26th July, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 9) “True and Beautiful Words “
Some people consider the Romans passage for today, the greatest chapter in the Bible.
The Spirit intercedes for us and nothing can separate us from God and so all things work for good who love him.
Words that have been cheapened by its use on bric-a-brac , slogans on clothing, mugs, posters etc.
Paul believed and despite his trials and tribulations, knew that nothing could separate him from God’s love.
The Christian faith is a true story. AMEN!
19th July, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 8) “Hands off the Weeds”
Pulling weeds may disturb the final harvest, the weeds are not the problem but weeding is. So allow them to stay.
The word “allowing’ in the original text of the NT, is ‘Aphiemo’, which translates to “forgiveness”.
In society who gets to decide who are weeds? Sometimes God is doing something that escapes us.
Patience (another word for ‘love’) is needed. The goal is to tend , watch and wait, to see the seeds in people and the world.
12th July, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 7) “The Gentle Invasion “
Jesus offering is more than expected, He is proclaiming the heart of the kingdom – a new kingdom.
This parable is about seeds. What happens when they fall on concrete, rocky places, and in thorns?
We all have these places that will not let anything through. Pain, hidden hardness and emotions hold us back and our desire to not stand up to things that need to be changed. What defenses do you have that inhibit change?
5th July, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 6) “You Do You”
Jesus and John were cousins on the same mission, however they were very different people and did not always see ‘eye to eye’.
Conformity in our churches may be somewhat dangerous. There is not just one way to be spiritual!
God is revealing himself all the time and working new things in a new generation.
The Lord will reveal, so there is always a word for the church in what is best…but it may be hard.
28th June, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 5) “Telecommunication For God”
Before any technology was developed people often had to send ‘envoys’ to deliver messages and to make business arrangements, especially if they were not able to go themselves.
Jesus was God’s envoy, the disciples were Jesus’ envoys – these ‘Apostles’ were sent out to share the heart of God which is love and compassion.
Down the generations we are now God’s envoys and the ‘sent’ ones to be committing ourselves and sharing God’s vision for the world.
21st June, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 4) “Fear Not”
The most repeated commandment in the Bible is in today’s Bible passage….”Don’t be afraid”.
Fear is at the heart of so much trouble, this produces anxiety and so many other reactions.
However, today we are assured that God knows each one of us and we are never alone.
Trust God with whatever your burdens may be – He cares for you and knows your needs.
14th June, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 3) “Like Sheep without a Shepherd”
Having sheep in the time Jesus was in Israel, was very different to being a sheep farmer now.
In this story Jesus sends disciples out to the lost sheep (people) of the house of Israel.
They were to go and do what He did – face all the challenges and spread the gospel to all the nations.
They were to belong to and continue, the movement Jesus began.
7th June, 2026 (Year A – Pentecost 2) “The Heartbreak of Hope”
Hosea in the 8th Century lived in a divided Kingdom and he spoke to the people about their separation from the God that still loved them.
By returning back to God’s ways they knew God would heal them, bind up their wounds and restore them.
It seems this message of ‘turning back to God’ is as relevant today in this Century, God wants more than words but our actions.
God does not give up on His people.
31st May, 2026 (Year A – Trinity Sunday) “Grace, Love and Communion”
How can the Holy Trinity be explained? Maybe it is better to regard any understanding of God that we may have a concession or gracious gift from God – not a totalised revelation of God’s essential nature. The fullness of the trinitarian teaching is surely to affirm, above all, the oneness of God.
