The United Church Ashford Podcast

Today's Podcast is introduced by Alan Ewart-James. Hugh Burnham explores the metaphor of being "yoked with Jesus" as we look at Acts 15:1-18, read by Richard Giles, and Matthew 11:28-30. The hymns are both from Singing the Faith "Will you come and follow me" no. 673, and "Jesus Christ is waiting" no. 251.

“Only people who see take off their shoes”, Ruth Bamford reads Exodus 3: 1 – 15 and Adrian Roux reflects on this story of Moses and the burning bush. The hymns are StF 745 “For all the saints” and 503 “Love divine, all loves excelling”. The podcast is presented by Alan Ewart-James.

Today's podcast is all about becoming more like Jesus, and focuses on John 6: 53-69. Gill Songer gives the reflection and Liz Talbot reads. The worship is led by Hugh as we sing: StF 432  -  All of You and none of me – Theodore Monod StF 489  -  Knowing You Jesus, knowing you   -  Graham Kendrick  

For this service, the reflection, given by Revd. K Taylor, is upon God’s mercy and how the Canaanite Women persisted with asking Jesus and then, how God’s mercy is shared through him.  This is based on Matthew 15 verses 21 to 28, read by Steward French.  Songs include “At The Name Of Jesus & “Take My Life And Let It Be”.

This week’s podcast is introduced by Lisa. Jane reads to us from Matthew 14:22-33 and Hugh brings us our reflection for the week. Our prayers are taken from the Roots material for this Sunday and our songs are ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want’ (481), ‘Oceans (where feet may fail)’ and ‘Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?’ (673).

Our reflection, by Dwight Harris, looks what it means to be a Christian from within rather than what the world expects to see. Paul Mission reads Acts 26, verses 24 to 32. Alan Ewart-James is the Worship Leader. Songs are "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" and "Great is our faithfulness".

Rev Kevin reflects on discipleship, how we all contribute to God’s work, no matter small and how our differences do not hinder us. Kevin also reflects on the cost of disciple, the joys and challenges. Richard reads Matthew 13: 31 to 33 and 44 to 52 and songs include “Best Of All, God is With Us” and “Will You Come and Follow Me”

This week’s podcast is introduced by Lisa. Ruth reads to us from Genesis 28, and Revd Gill Songer reflects on knowing God’s presence with us, and being God’s presence to others. Our Songs are from Singing the Faith – 20 ‘Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here’ and 51 ‘Great is Thy faithfulness’.

“You must be born again!” says Jesus - Dwight Harris puts the pieces together as we look at  John 3:1 – 17. The reading is read by Liz Talbot and Hugh Burnham leads and sings 394 (Singing the Faith) “Spirit of God unseen as the wind” and the song “Waymaker”.

This podcast this week is introduced by Alan Ewart-James. Stewart French is the reader and the reflection is given by Revd. Kevin Taylor. We are looking at Matt 11: 16 to 19 and 25 – 30. Kevin shows how salvation is not determined by intellect but by revelation from God. We sing I heard the voice of Jesus say and O Jesus I have promised; 248 and 553 in Singing the Faith.  

Our reflection looks at chapter 2 of Paul and Timothy's letter to the Philippians as part of Bible Month, which focuses on Christian unity within worshipping communities. Hugh Burnham leads the reflection, which Richard reads from Philippians 2: 1–16. Songs include May the mind of Christ my Saviour and From The Breaking Of The Dawn.

This week’s podcast is “starring” (Phil 2:15) Ruth Bamford reading Philippians 1: 1 – 11, Gill Songer giving her reflection with Alan Ewart-James leading. The songs, from Singing the Faith, are 55 “Immortal Invisible” and 172 “Hills of the North, Rejoice”.

Today’s podcast for Trinity Sunday is introduced by Lisa, with Liz reading from John 16:12-15 and Revd Gill Songer providing our reflection for the week. Our hymns from Singing the Faith are 5 ‘Father in whom we live’, 45 ‘Everyday God’ and 681 ‘Community of Christ’.

Our reflection, by Revd. Gill Songer, Revd Gill looks at our differences, the variety of gifts we have and how they unite us in the Christian Church.  Stewart and Stage Two drama group joins as we reflect upon Acts 2 1 – 21.  Songs include “Colours of Day” and “I heard the voice of Jesus say”.

In today’s Podcast, Tom tells us about the “cozzie livs” and how Peter’s first letter encourages us to hope in Christ, even in difficult times. Jane Burnham reads the scripture and Hugh Burnham leads us in song and prayer. Siskin Green sing “Will your anchor hold” StF 645 and Hugh sings 626 "Even though I walk through the valley".

This week’s Podcast is introduced by Alan Ewart-James. Hugh Burnham explores why the Spirit which Jesus left his disciples is called “The Spirit of Truth” and Paul Missin reads our Bible reading from John 14: 15 – 21. The songs are from Singing the Faith, 409 “Let us build a house” and 531 “What a friend we have in Jesus”.

This week’s podcast is introduced by Lisa. Richard reads from John 4 the story of the Woman at the Well and our reflection for the week is by Dwight Harris. Our hymns are 409 ‘All are welcome’, 489 ‘All I once held dear’ and 248 ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’.

Our reflection, by Revd. Gill Songer, starts with the finishing line at the recent Boston Marathon and leads us to think about being a Church community that looks for opportunities.  Ruth, Shirley and David contribute to this service, based around John Chapter 10, verses 1 to 10.  The songs are “Be still for the presence of the Lord”, “Hear the call of the Kingdom”, “Lord, Jesus Christ (Living Lord)” and “Love Divine”.

This Sunday Kevin Taylor reflects on the Emmaus road story told in Luke 24: 13- 35, which is read to us by Liz Talbot. Hugh leads us in singing “On the journey to Emmaus”, 308 from Singing the Faith, and number 476 “One more step along the world I go”.

Jesus enters the locked room of our fear and brings hope. Alan Ewart-James introduces this Sunday’s Podcast and the message which is brought by Revd. Adrian Roux. Stewart French reads John 20:19 -31, and we sing 313 Thine be the Glory and 531 What a friend we have in Jesus.

This week’s podcast for Easter Sunday is introduced by Lisa. Jane reads to us from Mark 16:1-8 and Dwight Harris brings us our reflection for this week. Our Hymns are 305 ‘Low in the grave he lay’ and 313 ‘Thine be the Glory, risen, conquering Son’. We wish you all the Blessings of Easter – may you know the peace, hope and joy of the Lord in the days that lie ahead.

This Palm Sunday, Revd. Gill invites us to be in Jerusalem celebrating Passover. She reflects upon the procession of Jesus, how donkeys are very much part of the biblical narrative and how we must be “gentle” towards others. Paul Missin reads Matthew 21: 1 to 11. We are joined by Christian Music Ministry Singers and sing “Immortal Invisible”, “Ride On Ride On”, “Will You Come And Follow Me” and “O Jesus I Have Promised”.

On this episode Dave is joined be Revd Sam Funnell as the podcast celebrates it's 6th anniversary.  We consider the burdens that we carry particularly at this time of Lent, as we listen to the readings from Isaiah 43 and Matthew 22 read by Richard.  Our hymns on this episode are all from Singing the Faith, In Christ Alone (351), Empty, broken here I stand (420), From the Breaking of the Dawn (156) and Shine, Jesus, Shine (59).

Adrian Roux explores the story of the man born blind, in John 9: 1 - 41. Ruth Bamford reads the reading and the podcast worship is led by Alan Ewart-James. We sing (from Singing the Faith) 594 "Living Lord" and 440 "Amazing Grace ... was blind but now I see."

This week’s podcast is introduced by Lisa. Stewart reads from  John 3:1-17 and Revd Malcolm Peach reflects on the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. Our Hymns are STF 51 Great is Thy faithfulness, 395 Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me and 397 The Spirit lives to set us free, walk, walk in the light. Our prayers this week come from the Roots worship magazine.

On this episode of our weekly devotions Dave is joined by Revd Adrian Roux as we discuss the power of our choices on this the first Sunday of Lent.  We listen to readings from Genesis and Luke and the hymns are Seek ye First (254), Forty days and Forty night (236), When we are tested (240) and You call us to the wilderness (Online).