Saint Mary's Podcast

Listen back to the short talks that Jonathan and Eden gave during Preach for the Stars at the 6pm gathering on Sunday 22nd February 2026.

Listen back to the short talks that Katie and Owen gave during Preach for the Stars at the 10.30am gathering on Sunday 22nd February 2026.

Tom Teaches us to rediscover the "unbreakable link" between our physical bodies and our spiritual lives as we explore the forgotten practice of fasting. Join us as we learn how denying the body to feed the soul can unlock a new dimension of intimacy, holiness, and breakthrough in our walk with Jesus.

As we conclude our series on the Lords Prayer and head into Lent, Meg James unpacks the practice of fasting for our 6PM gathering, giving us four reasons to fast: To worship God, to amplify our prayers, to grow in holiness and to transform our community.

Trials serve as a revelatory testing ground that exposes whether our hearts are shaped by God's kingdom or by our own impulsive desires. Rather than relying on fragile willpower, this prayer acknowledges our limits and surrenders our inner cravings to God's protective, saving presence.

In the fourth week in the series 'Teach us to pray' we look at the two lines at the very heart of the Lord's Prayer; forgiveness. We explored firstly the shape of forgiveness in Scripture, what forgiveness looks like, and finally at practically how we do it.

When we pray "give us today our daily bread" Jesus is actually inviting us to ask for more of him. What are the things we need to put down in order to make space fore God to be God?

In the second instalment of our series on the Lord's Prayer, we look at what it means to have an identity and purpose aligned with the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.

Jon introduces our new talk series, Teach Us To Pray, where we'll be using The Lord's Prayer to become kingdom people, bringing our inner and outer worlds into sync with God's wills and ways. In this first talk, Jon shows us that God is both close and intimate (“Father”) and exalted beyond comprehension (“in heaven”). Prayer begins with a relationship rather than a request, a relationship that is both close and beyond.

Sam kicked off the new year helping us look at the Love God and how God is Love, He reveals His love and His love changes us.

In the next part of our journey through Advent, Chris takes us through the story of Simeon, who had been waiting in eager anticipation for the consolation of his people in the Messiah. Through his example, we see how we can move from a platform mentality where our desires are shaped around us, to a pillars mentality, where our lives become about more than just ourselves - even through the hardest of times, as we await the renewal of all things.

Katy reflects on the kind of Joy on offer at Christmas; not a fleeting feeling, but a gift of hope that lasts forever.

In the final part of our Seven Letters series, Jon preaches from Revelation 3:14-22 on the letter to Laodicea. We learn that with Jesus, complete transformation is possible and when he knocks, we just have to answer the door and let him in.

At our baptism celebration, Emily shared what it means to step into the new life that is on offer to each of us when we choose to follow Jesus.

Jon shares a short reflection on how living with a kingdom perspective leads to a life of faith over fear.

Sam preaches on the letters to Thyatira and Sardis, from Revelation 2:18-3:6. Through this passage we see that Jesus desires a church both active in good deeds and wholly devoted to Him in undivided worship and love.

Katy unpacks the letters to the churches in Smyrna and Pergamum. Jesus writes to the churches under the crushing pressure of pain and culture. As we read these letters we encounter His grace; Jesus provides what he commands.

Emily speaks from Revelation 2:1-7 on the letter to Ephesus. The church has forgotten their first love, Jesus himself, and the letter reminds us that the church exists primarily to love Jesus and we should be with Him before we become like Him and do what He did.

Tom introduces us to the book of Revelation as we head into a series on the seven letters to the churches. The opening scene in Revelation; John's Vision of Jesus, is a vision that should captivate and transform us.

Jon talks from Matthew 25 on three steps to faith-filled generosity as we conclude our vision series.

Jon continues our vision series talking about our passion and call as a community.

Teaching from Galatians 5:13, Emily looks at the fruits of the spirit as ways of being present and faithful to the needs of our city.

This week Katy teaches from John 17, urging us, the church, to embody God's image—from relationship and for relationship—rooted in the Trinity's unity and love, living in Christ's presence, fostering community, and joining God's renewing mission for our city and beyond.

This week Sam teaches on intimacy with Jesus, and how it has to come before doing things for Him. Through the story of Mary, Martha, and Judas in John 12, Sam shows us how intimacy leads to overflowing love and fruitful action.

Ben speaks from Matthew 11:1—6, teaching on how belief and doubt can coexist, and how doubt is a normal part of the human experience, even in faith. We see this with John the Baptist, who, despite his previous certainty, questioned if Jesus was truly the Messiah. The good news is that Jesus invites us to bring our doubts to him, so we can explore them and ultimately grow in our relationship with God.

Tom speaks from Acts 28 following Paul's journey as it culminates in Rome, where he's under house arrest but continues to preach with boldness and without hindrance. Despite a mixed response, Paul's gutsy, faith-filled efforts planted a church in the empire's epicenter. This ripple effect shows how even small, obedient steps can have a generational impact for the kingdom.

This week Ali teaches from Acts 24 emphasizing that the resurrection of Jesus is not just a theological concept but a living person we can know. He encourages us to pursue a deep relationship with Jesus and to hold on to God's promises and keep believing during difficult seasons of waiting.

This week Katy teaches from Acts 17-19, following Paul's missionary journeys, showing a consistent pattern of new creation, multiplication, and resistance as the gospel impacts different cultures and cities. Katy reminds us that God's power is made perfect in weakness, encouraging us to carry the good news to our unique spheres of influence.

Tom explores the story of Timothy and how his unique background—with a Jewish mother and a Greek father—was a perceived flaw that Paul saw as an asset, embodying the unity of the early church. Tom highlights how God often uses what we consider a weaknesses to bring about transformation and calls on everyone to embrace their own complex stories for what God is calling them to.

Emily speaks about the church in Acts 'earnestly praying' in the midst of Peter's imprisonment. We can be inspired by their response to situations - prayer was their reflex response and prayer was their place of respite. Emily speaks about how we pray sincere, honest prayers throughout every moment of our lives.

Chris shares a powerful message on hearing God's voice, outlining stopping, listening, and beholding as three key ways to connect with God. He emphasizes the importance of stillness, actively listening to God's inner voice, like Ananias from Acts 9:1 - 19, and engaging with the Bible not just as a text, but as a meeting place for encounter.

This week Tom speaks from Acts 8 and contrasts Simon the Sorcerer's ego-driven pursuit of power with Philip's Spirit-led life, which witnesses to Jesus. Through links to Luke's Gospel and Acts 1:8, Tom shows how Philip's actions and the spread of the Gospel fulfill Jesus's promise to be his witnesses, the core message being our lives should point to Jesus, not ourselves, reflecting Him as "The Way."

This Sunday, as we celebrated Baptisms! Katy preached from Ephesians 2:1-10 on what its means to be in Christ—a reality where we move from death to life, disorientation to direction, and division to belonging. Baptism symbolizes this new life and eternal purpose. We're not alone; we're part of a restored family, empowered by the Spirit, called to follow Jesus and join in the renewal of our city.

Sam speaks on Acts 6 at our 6pm gathering. He talks about Stephen's simple call from God and the way God used him beyond his wildest expectations. He asks us to consider, how does God want to use each of us?

Ben preaches on Acts 5 and resistance to the Kingdom. He calls us to freedom and hope, as we look to follow God's call on our lives.

This week was Preach for the Stars, where we invite people from our church family to give short talks. At this 10.30 gathering, Ian preached on Acts 3 and the faith of Peter and John as they performed their first miracle, and Beth preached on Acts 4 and the disciples' prayer for more of the Holy Spirit.

On Pentecost Sunday, Katy unpacks Acts 2 and the miraculous encounter with the Holy Spirit. She encouraged us to be a spirit-filled community of participation, centred around Jesus.

Emily preached for the next part of our Acts: Kingdom Now series, looking at the powerful moment of Pentecost and its impact on us.

This week, we kick off our new teaching series through the book of Acts, Kingdom Now. In week one, Tom sets the course for the series, helping us see how the book is the true story of the outpouring of heaven and the renewal of the world, and how as the church we can climb inside it and live it out every day.

Misheck Manhanha speaks from Exodus on the glory of God. Misheck is the Church Planting Lead for Assemblies of God and we were delighted to have him preach for us on Sunday.

Jon speaks from 2 Corinthians and asks, what if the quiet revival we've been sensing is real—and already underway? Are you ready to open your life to a move of God?

Edgar speaks from John 21:1-14 and the value of remembering who we are because of who God is. That in our doubt or worry or default to comfort, it's Jesus who does the calling and provision on the Calling.

Abielle speaks from John 20:24-29 reminding us that doubt is not the opposite of faith but can be a pathway to a deeper encounter with Christ. Jesus' words, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," encourage us to trust Him even when we cannot see.

Jon speaks on the the Hope and Life we have in the resurrection from John 20:1-20

Katy encourages us to become a community of prayerful Presence by imitating the very life of God: pursuing His presence and participating in His mission. She challenges us to eliminate distractions, overcome shame, and enter into honest, intimate relationship with God. As we behold and abide with God, we're also called to participate in His mission; uniting in prayer with others, contending for breakthrough, and witnessing lives transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sam….

Juliet continues on the theme of community, speaking on the power and conviction of forgiveness, and how we are to treat each other in light of what Jesus has done for us.

Continuing our series on Community Sanjay Rajo talks to us about becoming peacemakers in a hostile environment.

Jon spoke on Luke 11 for Giving Sunday, encouraging us to set our perspective on the abundant generosity of God, as we sow into what God is doing in our church, our city and our world.

Guest Speaker, Bishop Philip the Bishop of Winchester spoke about the persecuted church.

Guest Speaker, Bishop Philip the Bishop of Winchester spoke about the persecuted church.