Joe takes on a challenging passage to push through January. Not a common Nativity story but it is there in the book - child murder, sudden departure, being refugees. Becoming like Jesus - a whole and integrated life - this may not play out as we expect... Joe draws upon the teachings of wise Christian leaders as well as a personal encounter with a shooter in the shadows to highlight how we should expect to fight through life - take heart!

All Souls welcomes Richard back to finish off our vision series. Remembering camping excursions and the "collecting the kit" stage he reflects on stuff - for a church that is people buildings and money - and encourages us each to ask not "What do we do with what we've got?" but "Why has God given this to us?". Using a passage from 1 Chronicles he highlights how a sense of scarcity (for some) and a sense of pride (for others) are both anxiety inducing. Realising that it is all God's anyway helps us see that he has plenty and sees further than we do, and to be grateful and generous.

On safeguarding Sunday Joe, Katherine and Eva take us through why as well as how we are to honour all members of the church body. We all go through times when we are particularly vulnerable due to our own unique circumstances. As a church we need to continually be watchful; looking out for one another and looking after one another. We need to be mindful of past failings and the positive role of safeguarding, an outworking of God's heart - we all have roles to play.

Joe starts this week by asking how we'd advise our younger selves - what would you tell younger you? Asaph, in Psalm 78, talks about the responsibility to share testimony from generation to generation - "teach them to know God and follow his ways". God searches you, knows you and loves you; we need to instill this sense of connection and appreciation in the next generation. Joe encourages and commits us to inter-generational church - it's challenging as well as fun.

Maf talks about home improvements. It can seem like the work never stops - as soon as one job is done another begins... In the church, given that Jesus is the builder and we need to keep growing, individually and collectively, this is a good thing(!). Maf reflects on how we respond to change - resisting it, tolerating it or embracing it. He parallels church growth with lego construction - it may not be clear exactly how we'll look but we are all pieces to build with.

Joe talks about what it is to be hands and feet. He asks us to think about a familiar story - the tale of the good samaritan - differently. Identify first with the one cared for rather than those who encountered him. We love because Jesus first loved us. Joe then familiarises us with opportunities in our own neighbourhood - including Ivybridge - to contribute once we have seen ourselves as cared for and want to share.

On this baptism day Maf eases us into the sermon with 3 short readings and Joe acquaints us with the wider church's London 2030 vision - confident disciples forming compassionate communities leading to creative growth. Being baptised into God's expansive family we learn to be confident of God's rescue and confident sharing the good news.

Parallel bible passages from the old and new testaments launch us into this sermon on being sent. Joe shares family stories of superhero appeal - being part of something bigger - and his own honest response to the prospect of leading mission. We live in a society that seeks self satisfaction but risk missing out on the joy of mission. We are called out for a higher purpose - will you respond as Isaiah (and Joe) did?

Concluding this short September series Joe starts with the tale of a dampened Bible - open on Isaiah 35. What does it mean to do what Jesus did (then and now)? Lots of topics - preach the gospel, teach the way, heal the sick, cast out demons, eat and drink with those far from God, pray, prophesy, stand against corruption, etc. - and there are lots of options to connect and explore these together - find out more on our website:https://www.allsoulschurch.org.uk/diary/ and be in contact: https://www.allsoulschurch.org.uk/contact/ :-).

Joe dips again into Isaiah 35 to refocus us on Jesus. Our formation depends on our focus and we are constantly subject to temptation and distraction. If we are to be like Jesus we need to practice long obedience. There is a highway. It is for the redeemed (not to redemption). Find it. Focus. Follow. Be like Jesus to find freedom, community and meaning. Whose disciple are you?