The hope we have in Jesus…
This week Jeremiah foresees the coming of the Branch of Jesse’s line - the family of King David. A righteous…
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Christ the King…
Christ the King…
The feast of Christ the King ends what used to be called the Ordinary Sundays of the year. It leads…
Nothing is permanent…
Nothing is permanent…
As we approach the seasons of Advent and Christmas, the readings begin to point to the themes of these seasons.…
All the people…
All the people…
This Sunday we meet in a combined service of Holy Communion and then as the people of St Mark’s gather…
The old has gone, the new has come…
The old has gone, the new has come…
Last week I included a poem I wrote which is a meditation on that moment Bartimaeus sat by the side…
Redemption….
Redemption….
Bartimaeus – a poem of redemption Mark 10:46-52 Held am I – yet holding, hands outstretched – empty, and full.…
Nothing is to hard for God….
Nothing is to hard for God….
Last week we reflected a little on Job and his struggles. In this week’s reading Job finally hears from God…
Promises of God stand forever….
Promises of God stand forever….
What a pleasure it is to be returning to work this Sunday after a wonderful holiday, albeit followed by illness.…
Trust defeats fear…
Trust defeats fear…
Last Sunday our Acting Vicar Alan quoted part of Isaiah 12:2 “I will trust in him and not be afraid”…
Learn by observation…
Learn by observation…
We were reminded at the recent Grandparent conference that children learn by observation. Thinking about this, how does our faith…
Who is the greatest?…
Who is the greatest?…
What were the disciples thinking? We can be surprised at them talking about greatness in today’s Gospel, but we have…
Who do you think I am?…
Who do you think I am?…
Who do you say Jesus is? And what are you going to do about it? Several times whilst growing up…
Hope 25…
Hope 25…
I have recently been given two jobs: one, to write a pew sheet reflection for the 8th September and two,…
The Master Potter…
The Master Potter…
Upon retirement my sister has become a potter and during my recent visit to her in Cornwall she gave me…
Need for spiritual food…
Need for spiritual food…
Greetings! I’m first cab off the rank to write a reflection during Janice’s absence. Here are a few thoughts based…
Wind and Waves…
Wind and Waves…
On my mother’s wall in her office was a poster which said, ‘Lord Jesus I know there’s nothing that can…
The Feast of the Transfiguration…
The Feast of the Transfiguration…
August 6th always has personal significance for me as it is the Feast of the Transfiguration. We know the story…
I am the bread of life…
I am the bread of life…
Last Sunday we gathered for a fun fellowship afternoon of games during which there was a bible quiz. One question…
I will sing to God with all my strength…
I will sing to God with all my strength…
As part of my devotions I have been reading ‘Praying through the psalms’ by Rev’d Yohanna Katanacho, a Palestinian Israeli…
What Jesus did…
What Jesus did…
One of the unique things about Christianity is that it is about what Jesus did, not about what we do.…
Fruit of the Spirit…
Fruit of the Spirit…
During the month of July, we are looking at different types of prayer. Anne Cranwell will be preaching this Sunday…
I am with you always…
I am with you always…
During the month of July, we will be looking at different types of prayer each Sunday. I have asked our…
One prayer at a time!…
One prayer at a time!…
I have a beautiful niece who was born with Down Syndrome. Many dire predictions were made about her before she…
In the middle of a storm…
In the middle of a storm…
Many years ago, I was often up struggling with breathing due to asthma. The medications we have now did not…
Planting seeds…
Planting seeds…
What are you grateful for today? Our parables from Mark’s Gospel are parables of the kingdom but are also lessons…
Do you know the Holy Spirit?…
Do you know the Holy Spirit?…
The people of Jesus’ time knew that there was an enemy of God known as Satan, the devil or, in…
The Son of Man…
The Son of Man…
Our passage for today from Mark is set in two places but seems to flow seamlessly between them. Firstly, Jesus…
As children of God…
As children of God…
In Romans 8 Paul builds on the teaching of Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3 about Holy Spirit and how…
Come to me all who are burdened…
Come to me all who are burdened…
Often when people are very upset, very angry or very frustrated, especially when they feel they are not in the…
Your own walk with Jesus?…
Your own walk with Jesus?…
In John 17, the Son of God prays for his disciples. Judas Isacariot has left. Soon Jesus will go out…
God’s love…
God’s love…
In his book, ‘Fear no Evil’, David Watson wrote of his struggle with cancer. He pointed out that, for the…
Relationship with Jesus…
Relationship with Jesus…
The Apostle John had a deep and loving relationship with Jesus, and from that relationship developed a deep understanding of…
The good shepherd …
The good shepherd …
On this Sunday we consider Jesus’ declaration of himself as the good shepherd. This beautiful image of the shepherd who…
Children of God…
Children of God…
In our readings today Jesus comes to his disciples and shows them again that he is not a ghost. Sitting…
What is your legacy…
What is your legacy…
As we reflect on the story of Thomas this week, and the doubt that he battled and overcame when he…
Easter Day…
Easter Day…
As we walk through the events of Holy Week, we can be overwhelmed by the enormity of the crucifixion and…
Palm Sunday…
Palm Sunday…
The Palm Sunday procession is a reminder of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem which began the series of events…
Called to serve in Love…
Called to serve in Love…
Have you ever suffered from a broken heart? Lots of things can cause that feeling of emotional pain so intense…
Called to serve by grace…
Called to serve by grace…
That which is a grace is always a free gift given without consideration of the merit of the recipient. The…
The 10 commandments…
The 10 commandments…
The 10 commandments are seen by some to be somewhat obsolete these days. At the time they were written these…
Gift by faith…
Gift by faith…
Abraham was a man of faith. He believed God when God spoke to him and called him to leave his…
Skills we are given…
Skills we are given…
As I celebrate the 50th Anniversary of my service as a priest I am aware that each of us has…
Transfiguration…
Transfiguration…
Why do we celebrate the transfiguration? This is a significant moment in Jesus’ ministry with his disciples, and in the…
Miracles…
Miracles…
Our readings today are a follow-on from the miracle in last Sunday’s Mark reading which gives another perspective on the…
Have Faith…
Have Faith…
Our Gospel reading today is challenging. The issue of demonic powers being in the world is contentious for some, mainly…
I rest in God alone…
I rest in God alone…
‘I rest in God alone, from Him comes my salvation’ Psalm 62:1. How do you find rest? Where is your…
Jesus knows our character…
Jesus knows our character…
In our readings today we see that Jesus knows the character of those he chooses. He knows them better than…
Epiphany…
Epiphany…
The Christian festival of Epiphany is the day we celebrate the visit of the Magi (wise men) from the East…
Be the light…
Be the light…
The Christmas season runs from 25th December to 6th January – the 12 days of Christmas. Immediately following Christmas day,…
love will endure…
love will endure…
This morning we read the story of the annunciation, where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her the…
Spirit of the Lord is now upon us…
Spirit of the Lord is now upon us…
The Spirit of the Lord is the agent of God’s action in the world. Isaiah 61 is the proclamation which…
comfort O my people…
comfort O my people…
‘Comfort, comfort O my people’, says the Lord through Isaiah the prophet. The people have suffered much and are in…
God works for those who wait for him…
God works for those who wait for him…
Isaiah reminds us that God works for those who wait for him and meets those who gladly do right, and…
a place with the Good Shepherd…
a place with the Good Shepherd…
Many do not like the idea of God as judge, but if God cannot deal justly with us, then what…
what ifs’ of life!…
what ifs’ of life!…
When Jesus told the parable of the talents he wasn’t talking about small amounts of money to deal with. A…
life is not predictable…
life is not predictable…
As we watch the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. As we see what seems to be a disaster every…
God is with you, always…
God is with you, always…
Often when there are terrible things happening in the world around us, or in our own lives, we hear the…
Relationship with God…
Relationship with God…
The greatest commandments are about the relationship we have with the Lord and with one another. What’s important to God…
seek me with all your heart…
seek me with all your heart…
In our Exodus reading this week Moses pleads with the Lord to lead him and the people of Israel in…
The wedding guests…
The wedding guests…
Where is your relationship with the Father at? Do you believe and trust in him? The apostle Paul knew Jesus…
Whatever gains I had…
Whatever gains I had…
The secret to life lived well is an age-long quest. The first issue is to define what a life lived…
Jesus really does love us…
Jesus really does love us…
There is an old saying which I think is still very true: Religion is about what I do to get…
In Faith… without fear…
In Faith… without fear…
Israel sat in the wilderness having left the relative security of Egypt and looked at their lack of food and…
The Unforgiving Servant…
The Unforgiving Servant…
Jesus’ words to his disciples in the parable of the unforgiving servant are aimed right at them and us. They’re…
John Mark Ministries…
John Mark Ministries…
There is a movement in the Anglican Church which began its life as John Mark Ministries. It was set up…
Take Up Your Cross…
Take Up Your Cross…
1‘Take up your cross, the Saviour said, if you would my disciple be; take up your cross with willing heart…
Faith in Jesus is our hope…
Faith in Jesus is our hope…
In the beginning of Romans 12, Paul is making the point that the faithfulness of God to those who are…
Seek him, and you will find him…
Seek him, and you will find him…
My friend and I were reflecting on the propensity for some things to get lost just by being put down…
If you want to walk on water…
If you want to walk on water…
Whenever I read today’s Gospel reading I hear the echo of a famous preacher I once heard who said, “If…
To be transfigured…
To be transfigured…
To be transfigured is to be changed in appearance in such a way as to reveal your true self. Jesus…
Holy Spirit within us…
Holy Spirit within us…
Romans 8 holds some of the most loved words in the New Testament. They are full of hope and promise.…
Weeds amongst the wheat…
Weeds amongst the wheat…
Often I am asked ‘what we should do’, ‘how we can pray’, even ‘what on earth does God think he’s…
the sower sows the seed…
the sower sows the seed…
A sower went out to sow… These words immediately bring to mind the parable which they begin. The sower sows…
Take My Yoke upon you…
Take My Yoke upon you…
This Sunday is called 'Sea Sunday', dedicated as such by General Synod in 2001, which is a time we particularly…
God appreciates the little things…
God appreciates the little things…
Matthew 10:40-42 brings the chapter to a close with a reminder that those who are his are seen by the…
The five gifts…
The five gifts…
This week we will look at the list of gifts in Ephesians 4:11. The five gifts: apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, pastoring,…
God gives us gifts..
God gives us gifts..
As we think about the Gifts of the Spirit it’s good to reflect on what they are and what they…
Gifts Of The Spirit..
Gifts Of The Spirit..
This week we begin a sermon series on the Gifts of the Spirit. In our reading this week we see…
Trinity Sunday..
Trinity Sunday..
Moses came to the Lord, new tablets of stone in hand, because the first time he had broken them in…
Pentecost Sunday..
Pentecost Sunday..
Pentecost is a significant day which is often underplayed. Christmas and Easter are times of great celebration and are dear…
The shadow and the storm..
The shadow and the storm..
The idea of an enchanted place where the answers to life can be found is an eternal theme in humanity’s…
Relationship With God…
Relationship With God…
What’s your relationship with God like? Do you see the Father standing back, watching his children with a mix of…
Jesus is the way..
Jesus is the way..
Our readings today take us to a familiar place. The gospel reading is a favourite because it points to the…
The abundant life he promises…
The abundant life he promises…
In our Gospel reading are words of Jesus which are loved by many, ‘The thief comes only to steal and…
Meeting Jesus…
Meeting Jesus…
The disciples had begun to disperse. What else was there to do? With heavy hearts and a good dose of…
Evidence Of Our Faith…
Evidence Of Our Faith…
Have you ever felt like you’re the only one not in on a joke? Or have you felt as if…
Reflection for Easter Day:
Reflection for Easter Day:
Jesus’ resurrection shows the proof that life goes on beyond the grave for he is the firstborn from the dead…
Reflection for Palm Sunday:
Reflection for Palm Sunday:
As we enter into Holy Week – the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Day - it is good to…
Reflection for Lent 5:
Reflection for Lent 5:
Hope weaves its way through our readings for this Sunday. A golden thread in a place of fear and darkness.…
Lent 4: John 9
Lent 4: John 9
Have you ever acted on the information you had at hand only to discover that you’ve made a poor decision…
Lent 3: Jesus Knows You..
Lent 3: Jesus Knows You..
This beautiful account of Jesus transforming the life of the woman he met at a well in Sychar is one…
Lent 2: An encounter with Jesus
Lent 2: An encounter with Jesus
John’s gospel has its own literary style. It is uniquely different to the other three gospels. The first nine chapters…
Lent 1
Lent 1
Last Wednesday we entered the season of Lent. It is an important season in our church year. Our church calendar…
News Update….
News Update….
Dear Friends, This Sunday we are doing three things: looking at what ‘equipping the saints for the work of the…
Who are we, why are we here…
Who are we, why are we here…
God gives us a choice – life or death. Choosing ‘life’ comes through obeying his commandments – in the words…
Jesus’ Community
Jesus’ Community
Dear Friends, This month we are doing a sermon series around the themes of stewardship, gifting for service, and equipping…
10am Service with Bishop Paul Baker
10am Service with Bishop Paul Baker
We warmly welcome Bishop Paul Barker to St Mark’s for our combined morning service. We thank him for the pastoral…
New Minister Appointed!!
New Minister Appointed!!
As announced over the Christmas Services, we, the Incumbency Committee, have received a letter from Dr Philip Freier, Archbishop of…
Does God really care about us?
Does God really care about us?
Dear friends, We wish all our people of the St Mark’s community, and those visiting a merry Christmas. Whatever your…
Life is disrupted!
Life is disrupted!
Dear friends, There’s nothing like the birth of a child to turn lives upside down. For those couples who have…
The Holy Spirit can fill repentant hearts
The Holy Spirit can fill repentant hearts
Dear friends, Advent is a season of anticipation of the coming of Christ. Jesus’ return is closer than ever, by…
Christ The King…
Christ The King…
Where Christ the King and Annual Meetings meet Dear friends, When the English Reformers began reorganising the church in England…
Where are we going?
Where are we going?
Dear friends, Last week I wrote about how Jesus-followers are living between the times, between two ages. We are in…
The time between Times
The time between Times
Dear friends, Jeanette and I are so glad to be with you again. So much has happened for us –…
Love one another..
Love one another..
A Message from your Locum "By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another". John…
Finding faith, through the eyes of a child..
Finding faith, through the eyes of a child..
Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,…
