Strange, wonderful and with you (St Mary’s Midnight Mass 2008)

 

John 1:1-14 Strange, wonderful – and with you

 

Something strange and wonderful happens in the church at Christmas. Half the regular congregation go away for one reason and another; and their place is taken by another half who I mostly recognise only vaguely if at all! So if you’re here for your regular annual visit, or a passing stranger, an extra special welcome to you. This is my third Midnight Mass here and I trust that – whether weekly, monthly or annually, over the years we may get to know each other. And if you only need to come once a year, you’re a better person than I am! Read more

A Good News Story…for a change (All Saints Midnight Eucharist 2008)

“I bring you good news of great joy for all people: to you is born this day…a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.

Good news seems pretty hard to come by at the moment, doesn’t it?  Looking at the BBC news website yesterday afternoon as I was writing this sermon these were all of the main headlines:

• Activists guilty of hate campaign
• Contraction of economy speeds up
• Gay group angry at Pope’s remarks
• Military seizes power in Guinea
• More sex offenders go missing
• Putin says cheap gas era is ending
• Whittard nears administration Read more

Where Does God Live?

Sermon Preached by Penny Bird at St Mary’s
Sunday 21 December 08
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-end, Luke 1:26-38

I have a question for you to think about this morning.

Where does God live?
Apparently this question was asked of a group of Primary school children. The report I read said that the Catholic children pointed to the sky while the Hindu children pointed to their hearts.

Where does God live?
It’s a deeply intriguing question and one that lies behind today’s readings. Some 1400 years BC The Israelites had a sense of God’s presence with them as they wandered in the wilderness. They saw the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night and learned to move when God moved and stay encamped for as long as God remained in one place. They were learning trust. God’s presence at the Ark of the Covenant in the tent of meeting was very real for them. They had to ask Moses to wear a veil when he emerged from it because when Moses had been with God his face was radiant. Read more

Giving thanks in all circumstances

Sermon for St. Mary’s – Kathryn Percival
14th December 2008 3rd Sunday of Advent
Giving thanks in all circumstances

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-end; Psalm 126;1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Hello! It is very good to be back worshipping with you today. I also feel, as one whose major contribution to the sermons in this place over the last two years has been to attack them with green ink on a Saturday night, rooting out stray apostrophes and split infinitives, and then to heckle on a Sunday morning, that I have got my come-uppance.

Paul, in the reading from Thessalonians today, tells us to give thanks, and I feel I have plenty of things to give thanks for this week. For my children’s faces when they open the doors on their innumerable advent calendars. For the fact that I have survived one whole term at theological college, and even more importantly, that my family seem to have coped unnervingly well with my weekly absences. For mulled wine and mince pies and friends and warmth. Lots to give thanks for. Many blessings to count. Read more