Tag: Church
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Everyone is Awesome!
Rarely does Jesus see things the same way we do. Jesus sees the hope and potential when we pull together. When we stand for what we know is right and true, when we follow Him and don’t give up just because life seems too hard.
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Hands-On Easter: A Unique Retelling
The wonderful thing about the fingers and thumbs Easter story is that it is unique to each of us. Each retelling involves our own hands, our own fingerprints, our own calluses and scars. When we tell the Easter story using our own hands we own it for ourselves, and invite Jesus into our story as…
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Why Palm Sunday Matters: Choices in Faith
The donkey is important, not just because of the fulfilling of the prophecy, but because of what is left out of the narrative, because it was such an ordinary thing to happen. We rely on historians outside of the gospels to inform us that Jesus’ triumphal entry wasn’t the only one that took place during…
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Celebrating Mothering Sunday: Traditions and Gifts
‘It’s not Mother’s Day,’ my mum would tell me, ‘It’s Mothering Sunday’. I never quite understood the difference. One apparently was American and the other British, but that’s only half the story. In other countries, Mother’s Day is simply a day to give thanks for and to celebrate our mothers, in the UK it is…
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Shine Jesus Shine: Simeon and Anna, Celebrating Light in Darkness
It’s the last big celebration of Christmas and Epiphany, wrapping up with Candlemas on February 2nd. As we wind down, stories of Mary, Jesus, and the traditions of both Christianity and Celtic cultures remind us of returning light and the shift toward spring. The journey moves from joy to reflection, preparing for Lent.
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O come, O come, Emmanuel: Understanding the Hebrew Roots of the Christmas Story
This year I learned Jesus was probably born in a family home, not a stable. Let’s open our hearts to him and find compassion in a broken world.
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Prepare Ye the Way: John the Baptist’s call for Repentance and Harmony
It’s the second Sunday of Advent and the focus is on peace, reflecting on prophets and their tough messages. The author shares a fondness for indie band The Wonderstuff and relates lyrics to today’s gospel. They urge Christians to reconsider their interpretations of scripture and promote harmony, urging us to be peace-bringers this season.
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Off the Hook! Celebrating St Andrew’s Day and the New Advent Journey
This Sunday, we celebrate St Andrew’s Day and Advent Sunday, marking the start of the Christmas countdown and the Liturgical New Year. With new beginnings for the Upper Culm Mission Community and personal connections, the message emphasizes Andrew’s role in inclusivity and responding to Jesus’ call, inviting us to renew our commitment.
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Say a Little Prayer for Me: The Tax Collector’s Lesson
This Sunday I will be preaching at my local church, St Pauls in Andover. It isn’t quite my final Sunday in the parish, but it would be lovely to see you. As I sat down to prepare for today’s sermon I realised something. All my commentaries are packed ready for the move back into parish…
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Gratitude: Lessons for Today from Jesus’ Parables
We can be grateful for who we are compared with others who seem spiritually weaker than we are, or we can be grateful that God sees us for who we are and shows us love and mercy. We can turn our backs on others, or celebrate with them at the heavenly party Jesus throws.