The Holy Trinity South Woodford Podcast: Recent Episodes
Holy Trinity South Woodford
Welcome to Holy Trinity! We are a church committed to worshipping God, serving our community in South Woodford and loving each other. We aim to be Christ-centred, Bible-based and Spirit-led.
To find out more visit: https://www.htsw.org.uk/
As we begin a new term we go back to the beginning of Jesus’ teaching ministry, the Sermon on the mount. Rev. Abi Todd, our vicar, starts us off looking at the beatitudes, what does it truly mean to be blessed, as it’s not what we might imagine.
Jesus starts with His disciples, not with the crowds who had begun to follow Him, because through this sermon He teaches some hard truths because only those who have committed to follow Him have a chance of understanding, only to those in the Kingdom does this make any sense.
The eight beatitudes, or blessings split into two groups of four, first four postures of the heart, ways in which we must approach God. Poor in spirit, mourning our rebellion, humble and meek before our creator and hungry for His righteousness. Then four actions or behaviours, merciful, compassionate like Jesus, pure in heart, holy in our following, peacemakers, willing to diffuse conflict and resolve disputes and expect persecution for defying the world’s norms.
Listen to God’s word and lean into true blessing.
The reading is from Matthew 5:1-12
This message was first preached on 07/09/2025
Over summer we have been looking at ‘FRIENDS OF GOD’ as we find them in the gospel of Mark. This week reaches a climax with Jesus and His friends sharing the Last Supper together. Rev. Abi Todd, our vicar, looks at this important event and what Jesus accomplishes through it.
The disciples were a foundation for the church, they were each different but, in many ways the same, younger, Jewish men. The Passover meal which they celebrate with Jesus marks a change of season for them. As we enter September does this mark a change in season for us too? When Jesus changes the season, He takes existing aspects of our lives and family and expands those concepts.
Jesus changes ordinary into extraordinary, changes holidays into ‘holy’ days and changes our routine into something special. This is exemplified by His betrayal and all that follows from it. The gospels do not shy away from the horror and awfulness of His passion and that which leads up to it, but Jesus expands this concept to give it purpose and perspective and He wants to do the same in our lives.
The reading is from Mark 14:12-26
This message was first preached on 31/08/2025
Over summer we are looking at ‘FRIENDS OF GOD’ as we find them in the gospel of Mark. The story this week picks up from the feeding of the 5000, as Jesus sends His disciples ahead in the boat and then later in the night comes to them walking on the water. David Binns shares three truths that God would teach us through this passage.
The disciples back in the boat, crowd dismissed with full hearts and full bellies, Jesus retreats to the mountain to get alone with Dad. Jesus seemed to treasure these alone times with Dad because everything He was and did stemmed from relationship. And this was not just pouring out His heart, rather it was two-way communication as He listens to the Father. Also, it was not a one-off, we read in Matthew that this was ‘His custom’, a regular habit.
Then the centrepiece, Jesus walks out across the lake to catch up with the disciples. His appearance shakes them; it disrupts their routines and their self-confidence. Jesus wants them not to place their confidence in their skill, or training or experience but to realise that they can do ‘all things through Christ’. Then the storm ceases and they arrive at their destination. Jesus takes His disciples and moves through the surrounding towns and villages showing the extent of His power and the extent of His love by healing all who even touch the hem of His cloak.
The reading is from Mark 6:45-56
This message was first preached on 24/08/2025
Over summer we are looking at ‘FRIENDS OF GOD’ as we find them in the gospel of Mark. This week Tracy Bishop looks at the well-known miracle, which is the only one to appear in all four Gospels, where Jesus and the disciples feed the 5000 (plus women and children).
The disciples have returned from their missions, excited by all they had seen and done, bubbling over with the stories of God working through them but at the same time tired, mentally and physically. Jesus says let’s go and chill, let’s take some rest. But even as they take a boat across the lake to a quiet spot they see in the distance hundreds even thousands running along the shore, round the lake to get to where they were going.
When they land the boat the crowd they left behind is already there, and the disciples think… REALLY!! This was our time, our space. REALLY!! But Jesus has compassion on the people and begins to feed their spiritual hunger. Hours later the disciples realise that hunger has also no become physical hunger. They need food, they need bread, well Jesus is the bread. And so he takes a problem adds faith and the power of God, and the disciples are suddenly part of this great miracle.
The reading is from Mark 6:30-44
This message was first preached on 17/08/2025
Over summer we will be looking at ‘FRIENDS OF GOD’ as we find them in the gospel of Mark. Our vicar, Rev. Abi Todd, fresh back from New Wine looks at what happened when Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to spread His message throughout the region..
Going to the New Wine conference, just for a week, required taking so much stuff, but that was very different to Jesus sending the disciples out on their itinerant preaching mission. Jesus sends them out and says, ‘take nothing for the road’. This restriction on equipping themselves is part of Jesus’ call. He is calling them to do things in His name but it’s a call of relationship and intimacy. Jesus sends them out in pairs to strengthen their confidence and for accountability, it’s easier to go through with something with someone beside you, encouraging you. And they don’t need to take anything with them because whilst they are weak, Jesus sends with His authority and power.
The reading is from Mark 6:6-13
This message was first preached on 10/08/2025
Over summer we will be looking at ‘FRIENDS OF GOD’ as we find them in the gospel of Mark. The Venerable Mike Power, Archdeacon of West Ham, continues the series by looking at that dramatic miracle when Jesus calms the storm.
What happens when the storms of life break over us? Where is Jesus? Mike explains how Jesus is in the same boat, in the same storm. He is right there with us. Jesus brings peace in the midst of chaos. The story is not really about weather but rather how Jesus calls us to look away from the storms around us and focus on the storms within. Like the disciples He call us to faith, not to change the storm but to change us and lead us through it.
The reading is from Mark 4:35-41
This message was first preached on 03/08/2025
Over summer we will be looking at ‘FRIENDS OF GOD’ as we find them in the gospel of Mark. Our Vicar, Rev. Abi Todd, begins the series by looking at the calling of the disciples.
More than half of the passage is a list of the disciples’ names, but there is much more to it than that. The passage has much to say about what a disciple is. A disciple is a follower, one who spends time with his rabbi, but he is also sent out by his rabbi to spread the message and carries the rabbi’s authority with him.
Jesus Called the twelve, not because they were the brightest and best but because they were willing to follow, and whatever your background Jesus calls you if you are willing to follow.
The reading is from Mark 3:13-19
This message was first preached on 27/07/2025
Our Vicar, Rev. Abi Todd, completes our series in 2 Timothy focussing on Paul’s request to Timothy, ‘come before winter.’ The teaching here points us toward how we should manage ‘time’ in our lives. Time is part of God’s creation, given to us to measure seasons and ages.
As Paul closes out this letter with mention of seventeen different people, he points us to a key use of our time. Building and sustaining relationships is part of God’s plan for us and as John Donne wrote, “no man is an island.” The Christian life was never intended to be lived alone.
Paul also demonstrates that time is not infinite. We need to use our time well and take the opportunities as they arise. And as Paul reminds Timothy, God is calling him and that call is for now. Most of us suffer from procrastination to some extent but we must remember when God calls us it is nearly always for now.
The reading is from 2 Timothy 4:9-22
This message was first preached on 20/07/2025
Rev. Abi Todd, our Vicar, continues in 2 Timothy with Paul declaring, ‘Dare to be different’. Paul’s motif phrase ‘But as for you’ appears three times in this section. Our calling is to keep moving forward in a direction different to the world around us. It matters that we move forward. Sometimes when we run, we slow down and walk or even pause to rest, the key thing is not to move backwards.
We need to be persistent, pressing on even after the first flush of the thrill of meeting Jesus. We need to be consistent. Developing daily habits with a consistent belief stemming from sound teaching. And we must be insistent that Jesus is The Way! Paul is building Timothy up so that Timothy can join with him in the declaration he ends this passage with, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
The reading is from 2 Timothy 3:10 – 4:8
This message was first preached on 13/07/2025
Rev. Abi Todd, our Vicar, moves on with the series on 2 Timothy to the middle section of chapter 2, ‘Stay true to the message of Jesus’. Paul encapsulates the gospel he preaches in a simple phrase ‘Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David’. Our job in sharing the gospel is all about remembering Jesus. That He was raised from the dead implies His birth, life and death on the cross. That Jesus was descended from David speaks of His humanity and the fulfilment of the many messianic prophecies.
Paul goes on to tell Timothy to embrace suffering and die to self, echoing the message of Romans 6 and Jesus’ message of taking up our cross in Matthew 16. Paul ends this section exhorting Timothy to ‘correctly handle the word of truth.’ Read the bible, study it, meditate on it, remember it. God’s word is not chained!
The reading is from 2 Timothy 2:8-19
This message was first preached on 29/06/2025
David Binns, one of our Churchwardens, continues with the series exploring Paul’s second letter to Timothy. ‘Guard the good deposit’. Looking first at what this ‘good deposit’, our salvation or the gospel message itself. And then going on to look at how we can guard it, examining the three analogies Paul uses of the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer.
The reading is from Timothy 1:13-2:7
There is a videoclip mentioned around 18mins 30secs of the sermon. If you want to watch it, it can be found here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT9uSlTU57k
This message was first preached on 22/06/2025
Our vicar, Rev. Abi Todd, introduces a series of messages exploring the relevance of Paul’s second letter to Timothy. ‘But as for you…” Timothy’s calling is to live according to a different drumbeat than those around him and that different drumbeat still echoes for us today. The first point Paul stresses ‘don’t be ashamed of the gospel’. What is this ‘gospel’? That Jesus is the only way, that Jesus suffered died and through that shameful yet glorious death He has the power to set us free.
Paul moves on, ‘Fan into flame the gift of God in you’. Turn the spark into a flame, into a roaring fire. This is a call to all of us not to live timid lives but to move forward in love and power and self-discipline. But as for you, come listen and find where your flame can burn in the fire of the church.
The reading is from Timothy 1:1-12
This message was first preached on 15/06/2025
In the second of this two-part series our vicar, Rev. Abi Todd, moves on to what happens next following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Jesus has gone … and now the Holy Spirit comes, “it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Spirit won’t come” John 16:7. Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit, God’s glory is no longer fixed to a place or to one person, but with us and in us. The disciples were together and waiting, we need to be together “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” Hebrews 10:25.
There was action, actual sights and sounds and like them we can expect the miraculous. The Holy Spirit brings us life, and power and love. He gives us gifts, some miraculous, others not. His power in us helps us grow fruit, for our benefit and others. God is saying to us Abandon! abandon the works of darkness that cling to us like dirt but also live in the Spirit with abandon and freedom.
The reading is from Acts 2:1-21
This message was first preached on 08/06/2025
The oldest human alive is … Jesus ... now over 2000 years old, Rev. Abi Todd, our vicar, looks at what Jesus’ ascension into heaven means for us. The King is on the throne and we are His ambassadors and He will make all things good. God welcomes humans into heaven, Jesus was the first but many others follow because God loves people and He loves His material creation. And Jesus isn’t sitting idly on a cloud, rather He is interceding for us, Jesus is praying for you.
The reading is from Acts 1:1-11
This message was first preached on 01/06/2025
Today we conclude our series on the prophet Jonah, Rev. Abi Todd, our vicar, moves from Jonah and the Whale to Jonah and the Worm. Here in chapter 4 we find Jonah absolutely furious. God has done what Jonah predicted, He had mercy on the Ninevites when they repented. So Jonah is off in the desert sulking. Abi sets out for us a useful acronym which applies to Jonah’s situation but so often can apply to us. HALT! Jonah was Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. What can we do when we find ourselves in that same place. Listen on as we discover both the end of the story and the beginning of new life for ourselves.
The reading is from Jonah 4:1-11
This message was first preached on 25/05/2025
Today as we continue our series on the prophet Jonah, Wayne Bishop looks at chapter 3 and explains the extent of the challenge which faced Jonah as he reluctantly obeys God’s instruction to go to Nineveh. But Jonah is not alone, he has the Holy Spirit with him and Wayne shows how we too can make a real difference when the Holy Spirit is with us.
The reading is from Jonah 3:1-10
This message was first preached on 18/05/2025
Today we continue our short series on the prophet Jonah. Rev. Abi Todd, our vicar, explores the meaning and application of Jonah chapter 2. Jonah's just been vomitted up by the big fish onto the beach, so where now? Abi explores Jonah's response to pressure, will he continue to act like an orphan or can he accept his true identity as a child of God. Can he 'Get Real, 'Get Right' and 'Get Ready', because God hasn't finished with him yet.
The reading is from Jonah 2:1-10
This message was first preached on 11/05/2025
Today we begin a short series on the prophet Jonah. Rev. Marcus Giddy, curate at All Saints Woodford Wells, talks to us about Jonah chapter 1. What do we know of Jonah? Big fish. Coward. Sulking. This morning we want to consider three other words Obedience, Mercy and Second-chances. Listen with us to this ‘whale’ of an adventure.
The reading is from Jonah 1:1-17
This message was first preached on 04/05/2025
On this wonderful Easter Day, Abi Todd, our vicar, celebrates the reality of the resurrection, the awe and wonder of the women who first heard the good news and asks what is the type of soil our lives consist of, in relation to the parable of the sower. Come celebrate with us and let Jesus work in our lives to bring out a harvest.
The readings are Acts 10:34-43 & Luke 24:1-12
This message was first preached on 20/04/2025
Revd. Abi Todd, our vicar, considers how Jesus transforms a night of betrayal and denial into the giving of a new covenant and the command for us to love one another. We continue to focus on the events of Holy week and what it means for us for Jesus to be at work in our lives.
The reading is John 13:1-17 & 31-38
This message was first preached on 17/04/2025
David Glover, our Next Generations Pastor, asks the question what is ‘my’ city like and will Jesus be welcomed. As we look at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the start of the most crucial week of His life on earth, we focus on the start of Holy week and what it means to welcome Jesus in to our lives, and consider all that Jesus brings to us.
The reading is Luke 23:1-49
Wayne Bishop completes the series on the Servant Songs in Isaiah. Considering the Old Testament passage most quoted in the New Testament. A message of hope to a broken and disappointed people. The servant displays an attitude of one who represents the highly exalted God of the universe despite the lack of acknowledgement and even rejection by the people who were waiting for the Messiah. But the prophetic song goes on to declare the heart of the gospel, ‘The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all’, salvation to all and an example of how we, who follow Christ, are to live. Isaiah speaks of a hope that will turn the world upside down.
The reading is Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
As we think about the different roles of mothers, our vicar, Abi Todd, considers the way mothers provide practical support like nourishment and shelter but go much further providing comfort and compassion. This passage in 2 Corinthians talks about how ‘the God of all comfort’ acts as a mother to all His children, and how through His comfort for us we can have compassion on others and comfort them through the power of His Holy Spirit.
The reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
David Binns moves on to the third of the Servant Songs in Isaiah. He considers again who the ‘mystery guest’ of Isaiah is and goes on to explore the comparison Isaiah makes between the servant, reliant on and obedient to God; and independent, rebellious Israel. This leads us to a conclusion that there is a choice to be made, obedience or rebellion, God’s way or your way, heaven or hell, life or death. As Moses said ‘Now choose life.’
The reading is Isaiah 50:4-11
Our vicar, Abi Todd, continues the series looking at the Servant Songs in Isaiah. Today she asks, ‘where are you from?’ and shows us it doesn’t matter what your background is, whether it’s straightforward or whether you have an ‘interesting’ family story like Jesus. God sent his servant Jesus for you, and this Jesus can do “immeasurably more for you than you can ever ask or imagine”, and He wants to do it now!
The reading is Isaiah 49:1-13
Leading up to Easter, our vicar, Abi Todd, begins a short series looking at the Servant Songs in Isaiah. Four wonderful passages written 600-700 years before Jesus' time, which foretell of His life and mission. Abi sets out the background and shows how Jesus is the true 'servant' but also how we as His chosen people take on that servant role in our time and place.
The reading is Isaiah 42:1-9
Elijah’s time comes to an end and his young apprentice comes to the fore. Our vicar, Abi Todd, follows the pair as God shows Elijah the answer to his prayer of being alone and then goes on to consider the audacious request that Elisha makes. What is God doing in your life, in the life of the church and the life of the nation? Do we have the faith to pray a similarly audacious prayer, and keep praying it until God answers?
The reading is 2 Kings 2:1-14
The story of Elijah takes an unexpected turn. Our vicar, Abi Todd, looks at King Ahab firstly acting as he always had, but then turning back to God in repentance. Are money and power directing your life? Have you still got ‘idols’ sitting in the place of God? Or do you understand ‘what the Lord requires of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ – Micah 6:8
The reading is 1 Kings 21:1-29
The Rev. Marcus Giddy, Curate at All Saints Woodford Wells, continues our series on Elijah as God has him call his successor Elisha. Marcus explains what it meant for Elisha and what it can mean for us today.
The reading is 1 Kings 19:19-21.
Wayne Bishop shares again in our series on Elijah as God has a new phase of ministry for the prophet. As Elijah tries to seek God, God answers him not in a display of His awesome power, but in the still small voice.
The reading is 1 Kings 19:9-18.
After last weeks tumultuous clash and Elijah's triumphant victory, our vicar, Abi Todd, considers a different phase of Elijah's life, one many of us go through. Following the high of Mount Carmel, Elijah's life is threatened and he enters a time of depression. God has different plans, He provides for Elijah to refresh him and to recomission him for future ministry.
The reading is 1 Kings 19:1-9
Vanessa Barlow delves into the climax of Elijah's confrontation with King Ahab. Do we want more in our lives? if it's not from God it will never be enough. Elijah does not place his confidence in himself but in the Lord. Elijah has confidence in God to answer and the same power shown through Him, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
The reading is 1 Kings 18:16-46
Our vicar, Abi Todd, continues the story of Elijah. After years of drought, rain is coming. Is there a parallel here with the spiritual state of our church and our nation? This passage speaks of God's protection, preparation and positioning of us, ready for a mighty move of His Holy Spirit.
The reading is 1Kings 18:1-15.
Wayne Bishop continues our series on Elijah as God moves him on to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon. Change is hard but listening to God in the midst of it is vital, when we are faced with challenges we need to hear what God is saying.
The reading is 1Kings 17:7-24.
Our vicar, Rev. Abi Todd, begins a series on the prophet Elijah, 'A man just like us!'. How in a world which looks darker and darker, the Holy Spirit can transform us into extraordinary people because He is an extraordinary God. How with clarity of purpose we can live courageously under the covering of God.
The reading is 1Kings 16:29-17:16
Our vicar, the Rev. Abi Todd, opens up a unique insight into Jesus as a child. How in the midst of all our busyness we can lose sight of Jesus, and how we can find Him again. And how His understanding of His identity helps us to understand ours.
The reading is Luke 2:41-52
Our vicar, the Rev. Abi Todd, shares about the blessing of Christmas in God's upside down kingdom. #Blessed. How the gaps in our lives can be transformed into space for God.
The reading is Luke 1:39-55
Canon John Dunnett the National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council helps us to see that Christmas comes 'from heaven with love', through a reveal, a rescue and ultimately a relationship. The reading is John 1:1-14.
The Rev. Paul Harcourt from All Saints Woodford Wells, takes us through the first Sunday of Advent.
in this final session f how we can try to be more like Jesus, Vanessa speaks about the practice of witness.
Abi takes us through 'practicing the way'. This makes us think about what it means to be a disciple and follower of Jesus.
Abi takes uu through and unpacks the story of the good Samaritan and what it means to be a good neighbor.
Vision Sunday. A talk about where we are going as a church, where we are and how you can get involved.
Jonathan takes us on a journey with the Holy Spirit with his last sermon before departing for Cornwall with friends standing up to say their thankyous for everything he has given during his time at Holy Trinity. Jonathan you will be missed dearly, but this is not the end.
As we rejoice in the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, Jonathan challenges to examine where we have set our hope "too low" in our lives. In the resurrected Jesus, there is always something far better on offer... and only by clinging to Him can we live in the freedom that His empty tomb makes possible.
Abi continues through the series of the covenant. The covenant is all about Gods plan for his people.
A new series that will take us on a journey through to Palm Sunday. Today Abi talks about how to prepare for Lent and the covenant, that is Gods plan for his people.
John says that Jesus is God's "Word"- a message of grace, love and forgiveness with arms and legs on! In today's message Jonathan explores the power of "incarnation" in sharing our faith, encouraging us to be present with those who don't yet know Jesus so that his light might shine in their lives. Normal lives lived for Jesus can lead others to him!
As we continue in our series on sharing our faith, Jonathan explores how growing in the power of the Spirit to heal the suffering is an excellent way of making Jesus known. Jesus expected his followers to "heal the sick and tell them 'the Kingdom of God has come near to you'", so will we step out in faith to put this ministry into practice?
A sermon given by Greg Downes from the Kingfisher Trust. Greg travels the country with a mission to equip, motivate and inspire Christians to spread the good news of Jesus.
Abi interviews Scott who attended the recent Alpha course at Holy Trinity. Scott describes the positive experience he encountered on the Alpha course and how it has had a positive impact in his life and with his relationship with Jesus.
Sharing Jesus continues with thinking about invitation. How can we invite people into the life of faith in Christ? How does an invitation work best? What makes for a godly invitation? We end with an exhortation to get going!
This new series, Sharing Jesus, starts with the idea that sharing Jesus is part of our life as disciples. Abi took us through the model of Belong, Believe, Be Filled, Be Changed, Be Sent. What is Jesus leading you to in this season?
"God is a God of encounter. His desire to meet with us is wired into his very DNA! This week, Jonathan reflects on the importance of having a lifestyle in which encountering Jesus through the Holy Spirit is central, not an optional extra. He explores ways we can do this and invites us to commit to pursuing the presence of God afresh in our lives."
Jonathan continues our series "A Light Shines in the Darkness" by exploring Isaiah 61, and our need to come before God in weakness. God gives where he finds empty hands! We are invited to enter again into the excitement of our relationship with God, to trust that he is able to come to reach us in our deepest pain and need.
A Light Shines In The Darkness – this week we look at the comfort of God coming to relieve our burdens and to turn the page on our experience. God’s comfort is rooted in us being his people, being forgiven, being journeyed with and being helped by God himself.
Abi started our series on “A Light Shines In The Darkness” thinking about waiting on the Lord. Do we really desire to take hold of the promises of God? Waiting is not a passive pursuit but a time to dig in to the character and nature of God and allow him to give us strength.
In the final week of our series on 1 Thessalonians, Abi talked about the “Day of the Lord” and how we can be confident in our faith. We have a destiny in Christ, a decision to make, and a changing discourse to establish, where we build each other up, speaking truth and love to each other. The reading is 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.
This Remembrance Sunday, Abi talked about how we can live in the present, being informed by the past but not bound by it; and being drawn to God’s future that he has for us, without fear but in faith. The reading is from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-end.
Vanessa Barlow opened up what it means to be chosen and loved by God, and how we can live for God even in the seeming mess of our daily lives. The reading is 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Abi continues our series in 1 Thessalonians talking about how we are loved by God, chosen, and set in a family – then called to share the love of God with others. How are we operating as a family? How are we sharing our faith with those around us?
Mark Aldridge talks about the Lord taking us by the hand and leading us away from unhealthy cultures and into the place of healing.
Abi talks about what's been happening the past year, including some good news stories, and helps us look ahead to where God is leading us in the coming year. There's a lot on the horizon!
This week we are joined by guest speaker, Keith White from Mill Grove.
The bible readings to accompany this week's talk are:
2 Cor 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36
Join us every Sunday at our services at 09:00 or 10:45.
For more information please visit our website at htsw.org.uk
The bible readings to accompany this week's talk are:
Galatians 3:23 - 4:7
Luke 6:17-26
Join us every Sunday at our services at 09:00 or 10:45.
For more information please visit our website at htsw.org.uk
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