Search Preaching Programme

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The Psalms are a remarkable collection of very different ancient songs expressing to God the full range of emotions and experiences that accompany seeking to live for him in the world. Within them we see joy and despair, gratitude towards God and deep perplexity over some of the things that he has allowed to happen. All of us have time when we do not know what to pray and the Psalms are there to help us express our response to God in every situation that we find ourselves in. 

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The Psalms are a remarkable collection of very different ancient songs expressing to God the full range of emotions and experiences that accompany seeking to live for him in the world. Within them we see joy and despair, gratitude towards God and deep perplexity over some of the things that he has allowed to happen. All of us have time when we do not know what to pray and the Psalms are there to help us express our response to God in every situation that we find ourselves in. 

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Over the last fifteen years or so, we have used the month of August as an opportunity to hear different members of Christ Church talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. In these talks we hear some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians. They have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have had during the year. 

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Over the last fifteen years or so, we have used the month of August as an opportunity to hear different members of Christ Church talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. In it we hear some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians. These have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have had during the year. 

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The earliest days of the Christian church have a great deal to teach us: not only about the significance of the events of Jesus' resurrection, his ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but also about the way in which his Spirit then worked through the fellowship, power, witness and prayer of the early church. During this series we will look for practical ways in which all of this can guide Christ Church as we move forward.

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The earliest days of the Christian church have a great deal to teach us: not only about the significance of the events of Jesus' resurrection, his ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but also about the way in which his Spirit then worked through the fellowship, power, witness and prayer of the early church. During this series we will look for practical ways in which all of this can guide Christ Church as we move forward.

During the period in which we continue to celebrate Easter, we will look at the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus contained in the gospels. Each of these accounts contain different emphases. All of them, however, are shaped by a vivid portrayal of the way that the surprise and confusion that occurred when the tomb was found to be empty soon gave way to the realisation that the world was now a very different place because Jesus had risen from the dead.

During the period in which we continue to celebrate Easter, we will look at the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus contained in the gospels. Each of these accounts contain different emphases. All of them, however, are shaped by a vivid portrayal of the way that the surprise and confusion that occurred when the tomb was found to be empty soon gave way to the realisation that the world was now a very different place because Jesus had risen from the dead.

As we continue through Lent, we will look at some of the parables recorded in Luke's Gospel  that Jesus told as he approached Jerusalem. Most of these centre upon the response that God's people made to his presence coming amongst them in Jesus. Lent is a good time for reflecting on the messages these parables contain and making sure that our lives are ready for Jesus and his coming. 

Over the weeks leading up to Easter, we will take a look at some of the parables recorded in Luke's Gospel that Jesus told as he approached Jerusalem. Most of these centre upon the response that God's people made to his presence coming amongst them in Jesus. Lent is a good time for us to reflect on the messages contained in these parables, and to make sure that our lives are ready for Jesus and his coming. 

One of the great themes of the New Testament is the inclusion of those who felt that they were excluded within the People of God. This begins during Jesus' ministry with figures like the Canaanite woman and continues after Jesus' ascension with the entry of the Samaritans and Gentiles into the church. The nature of these episodes has a great deal that can guide and inform our approach to mission and help us to become a church that is more effective at sharing God's love with those presently outside his people. 

One of the great themes of the New Testament is the inclusion of those who felt that they were excluded from being part of the 'People of God'. This begins during Jesus' ministry with figures like the Canaanite woman, and continues after Jesus' ascension with the arrival of the Samaritans and Gentiles into the church. Exploring these events and encounters can guide and inform our approach to mission, and help us to become a church that is more effective at sharing God's love with those who currently feel as though they are on the 'outside'. 

Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas when we celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world. In a sense, the entire contents of the Bible before Jesus looks forward to his coming. During this series, however, we will look at some of the more obvious biblical figures who do this and try to understand more about the coming of Jesus from King David, the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist.

Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas when we celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world. In a sense, the entire contents of the Bible before Jesus looks forward to his coming. During this series, however, we will look at some of the more obvious biblical figures who do this and try to understand more about the coming of Jesus from King David, the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist.

Although perhaps the most obvious answer is forgiveness from our sins, Jesus also came to bring us other things as well, such as freedom, peace and unity. Each of these blessings comes through the mysterious process of us being joined to Jesus, and, as a result, each characteristic is transformed into something that goes far beyond our usual understanding of what freedom, peace and unity mean in our world today.

The sermons in this new series will explore how in Jesus Christ, the truth will set us free; how he will bring us not just peace but also 'a sword'; and the unique nature of the family that we belong to through him. 

Although perhaps the most obvious answer is forgiveness from our sins, Jesus also came to bring us other things as well, such as freedom, peace and unity. Each of these blessings comes through the mysterious process of us being joined to Jesus, and, as a result, each characteristic is transformed into something that goes far beyond our usual understanding of what freedom, peace and unity mean in our world today.

The sermons in this new series will explore how in Jesus Christ, the truth will set us free; how he will bring us not just peace but also 'a sword'; and the unique nature of the family that we belong to through him. 

There is a great deal of sense in 'church' becoming habitual. At its best, all of the things that it represents - worship, teaching, service and community - becomes steadily built into the rhythm of our lives and transforms them. Its danger, however, is that we cease to reflect upon our response to these things causing our faith to become stale and less and less relevant to our daily lives.

In this series, we will seek to address this by looking for practical ways in which we can get the most out of church, looking at different aspects such as worship, service, giving and community. 

There is a great deal of sense in 'church' becoming habitual. At its best, all of the things that it represents - worship, teaching, service and community - becomes steadily built into the rhythm of our lives and transforms them. Its danger, however, is that we cease to reflect upon our response to these things causing our faith to become stale and less and less relevant to our daily lives.

In this series, we will seek to address this by looking for practical ways in which we can get the most out of church, looking at different aspects such as worship, service, giving and community.. 

Over the last few years, we have used the month of August to have different members of Christ Church talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. These have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have had during the year, with plenty of downloads recorded on the Christ Church website. Each year different members of our congregation tell us some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians.

Over the last few years, we have used the month of August to have different members of Christ Church talk about ‘Why I am a Christian’. These have turned out to be some of the most popular and helpful talks that we have had during the year, with plenty of downloads recorded on the Christ Church website. Different members of our congregation tell us some of the story of their lives and the key factors that have led them to become and continue as Christians.

During July we will be considering 'God's Big Plan' and the overall arc of the Bible as one story leading to Jesus - and addressing some of the questions that come out of this.

During July we will be considering 'God's Big Plan' and the overall arc of the Bible as one story leading to Jesus - and addressing some of the questions that come out of this.

Galatians 5 contains Paul’s famous list of nine characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Rather than being a list from which we can select particular ones that ‘are us’, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit is about seeking to develop all of these characteristics so that we become more like Jesus. During this series we will look at each of these virtues in turn and consider practical ways in which we could demonstrate them more fully within both our daily lives and our life as a church.

Galatians 5 contains Paul’s famous list of nine characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Rather than being a list from which we can select particular ones that ‘are us’, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit is about seeking to develop all of these characteristics so that we become more like Jesus. During this series we will look at each of these virtues in turn and consider practical ways in which we could demonstrate them more fully within both our daily lives and our life as a church.

King David is one of the most famous characters in the Bible with stories such as his battle with Goliath regularly used as examples of the power of his faith and trust in God. Alongside its more inspiring sections, however, the story of David is full of plenty that perplexes us in the actions of 'the man after God's own heart'. In this series we will try to approach all of this material head on and seek to understand more of how all of the elements in the story of King David - the good, the bad and ugly - form a vital part of preparing the way for the coming of 'the Son of David' in Jesus Christ. 

King David is one of the most famous characters in the Bible with stories such as his battle with Goliath regularly used as examples of the power of his faith and trust in God. Alongside its more inspiring sections, however, the story of David is full of plenty that perplexes us in the actions of 'the man after God's own heart'. In this series we will try to approach all of this material head on and seek to understand more of how all of the elements in the story of King David - the good, the bad and ugly - form a vital part of preparing the way for the coming of 'the Son of David' in Jesus Christ. 

Waiting for things is not a very popular notion today. It is, however, a concept that stands at the heart of the Christian faith and one particularly associated with Advent. During Advent, we wait not only for Christmas but for Jesus' promised return to earth. We can be helped to do the latter better by reflecting upon the ways that the Patriarchs, Moses, David and the Prophets and finally John the Baptist all looked forward to the first coming of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago. 

Waiting for things is not a very popular notion today. It is, however, a concept that stands at the heart of the Christian faith and one particularly associated with Advent. During Advent, we wait not only for Christmas but for Jesus' promised return to earth. We can be helped to do the latter better by reflecting upon the ways that the Patriarchs, Moses, David and the Prophets and finally John the Baptist all looked forward to the first coming of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago.