Category Archives: Christianity

New Life After A Sojourn in the Wilderness

This article first appeared in the March 2021 edition of the parish magazine of St John with St Mary, Devizes. Although summer remains far away and we could yet be overtaken by a genuinely cold snap or even snow, the … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, COVID19, Reflection | Tagged , , | Comments Off on New Life After A Sojourn in the Wilderness

Building A Country Fit for Pandemic Heroes

This article first appeared in the February 2021 edition of the parish magazine of St John with St Mary, Devizes. This time of the year always provides a strange intermezzo in the Church’s liturgical cycle. The long forty days of … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, COVID19, Reflection | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Building A Country Fit for Pandemic Heroes

“The Word was Made Flesh”: Sermon Preached at Midnight Mass in St George’s, Belfast, on Thursday 24 December 2020

Readings – Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. May I speak in the name of God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Our epistle reading at this Midnight Mass, the … Continue reading

Posted in sermons | Tagged , | Comments Off on “The Word was Made Flesh”: Sermon Preached at Midnight Mass in St George’s, Belfast, on Thursday 24 December 2020

“Waiting”: Sermon Preached at St John’s Devizes on Sunday 6 December 2020 (the 2nd Sunday of Advent)

Hope and frustration and pain all mixed together: that is the mood of Advent. As we endure this hard winter of waiting, wait with Jesus Christ, your brother, friend, Lord, and saviour. Continue reading

Posted in sermons | Tagged , , | Comments Off on “Waiting”: Sermon Preached at St John’s Devizes on Sunday 6 December 2020 (the 2nd Sunday of Advent)

“Like A Thief in the Night”: Sermon Preached for St John’s Devizes Digital Worship on Sunday 15 November 2020 (the 2nd Sunday Before Advent) by Gerry Lynch

Instead of preaching a cheerful and optimistic sermon for lockdown, I opted for a hopeful one. They aren’t the same thing. Continue reading

Posted in sermon, sermons | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on “Like A Thief in the Night”: Sermon Preached for St John’s Devizes Digital Worship on Sunday 15 November 2020 (the 2nd Sunday Before Advent) by Gerry Lynch

“Rebuild my Church”: Sermon Preached at St John’s Devizes on Sunday 4 October 2020 (the 17th Sunday After Trinity) by Gerry Lynch

Readings – Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. May I speak in the name of God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, sermons | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on “Rebuild my Church”: Sermon Preached at St John’s Devizes on Sunday 4 October 2020 (the 17th Sunday After Trinity) by Gerry Lynch

Touched by an Angel?

Did angels push me and my bike into the Kennet & Avon Canal so I would do a social media detox? Does saying this imply I hit my head on the bottom when I fell in? Thoughts for Michaelmas. Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Reflection | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Get Thee Behind Me Satan”: Sermon Preached at St John’s Devizes on Sunday 30 August 2020 (the 12th Sunday After Trinity)

What links Christ calling St Peter “Satan”, the Baader Meinhof Complex, the Weather Underground, and the dangers of seeking power? Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, sermons | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on “Get Thee Behind Me Satan”: Sermon Preached at St John’s Devizes on Sunday 30 August 2020 (the 12th Sunday After Trinity)

“Out of Our Depth”: Sermon Preached at St John’s, Devizes on Sunday 9 August 2020 (the 9th Sunday After Trinity)

Readings – 1 Kings 9:9-18, Matthew 14:22-33 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, sermons | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on “Out of Our Depth”: Sermon Preached at St John’s, Devizes on Sunday 9 August 2020 (the 9th Sunday After Trinity)

Cassettes, Communion, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Online Worship isn’t the Answer to Everything

Young people are getting back into cassettes and compilations; whatever merits it has, online worship can’t be the future of the Church, at least not on its own. Continue reading

Posted in Anglicanism, Christianity, COVID19, Evangelism, Prayer and Worship, Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cassettes, Communion, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Online Worship isn’t the Answer to Everything