Sandy Parish Church

Celebrations play an important part in our lives and as an antidote to the mundane. Seasons come and go and so will this pandemic. For the moment it changes the way we can collectively celebrate Harvest, Weddings, Christenings, Birthdays and the passing of loved ones and the marking of a life well-lived. But Jesus and the Bible encourage us to make celebration a culture and habit. For a good read: John Ortberg 'The life you've always wanted'. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs. Where does he find the inner strength to get up when he falls down? How does God reveal his grace and strength through our weaknesses? How is it that receiving God's help and grace ourselves allows us to show grace and kindness to others? For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Monarchy or Republic? In a world so often characterised by un-grace, prejudice and acrimony it is a beautiful thing to find grace. Jesus was described by those who knew him best as "full of grace and truth". In his books "What's so amazing about grace" and "Vanishing Grace" Philip Yancey challenges Christians to return to the great distinctiveness of the gospel and renew our openness to receiving God's grace so that we might be carriers of it to others. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

As children go back to school, teachers are concerned for their mental well-being and social integration. Is mindfulness a modern way of applying older techniques of prayer and meditation? Jesus said "Follow me" and he led us into a practice of prayer at the start and end of the day centring on God as our loving Father. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

So what difference does it make? Jesus the image of the invisible God died on the cross for us? Two very different people tell their extraordinary stories of Grace. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Last session we asked the question "how did the followers of Jesus come to worship him as God and what evidence is there that this is justified. In this session we ask the question "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" So what does that mean in practical terms for you and me? For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Soon after Jesus' death and resurrection a scholar named Paul joined the disciples and became a follower of Jesus' Way. In a letter that he wrote to the christians in a small town in Turkey he described Jesus as "The image of the invisible God". Why did those followers of a dead preacher give him such outlandish titles and accolades? What evidence is there that Jesus was any different to any who have lived before or after him? Why do so many people still live their lives believing Jesus' words "I have come so that you might live life in all it's fulness"? To explore this question and other Questions of Faith more deeply why not visit www.ALPHA.org and perhaps even join an Alpha course this autumn and meet new friends. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

A new series of Conversations at Sandy Parish Church. Peter Bennett talks about how holding on to God through his faith and the Bible help him when life can be difficult.

This talk from Sandy Parish church links the common feelings of dis-ease expressed recently by Michele Obama to the hope that comes from a 3,000 year old king and a promise attached to a wall.

In 1996 I was in Wandsworth Prison, previous to that I had been in Risley Prison near Liverpool and Oxford Jail, each time visiting people I knew or working with the Chaplaincy. On one occasion I met 'Mark' who told me the story of how contemplating his fingerprints and DNA led him to a life-changing experience and rescued him from depression and suicide. Winston Churchill referred to depression as the Black Dog, a metaphor that the charity SANE.org.uk has used to get people talking about mental health which during the Covid-19 crisis is under increasing pressure for many.

Many of us like quizzes and puzzles, they keep our minds active and agile. So how about this puzzle - However did a simple carpenter born into poverty, who taught peace and love for only three years and was executed at aged 33 years old, become hailed King of Kings and Lord of Lords by his ragtag bunch of followers? How on earth did his life come to divide history into Before and After and influence the whole of World History like no other? Might that not be a puzzle worth puzzling over?

John Wynne was a Sandy citizen who died in 1660 leaving a legacy that was to help the poor of the town by buying 12 loaves of bread a week. Through the 'Sandy Charities' he is still helping people today. The story of the children throwing starfish back into the sea is powerful. The world-weary adult says "In the face of overwhelming need your small actions make no difference!" The child simply replies "It made a difference to that one!" Generosity and Kindness is not weakness rather it is the sign of a healthy and robust life often resurrected from pain and heartache by the Grace of God.

Good People of Sandy. Memorials in the Parish Church. Recent weeks have seen great controversy over how people should be remembered and whether a life and a death can have meaning and provide inspiration for others. To whom should statues be raised and should people or the values they embodied be immortalised? Jesus said the story of this woman would be told whenever his story, the gospel, was told? Who was she and what did she do that was so special? How will your life be remembered and by whom? If God had a fridge your picture would be on it. If God had a wallet your photo would be in it. If God had a shelf your portrait would be on it. He has your name tattooed on the palm of his hand, according to the prophet Isaiah, who wrote 2,500 years ago. For me, exploring this topic has proved to be both a challenge and a comfort.

The Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted institutionalised racism particularly in the USA and has found echoes and support from people of all nations and ethnic backgrounds. Demonstrations have been held by protestors, Black and White, in many cities and many countries across the world sparked by the public and callous killing of George Floyd recorded on video May 25th 2020. Prejudice and racism is not new. Whether it be the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans or the British, empires are built upon conquest. Independence can be restored and Commonwealth attempted but racial prejudice is deeply engrained. Jesus came to bring peace and reconciliation between fractured relationships and societies and people and the message is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. See Paul's letter to the people of Corinth ch.5v.17-20.

Whether I believe in gravity or not I still fall downwards when I jump off a chair. Gravity exists whether I believe in it or not. It is unaffected by my existence. Is God at all like that? Is God there whether I believe it or not? Does it matter whether I believe or what I believe?

To Believe or what to Believe - that is the Question! Does it matter whether we believe in God or what we believe about God? Why do followers of Jesus believe in a God that is expressed in Trinity? How can we even begin to understand the concept of the Trinity?

If God is my Father then why do I sometimes feel like an orphan? Jesus said he would be with us always. How is that possible if he left the earth all those years ago? Who is this Holy Spirit that Jesus promised and that came to the church at Pentecost? Is it possible that I could experience this empowering presence of God? At Pentecost the disciples were praying and asking for this presence that the Jesus had promised. Why not do the same today? Be polite - say please and thank you

Certain things change our experience and view of the world. Covid-19 changed our world within weeks. The resurrection of Jesus did the same thing, only far more fundamentally. Both have changed the way we look at life. For Peter there was a huge disappointment at the way in which he had handled it and a huge excitement as he experienced the resurrection of his hopes and dreams. Not back to normal, nor indeed a new normal but a new adventure ahead with unforeseen challenges and inexpressible joys.

Had enough of coasting downhill? It's time to reassert control. It's time to regain momentum. It's time to get into GEAR. What does that look like for a follower of Jesus seven weeks in to the global pandemic? What might characterise us and make us distinctive in our society in 2020? For this we need to connect to the power - its time to get into G.E.A.R.

75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe 1945. After 75 years what can we possibly remember about those days? After 30-40 years how confident can we be that the writers have left us with accurate accounts of Jesus' life, teaching and resurrection.

Sandy Parish Church Jesus's presence redefines our purpose and priorities and brings peace and power.

A Sunday message from St Swithuns on the 26 April 2020.

First recorded sermon for zoom church at St Swithuns.