Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at God

Nobody knows who wrote this well-loved Christmas carol. It was originally a Latin Christmas hymn, ‘Adeste Fidelis’. It seems to have first ‘surfaced’ in English due to a John Francis Wade, who lived in the 18th century, and who made his living copying manuscripts and, sometimes, music by hand. Wade was a Roman Catholic, and...

For many religions, God is considered unknowable – just a supreme power or presence ‘out there’ somewhere.  Not so Christianity.  The heart of the Christmas message is His coming to us in peace and love – as the Bible says:  ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ (John 1:4 RSV) Jesus was born a...

Looking back on the 2023 cricket season How to Deal with Enemies From the Vicar The Two Minutes Silence Spiritual Disciplines: Generosity The Story Behind the Hymn: O God our Help in Ages Past Be a Barnabas – encourage one another Be a stained glass window Why go to church? ** Editor: by the Ven...

The 2023 cricket season ended on a jarring note.  A widespread review of the game in England found it suffered from racism, sexism, elitism and class-based discrimination. Older cricket fans will wince.  They recall the days when each county side was divided into amateurs and professionals, called Gentlemen and Players.  They had separate changing rooms....

In the season of Remembrance, we consider those who have heroically given their lives in war. However, Jesus calls all of us to a radical heroism in our daily lives: ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those...

In the season of Remembrance, we consider those who have heroically given their lives in war. However, Jesus calls all of us to a radical heroism in our daily lives: ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those...

For the last couple of months, we’ve been looking at seating in the church building. Perhaps you’ve noticed that on the more ‘special’ items there are dedication plaques to the person who donated the money to buy the item or in whose name the item was purchased. In some churches, pretty much everywhere you look...

Remember, Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You, Lord, are good. (Psalm 25:5-7) I love the Psalms, as they cover every emotion and religious experience, from despair to praise and...

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35). What does generosity look like for us? The practice of generosity is about more than finance, as we recognise that everything we possess belongs to God (Ps 24:1). We are stewards of all our resources, including time, possessions, gifts, as well as our love...

1 O God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, our Shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal Home. 2 Under the shadow of Thy throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defence is sure. 3 Before the hills in order stood, or earth...

‘You’ll never amount to much’ said a Munich schoolteacher to the ten-year-old Albert Einstein. Good thing that he did not listen – and instead went on to prove his teacher wrong! Just as children need encouragement, so do God’s children. St Paul urged the Christians in his young churches to ‘encourage one another.’ (1 Thess...

People are like stained glass windows. We glow and sparkle when it is sunny and bright outside. But it is only when the sun goes down that our true beauty is revealed – and then only if there is a light deep within us – the light of God.