St Thomas' Church, Lancaster: Recent Episodes
St Thomas' Church
Sharing God's love from the heart of the city: listen again to the Sunday sermons from our 11am and 7pm services!
Ellen Green, our Communications Director, explores Jesus's impact on John the Baptist, a compelling figure who kicks off the Gospel of John (1:19-28).
John the Baptist always remembers why he's practicing his bizarre customs in the desert: to herald the coming of Christ. Do we always remember why we're doing what we do?
This is the first of our four week series 'Jesus and...',exploring the impact of Jesus on those around him.
Kevin Glazebrook unpacks the difficult passage of Luke 19:11-27: The Parable of the Ten Minas. He shows how it prophesies Jesus' coming Kingship of Heaven and Earth, and how it delivers Christ's expectation that we will work in our time to further the Kingdom of God - not towards money, but towards goodness and love in the world around us.
This is a real challenge. Take time today to ask God to fill you with spiritual riches that you may share with those around you for His glory.
This is the first of four 11am sermons on the parables & miracles of Jesus.
Nina - our Youth Placement Student - shows that loving God's creation is linked to loving God himself. And she shares simple ideas for how you can do good for His planet.
How can you make small, lasting changes in your life today to do some good for God's Earth?
Matt, our Curate, combines Mark 8:27-29 ('Who do you say I am?'), Matthew 22:34-40 (The Greatest Commandment), and Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission) to prompt us to think what it means to know, follow and go with Jesus. Doing these things involves Christ-centred change, which is exactly how we want to be as a Church.
-- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or look at our website to find out more about sharing God's love from the heart of the city!
Ruth, our Discipleship Coordinator, shares the truth of Haggai 2. Discouragement is frequent as the Israelites try to rebuild the temple, but Haggai reminds them that the glory of the Lord is their strength!, should they reach for it.
-- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or look at our website to find out more about sharing God's love from the heart of the city!
Claire Cooke explores the Parable of the Prodigal Son - a familiar story that reveals more of God every time we hear it.
Claire focuses on how the son's relationship with his father changes through the story from a contract-based relationship to a loving relationship. We can retreat into the safety of a contractual, cause-and-effect understanding of God, but at the cost of vulnerability, joy, and celebration. And we need to trust that God will not leave us.
As Haggai implores the people to restore the temple, he captures how our lives can feel scattered and empty. Matt shares his own current sense of disorientation and how we can drift away from God. But God is a restorer. God is a greater builder of our lives than us or anyone around us.
Why not take time today to thank God for this truth!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or look at our website to find out more about sharing God's love from the heart of the city!
Ruth, our Discipleship Coordinator, ends our series on Knowing the Heart of God, as seen through the life of David. She explores David's psalm of worship in 2 Samuel 22, and how it reveals 2 truths:
1) God hears and saves those who call out to him;
2) God sets out a path for David - and for us!
So, God is already our waiting rock and stronghold, we simply have to step towards him.
Take time today to consider whether you really trust God in these truths, and ask him for the faith to step towards him.
-- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or look at our website to find out more about sharing God's love from the heart of the city!
Sarah, our Children & Families Pastor, reminds us of the constancy of Christ through the constancy of change in our lives. Let us build our foundations on him.
Take time to consider today - how is change distracting or hurting you at the moment, and how are your life's foundations in Christ?
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Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or look at our website to find out more about sharing God's love from the heart of the city!
A Priest, a Promise, and a Pool.
'What happens to the holy sacrifices now we're Christians?' wondered the early Church. The author of Hebrews shows that Jesus is our eternal High Priest and our eternal sacrifice - our Melchizedek. That's His promise: that the sacrifice on the cross is enough for all, for all time. And the baptism pool is a place where we can embrace that sacrifice and believe that promise.
Why not take time today to thank God that he is a High Priest who doesn't demand more and more from us, but has saved us once and for all.
Readings: Hebrews 5:1-10 & 6:10-15
Ellen speaks on 1 Samuel 17:20-58, better known as David & Goliath! She explores how David acts with faith towards a literal giant, and how we can become able do the same towards spiritual giants.
Take time today to thank God that he has won the battle for you! And to ask him to help you know how to fight faithfully for him.
Matt (with help from some 'just right' porridge & three bears) challenges our 'Goldilocks' worship mentality, where we're distracted by a desire for perfection. This has a serious effect on how we worship Jesus.
Reading: Hebrews 3:1-6 & 4:9-13
Take time today to reflect on where you let yourself be distracted by your own terms and conditions for worship. Say sorry to Jesus, and thank him that he'll teach you a better way.
// New Series! //
Matt, our Curate, kicks off a new series of seeking the heart of God. He starts with 1 Samuel 16:1-13, displaying the anointing of David in very...practical fashion. The truth is clear: everyone is seen & known by God; there are no favourites, and God does not judge us based on how we look or act.
Why not take time to ask God to help you change your focus, so that you would see your workplace and home as he does - without favouritism, and with a special eye for the forgotten or isolated.
// New Series! //
Join us as we start our new series on the book of Hebrews! Each Sunday we'll unpack 2 more chapters of this rich letter, and we'd love to suggest 'Hebrews for Everyone' by Tom Wright as a great way to go deeper during the week.
Ruth opens our series on Hebrews 1-2 (specific readings below) by drawing out two key messages: 1) Jesus is superior to anything and everything and 2) to remain faithful to what we believe, despite all the questions and doubts.
What joy! Why not take time today to remember that Jesus is God, and is superior to anything else around us.
Readings: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:8-11, & 2:14-18
Matthew 21:1-11
Ellen challenges the expectations we place on Jesus. Just as Jesus subverted Jewish expectations entering Jerusalem on a donkey, then dying for the Kingdom of God, He often subverts our expectations too.
Take time today to consider, by whose terms are you following Jesus? What else do you invest identity in?
Mark 8:34-9:1
Matt speaks on the clear preparation Jesus undertakes before his willing death on the cross - just as a runner prepares for a marathon with a victorious finish, so does Jesus prepare for his death.
Why not take time today to thank Jesus for the certainty of his choice, and his willingness to embrace it, so that we don't have to.
Numbers 13:17-33
[We apologise that the mic cuts out as Paula shares Corrie Ten Boom's story - we encourage you to read it yourselves!]
Paula Stringer is CEO of CAP - a Christian charity aiming to end UK poverty. She speaks powerfully on God's authority over the 'giants' in our life; just as God's people feared the giants in Canaan, so do we often fear, instead of having faith in the Lord. Can we trust God, as Joshua and Caleb did?
Take time today to rejoice in God's victory over all problems and cares!
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You can find out more about CAP at https://capuk.org/.
If you're a Lancaster/Morecambe resident and struggling with debt or financial pressures, visit http://www.lmdebtcentre.org.uk/ or call free at 0800 328 0006. Lou and Susie would love to chat!
Matthew 11: 28-30
'Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' A powerful verse, but one rarely true in Christian living! Ruth gently explores what 'sabbath' means, and how God is glorified in our rest, not our busy-ness.
Consider this week: how can you stop, rest, reflect, and worship?
Student Takeover!
As part of the 7pm's student takeover, Bethany Milton speaks powerfully on Matthew 5:14-16 and the Light - the purpose - that God gives us, and the need to shine it outside the safe, dark bowl.
Challenge yourself to think: where might you be hiding Jesus' presence from your friends, family or colleagues this week?
The Bishop of Loughborough, Saju Muthalaly, visits St Tees, where he served as a Curate! He preaches powerfully on the parables of the debtor and the prodigal son, enveloping us with the power of God's forgiveness.
(And yes, that is the sound of a pot smashing.)
Bishop Phillip, Bishop of Blackburn, preaches on John 4: 4-24, inspiring us to embrace the unexpected encounters of life with Christ; to focus on being part of His life-changing mission that brings living water to all those who are thirsty.
How can you embrace the unexpected encounters, instead of focusing on your own needs?
Karl preaches on Romans 12 and the importance of serving. We learn how to serve by renewing our mind through actively seeking God. Goodness does not happen miraculously by itself, but by inviting God's transformation in daily spiritual practice.
How can you practice prayer, reading God's word, or contemplation today?
Matt, our Curate, speaks on facing temptation as Jesus does in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-13.
Angie preaches on prayer & fasting, exploring how Jesus discusses prayer in Matthew 6:5-18.
Emma Worrall from Open Doors reminds us that over 360 million Christians around the world risk everything for Christ, but that the Church is not defeated!
Philippians 1:3-14 is our encouragement that Jesus is working through us all, whether in chains or free, whether in the Roman Empire or under modern totalitarian regimes.
Take time to reflect. How can you support our brothers & sisters facing social rejection, imprisonment, torture, or death?
Jenny Guilder, our Ordinand, speaks on the discipline of solitude, exploring Jesus' own desire for solitude in Mark 1:35-39. 'When the noise of life decreases, the whisper of God increases.'
How can you seek solitude today? Trust God to lead you to quiet spaces, even in the busy day.
Ruth Hassall, our Discipleship Coordinator, finishes our series on Colossians. She encourages us to joy and transformation, not through willpower, but by embracing the joy of Christ, promised in the Bible.
Ali Demet, our Youth Minister, speaks on the importance of community, drawing on Acts 2:42-47 to ask us: what is special about coming together as a church?
In this baptism celebration service, Ellen explores a closing part of Paul's letter to Colossae. She encourages us to have gratitude for a transformed life - or to seek that new life in Jesus if we don't have it.
Are we thankful? Do we see God's goodness around us even when we're low? Why not make a practice of being a little more thankful each day?
Fancy joining in the fun? You’re very welcome to all services at St Thomas’! (We meet at 9am, 11am, & 7pm on Sunday, and 12 noon on Thursday.)
You can also find us on:
YouTube
Our Website
Matt, our Curate, shows how Philippians 4:4-9 & Luke 17:12-19 help us praise Jesus as one Church, and goes on to warn of the danger of praising in isolation, not sharing as one body.
Why not take a moment today to thank Jesus with one of your brothers or sisters, or share with them something you are praising Him for.
Fancy joining in the fun on Sunday? You’re very welcome to all three of our services at St Thomas! (We meet at 9am, 11am, & 7pm)
You can also find us on:
YouTube
Our Website
'Christ is enough for me' is the message in this part of Paul's letter to Colossae, says Claire. To reject the false wisdoms of the world, and to meet Jesus is the ideal.
Kevin Glazebrook discusses 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 & 2 Timothy 3:14-17, showing how to walk the way of the Bible - a big and often daunting work.
Whether it's through preaching, quiet time, or devotionals, take the time to consider if the Bible is signposting your walk with Jesus today.
Matt, our curate, breaks down Paul's letter to the Colossians, and the importance of both seeing Jesus in our lives, and speaking His power and authority over it. Members of the congregation share their stories of speaking Jesus's power into their lives, and the transformation it can bring.
This sermon is part of our series on Colossians at the 7pm. Why not come and join us? Or find out more about us @stthomaslancaster on Facebook or Instagram.
Our Treasurer, Richard, speaks on Romans 8: 1-17, a powerful passage showing the primacy of the spirit and its ability to change our lives as children of God.
This sermon is part of our 'Waking the Way of Jesus' series at the 11am. Why not come and join us? Or find out more about us @stthomaslancaster on Facebook and Instagram.
Abi Andrews speaks on the start of Colossians, and Paul's promise that all we need is Christ's transformation. We must reject the temptation to add more, or do differently, or create a 'Jesus+'. Christ is enough.
This is part of our 7pm series on the book of Colossians. Why not come and join us on a Sunday evening, or see what we do @stthomaslancaster
Matt Guilder, our Curate, speaks on John 14:15-31 and Jesus' promise of transformation through the Holy Spirit. We can receive, be replenished, and be changed by the Spirit - if we choose to be!
This sermon is part of our 'Walking the Way of Jesus' series at the 11am. Why not come and join us, or find out more of what we do @stthomaslancaster, on Facebook and Instagram.
Jono Peatman, from St John's in Blackpool, discusses Luke 2:1-20, and how God loves using unexpected people in unexpected places for his purposes!
And Jono also considers how Jesus was most known as king as a tiny baby in the manger, and in his death throes on the cross.
Consider taking time today to reflect on what this says about Jesus and his heart for us.
Ruth, our Discipleship Coordinator, draws on Luke 1:26-38 to show that all days are God's days, all lives are God's lives, and that He loves calls the seemingly unexpected and insignificant into great journeys of faith.
Bobby, a phenomenal small group leader and general legend, finishes our 7pm sermon series with a thorough examination of 1 John 5. In this passage, Bobby says, John is showing us how our following Jesus gives us the Spirit we need to avoid sin and focus on eternal life.
Our Curate, Angie, speaks on Luke 1:5-25, and the importance of 'going long' on obedience, as well as what this looks like in our day-to-day lives.
Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, speaks spiritual truths into our language, our fears, and our experience of God, drawing on Advent themes of hope and light.
Karl leads us on the first Sunday of Advent, sharing Isaiah 9: 1-7's beautiful description of God as 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'. But Karl also recognises it can be hard to see God in these ways.
Consider taking time to honestly reflect on where you stand with the Christmas story, and on God's promises of goodness to you.
Matt, our Curate, shares from John, who shows us that Godly love is lived in action, not words. All love is from God, and we are sent to go and share it!
Consider taking the time today to embrace that love and ask God for opportunities to share it
Helen, our associate vicar, draws on Matthew 25: 35-46 to show God's love for those whose home is far away. She calls us to push against the tide of public opinion, and to welcome asylum seekers and refugees to these shores.
Take a moment to reflect: how can we welcome the strangers and outsiders into our communities?
Ruth, our Discipleship Coordinator, grapples with warnings of the antichrist, and unpacks the Holy Spirit's presence in our life. She identifies the obstacles that can make being filled with the spirit difficult, and encourages us to reject fear. Why not take time to invite the Spirit into your week as you listen?
Richard Eglese, our Treasurer, draws on John 14:1-4 to show how Jesus is a home beyond the troubles of the world. Jesus does not pretend life is not challenging, but he does promise ultimate peace. Why not spend time today giving your worries and troubles to Jesus and creating space for his peace?
Theo examines why loving our brothers and sisters - as John calls us to - is so hard, and helps us understand how to share God's love when we ourselves are dry of compassion.
Join Ruth, as she shows us how we are embraced in our doubts by Christ. Doubts are not wrong, and questions are welcomed by a God who knows we will find him in the deep questioning. Consider taking time today to recognise your doubts, and ask God to give you the courage to engage with them.
Ruth draws on John's reminder that we have been anointed and blessed by God and encourages us outwards as part of His kingdom. Consider taking some time to pray into how you might be part of the kingdom through your week.
Emma's all-age service talk focuses on Jesus' call for us to have childlike love and faith, especially when things become too complex. Everything comes down to a simple truth: God loves us, and we should love him and each other.
Abi Andrews - UCCF Staff Worker - breaks down John's command not to love the things of this world but to centre on Jesus' love first and only. Isn't it good then, Abi says, that Jesus is 'fundamentally lovely'?
This is a God who welcomes the broken! Jenny, our Ordinand, preaches on Jesus' healing of the paralysed man. She discusses our unavoidable spiritual brokenness, but also on God's unavoidable love for us, regardless of how we feel or what we've done.
1 John 2:3-11 - Join Ellen as see explores obedience and love in the second week of our 1 John series. Questions to consider: how should we behave as Christians freed by God's love? And where are we still not practicing his love in our lives? And spend some time listening to the Holy Spirit, leading us to love more and obey more.
Join Matt, our Curate, as he starts a new series - Encountering the God who Welcomes - with John's story of the woman who commits adultery. Questions to consider: do we know how much Jesus welcomes us? Are we ourselves forgiving and generous? And what was Jesus writing in the dust?
Make sure to take some time to reflect and listen after you finish the sermon.
Matt starts the new 7pm service series on 1 John, looking at a book that confidently and defiantly declares Christly truths. Its call is to participate fully with Jesus; to join in his Church and faith with a whole heart.
The talk ends before a communion. Consider taking the time to meet with Jesus and remember him on the cross.