The source of the River Thames in Gloucestershire is a muddy hole in wet times, marked by an almost indecipherable stone tablet but adorned by three wooden signs. The Thames Path will lead a walker to Woolwich and then to the sea. Throughout Lent, I have been reflecting on the temptations of Jesus in the…
This week, our 10 minute service reflects on John 3:16.
As I am writing this thought for Holy Week, I am continuing to think about the way Jesus was let down by his disciples in his most testing and agonising last hours before his crucifixion. Following Judas’ exit from the Last Supper meal Jesus sings a hymn with his disciples and they go to the…
Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Anyone unfamiliar with this story might assume that “this man” would be released. A few verses later, Pilate repeated his ruling, in verse 14 and added: “he has done nothing to deserve death.” Yet verse…
Easter Day Year A 5th April 2026 Lectionary readings: Jeremiah 31 v1-6, Psalm 118 v1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3 v1-4; Matthew 18 v1-10. God keeps his promises. The prophet Jeremiah was active before and during the time of the Babylonian invasion. Jeremiah wrote, Some time ago, the Lord appeared to me and told me to…
The Judas tree (Cercis Siliquastrum) is actually a beautiful tree when in bloom. There are two varieties, one with white flowers and the other with dark purple-pink flowers. It has gained its colloquial name from the myth that this is the species of tree that Judas hung himself from after betraying Jesus in the garden…
April 2026 Preaching Plan
I love travelling. I enjoyed every school trip and church youth camp. Even now I remember those days when I used to prepare for travel. Whenever I went for a trip, I used to pack the best things I had. Because of that, my luggage was always heavy. I wanted to take everything I liked.…
Way back in the early 1980’s we organised a trip from our Church to Blackpool for the young people and we learned in the process of preparation that when you take young people to Blackpool an important feature of the day had to include a visit to the pleasure beach. All these years on, I…
I was walking back from shopping the other day. As I’ve said before, I don’t drive and one advantage is the people I make contact with as I’m walking. On this particular occasion, I had three encounters. The first was a young beautiful Asian lady who asked for directions. The second was a middle aged…