Joe takes us forward in our mini-series looking at giving - how to adopt a mindset of abundance amidst a society beset with anxiety and fearful of scarcity (e.g. toilet rolls). He reflects on recent realities of snapped flower heads (his locally) and drowned animals (in Ukraine) and what Jesus meant by linking together the "build bigger barns" and "consider the lilies" stories. He goes on to encourage us to: see your wealth, set your limits, test the theory, tune into grace, see what others do, commit to give, budget for hospitality, give more than money, reflect at connect, model generosity at home, be willing to be radical, and, of course, begin with Jesus(!).

Joe intros a mini-series on generosity. Creation abounds with God's generosity but, lacking trust, we have a tendency to see scarcity and selfishly accumulate. Joe invites us to reframe our thinking and shows how Jesus put the poor at the centre of his ministry. Happiness and generosity are interlinked so think afresh on opportunities you have to give of yourself, your time and your attention as well as your money.

Jon uses Winston Churchill's and Spiderman's phrase "with great power comes great responsibility" to ease us into today's passage. Words can uplift or wound. He takes apart several of James's parallels recognising how "spreading like wildfire" is yet more relevant in today's society given the proliferation of social media - "be quick to listen and slow to type". Reflect on what you say but don't be silent - words heal as well as harm.

Joe begins today's session by asking those physically present to ask their neighbours for opinions - their favourite food, music, day of the week and... church members(!). James focused on favouritism so Joe does too - all lives matter and are to be framed not by status but by love. Whilst discrimintation may have been more evident in James's time it is still a challenge to us, now - look to see each person as Jesus does.

"Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"; Joe invites us to reflect on our abilities to live out this phrase. "How long is your nose?" He also asks; the hot-nosed are short-tempered per the idiom of the time. James's teachings are as relevant to today's audience as to his listeners then. Tune in and work out how they apply to you.

Joe starts a new sermon series for becoming like Jesus. He uses the launch of SpaceX's biggest rocket to date - ts rapid, unscheduled disassembly and the whoops and hollers this triggered - as a way to see success in apparent failure; pure joy from difficult circumstances. Maturity, completeness, wholeness - this is what suffering builds and we can find sustenance going through it - look for community, persevere and keep your eyes on the prize.

Joe takes us through Jesus's 4 trials: chief priests, Pilate, Herod, the crowd. The chief priests question his identify... and pass Jesus on - the saviour not fitting their expectations. Pilate is pressured by others and their expectations - seeing opportunity to involve another, he passes Jesus on. Herod's curiosity is piqued and he probes Jesus looking for fulfilment - not finding it he loses interest and passes Jesus back. The crowd want a revolutionary leader but Jesus doesn't fit their expectations either - so Jesus is passed on, to take Barabbas's place and ours.

Hannah zooms in on Jesus's vulnerability and fragility in the garden of Gethsemane - being honest about his fear and resolute in his commitment to honour God's will. She contrasts Jesus attitude with the shortcomings of the disciples - falling asleep when called to pray, fighting when that's not needed and denying Jesus when challenged. Hannah cites modern experiences of hope shared and encourages us to take comfort in the bounceback of the disciples. God accepts us as we are - rest in him and hold on tight(!).

Joe starts our stretched-out look at holy week - from palm sunday to easter sunday. Though greeted with joy on palm sunday Jesus wept over Jerusalem knowing what was to come. From tears and cheers he turned to taking out his anger, not on the Romans, but upon those in the temple. Joe looks at how our modern connections with the wider world - e.g. doom scrolling on phones - means we may not have the same opportunity to respond to injustice and risk, if we do not look-up, missing opportunities to intervene locally. Jumping in to help our communities heal and binding-up the broken hearted is part of what we are called to do.

Joe looks at Genesis 3 and Matthew 4 - two parallel stories of temptation; to choose to redefine good and evil/right and wrong or to trust God and his boundaries. Eve and Adam go one way, Jesus the other. Rather than listening to one's own thoughts Jesus resists temptation with words from scripture - God's revealed truth - respecting its authority. Jesus didn't come with an army and he didn't issue parking tickets - he let people exercise their free wills whilst appealing to them to listen to scripture. Joe encourages us to do likewise.