Zoom Church St John and St Stephen’s, Reading Acts 19:1-7 19While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a […]
Romans 16: 25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the […]
Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make […]
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 5Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, […]
Isaiah 65:17-end The Glorious New Creation For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice for ever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its […]
2 Timothy 4:5-17 5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. 6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have […]
Exodus 17:1-7 Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32 In the Lectionary we’ve been in Exodus for a few weeks now. This morning is no exception. The alternative was a short passage from Philippians, which is a message about being of one heart and mind, and in Matthew’s gospel we have an exchange between Jesus and his accusers […]
Today we’re thinking about something I’m calling the Cross-Shaped Life. What does a cross-shaped life look like and what is it like to live one? I’ve taken the phrase from the gospel today where Jesus warns his disciples he’s going to the cross. Peter, after scoring an A in discipleship last week, gets downgraded by […]
Trinity 10A for St John and St Stephen Zoom Church. August 16, 2020. Romans 11:1-6; 11-20; 29-32 and Matthew 15:20-28 INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION. To what extent do you feel included in the story of Salvation? We start with a story about exclusion – about someone who was sadly given the message that she wasn’t included […]
Sermon for Zoom Church, June 14, 2020, St John and St Stephen, Reading. Romans 5:1-8 5Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not […]