17th December 3rd Advent ‘Gaudete Sunday’ Readings: Is. 61. 1-4, 8-end; 1 Thess. 5. 16-24; John 1. 6-8, 19-28 Theme: Hope and Joyful Restoration There is something very joyful each Advent as our journey to Bethlehem is accompanied by the beautiful words of Isaiah: “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a...
2nd Advent, 10 December Readings: Isa. 40. 1-11; 2 Pet. 3. 8-15a; Mk. 1. 1-8 Theme: ‘Home Sweet Home’ The saying, ‘home sweet home’ is one which echoes deeply for many people. It symbolizes in a pithy statement, the longing to feel safe and secure; to be with those who love us and whom we...
Christ the King Readings: Ezek. 34. 11-16, 20-24; Eph. 1. 15-end; Matt. 25. 31-end Theme: The Lord and King If you come from a country with a monarchy the notion of having a king or a queen is not unusual. Those of us originally from the UK or Commonwealth countries with the monarch as the...
Second Sunday Before Advent 19 November Readings: Zephaniah 1. 7, 12-end; 1 Thess. 5. 1-11; Matt. 25. 14-30 Theme: The Day of Judgment The theme running through all three of our readings today is that of the judgment of the Lord, ‘The Day of the Lord’, as it is also called. But why are we...
Remembrance Sunday November 12, 2023 Readings: Amos 5. 18-24; 1 Thess. 4. 13-end; Mt. 25. 1-13 Theme: War and Peace The primary purpose of any government or ruling authority is to secure the peace and order of their territory. Together with the power to rule comes the responsibility to ensure that people are kept...
All Saints Day 5 November Readings: Rev. 7. 9-end; 1 Jn. 3. 1-3; Mt. 5. 1-12 Theme: The Communion of Saints Today we remember those whom we have dearly loved and have died. They go before us to meet the lord and the pain of their absence is something which remains with us. Our...
Sermon Last After Trinity, 29 October Readings: Leviticus 19. 1-2, 15-18; 1 Thessalonians 2. 1-8; Mt. 22. 34-46 Theme: Love of God and Neighbour Law in the Jewish tradition is much more than simply a set of rules and regulations. It codifies the mission of the Jewish nation to all the other tribes and nations....
Sermon Trinity 20, 22 October Readings: Is. 45. 1-7; 1 Thess. 1. 1-10; Mt. 22. 15-22 Theme: God or Caesar? The relationship between religion and politics is one which has shaped societies since the advent of civilisation. The first reading from Isaiah today speaks of the Persian king Cyrus as ‘the anointed of the...
Sermon Trinity 19, 15 October Readings: Is. 25 1-9; Phil. 4. 1-9; Mt. 22. 1-14 Theme: God’s Invitation The theme of our readings for today is God’s invitation. We are each invited to partake in his messianic banquet. This is spoken of in the first reading from Isaiah as ‘a feast of rich food’...
Trinity 18, 8 October 2023 Readings: Is. 5. 1-7; Phil. 3. 4b-14; Mt. 21. 33-end. Theme: The Vineyard of the Kingdom It is a well-known saying that the garden is a place to feel close to God. There is something about the calmness of nature, its various colours and smells that fills us with awe...
