15 March is in traditional terms the 3rd Sunday of Lent but today it also became the 1st Covid-19 Sunday. This is the first Sunday for many when church attendance was ever limited. The set reading from Exodus 17 was made for a day like this. Francis brought a message to the 23 gathered in…
Lent kicks off with a reminder of what sin is, where it came from and how we deal with it. Francis sets out the Lenten agenda in terms of a ‘Baptism Boost’ through practicing repentance and faith as the core central response to the Gospel. But first, what is ‘sin’ ?
Transfiguration Sunday will of course consider the day Jesus shone like the sun and a voice was heard from the cloud. It was a day of glory. What does that mean, then and now? Read or listen:
When Moses brought the people to the Jordan Valley they were asked to reaffirm their national covenant with the LORD. Big decisions like that do not happen today but sometimes populations do need to agree and work together fro the same page. Public health in the face of an epidemic is such a case and…
This message explores how all the people’s of the world are marked by the pain of sin as first experienced by Adam and Eve and how the Gospel fully appreciated is that Jesus through his cross and resurrection overcame every dimension of that pain. It’s a big story relating to everyone from East, West and…
The Bible is a before, during and after collection of writings centred on Jesus and his coming. Today Francis orientated to feature what Jesus first preached as a public message. Isaiah gave details of his coming, Matthew documented them and Paul picked up the pieces when new Christians messed it up.
Christmas over? Not so fast! Bethlehem just got dangerous and the outworking of God’s redemption plan comes down to two men: Joseph and Herod. This message looks at what they represent and what makes them tick so we might learn to walk in a right way.
On Christmas Day we heard Luke’s account of the birth featuring Shepherds visited by angels and lots of make-do arrangements. Mary pondered all these things in her heart. What do we need to see here and what might be of importance to us who want to welcome God’s actions in our lives?
After nine lessons and carols Francis brought a short message on Jesus as the true light.
It’s Advent 4 and we are ready to hear the beginnings of the birth narratives. Today Francis considered what Incarnation as a human baby required of God in Christ as described in Philippians 2.5-11. This is a key part of the Whole Gospel and commended as the mind appropriate to those who hold Jesus as…