This a reflection I wrote after my experiences of joining the queue for the Lying in State of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The ‘Road to Emmaus’ (Luke 24:13-35) is undoubtedly one of best known and most popular episodes in scripture. It is interesting to note, though, that one of the most intriguing aspects … Continue reading The Pilgrimage of Queueing

This is the sermon I preached on Sunday, 27 March (Mothering Sunday), at Chiswick Methodist Church. The texts were: Luke 13:31-35; Colossians 3:12-17. In 1999, the inclusion of a single word in the Methodist Church’s new Worship Book produced remarkable controversy. Those of us who are familiar with this collection of Methodist liturgies, and use … Continue reading Our Mother, who art in heaven…

This is the sermon I preached on the 1st Sunday in Lent (6th March, 2022) at Putney Methodist Church. It was the first in a series looking at the theme of 'Renewal'. The texts were: Luke 4:1-13 and Isaiah 35. The wilderness holds a special place in the Bible. Most obviously, it is a frightening … Continue reading Renewal in the Wilderness

This is the sermon I preached on a very special occasion at Putney Methodist Church on 13 February, 2022. It was a triple baptism: one baby, one child and an adult, who was also confirmed. The latter two were baptised by full immersion. We think this was the first time we have had such baptisms … Continue reading Encountering God in Baptism

“I love you!” What a wealth of meaning lies behind those three simple words. How much heartache, how many songs, how many tears stand behind them? I wonder if you have ever longed for someone to say, “I love you.” And I wonder if they ever did. So many stories and films are based around … Continue reading “I love you” – Covenant Sunday

Here is the sermon I preached on Sunday, 28 February, 2021, at Putney Methodist Church. Sadly, I have struggled lately to find the time to put pen to paper (finger to keyboard!) to write up my sermon notes. The challenges of church leadership in an age of pandemic are proving rather too much! Here, therefore, … Continue reading Jesus and his friends

This is the sermon I preached today (3rd January, 2021) on Epiphany Sunday at Putney Methodist Church. The text was Matthew 2:1-12. Introduction A belated happy new year to you all! As we finally say goodbye to a wretched 2020 and contemplate the new year, it is appropriate for us to consider those who journeyed … Continue reading Looking backwards, looking forwards

This is the sermon I prepared for today (Sunday, 27 December, 2020) at Putney Methodist Church. It was pre-recorded to help combat the spread of COVID. The text I chose was the prologue to John's gospel, John 1:1-14. https://videopress.com/v/elo6fbiv?preloadContent=metadata

This is the sermon I delivered today (20th December, 2020), on the fourth Sunday in Advent, at Chiswick Methodist Church. The texts were Luke 1:26-38 and 1 John 4:7-19. Introduction Our Advent worship this year follows a Circuit-wide theme, which in turn is inspired by the national Methodist Church’s Christmas campaign: ‘God is with us’. … Continue reading True love

This is the sermon I delivered today (13th December, 2020), on the third Sunday in Advent, at Putney Methodist Church. The texts I chose were Mark 1:1-8 and Jeremiah 6:13-15. Introduction Our Advent worship this year follows a Circuit-wide theme, which in turn is inspired by the national Methodist Church’s Christmas campaign: ‘God is with … Continue reading ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace