Monthly Archives: December 2014
Holy Innocents, 28 December 2014, St John the Divine & St Matthias, morning
Reading Matthew 2: 13-18 Preacher Revd Neil Summers There is a lot going on in the church calendar in these days of Christmas. Quite apart from the big day itself, on the 26th we honoured Stephen as a deacon … Continue reading
Christmas Morning sermon 2014, St Mary’s
Reading Luke 2.1-14 Preacher Canon Robert Titley If you have brought a present to open, congratulations for lasting this long – this is a good moment to open it. Presents are great, aren’t they? A sign of how Christmas brings … Continue reading
Christmas Midnight Mass 2014, St Mary’s
Reading John 1.1-14 Preacher Canon Robert Titley I can’t resist it, and I suspect plenty of other preachers tonight won’t be able to, either. It’s been talked about a lot, but it demands attention tonight. It’s the thought about us … Continue reading
Midnight Mass, Christmas 2014, St John the Divine
Readings Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 1:1-14 Preacher Revd Neil Summers A few years ago, the clock up in the spire of St. John’s was out of order – and therefore silent – for many months until it was … Continue reading
Fourth Sunday of Advent, 21 December 2014, St John the Divine
Reading Luke 1: 26-38 Preacher Revd Neil Summers I realise most eyes are now focused on the birth of a boy later this week, but today’s gospel reminds us of the centrality of women – Elizabeth and Mary – … Continue reading
Fourth Sunday of Advent, 21 December, St Mary’s, morning
Reading Luke 1: 26-38 Preacher Revd Alan Sykes A few days ago a certain Jeb Bush, erstwhile Governor of Florida, announced that he was thinking of running for President. Inevitably, I suppose, that made me think of his older … Continue reading
Third Sunday of Advent, 14 December 2014, St Mary’s, evening
Readings Job 2; Philippians 4:4-7 Preacher Revd Alan Sykes Alvin Plantinga on Suffering and Evil This sermon was preached as part of the QI Theology Group meeting on 14th December. It was the third of three such meetings … Continue reading
Third Sunday of Advent, 14 December 2014, St John the Divine
Readings Psalm 126; I Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28 Preacher Revd Neil Summers On the third Sunday of Advent, we focus on John the Baptist, the prophet whose role was to prepare the way for Jesus. And traditionally, this is also … Continue reading
Third Sunday of Advent, 14 December 2014, St Mary, morning
Readings Isaiah 61.1–4, 8–end; John 1.6–8, 19–28 Preacher Canon Robert Titley At this time of year, I think about people in the public eye who may struggle to have a happy Christmas. Think of Brendan Rodgers, manager of … Continue reading
Second Sunday of Advent, 7 December 2014, St John the Divine
Readings Mark: 1-8 (and Isaiah 40:1-11 and 2 Peter 3: 8-15a) Preacher Revd Alan Sykes Now, I don’t want you to feel in the slightest degree envious but last April Fee and I (Fee’s my wife) took a very satisfactory holiday … Continue reading