St. Aidan's Cumbria Podcast

In this sermon on Psalm 1, John reflects on why reading the Bible is a key foundation for us to set this year. The Bible is not a dead text but a place of encounter with the living God, through which we come to know him and be known by him. As we begin a new year, we are invited to make space for God’s word — to read it daily, delight in it, and meditate on it — so that we might grow in our relati...

In this sermon on Matthew 7:24–27, John reflects on the choice Jesus sets before us: to hear his words and put them into practice, or to hear and ignore them. As we begin a new year, he explores how every life will face storms, but only a life built on obedience to Jesus will stand. This is an invitation to commit again to Christian community, to listen attentively to Jesus through Scripture, and...

In this sermon on Luke 2 and Matthew 1–2 from our Crib Service, John reflects on Christmas as the moment when God’s long-promised rescue is finally fulfilled. The promises written through prophets, angels, and signs in the heavens are “cashed” in the birth of Jesus – our Saviour, Messiah, and Lord. At Christmas, God comes close to rescue, to lead, and to love, and we are invited to receive his pro...

In this Christmas Day sermon on John 1, John reflects on Christmas as the moment God gives us his greatest gift. The God who made the world, spoke to it, and loved it, comes close to us in Jesus. At the heart of the Christmas story is an invitation to receive Christ and, in him, to become children of God: welcomed, loved, and part of his family

In this sermon on Matthew 1:18–23, John reflects on why God sent a baby into a world longing for rescue. Jesus — “God saves” — comes to deal with what hurts us and breaks our relationship with God, and Emmanuel — “God with us” — comes close so that we are not left alone. The Christmas story is one of rescue, relationship, and hope — and it is still unfolding today.

Hope has the power to help us endure even the darkest circumstances. In this Christmas message, John reflects on Isaiah’s promise that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light,” and explores what it means to say that Jesus is the King of hope. Speaking into personal, political, and spiritual darkness, this talk points us to the child born in Bethlehem — the wonderful counsellor, mig...

What’s the meaning behind the orange, the candle, the sweets, and the red tape? In this interactive Christingle talk, Steve tells the story of God’s wonderful world, his generous gifts, the saving love of Jesus, and the light that shines in the darkness — pointing us to the heart of the Christmas message.

What does it mean that “the gospel has come to you”? Preaching from Colossians 1, Roger explores the message of grace that saves us, the servant of grace — like Epaphras — through whom we hear it, and the community of grace that grows around it. This message invites us to be awake to the gospel, to recognise where God has placed us, and to become a family of grace that helps the good news reach ot...

As the Lord’s Prayer ends with the word Amen, John explores what it means to pray as a community shaped by Jesus. Reflecting on Matthew 18, he shows that when we gather in Jesus’ name, we become a Jesus-shaped community — a place where he promises to be present with us and powerful in response to our prayers.

The Lord’s Prayer ends where it began — in worship. In this message, John reflects on what it means to pray, “Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,” and shows how true worship recognises who God is, what he gives, and when we choose to praise him — even before our prayers are answered.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Lord’s Prayer — but it’s also one of the hardest things to live out. In this message, John explores what it means to pray “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” Looking at Colossians 3, he reminds us that forgiveness is good for us, costly to us, and possible only because God has first forgiven us.

What does it really mean to ask God for help in resisting temptation? Reflecting on Ephesians 6, Steve explores how Paul’s image of the armour of God equips us to stand firm in faith — grounded in God’s love and truth. This message invites us to face each day with courage, hope, and the strength that comes from being strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

What does it really mean to trust God for what we need – not just in crisis, but in the ordinary rhythm of each day? Preaching from Exodus 16, Nicky reflects on the manna in the wilderness and invites us to see God as the one who faithfully provides for us – sometimes before we even know what to ask for. This message encourages us to notice where God is already at work, to bring him our longings,...

This Sunday, we explored what it really means to pray, “Your Kingdom Come.” Steve unpacks Revelation 11 and the Lord’s Prayer, reminding us that Jesus is King, that His Kingdom has come and is coming, and that we’re called to live as citizens of that Kingdom here and now.

What is the name of the Lord, and why should we 'hallow' it?! We looked at Exodus 34:1-10 and Moses' encounter with 'the LORD, the LORD'.

Of all the things Jesus’ disciples saw him do, the thing they asked him to teach them was how to pray. In this sermon from Luke 11:1–13, John reflects on how Jesus invites us to talk to God as our Father, and why prayer is central to the life of every follower of Jesus.

This week John brings a shorter message, reflecting on what it means for us to pray and live for God’s Kingdom to come. Looking at signs of renewal across the UK and within our own church family, he reminds us that God is on the move. At St. Aidan’s, we’re invited to play our part in that Kingdom coming by following Jesus, being filled with the Spirit, and forming Christian communities.

What is the Kingdom of God, and why is our heart as a church to see it come in Cumbria as in heaven? John explores how God’s Kingdom looks different from the kingdoms of this world. With a message of peace and signs of new creation, the Spirit calls us to be a people and a place where God’s reign is made real – a foretaste of what is to come.

On St. Aidan’s Day we celebrate the good news of the gospel. Preaching from 2 Corinthians 5, John reminds us that in Jesus something new has happened: we have been reconciled to God, and new creation has begun. And because something new has happened, something new must happen,  as we respond, celebrate, and share the good news with others.

Who are you becoming? Psalm 1 shows us that we are all being shaped in our thinking, our acting, and our belonging. John invites us to consider how we can become people of God’s word: meditating on it, delighting in it, and in doing so becoming rooted and fruitful in every season.

In this standalone sermon, Andy Smith reflects on what it means for God to be “slow to anger.” From John 11, we see Jesus’ deep and righteous anger at death and injustice — an anger unlike our own, that leads to restoration, healing, and wholeness. Andy also considers what it means that God is slow in expressing that anger, and how both truths shape our understanding of his justice and mercy. This...

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower individuals — he forms a community. In this final message of our God’s Empowering Presence  series, Steve unpacks Ephesians 4 and highlights three ways the Spirit shapes the church: calling us to love one another, to be united, and to each play our part. Through the Spirit, we become a people who reflect Jesus together.

Following Jesus isn’t always easy – and Jesus never said it would be. In this message, John explores how the Holy Spirit is our Advocate: the one who empowers us to tell the story of Jesus, and stands with us when that story is costly. Drawing from John 15–16, we’re reminded that we are never alone – God is with us and for us, even in the storm.

What we do from Monday to Saturday matters deeply to God. In this message, John explores how the Spirit empowers us in our daily lives — not just in church, but in school, at work, and at home. Looking at Exodus 31, Genesis 12 and Colossians 3, we’re invited to see our everyday activity as a place where God works in us, through us, and is blessed by us.

Looking at Galatians 5:16–25, John invites us to consider who is at the controls of our lives — the desires of the flesh or the desires of the Spirit — and how we can walk in step with the one who leads us into Christlikeness.