Sermons from St Mary’s

Chris preaches on Harvest Sunday about the cultural myth that we deserve it all. Chris shares that our life is found in God rather than things.

Chris shares from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 to counter the cultural myth that 'Life is What You Make It.

Today, on Pentecost Sunday, Chris explores how the Holy Spirit meets us in our dryness, fills us with His power and presence, and sends us out to be light in the world.

Today, we reflect on how Jesus calls Simon Peter into deeper water, and a deeper life of discipleship. Simon explores trust, surrender, and the transforming power of saying yes to Jesus, even when it costs everything.

In our second episode in our series, Encounter, Simon reflects on Jesus’ radical inclusion and how we, as the Church, are called to welcome and include all people. Drawing on the Windrush generation and his own personal experience, Simon challenges us to be truly open and compassionate.

In this opening sermon of our new series in Luke, we reflect on Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel and the power of God’s promises. Chris challenges us - how do we trust when everything around us says otherwise?

Speaking from the Book of Proverbs, Alan challenges us to listen deeply and respond wisely when having difficult conversations.

Chris continues our series How to Have Difficult Conversations by exploring Jesus’ wisdom on handling conflict. He unpacks the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and shares practical steps for responding to disagreement with grace, honesty, and hope for restored relationship.

Simons shares from Ephesians 4:17-32 about how we can have honest conversations, without damaging our relationships. He highlights the importance of speaking the truth, but in a way that builds people up rather than tear them down.

Our new series, God’s Story Your Story, explores the overarching story of the Bible and helps us to find out place within its pages. Simon starts our series by considering our first theme, Creation: Created for Connection.

Chris continues our Advent series by considering the peace of Christ, the Prince of Peace, as opposed to the peace of the world. Chris opens with a video of Sainsbury's Christmas advert from 2014, which can be viewed here.

Chris starts our new series for Advent, A Thrill of Hope, by encouraging us to ground our lives in the ‘Now’ and ‘Not yet’ of God’s kingdom. As a time of waiting and preparation, Advent urges us to hold on to hope as “the days are coming” when God will fulfil His good promises towards us.

Simon concludes our series, We Are St Mary’s Church by sharing on our final value as a church, Doing Our Very Best.

In our penultimate sermon in this series, Alan preaches about our seventh value as a church - that we would be a mission-minded and mission-oriented church. He shares some of the initiatives we seek to support as a church, as well as how we can play our part to be disciples who make disciples.

Today, Remembrance Day, Chris shares with us from John 13 about our sixth value as a church, Servant-Hearted Leadership. Chris shares about the transformational impact we can have on those we're called to lead, both in church and outside of church, as we lead through service.

In today's talk, Chris reflects on Jesus' words in John 15.9-17 and His command to us, Jesus' followers, to love one another. Chris considers how the love the Father has for Jesus, and the love Jesus has for us, is the model for our relationships with each other.

Preaching from Luke's Gospel, Chris challenges us today that worship is the overflow of a forgiven heart.

Simon preaches today from 1 Corinthians 12 looking at our third value as a church, Every Member Ministry. Simon highlights both the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, emphasising that each us has an essential and interconnected role to play here at St Mary's Church.

Based on John 15:1-8, Chris explores our second value as a church, Every Member Growing. He shares about the importance of staying connected to Jesus, the vine, as well as considering how the Father prunes us, in order that we might live fruitful and abundant lives.

As the first episode in our new series, We Are St Mary's Church, Chris shares about what it means to keep Jesus at the centre of our lives. This series explores the values that we hold to as a church.

Chris Berry shares from the Book of James about the importance of making time to pray everyday.

In today's reading, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say I am?". In this talk, Chris reflects on how our understanding of Jesus shapes our identity and purpose. Jesus also asks us the question, "Who do you say I am?". Jesus challenges us to embrace the transformative call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

In today's talk, Chris explores the story of a woman who persists in her faith, despite obstacles. In prayer, we bring our deepest needs before Jesus and refuse to let go until God moves.

Simon preaches on James 1:17-27