Category Archives: Uncategorized

Isaiah 25:1-9               Psalm 23         Philippians 4:1-9         Matthew 22:1-14 One of the commentaries writing about this Gospel reading suggested that a good title might be ‘how to get yourself killed’. This was intriguing in our house, because we were really looking forward to the new Bond movie, where the context is usually ‘stand too close to James Bond andContinue reading “A Wedding Reception with a difference”

Isaiah5:1-7      Psalm 80:7-15             Philippians 3:4b-14                 Matthew 21:33-46 Earth is the Lord’s it is ours to enjoy it, ours as as his stewards to farm and defend.   From its pollution, misuse and destruction, good Lord, deliver us, world without end.   F. Pratt Green Creator God, In your hand are the depths of the earth The mountain peaks belong toContinue reading “Good managers?”

Readings: Exodus 16:2-15           Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30      Matthew 20:1-16    1    O God of Bethel, by whose hand         thy people still are fed;         who through this earthly pilgrimage         hast all our forebears led. 2    Our vows, our prayers, we now present         before thy throne of grace:         God of our forebears, be the God         of their succeeding race. 3    ThroughContinue reading “What is the reward for serving God?”

Exodus 14:19-31         Psalm 103       Romans 14:1-12          Matthew 18:21-35 Call to worship: If we could sing in church this Sunday, I would have chosen 10,000 reasons by Matt Redman, or O worship the King by Robert Grant. Both of which are amazing invitations to praise, worship and adore God. Instead, here are the words of the ancient Hebrew hymnContinue reading “Forgiven”

Exodus 12:1-14                       Psalm 149       Romans 13:8-14          Matthew 18:15-20 Introduction: Just this week, someone said, ‘Autumn has arrived two weeks early this year!’  Whilst, we all know what that phrase means, I am firmly amongst those who believe that mother nature does not have access to a Gregorian calendar, and therefore the seasons must surely come at precisely the rightContinue reading “God’s Time”

Exodus 3:1-15     Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b   Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 A Prayer of adoration, confession and a collect With the Psalmist we pray: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. We bless you for the beauty of creation; we bless you for our health and strength,Continue reading “Take up your cross”

Readings: Isaiah 51:1-6,  Psalm 138,  Romans 12:1-8,  Matthew 16:13-20 Three hymns – two relatively new sets of words and one very well-loved hymn came to mind during preparation for today. When circumstances make my life The words of a recent addition in Singing the Faith (no 641), can be found here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/singing-the-faith-plus/posts/when-circumstances-make-my-life-too-hard-to-understand-stf-641/ 2. Take my life andContinue reading “You are the Christ”

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9-18, Psalm 85:8-13, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 Approach to God (Confession)  Faithful God,We gather this morning in your presence:  Those of us who come here oftenand those who have not been for a long time.  Those who are full of faithand those who don’t know what we believe.  Those who can hardlyContinue reading “The Still Small Voice”

Readings for Sunday 2nd August 2020 Isaiah 55:1-5, Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21, Romans 9:1-5   Matthew 14: 13-21 At the beginning of this time of worship, come before God with the words of Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21. It is a Psalm with a rare distinction: it is the only one entitled ‘praise’ in Hebrew.  So just reflect quietly and makeContinue reading “Casualties of dispossession or consolers”

Readings for Sunday 26th July 2020: Genesis 29:15-28       Psalm 119:129-136      Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 The usual recommendation to those beginning their preaching journey is to stick to three main points.  Except that the Gospel reading today has five separate parables: The mustard seed (vv 31-32) The leaven (v 33) The treasure in the field (v 44)Continue reading “Great Treasure”