Jesus Gathers His Children

Posted on 13th March 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given on the second Sunday of Lent. Given by our reader priest in charge Nick Mwandia on the 13/3/22 entitled ‘Jesus Gathers His Children

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Sermon starts at 1:48 Luke 13 v 31-35

Luke 13.31-35

Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem

31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”

32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’

33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
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The Temptation of Jesus

Posted on 6th March 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given on the first Sunday of Lent. Given by our reader priest in charge Nick Mwandia on the 6/3/22 entitled ‘The Temptation of Jesus’

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Sermon starts at 2:25

Luke 4 v 1-13

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’

4 Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone.”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

6 And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.’

8 Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down from here.

10 For it is written:

‘“He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;

11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

12 Jesus answered, ‘It is said: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
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Transfiguration and Transformation

Posted on 28th February 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given on the Sunday preceeding Lent. Given by our reader Julie Taylor on the 27/2/22 entitled ‘Transfiguration and Transformation’

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Sermon starts at 2:04

Luke 9: 28-37

28  About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 

29  As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 

30  Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. 

31  They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. 

32  Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 

33  As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what he was saying.)

34  While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 

35  A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ 

36  When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

37  The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.
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Serving In Faith

Posted on 20th February 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given on Second Sunday before Lent. Given by our now visiting preacher Rev’ Cathy Pullinger on the 20/2/22 entitled ‘Serving In Faith’

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Sermon starts at 2:30

Genesis 45 v 3-11 & 15

3 Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping.

7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, “This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.

10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.

11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.”

15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterwards his brothers talked with him.


Second Reading: Luke 8 v 22-25

Jesus calms the storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side of the lake.’ So they got into a boat and set out.

23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

25 ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.’

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Sermon On The Level Ground

Posted on 13th February 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon for the 5th in Epiphany given by our priest in charge Nick Mwandia on the 13/2/22 entitled ‘Sermon on the Level Ground’

Sound quality does improve after a few minutes!

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Sermon starts at 1:45

Luke 6 v 17-26

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon,

18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured,

19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

20 Looking at his disciples, he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

23 ‘Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24 ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
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Jesus’ Fishing Lesson

Posted on 6th February 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon for the 5th in Epiphany given by our priest in charge Nick Mwandia on the 6/2/22 entitled ‘Jesus’ Fishing ’.

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Sermon starts at 2:05

Luke 5 v 1-11

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.

2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.

3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

7 So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
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Simeon and Anna

Posted on 30th January 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given by our reader Julie Taylor on the 30/1/22 for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany entitled ‘Simeon and Anna’.

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Sermon starts at 3:30

Luke 2 v 22-40

Jesus presented in the temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’),

24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’

33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him.

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.

38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
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Jesus’ Vision for Mission

Posted on 23rd January 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given by our priest in charge the Rev’ Nick Mwandia on the 23/1/22 for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany entitled ‘Jesus’ vision for mission’.

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Sermon starts at 3:54

Nehemiah 8 v 1-3, 5-6, 8-10

1 All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.

3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”


Luke 4 v 14-21

14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.

15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
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Hands Of Mercy

Posted on 16th January 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given by our visiting speaker Samantha Graham from Hands of Mercy. Recorded on the 16/1/22 for the 12nd week in Epiphany.

Slides used during the presentation can be seen lower down this page…

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Sermon starts at 1:54

John 2 v 1-11

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.

2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it.

9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom

10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
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The Baptism of Christ

Posted on 9th January 2022 by Peter

Sermon from St Andrews Church, Slip End, UK. Sermon given by our priest in charge the Rev’ Nick Mwandia on the 9/1/22 for the 1st week in Epiphany entitled ‘The Baptism of Christ’.

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Sermon starts at 1:46

Luke 3 v 15-17 & 21-22

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.

16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened

22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
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