Trinity High Wycombe and Cores End United Reformed Churches - Sermons 1 year ago. #AllAreWelcome

By Trinity URC1YReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Trinity High Wycombe and Cores End United Reformed Churches - Sermons 1 year ago. #AllAreWelcome episodes

August 29, 2022Sunday, 29th August, 2021 - Part 2 - A taste of Autumn in the air and James writing to both challenge and encourage
Reading: James 5.7 – 20 NIVUK

Address - There's a taste of autumn in the air, it will soon be the Last Night of the Proms and children will be back at school next week Looking back over August, what has stood out for you?

What has struck a chord in the News? The continued pandemic, the horrors in Afghanistan? The heatwaves, fires and flooding around the world.

We've been looking at the letter of James, a letter written to a very different world to our own and yet written to people just like you and me

James wrote to encourage and to challenge, sometimes his words are hard but above all he wanted to remind his readers that God is unchanging, totally dependable and full of compassion and mercy.

Let's place our lives before God now - the God who is full of compassion and mercy
22 min
August 28, 2022Sunday, 29th August, 2021 - Part 1 - Ribbons of prayer, challenge and encouragement in the letter of James
Introduction: ribbons of prayer

During August we've been focusing on the letter of James

I've found huge challenge and encouragement within it, one of James's big themes is prayer "God is full of compassion and mercy"

During lockdown we've been encouraging passers-by to tie a ribbon on the front gate

The TryPraying initiative

James reminds us that prayer has to be linked to action

In September we are going to focus on food insecurity and our harvest will support OneCan and Christian Aid's global hunger campaign

Reading: Luke 18.1-8 Good News read by John Hillson
12 min
August 22, 2022Sunday, 22nd August, 2021 - Part 2 - Who is wise and understanding among you?
Who is wise and understanding among you?

Would you like to put your hand up?

Was it James's joke as he asks the question, was it rhetorical?

He waits for us to stand up or put our heads down

It reminds me of an episode of Dad's Army where Mannering is speaking to Sergeant Wilson - "...you know Wilson, over the years I've come to know the members of the platoon; I've grown quite fond of them but I can't help feeling sometimes that I'm in charge of a bunch of idiots"

Are we seeking personal gain at the expense of the common good?

Are we avoiding responsibility, shifting the blame?

James tells his readers to show the wisdom by the way they live

Operation Enduring Freedom and the recent events in Afghanistan

We pray that old follies will not generate new ones

Prayers for the world

We draw them near to you, our God, for you draw near to us.
13 min
August 21, 2022Sunday, 22nd August, 2021 - Part 1 - Wise up
Wise up and face reality?

There is something cynical about the wisdom of the world

James asks "are you wise" looking for a special kind of wisdom from God

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes speak of wisdom being a gift from God

We need the right kind of wisdom

Proverbs is a great collection of sayings

Reading: Proverbs 8 NIVUK

Hymn - Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me

Reading: James 3.13–4.3,7-8a NIVUK
10 min
August 08, 2022Sunday, 8th August 2021 - Part 2 - Challenging words from James
Prayer

Short Address: What amazing words we've heard today

Words from a world so different to ours but still relevant

How we treat people based on appearance, wealth, background remains as prevalent as ever in the media and attitudes around us

There is still huge need in famine and disaster around the world but closer to home, a recent study by Sheffield University identified Wycombe as a hotspot for food insecurity

Many more people are desperate for the basics of life at this time

The words of James are still challenging

Challenging us to look how Jesus looked and act as he acted, never treating people differently according to their outward appearance.

May our faith live this day and every day
13 min
August 07, 2022Sunday, 8th August 2021 - Part 1 - The best seat in the house
Introduction: ‘Best seat in the house’

Are you sitting comfortably?

Imagine the best seat in the house - just passed your test - maybe the driving seat?

What would be the best seat for you? At the theatre? At the Olympics? Or perhaps in a beautiful park.

As we share in worship today, I want you to be in the best seat. In that seat, we feel totally at ease, able to be ourselves in the presence of the loving God.

Sometimes of course, we treat people differently, sending them away to somewhere else God wants you all to have the best seat

We continue to explore the letter from James, today where he looks at how we treat people and looking at how we need to put our faith into action

Reading: James 2. 1 – 17
7 min
August 01, 2022Sunday, 1st August 2021 - Part 3 - James, Martin Luther and God's greatest gift
Reading: James 1. 17 – 27 NIVUK

Martin Luther had a low opinion of the letter of James and would have happily torn it from the bible

He thought James was relying on actions at the expense of faith

"Every good and perfect gift comes from above"

Perhaps God's greatest gift is God - unchangeable, faithful, dependable, always present.

So much is changing in our world and personal lives.

God is constant, full of light, full of love.

James has a desire for integrity in the followers of Jesus
11 min
August 01, 2022Sunday, 1st August 2021 - Part 2 - Introducing our August Bible focus – the letter of James
Saying Rabbits on the first day of the month

We will focus on the letter from James throughout August

James is a popular name today and was in the 1st Century as well

This is not a normal letter in the traditional sense such as the ones Paul wrote

There is a short greeting and then a collection of sermons, sayings, and teaching

It is addressed to the 12 tribes, scattered amongst the nations

A scattered church under pressure, wrestling with the problems of their time

"Find joy in the midst of pressures"

As we explore the letter, we ask for God's help, inspiration, and blessing
8 min
July 31, 2022Sunday, 1st August 2021 - Part 1 - Lighthouse and hope
Opening Prayer of adoration and confession

Giving thanks for Lighthouse
9 min
July 25, 2022Sunday, 25th July 2021 - Part 2 - Freedom
Introduction to the reading

Reading: Galatians 5.13-16, 22-25 NIVUK

Short Address:

Freedom - can you say freedom without thinking of Mel Gibson in Braveheart?

What does it mean to you?

It's deeply embedded in the DNA of western civilisation

The vaccine programme that has helped play a part in lessening the severity of the pandemic

We need to be cautious and move step by step

We can't be free if others are still enslaved

Paul said "Do not use your freedom to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh but use it to follow this: love one another"
12 min

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Trinity High Wycombe and Cores End United Reformed Churches - Sermons 1 year ago. #AllAreWelcome

Trinity High Wycombe and Cores End United Reformed Churches - Sermons 1 year ago. #AllAreWelcome episodes

About Trinity High Wycombe and Cores End United Reformed Churches - Sermons 1 year ago. #AllAreWelcome