Service times at All Souls: 10am and 4.30pm. Our services bring together children and adults of all ages for a relaxed and informal time, characterised by a friendly welcome, contemporary music, lively children’s groups, opportunity for personal prayer and a relevant bible-based talk. You don’t have…
All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham
[Matthew]: The Rhythm of Rest by All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham
[Matthew]: Rest for your Soul by All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham
Racial Justice Sunday by All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham
[Matthew]: Matthew 10:32-42 by All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham
[Matthew]: Matthew 10:24-31 by All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham
Joe encourages us to adopt 2 more postures this year - "trust, not worry" and "faithfulness, not compromise". He highlights Jesus' call for both innocence and shrewdness, balancing peace with wisdom. Followers face spiritual warfare, opposition, and suffering, yet Jesus assures them of God's presence. We must trust the Holy Spirit for guidance, remain steadfast, and seek community through discipline, prayer, and fellowship in faith.
In this sermon Joe reflects on Matthew 10:1-15, where Jesus empowers his disciples to heal and preach. As we start a new year, Joe highlights the timeless mission of spreading the Gospel despite cultural challenges. Emphasizing fellowship, reliance on God, and resisting cultural pressures, Jesus calls believers to adopt two postures in 2025. To grow in faith "together, not alone" and to serve as ambassadors of God's kingdom - "presence, not distance".
Tina gives us a Christmas message on what it means to have Joy in our lives...
Mike takes a look at how Matthew responds to Jesus, and how Jesus responds to the Pharisees' criticism of him eating with tax collectors and sinners. After introducing Matthew, Mike considers how Jesus explains that just like a doctor is needed for the sick, he has come for those in need, not the self-righteous. Mike invites reflection on whether we identify with the Pharisees, especially when we feel disconnected from God due to failures in prayer or Bible reading, and reminds us that God's love remains constant and unchanging, regardless.
In this talk Joe explores Jesus's authority in Matthew 8:28. His authority is unique—self-sacrificial and loving, unlike the "authority that's hurt you." It's accepted by consent, not force; those who reject it can remain in their "comfortable brokenness." Yielding to Jesus means seeing others as precious beloved children, not objects of resentment or desire. Struggling to submit is part of faith—it's a “constant battle” to live as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12). If we are to wield Jesus's authority we first need to yield him. Through prayer and trust, we align with God's will, calling into being a world “that isn't yet.”
The disciples in the boat ask, "What kind of man is this?" when Jesus calms the storm, a question rooted in the significance of the sea in Jewish culture. In the Old Testament, the sea symbolizes chaos and death, but God alone has the power to control it. Jesus' act of rebuking the winds reveals his divine authority, claiming power over the chaos of creation. This story shifts Jesus from being seen as a teacher to being acknowledged as lord. His authority extends beyond his teachings, pointing to his true nature. Do you think he is lord, liar or lunatic?
Joe explores discipleship and suffering through Job's story and Jesus' resurrection. Discipleship mirrors apprenticeship: being with, becoming like, and doing what Jesus did. Job's suffering shows the importance of honesty with God and rejecting the idea that suffering reflects failure. Like Job, we can trust our Redeemer—God himself—to vindicate us. Jesus' resurrection demonstrates that we, like him, will be raised bodily, scars and all. Suffering, though painful, can bear fruit, reframed in eternity as part of God's redemptive plan. Our hope lies in a risen Christ who transforms pain into glory and promises ultimate restoration.
In this talk Joe examines how discipleship—being with Jesus, becoming like him, and doing what he did—shapes our response to suffering. Using Job's story, he explores three types of comfort: the “bad comfort” from Eliphaz, who moralized Job's suffering; the “better comfort” from Job himself, who openly lamented to God; and the ultimate comfort found in the gospel. Suffering, like Jacob's limp after wrestling with God, isn't always holy or meaningful, but it can transform us. Disciples are called to comfort others with food, rest, and presence, not explanations, trusting God amidst life's unanswered questions.
Joe looks at how we all suffer and ask "Why?". We revisit part 1 of our vision - to be with Jesus, to become like Jesus, and to do what Jesus did - and ask "how does this apply to us when we're suffering?" Joe highlight that God didn't strike Job; but he was there and in charge. Job suffered - stripped of wealth, family and health - but he didn't blame God. Our proof that God loves us is Jesus; though perfect he suffered to give us hope. Joe encourages us in suffering to draw near to God, be honest and to know that God loves you. faith by stripping him of his wealth, family, and health, yet Job remains faithful despite intense suffering. The reflection highlights that discipleship means trusting God during hardship, not just in good times. Jesus' suffering shows God's love, offering hope in the midst of life's struggles.
Welcoming us back after Summer Joe sets up the next sermon series. "What do I believe?" and "How should I live?" are two fundamental questions humans ask themselves. In our modern, fractured society life can be particularly unsettling but the truths of Christianity continue to provide hope. We return to our vision - being with Jesus, becoming like him and doing what he did. We will look through a fresh lens - discipleship through suffering. Why do we experience it and how should we deal with it? We are going to work through at the ancient and insightful book of Job.
Joe brings us another from our series in Matthew's gospel, today looking at the disguises of the 'Wolf Pack'...
Joe continus our series in the gospel of Matthew, looking at 2 verses that offer 2 ways...
Joe looks at Jesus' teaching from Matthew 7:7-12 regarding asking, seeking and knocking...
Joe continues our series in the gospel of Matthew looking at judging others...
Ritesh looks at Matthew 6:25-36 to explore what Jesus had to say about not worrying...
Joe talks about eyes as the receivers and transmitters of light. We are constantly looked upon by God even if - like Garfield (according to the movie) - you aren't aware of your father's presence. Knowing you are cared for you see the world - counter-culturally - as a place of abundance rather than one of scarcity and share accordingly. Learn to look with care and see the world as God sees you.
Joe confronts us with Jesus's teaching on money - what does how we invest tell about who we are and what we believe? Heaven is here and now and everytime we spend we vote for the kind of world we want to live in. So what does our spend profile say about who we are? Take a look at your bank statement to sense how anchored to the future (or rooted in the past) you now/still are. Jesus lived a life of simplicity, generosity and concern for the poor; do we? Challenging teaching today as it was way back then.
Ritesh takes a look at fasting - starting with his own journey. Being a food lover, he was initially reluctant but, with some family nudging, he joined in too. Ritesh reflects on the sincerity and humility Jesus is looking for through this discipline. The health benefits of fasting have received considerable interest but it is primarily about creating a space for spiritual nourishment; making a space for us to receive.
Matthew 6:9-15. Mike takes a look at what Jesus had to say about our prayer lives.
Joe looks at Matthew 5:43-48 and tries to uncover what it truly means to us today to love our enemies.
Maf starts with a parallel - 007 expected to protect the British way of life (but acting contrary to it) and the Jewish Messiah - expected to arrive as an all-conquering military hero but manifested in a carpenter's son who preached peace and forgiveness. Maf looks at 3 familiar examples of how Jesus encouraged us to be freed from bitterness and resentment. Overcome evil with good - by turning the cheek, handing over your coat, going the extra mile; confront evil with grace, humility and humour.
Joe encouragingly points us to the most sense-making decades of our lives - our 70s, our 80s and our 60s - which most of us have to look forward to :-). He then goes on to talk about truth - a timely topic in our swirl of post-truth, deep fakes, filters and curated content. Do as you would be done by; do what you say you will; be truthful (no spin) - Jesus puts us straight - it is either "yes" or "no".
Joe teases apart a thorny topic; Jesus's teaching on human failures ranging from lust and adultery to divorce. How are we to deal with our impulses? "You can not stop the birds from flying overhead but you can stop them from nesting in your hair", Joe reflects, recalling the wisdom of Martin Luther. Grace, repentence and a God-given change of heart are what is needed.
Joe joins up recent sermons to show how Jesus' stretching expectations - e.g. righteousness beyond that of the pharisees - can (only) be fulfilled through a change of heart. Personal affront (holding a grudge) may result in expressions of anger which reflects the state of one's heart. What starts with a thwarted will can lead to personal insult, self-righteousness, contempt, a lack of appreciation for others, resentment and violence - what starts small can kill us. Jesus gives practical instructions for how to deal with anger early and at depth.
Bishop Emma reflects on her favourite passage. She takes apart the word Jesus used for "blessed" (separating it from the conditional "you will be blessed if...") and goes through each of the "Good on you when..." statements that comprise "the beatitudes". Full dependence is what we need; to recognise our reliance on God, generate genuine gratitude and be in right relationship with our peers.
Ritesh continues our series showing how Jesus fulfilled the law. Jesus showed how to live a righteous life from the heart. Ritesh takes us back to God's choice of David - a man after his own heart. We then go back to Jeremiah and Ezekiel and God's promise to transform us from inside to out. Don't pretend - confess - yield and be changed. This is what matters.
Having looked at the four different perspectives of the four gospel writers Jon zooms in on salt to start today's session. Salt's role then was primarily as a preservative - to slow deterioration and decay. We are called to preserve what is good and wholesome. With a vivid recollection from the darkness of the nightime desert Jon goes on to show how light similarly needs to be exposed to keep darkness away and help people see the way to God.
Joe picks up the story in Matthew where Jesus leaves the wilderness and starts teaching. What does Jesus call us to do in 2024? Are we to talk about his ethics, his love for the lost, his exhortation to love your neighbour? Well, repentance is the foundation, in recognition of the king and his kingdom. Having allowed humans the freedom to choose God is reclaiming his world; so repent (respond!) for the kingdom of heaven is near...
Mike takes us through a familiar passage (when Jesus was led to a solitary place) and asks "What is the wilderness?", "What is temptation?" and "So what?". He compares Jesus's experience to that of the people of Israel being led from the abundance of fertile Egypt and out into the desert. Mike bounces us through parallels - from the Post Office to Potiphar to his own hospital bed experience - to illustrate how God works through empty times; giving us strength to endure as we hear our hearts beating.
Joe starts us off with context - recognising the bible was built by many authors and whose architect is God. He then invites us to consider Matthew through 3 focal lenses - our visionary cornerstones - being with Jesus, learning to be like him and doing as he did. With that backdrop he then takes us through how John prepared the way for the coming king... who then humbles himself and asks to be baptised by John. God with us.
Joe takes on a challenging passage to push through January. Not a common Nativity story but it is there in the book - child murder, sudden departure, being refugees. Becoming like Jesus - a whole and integrated life - this may not play out as we expect... Joe draws upon the teachings of wise Christian leaders as well as a personal encounter with a shooter in the shadows to highlight how we should expect to fight through life - take heart!
All Souls welcomes Richard back to finish off our vision series. Remembering camping excursions and the "collecting the kit" stage he reflects on stuff - for a church that is people buildings and money - and encourages us each to ask not "What do we do with what we've got?" but "Why has God given this to us?". Using a passage from 1 Chronicles he highlights how a sense of scarcity (for some) and a sense of pride (for others) are both anxiety inducing. Realising that it is all God's anyway helps us see that he has plenty and sees further than we do, and to be grateful and generous.
On safeguarding Sunday Joe, Katherine and Eva take us through why as well as how we are to honour all members of the church body. We all go through times when we are particularly vulnerable due to our own unique circumstances. As a church we need to continually be watchful; looking out for one another and looking after one another. We need to be mindful of past failings and the positive role of safeguarding, an outworking of God's heart - we all have roles to play.
Joe starts this week by asking how we'd advise our younger selves - what would you tell younger you? Asaph, in Psalm 78, talks about the responsibility to share testimony from generation to generation - "teach them to know God and follow his ways". God searches you, knows you and loves you; we need to instill this sense of connection and appreciation in the next generation. Joe encourages and commits us to inter-generational church - it's challenging as well as fun.
Maf talks about home improvements. It can seem like the work never stops - as soon as one job is done another begins... In the church, given that Jesus is the builder and we need to keep growing, individually and collectively, this is a good thing(!). Maf reflects on how we respond to change - resisting it, tolerating it or embracing it. He parallels church growth with lego construction - it may not be clear exactly how we'll look but we are all pieces to build with.
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