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As we continue to read through Matthew's gospel we see the author continue to draw on examples to show how startling both Jesus and Jesus' message were. In this week's portion, he shows how the gospel breaks down entrenched divisions and how faith can be seen in the most surprising places. As usual we have two services this Sunday morning at 7am and 9am. The latter includes children's church and Zoom streaming. The week's notice paper and 9am service sheet are available under

Our gospel passage this week sees the disciples alone in a boat in the middle of a storm, and Jesus comes to them, walking across the water. Often, in reading this passage, we jump to the next section where Peter tries and then fails to do likewise. However, we should linger with the vision of Jesus. As he walks over the raging waters, he is identified clearly with the God whose Spirit ranged over the waters in the beginning, with the God who parted he waters of the Exodus. T

We move on from parables Jesus' parables of the Kingdom in Matthew's gospel to the story of the feeding of the 5,000 men (plus an unrecorded number of women and children) with just a boy's basket of five loaves and two fishes. But actually this is still Matthew answering the question 'what is the kingdom?' We see that it is something that is an abundant gift of God, to which all are included; something that shows that God cares, and that God's people help to promulgate. As m

We have a smorgasbord of parables about the Kingdom last week and this. Each gives us a glimpse into something that cannot be fully described. The mustard seed and the yeast speak of the impact of the Kingdom, even though it may seem small or insignificant at first. The treasure in the field and the pearl speak of what it is like to see the true worth of the Kingdom. Our services are at the usual times on Sunday of 7am and 9am, with the 9am service including Zoom streaming

We have another parable this week about the Kingdom using seeds, plants and weeks. Here though the weeds do not prevent the good seed from growing, it does so anyway. It is telling that when the disciples ask Jesus for an explanation of the parable, they call it the 'parable of the weeds'. They focus on the negative, the problems. Jesus however, whilst acknowledging these, assures them that these will be dealt with at the right time, and what needs focussing on is the ultimat

Dear Philip and Honor We have another parable this week about the Kingdom using seeds, plants and weeds. Here though the weeds do not prevent the good seed from growing, it does so anyway. It is telling that when the disciples ask Jesus for an explanation of the parable, they call it the 'parable of the weeds'. They focus on the negative, the problems. Jesus however, whilst acknowledging these, assures them that these will be dealt with at the right time, and what needs focus

Our gospel passage this weekend is the well known parable of the sower, sowing seed in four types of soil. Unusually, Matthew also records an interpretation for this parable, and we are perhaps led by that to consider the all to evangelism, to spread the Good News anyway, despite knowing how it will be received. But perhaps we should instead look at the parable as a commentary on discipleship, what is needed in order for the seed in us to grow to the abundant harvest at the e

Our gospel passage today is prompted by a question to Jesus from the followers of John the Baptist: " Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" (Matthew 11:3). Jesus replies by effectively saying 'can't you see what's happening in front of you?'. But the people of that generation cannot, they look only at the superficial and do not recognise the underlying truth. This is not limited to the g

Our services are at the usual times on Sunday of 7am and 9am, with the 9am service including Zoom streaming. As usual the week's notice paper and 9am service sheet are available via the links below. Children's church is paused for the school holidays, but children are always welcome. This welcoming of all is the theme of our gospel passage this week. Jesus tells his disciples at the end of Matthew 10 that even the 'little ones' (which include both children and those marginali

In our gospel this week, we continue to read Jesus' instructions to his disciples whom he is sending our to participate in his mission. There are warnings here that they will meet opposition, but also the assurance that they go in the strength and under the loving care of God. The same promises and assurances apply to us. "Even the hairs of your head are counted", says Jesus, "so do not be afraid". (Matthew 10:30-31) Our services are at the usual times on Sunday of 7am and