Tag Archives: advent

Using God’s jigsaw pieces for a new beginning – Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-end and John 1:6-8,19-28

Posted on December 19, 2017 by

Introduction with the children before they go out: Who like’s doing puzzles? What sort of puzzles? Jigsaw puzzles, 3D puzzles, I’m guessing we might have some Sudoku and crossword fans in the congregation. Our readings this morning in this part … Continue reading →

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On being candle wax – Isaiah 64:1-9 Mark 13:24-end #Advent2017

Posted on December 7, 2017 by

Sunday marked the Christian ‘new year’, or Advent as we prefer to call it. It was also my second trip to preach and celebrate Holy Communion at St. Barnabas Darby Green. I may have used candles in my illustrations; including … Continue reading →

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Does God want to change your mind? Matthew 1:18-end and Isaiah 7:10-16

Posted on December 19, 2016 by

  Here’s my sermon for the BCP services I led or contributed to at All Saints, Odiham on Sunday. The voice just about held out, and hopefully the 8am congregation weren’t too upset that I stopped the service briefly to … Continue reading →

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Praying in Advent through five festivals

Posted on December 10, 2016 by

Regular readers will be aware that I’m currently on placement in the North Hampshire Downs Benefice. One of the mini-projects that I’ve been focusing on is leading the prayer element of a couple of Prayer Suppers in the Parish of … Continue reading →

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If Jesus chose to return today? An Advent reflection

Posted on December 9, 2016 by

I’ve been preparing some Advent materials, and in doing so found this old reflection, dated November 2006, so as I started Reader Training and before this blog was started! It is by way of a response to the following questions: … Continue reading →

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Cutting out the canker – Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3:1-12 #Advent2

Posted on December 4, 2016 by

  I’m still on placement in the North Hampshire Downs, and was blessed today by a stunning run between the villages, scattering Redwings and other thrushes to the four winds, and narrowly avoiding a flock of Partridge who had less … Continue reading →

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Refiners Fire – burning away the ‘slag’ (Zeph 3:14-end, Phil 4:4-7 and Luke 3:7-18)

Posted on December 13, 2015 by

Once upon a time I was the youngest campanologist in the county. We had three bells in All Saints Church, Minstead, but there’s not much that you can do with three – the mathematical patterns that make up a peel … Continue reading →

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Hilltop banquets – an Advent Sermon (Isaiah 25:6-10a and Matthew 15: 29-37)

Posted on December 2, 2015 by

Our OT reading this morning, sees all the peoples of the world gathered on a mountain top for a great celebratory feast, one at which only the very finest food is served. This abundance of the best is an image … Continue reading →

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Preparing for the Coming One – Advent Sunday 2014

Posted on November 30, 2014 by

I wonder how much we really look forward to Christmas? Honestly now?! I can see some wry grins… I didn’t think so. You’re possibly not the only ones! Preparations. Hard work. A mad gallop of events to cram into the diary, … Continue reading →

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More stoles and stories: red Ordination stole – and purple too!

Posted on June 13, 2014 by

Some while back I took delivery of what I thought would be my ordination (white – Christmas/Easter/Weddings) stole and the green (‘ordinary time’) stole, and now my stole maker has completed the red (Pentecost and Saints Days) and Purple (Advent … Continue reading →

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