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Sermon for Janey Godley
She said, “I’ve been making lists”. I said, “Oh, right. Is that lists of people that need to be invited to the funeral?” She said, “Naw – not that” Someone came into the hospice room for something and we were distracted. I know that some of you might be a little surprised to find…
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Finding a place to be
I heard of another church that is due to close this week. It is in a place some distance from me but a church community that I once knew and like many church closures, it seems incredible to me that this particular one is closing down. As it happens it is one of the very…
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The Beatitudes of Livestreaming
Blessed are they who livestream their church services for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs to share with others and they know it. Blessed are the sick and the dying in churches which livestream for they shall be comforted by still being able to be part of their congregations in addition to receiving the personal…
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Farewell to Oliver Brewer-Lennon – a sermon preached on 18 August 2024
Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost ends of the earth. When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of…
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David’s Lamentation – a sermon preached on 12 August 2024
David the King, was grieved and moved He went to his chamber, his chamber and wept And as he wept, he wept and said… Oh, my son, oh, my son Would to God I had died Would to God I had died Would to God I had died For thee, oh Absalom, my son, my…
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Why I’ll be Marching at Pride (2024)
I slipped into an unknown pub in Middle England to get out of the rain and have a pub lunch. It was welcoming and cosy. Steak and ale pie, since you ask. The part of the pub I was sitting in was right next to the bar. A small snug. The kind of room where…
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A sermon for BBC Radio 4 – 7 July 2024
We were asked to produce a service to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 7 July 2024 a few weeks before the General Election was called. The service had to be recorded in advance as the date for the broadcast fell within choir holidays. Once the election was called, I soon realised that the…
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And the lot fell upon Matthias – a sermon
This sermon was preached in St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow on 12 May 2024 You don’t get many stained glass windows depicting Joseph Barsabbas – also known as Justus, do you? You get plenty of windows depicting Matthias. We’ve got one here in St Mary’s – over by the tea and coffee table. There he is…
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Easter Day Sermon 2024 – It is started
It comes in waves, grief does. It is not a constant thing. And when you think that you are moving on another wave can hit you by surprise and leave you right back in the place you were trying to crawl out of. A big part of my life over the last 18 months has…