Author Archives: Revd Neil Summers
Sermon: Fourth Sunday before Lent, 10 February 2019, St John the Divine
Readings Isaiah 6.1-8; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11; Luke 5.1-11Preacher Revd Neil Summers In the Bible, it is often the case that when God’s servants hear his call, it is accompanied by a profound awareness of their own unworthiness, even sinfulness. In … Continue reading
Sermon: Epiphany, 6 January 2019, St John the Divine
The Feast of the Epiphany comes at that time of the year when, for most people, the magic of Christmas has worn off. Last night was Twelfth Night, so the decorations are down and you are left with pine needles … Continue reading
Sermon: Christmas Day, 25 December 2018, St John the Divine
This year’s Christmas cards have brought the usual mix of images: snow scenes, stars, Bethlehem, robins, Santas, reindeer, Christmas trees, and Nativity scenes – that enchanting combination of the sacred and secular which makes up the modern Christmas. As usual, … Continue reading
Sermon: Midnight Mass, 24 December 2018, St John the Divine
Some 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 eventually repaired and we were able once more to hear the familiar sound … Continue reading
Sermon: Advent Sunday, 2 December 2018, St John the Divine
Readings Jeremiah 33.14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3.9-end; Luke 21.25-36 Preacher Revd Neil Summers If you like fairy tales, romance and magic, the chances are you would enjoy a musical by my favourite modern-day composer, Stephen Sondheim. ‘Into the Woods’ is … Continue reading
Sermon: Second Sunday before Advent, 18 November 2018, St Mary Magdalene
Readings Hebrews 10.11-14, 19-25; Mark 13.1-8 Preacher Revd Neil Summers Don’t worry: you haven’t missed out on Christmas, but today I need to tell you the year comes to an end next week. Not the calendar year, of course, … Continue reading
Sermon: All Saints’ Day, 4 November 2018, St John the Divine
Readings Isaiah 25.6-9; Revelation 21.1-6a; John 11.32-44 Preacher Revd Neil Summers November is the month for remembering. Last Thursday was All Saints’ Day, commemorating those often nameless saints throughout the ages who do not have an individual day of … Continue reading
Sermon: Twentieth Sunday after Trinity, 14 October 2018, St John the Divine
Readings Amos 5.6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 4.12-end; Mark 10.17-31 Preacher Revd Neil Summers Two weeks ago, the Gospel reading was about cutting off those body parts that cause us to stumble. Today, there are more tricky words to contend with: sell … Continue reading
Sermon: Harvest Sunday, 7 October 2018, St John the Divine
Interview Sermon with Revd Neil Summers and Sylvia Browning Introduction – Neil In our Mission Action Plan, one of the things we said we would do, from time to time, is a different sort of sermon slot, which … Continue reading
Sermon: Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, 9 September 2018, St John the Divine
Readings Isaiah 35.4-7a; James 2.1-10, 14-17; Mark 7.24-end Preacher Revd Neil Summers For me, that story of the healing of a Gentile woman’s daughter is one of the most fascinating in all the gospels. It sees Jesus mainly in … Continue reading