Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at God

Barnabas – a very likeable disciple From the Vicar Understanding the Trinity From the Vicar – alternative letter on the Trinity The Nicene Creed: Who is God? Reflecting Faith:  An Offer You Do Not Want to Refuse Thank you for your call. It’s important to us Praying with the Prayers of the Bible – Praying...

This month we remember St Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, a wealthy Levite from Cyprus. However, he was better known by his nickname, which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). Throughout Acts we see him encouraging others in different ways. Barnabas was an example of generous giving (Acts 4:36-7), when he sold property and...

This month we remember St Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, a wealthy Levite from Cyprus. However, he was better known by his nickname which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). Throughout Acts we see him encouraging others in different ways. Barnabas was an example of generous giving (Acts 4:36-7), when he sold property and...

‘We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.’ 2025 sees the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. We use it at Communion services, but how much notice do we take of the words? In this new series we are looking at what...

For the last couple of months, we’ve been thinking about baptism, and last time we finished by saying that, even as late as the tenth century, only baptised people could stay in the church to watch, never mind actually consume, the celebration of the Eucharist. This tells me how highly regarded the consecration of the...

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked,...

Psalm 51:2; ‘Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.’  Psalm 51 is the most personal, the most passionate and the most profound prayer for forgiveness found anywhere in the Bible. Without any introduction, explanation or excuse, the Psalmist cries out, ‘Have mercy on me, O God.’ Jewish and Christian scholars...

One great phrase of the Church of England, which is little-known but carries a wealth of rich meaning, is ‘ordinary time’. While the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Advent all have their fixtures and moments for focus and concentration, the bulk of the summer months is ‘ordinary time’!  A very evocative phase – nothing...

‘Dead Ringer’ is the odd phrase we use when referring to someone who looks like somebody else. Sometimes, instead, we say ‘spitting image’ when we see a likeness or similarity between one person and another. This month includes Fathers’ Day (15th June) and is an occasion when dads are particularly remembered by their children.  As...

Happy 1700th Birthday, Nicene Creed! Thy Kingdom Come From the Vicar An Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament: Ecclesiastes Reflecting Faith: where to hold a Baptism Praying With The Prayers Of The Bible – Praying in the Silence of the Heart: The story behind the hymn: ‘Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks to the Risen...

This month, 1700 years ago, one of the most important meetings in the history of the Christian Church began in the Bithynian city of Nicaea. It began in May 325 and went on until the end of July 325. The Council of Nicaea was convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine, and he had an urgent...

This month we remember St Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, a wealthy Levite from Cyprus. However, he was better known by his nickname which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). Throughout Acts we see him encouraging others in different ways. Barnabas was an example of generous giving (Acts 4:36-7), when he sold property and...