a loving parent who teaches, disciplines, and protects, God calls us toward growth and maturity. In this role, God is the steady hand that leads us through uncertainty, the voice that calls us to courage, and the provider who ensures we have what we need to flourish.

Equally present in scripture and spiritual reflection is the image of God as Mother — the one who comforts, nurtures, and holds us close. God is likened to a mother who will not forget her child, who gathers her people as a hen gathers her chicks, who labours to bring forth new life. This maternal imagery speaks to God’s deep compassion, patience, and willingness to embrace us in our most vulnerable moments.

When we hold both the maternal and paternal aspects of God together, we see a more complete picture of divine love. God is not limited to one mode of care — God is both the protector and the comforter, the guide and the shelter, the one who challenges us to grow and the one who soothes us when we fall.

This balance invites us to expand our own understanding of love and leadership. It reminds us that strength and tenderness are not opposites but partners, and that true care often requires both.

Recognising God as both Mother and Father can transform the way we relate to the divine — and to each other. It encourages us to embrace the full spectrum of love in our own lives: to be firm when needed, gentle when called for, and always rooted in compassion.
In the end, God’s love is not bound by our categories. It is vast enough to hold us, guide us, and carry us — like a parent who is both strong enough to protect and tender enough to heal.

God bless you and especially bless all the mothers among us this Sunday.

See you in Church.
Rev Tanya

DV Sunday

30/4/2026

Thank you to all who joined us in person and online for our ANZAC themed Church Service last Sunday. Thanks again to Commodore Jim Dickson for sharing with us some of his wisdom and experiences in the NAVY.

This Sunday we are focussing on DV Awareness. We are joining with the Anglican Church all over Australia to highlight the issue of domestic violence affecting people in our churches and celebrate the work the church is doing to prevent and respond to those who suffer.

Research commissioned by the Anglican Church of Australia found that more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men in our churches are impacted by some form of violence in their home. It also found that very few victims felt they could approach the church for help or that their minister would respond with support. (I was once in their shoes!).

The Anglican church has made Ten Commitments to prevent and respond to DV, beginning with training leaders and clergy, Creating resources to change church culture, Lead national prayer, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, and launching programs to help churches respond well and prevent harm. But the work has only just begun. Addressing domestic violence is a generational piece of work because even now, many children are growing up in homes where they witness domestic violence. We have a great deal of work to do.

DV AWARE SUNDAY gives our church an opportunity to shine a light on the problem and to share the hope of God’s good news for those who suffer.

We read in Luke 4: 14-21 of Christ's proclamation of his good news: that God sees and cares for those impacted by injustice and suffering and declares that such injustice has no place in the kingdom of God. As a church, we also want to be those who see and care for those impacted by domestic violence and to work together to create a future where everyone is safe, respected, and enabled to flourish as God intended.

Let’s bring hope, shed light and say with one voice that domestic violence has no place in our homes, our relationships and in our churches.

See you on Sunday.
Love and Peace,
Rev Tanya

ANZAC

23/4/2026

Give thanks to Lord, He is Good, His love endures forever.

I personally am so grateful to live in Australia and consider that we are truly blessed to live in this country. I acknowledge our freedom and privileges here have come at great cost to so many people. May we all continue to seek to live together well on this land.

This Saturday is ANZAC Day, and we will continue on Sunday to reflect and remember those who have fought for this Country.

We will hear from Commodore Jim Dickson OAM, MBE, whose NAVY Career began with Cadets at age 13 at Cerberus. After 41 years of Service, he retired as Naval Officer in December 1991. May we be blessed as we hear about his own experiences and observations from his early days till now.

I will also bring brief reflection on Matthew 8:5-13, highlighting the extraordinary faith of a centurion ,and illustrating that faith in Jesus can transcend social, cultural, and religious boundaries.
May we grow in our own faith and trust that Jesus’ word alone has power to transform situations.

May we be encouraged to approach Him confidently with all our needs. May we follow the centurion's example and learn more fully to trust boldly and act in faith, expecting God’s promises to unfold.

Rev. Tanya