Sixth Sunday of Pentecost June 30, 2024 II Samuel 1:17-27 II Corinthians 8:7-17 Mark 5:21-43 It’s taken us some time to get used to the crowds in New York City again. During the pandemic, the streets were almost empty and it was always possible to find a seat on the subway – even in rush…
Pentecost III June 9, 2024 I Samuel 8:4-20 II Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1 Mark 3:20 – 35 When I was on sabbatical last October, I visited the university where I studied Egyptology. It happened to be ‘open day’, when prospective students were invited to interview and to explore what the university had to offer. I…
The Day of Pentecost May 19, 2024 Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:22-27 John 15:26 -16:15 On the Sunday after Easter, we heard the first words that Jesus spoke to the gathered disciples after his resurrection: “Peace be with you!” Today, on the day of Pentecost, we discover that the first gift that Jesus sends to those…
SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION May 12, 2024 Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53 Five hundred years ago, Guru Nanak was born in what is now modern-day Pakistan. He grew up surrounded by Muslims, Hindus and Christians. From a young age, he was driven by a desire to find the spiritual meaning of life. When he…
Easter VI May 5, 2024 Acts 10:44-48 I John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17 It is harder than you might initially think to be a good and true friend. All sorts of things conspire against us when we try to form close and lasting relationships with others. Firstly, our lives can be so busy that we simply…
EASTER DAY March 31, 2024 Acts 10:34-43 I Corinthians 15:1-11 Mark 16:1-8 When we think of Easter, what first comes to mind? Easter eggs? The bunny or the French bells that shower chocolate eggs from the sky for the children? Roast lamb and simnel cake? Beautiful flowers and hymns? All these traditions are important parts…
Good Friday 2024 Christians through the ages have tried to express their thoughts and feelings about what happened in Palestine on this day almost two thousand years ago by using paradoxes. A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or idea that at first sight is opposed to common sense, but often turns out…
Palm Sunday March 24, 2024, Mark 11 :1-11 Palm Sunday always brings back memories of childhood. I suppose the hot cross buns left the greatest impression; more so than the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I liked the palm crosses we made, and it was always fun to see a donkey walk into church.…
Lent V March 17, 2024 Jeremiah 31 :31-34 Hebrews 5 :5-10 John 12 :20-33 John’s gospel is full of little stories about Jesus meeting people. You might almost say that the story of Jesus’ life, is told through these meetings – more so perhaps than in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Here are a few examples:…
Lent III March 3, 2024 Exodus 20:1-17 I Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 While we were cleaning up the three panels at the front of the church, we discovered that they are exactly one hundred and fifty years old this year. In gold letters, they spell out the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed and the Ten…