Revd. Abi Todd, our vicar, considers how Jesus transforms a night of betrayal and denial into the giving of a new covenant and the command for us to love one another. We continue to focus on the events of Holy week and what it means for us for Jesus to be at work in our lives.

The reading is John 13:1-17 & 31-38

This message was first preached on 17/04/2025

David Glover, our Next Generations Pastor, asks the question what is ‘my’ city like and will Jesus be welcomed. As we look at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the start of the most crucial week of His life on earth, we focus on the start of Holy week and what it means to welcome Jesus in to our lives, and consider all that Jesus brings to us.

The reading is Luke 23:1-49

Wayne Bishop completes the series on the Servant Songs in Isaiah. Considering the Old Testament passage most quoted in the New Testament.  A message of hope to a broken and disappointed people. The servant displays an attitude of one who represents the highly exalted God of the universe despite the lack of acknowledgement and even rejection by the people who were waiting for the Messiah. But the prophetic song goes on to declare the heart of the gospel, ‘The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all’, salvation to all and an example of how we, who follow Christ, are to live. Isaiah speaks of a hope that will turn the world upside down.

The reading is Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

As we think about the different roles of mothers, our vicar, Abi Todd, considers the way mothers provide practical support like nourishment and shelter but go much further providing comfort and compassion. This passage in 2 Corinthians talks about how ‘the God of all comfort’ acts as a mother to all His children, and how through His comfort for us we can have compassion on others and comfort them through the power of His Holy Spirit.

The reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

David Binns moves on to the third of the Servant Songs in Isaiah. He considers again who the ‘mystery guest’ of Isaiah is and goes on to explore the comparison Isaiah makes between the servant, reliant on and obedient to God; and independent, rebellious Israel. This leads us to a conclusion that there is a choice to be made, obedience or rebellion, God’s way or your way, heaven or hell, life or death. As Moses said ‘Now choose life.’

The reading is Isaiah 50:4-11

Our vicar, Abi Todd, continues the series looking at the Servant Songs in Isaiah. Today she asks, ‘where are you from?’ and shows us it doesn’t matter what your background is, whether it’s straightforward or whether you have an ‘interesting’ family story like Jesus. God sent his servant Jesus for you, and this Jesus can do “immeasurably more for you than you can ever ask or imagine”, and He wants to do it now!

The reading is Isaiah 49:1-13

Leading up to Easter, our vicar, Abi Todd, begins a short series looking at the Servant Songs in Isaiah. Four wonderful passages written 600-700 years before Jesus' time, which foretell of His life and mission. Abi sets out the background and shows how Jesus is the true 'servant' but also how we as His chosen people take on that servant role in our time and place.

The reading is Isaiah 42:1-9

Elijah’s time comes to an end and his young apprentice comes to the fore. Our vicar, Abi Todd, follows the pair as God shows Elijah the answer to his prayer of being alone and then goes on to consider the audacious request that Elisha makes. What is God doing in your life, in the life of the church and the life of the nation? Do we have the faith to pray a similarly audacious prayer, and keep praying it until God answers?

The reading is 2 Kings 2:1-14

The story of Elijah takes an unexpected turn. Our vicar, Abi Todd, looks at King Ahab firstly acting as he always had, but then turning back to God in repentance. Are money and power directing your life? Have you still got ‘idols’ sitting in the place of God? Or do you understand ‘what the Lord requires of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ – Micah 6:8

The reading is 1 Kings 21:1-29

The Rev. Marcus Giddy, Curate at All Saints Woodford Wells, continues our series on Elijah as God has him call his successor Elisha. Marcus explains what it meant for Elisha and what it can mean for us today.