Episodes
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
Meeting Jesus changes lives
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
Allan Bartlam | Mark 5:21-43
A woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
As the story continues, we learn that this woman, who had been an outcast for so many years, is not only healed but commended by Jesus for her faith. And this event is itself sandwiched within another story about Jesus raising a young girl from death. Allan draws lessons for us from these dramatic encounters with Jesus which show that he has the power to change lives.
The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service. It is introduced by Cathie Bartlam, who also leads prayers, with a reading by Adrian Jones. The full video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.
The music played during the prayers is "O Lord hear my prayer". Permission to stream this music obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738107. All rights reserved.
Jacques Berthier
Copyright © 1982 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé
Sunday Jun 20, 2021
Calming the storm
Sunday Jun 20, 2021
Sunday Jun 20, 2021
Susan Haynes | Mark 4:35-41
[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'
It's one thing to read or hear about a storm, and quite another to feel the force of the wind and waves and fear for our own safety. The disciples knew about and believed in God's power over creation, but to see it demonstrated through Jesus in their small boat astonished them. It is hard to trust God when the storms come in our lives, says Susan, but it's then that we most need to believe Jesus' promise to be with us.
The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service. It is introduced by Peter Frere with a reading by Dilys Garrod and prayers from Bobbie Frere. The full video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Jun 13, 2021
Parables of the kingdom
Sunday Jun 13, 2021
Sunday Jun 13, 2021
Bobbie Frere | Mark 4:26-34
[Jesus] also said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces corn - first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.'
If the seed is the gospel, what is our part in making it grow? We are more than passengers, says Bobbie, but co-workers with God in planting the seeds and then nurturing them towards the eventual harvest. The service is introduced by Martin Garrod and also includes a reading from Matt Fox.
The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service. The full video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.
Sunday Jun 06, 2021
Happy families?
Sunday Jun 06, 2021
Sunday Jun 06, 2021
Chris Turner | Mark 3:31-35
Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting round him, and they told him, 'Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.'
'Who are my mother and my brothers?' he asked.
Then he looked at those seated in a circle round him and said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.'
At first sight, says Chris, Jesus' treatment of his physical family seems rather harsh. We know that family life brings about tension and conflicting priorities, so how did Jesus handle this? Chris has a message of hope for everyone who feels misunderstood by their own family.
The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service. The full video version of the service, including music and the celebration of Holy Communion, can be viewed on YouTube.