In a world full of competing ideas, trends, and philosophies, it’s easy for our faith to get diluted or confused — just as the early Church in Corinth struggled. In this sermon, we explore what it really means to hold onto the gospel, inside and outside of church, and how the message of the cross remains both a stumbling block and a source of life-changing power.

We reflect on timeless challenges: from first-century Corinth to Enlightenment thinkers, to the pressures of modern culture, and discover practical ways to live faithfully as children of God.

📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18
🙏 Key themes: Faith, Culture, Gospel, Grace, Living the Cross

What if the metrics we use to measure our lives are actually hiding the work God is doing?In this sermon, we explore the calling of the prophet Jeremiah. Often known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah’s life was far from what we would call a "success story." He was ignored, resisted, and lived to see the very things he warned about come to pass.Using a recent experience with "YouTube Shorts" and the "swagger" of viral views, we dive into Jeremiah 1:4-10 to redefine what success looks like in the Kingdom of God. Whether you are parenting, caring for a neighbor, or serving in a quiet corner of your community, this message is an invitation to stop managing results and start embracing obedience.

Step up and follow! In John 1:35–39, two disciples didn’t just talk about Jesus—they went after him. In this sermon, Rev. Phil explores what it means to truly be present with Jesus and how that can change your life.

Discover how you can:

• Spot Jesus in the everyday

• Take intentional steps to follow him

• Let your encounter with Christ spark action and growth

Don’t just watch—come and see! 🙌

In Psalm 29, we encounter a God whose voice thunders over the waters, shakes the cedars, and confronts the seemingly unbreakable. He is not “safe” in the human sense — yet He is good, trustworthy, and life-giving.

In this reflection, we explore what it means to follow a God who is wild and powerful, using insights from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and stories of faith from Ignatius of Antioch, David Livingstone, and Martin Luther King Jr.

We also consider what “unsafe” steps might look like in our own lives — letting go of control, embracing new ministry opportunities, joining different communities, or simply trusting God with what we think is ours to manage.

Step into the unknown with courage, knowing that God’s wild goodness is at your side.

#Psalm29 #Faith #Courage #GodIsGood #CSLewis #AndCanItBe #ChristianReflection #WildGod #TrustGod

Jesus came down into our world — unnoticed, unrecognised, yet fully divine. In this sermon, we reflect on John 1:1–14 and the Christmas story through the lens of Undercover Boss, exploring how Christ’s humanity and divinity invite us to respond with our time, attention, and resources.

Step into the new year with a fresh perspective on what it means to truly receive the Word made flesh.

📖 Scripture: John 1:1–14
#Christmas #John1 #Sermon #FaithInAction #WordMadeFlesh

Happy Christmas from all of us across the Benefice!

Here's a short poem written by our vicar written for our carol services.

Joseph never preaches a sermon.He never leads a movement.He leaves no recorded words at all.And yet, humanly speaking, the salvation of the world is entrusted to him.In this sermon, we explore Joseph — the overlooked, unassuming figure at the heart of the Christmas story — and what his life says to those who feel inadequate, unimpressive, or quietly faithful while others seem more gifted or visible.

In this sermon, we explore Matthew 11 and the story of John the Baptist, uncovering timeless lessons about noticing God at work in our lives. Through stories, Scripture, and practical insights, we reflect on how to:

• Recognise God’s activity around us, even when it’s easy to miss.

• Connect the promises of Scripture with what’s happening today.

• Embrace the advantages we have as followers of Christ in the post-Pentecost world.

Join us as we learn to read God’s Word, keep our eyes open, and get excited about the ways He is at work in our communities and in our own lives.

📖 Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:1–11
🙏 Suitable for anyone seeking encouragement and insight from God’s Word.