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Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Genesis 12:1-4; Galatians 3]
Helen took us through Abraham's background, his faith and the Biblical definition of "Faith." 
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Matthew 4:1-11]
This Lent, we’re invited to step into the wilderness with Jesus and see how he faced real temptation and came through victorious. From the very first human sin in the garden to the challenges Jesus endured, we’ll explore the doubts, desires, and pressures that test all of us. More importantly, we’ll see how Jesus resisted by trusting God’s Word and how we can do the same in our lives today.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Matthew 5:21-37]
As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us some hard sayings. How do we understand what he says about anger and murder, lust and adultery? Peter offers an approach to guide our response in obedience and realism.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Matthew 5:13-20; Isaiah 58:1-12]
These are challenging texts which call for change and obedience. How do we respond? What does it mean to be salt of the earth and light of the world? Maybe the key lies in asking God to lead us and use us each day as we learn his ways.
Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: 1st Corinthians 1:18-31; John 3:1-15]
Helen focused on the Letter to the Corinthians and the power of the Cross of Christ. She drew on the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus as an example of God's ways confounding the wise. Do we know the power of the Cross in our lives?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Matthew 4:12-23; Isaiah 9:1-4]
After he was baptised Jesus called the people to repent - change their minds and follow him. He called disciples to follow him. He taught with authority and he healed.
Preacher: Anne Aspden [Text: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42]
Anne invites us to reflect on where our minds and hearts are truly focused. Through the lens of everyday concerns, it reminds us that while life often feels uncertain and beyond our control, we can trust that God is at work for our good. Drawing on Isaiah’s Servant Songs and John the Baptist’s witness, it points to Jesus as the faithful Servant, the Light for all nations, and the Lamb of God who brings salvation and hope.
Preacher: Trevor McCracken [Text: Matthew 3:13-17]
Jesus did not immediately behave as John the Baptist expected and he does not always do what we expect him to do. We can expect the unexpected with Jesus and we know that those who are repentant and faithful will be led by the same voice that spoke from heaven at Jesus' baptism.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12]
Ian looked at the account of the Magi seeking and finding the infant Jesus through the lens of the reading from the Ephesians. Paul wrote that: 1.His message was revealed to him (v3). 2.We may approach God with freedom & confidence (v12). 3.Gentiles are included into the body of God’s people. (v6) 4.God will reveal his wisdom through the Church (v10-11). So we find the Magi had revelation about the child; they approached him to worship with confidence; These were the first Gentiles to know who he was; God revealed his wisdom to them. The same four truths apply to us too. We need to receive revelation from God; we can approach with freedom and confidence; we are included in the body of God's people; through the Church the wisdom of God will be revealed to the heavenly powers.
Preacher: Helen Hardcastle [Texts: Job 33:14-18; Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13-23]
In the accounts of God's dealings with Joseph, there are four guiding dreams: Joseph is told that he is to marry Mary and raise the child, the Magi are told not to report back to Herod, Joseph is told to flee to Egypt and later that it is safe to return to Israel but to go to Nazareth. Does God still speak through dreams?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: John 1:1-18; Isaiah 49:5-8; Hebrews 1:1-4]
The Apostle John does not tell us of the birth of Jesus in the way Matthew and Luke do. He goes far far further back to before time and starts there. He introduces us to One he calls "The Word" - the underlying rationality of the universe in Greek thought and the message of God in Jewish philosophy. The Word became human - will you receive him or not?
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Text: Matthew 1]
As we approach Christmas, Peter looks at the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel and draws our attention to four women there. That was most unusual culturally. But then the circumstances were even more strange ...
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11]
In the Advent season, looking at the coming of Christ into public ministry, we find John the Baptist in prison and doubting whether Jesus is actually the Messiah. He did the right thing - he asked the Lord about it! God doesn't mind our honest questions - it is grumbling he really does not like. So doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44]
Advent directs our attention to the Second Coming of Christ. The passage from Isaiah describes the righteous rule of Christ on earth. In the Gospel reading, Jesus warns that no one knows the time of his return except the Father but emphasises that we should be ready. The Letter to the Romans helps us understand how we should live being ready for the return of our Lord.
Preacher: Wendy Fowler [Psalm 46; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43]
The Sunday before Advent is traditionally known as Stir-up Sunday from the words of the prayer set for the day, "Stir up your people ..." It is taken as a reminder to prepare the Christmas pudding. Wendy took a creative look at this tradtion considering the pudding ingredients and what they might symbolise in our common life together, ably helped by two of the young people mixing the ingredients before us. Come back during Lent, for a taste of the resulting pudding!
Preachers: Helen Hardcastle and Julia Geraghty [Texts: Malachi 4:1-2a; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19]
Today, Helen & Julia report back on their impressions from the Mission Trip to Kondoa with cultural accommodation and spiritual discernment required to function effectively.
On 5th October, a mission team from St Stephens travelled to Kenya and Tanzania for teaching and outreach with the Anglican dioceses of Mombasa and Kondoa. The trip, part of an ongoing partnership with the young and growing Kondoa Diocese, involved long travel, cross-cultural encounters, and powerful ministry experiences. The team led seminars on being filled with the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, healing, and overcoming ties to witchcraft, seeing lives transformed through prayer and renewal. They worshipped with vibrant local congregations, met sponsored children, and witnessed both spiritual and physical healing, including a remarkable personal restoration story at the Kondoa Bible School. The mission highlighted the vitality of the African church, the deep hunger for the gospel, and the shared joy of partnership in God’s work across nations.
Preacher: Tony Jee
[Texts: Psalm 119:137-144; Habbakuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10] Tony covered all the readings with a theme that God's worls always speaks to us. Preacher: Rev Trevor McCracken [Scripture: Luke 17:11-19] NOTE: Sorry, no video recording for this sermon, only the written sermon is available. Ten men were healed by Jesus, but only one came back to say thank you. Imagine a miracle so life-changing it makes you fall to your knees in awe, yet nine simply walked away. Luke 17:11-19 challenges us to ask: how often do we take God’s blessings for granted? Trevor explored the power of gratitude, the faith that makes it possible, and what it means to truly respond to God’s generosity, just like the one grateful Samaritan.
Preacher: Peter Lloyd [Texts: Jeremiah 31:27-34; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8]
Peter Lloyd’s sermon focuses on 2 Timothy 3:16, urging believers to live out their faith as Paul did, showing truth through both words and actions. Scripture, “God-breathed” and vital for teaching, correction, and training, equips God’s servants for good works. Peter reminds listeners to read the Bible with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and within small groups, growing together in righteousness and faith.
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