St John's Old Coulsdon

Welcome to the St John's podcast. We had the privilege to hear from David Harper, renowned antiques expert and host of BBC’s Bargain Hunt. David talked us through his journey to faith which started with the radical transformation he saw in his daughter when she became a christian. Using his skills with researching antiques David decided to find out if Jesus really existed, the reliability of t...

Today we continue our sermon series on leadership, this time we’re looking at how leaders handle criticism. As leaders we’re bound to receive criticism but when that comes how should we handle it? Jono draws from Nehemiah chapter 4 and shows us that it’s important to weigh both criticism and praise, to use it to highlight your blind spots and most importantly to pray first, then act. Speaker: Jono...

We continue our series on leadership as presented through the book of Nehemiah, this time we’re focusing on Nehemiah 3 where we have the record of all those involved in the rebuilding of the walls. We see that when it comes to building God’s kingdom nobody is less important than anybody else and that we each have a part to play. So Jono raises the questions; Are you mucking in? What is your lane?...

Today’s message is the second in our series on Nehemiah. Jono shows us that true leaders carry vision and explains that if you don’t have vision, you don’t know where you’re going. But how do you establish a vision, where do you start and how do you see it through? We find the answer in Nehemiah chapter 2.

We’ve started a new series on leadership; drawing from the book of Nehemiah. What do we do when troubles come our way? Jono shows us the steps Nehemiah takes and how we can find greater peace and confidence in our heavenly Father when we pray before making plans. Speaker: Jono Simpson Bible reading: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Today’s message is brought to us by Reverend Sheila Perkins a long standing friend and spiritual mentor to the Simpson household Sheila walks us through Jesus’ commandment to “make disciples of all nations” and how that may not necessarily mean grand missionary journeys to far off countries. Rather we are called to simply make disciples in all areas of our lives, bringing the gospel to everyone we...

On this Pentecost Sunday we remember the moment ordinary people were transformed into a movement that changed the world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples discovered a new power source for life — one that filled them with courage, joy, generosity and purpose — and the same invitation is still open to us today. Speaker: Lucy Simpson Bible reading: Acts 2:1-21 and 42-47

Today's message is brought to us by Eileen Poore. She takes us through the story of the sending of Paul and Barnabus and their first recorded instance of opposition to the gospel. Eileen lays out for us the three ways that we as the people of God can go beyond ourselves to support mission and the spread of the gospel. Speaker: Eileen Poore Bible reading: Acts 12:25-13:12

Drawing on the Easter story and the early church in Acts, Christine explores how faith isn’t separate from everyday struggles but shapes how we listen, serve, and care for one another. Ultimately, it’s a call to live with child-like faith, growing in unity, honesty, and service as a community transformed by Jesus. Speaker: Christine McCutchion Bible reading: Matthew 18:1-5

In today's sermon Jono walks us through the redemption story of Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection. Through this interaction we discover that Jesus forgives us, Jesus defines us, Jesus empowers us all because Jesus is greater than our failure. Speaker: Jono Simpson Bible reading: John Chapter 21 verses 1 to 19

In today’s sermon Jono gives us some examples of a few things that are weird yet true and draws a parallel with the disciples who recount the story of the risen Jesus to Thomas. Just because something is weird, or incredible doesn’t mean it’s untrue, in some instances it is an invitation to have faith. Jono tells us that faith is not about leaving your brain at the door but rather is instead, trus...

This week we have Jeremy Groombridge walking up through the story of the two on the road to Emmaus. We see that God’s plan and time line don’t always match up with our expectations. The answer lies in trusting that God sees the big picture and not discounting what He has done just because we don’t understand it. Speaker: Jeremy Groombridge Reading: Luke Chapter 24 verses 13 to 35

In today's message, Christine shows us that Jesus comes as the "Humble King" making a claim to ultimate authority. Jesus comes not to fulfill our selfish political agendas, but to die for our sins. By riding a donkey, Jesus subverts our expectations of power, showing that true salvation comes through his sacrificial weakness rather than earthly force. Speaker: Christine McCutchion Bi...

Today we’re looking at the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector. In this passage we see that getting closer to Jesus begins not with proving ourselves but with coming to him honestly, receiving his gracious invitation to share in his table where he takes our shame and gives us honor. True encounter with Jesus then leads to transformation, as those who have eaten with him go out in costly obedience...

In today’s episode we're looking at the story of the Rich Fool. In this parable we see that greed is not just a financial issue but a spiritual blindness that places ultimate security in wealth instead of God. Jesus exposes how building our identity and hope on possessions leads to emptiness before God, calling us instead to be “rich toward God” by grounding our lives in his grace rather than...

Todays episode features an interview with Mojtaba, an Iranian who was imprisoned for his faith Speaker - Jono Simpson and Mojtaba Hosseini Reading - 1 Peter 1:3-9

In this episode we remember the story of the Good Samaritan and how true neighbor-love crosses every social, ethnic, and moral boundary, revealing that compassion is the real evidence of knowing God. Ultimately the parable exposes our failure to love this way and points us to Jesus as the true and better Samaritan who rescues us at great cost to himself. Speaker - Kevin Lewis (Good Shepherd, Carsh...

We see that both the openly sinful and the outwardly moral are equally in need of grace, but only the one who knows her need receives it with love. Jesus shows that the depth of our love for him is directly tied to how deeply we grasp the magnitude of our forgiveness. Speaker: Ursula Simpson Bible Reading: Luke 7:36-50

We continue our sermon series, this time looking at the unexpected forgiveness Jesus offers to the parlysed man. From the outside it looked as if his need was very clear, however Jesus sees the deeper truth; that what this man really needs is forgiveness. Speaker - Jono Simpson Bible Reading: Luke 5:17-26

Today's message is about the time when Jesus called the disciples. We see that he calls groups - friends, colleagues, family.  Following Jesus is costly - it cost the disciples everything. Their calling was a life-long calling and Jesus is calling you to follow him too, if you’re still on the fence. Despite the cost, following him is worth it, even though it’s hard. Speaker - Eileen Poore Bibl...

The Jews were expecting a Messiah to bring judgement on Gentiles but Jesus came to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. He came to proclaim, and to bring a ministry of justice and compassion. 

In todays message Christine looks at how taking time to be alone with God was an essential part of the life of Jesus and as a result should be something we endeavour to adopt as we grow in our relationship with God. Bible Reading: Psalm 63 Speaker: Christine McCutchion

A discussion based on : The Privilege of Prayer The Pain of Prayer The Power of Prayer The Practice of Prayer Panel - Jean Hammond, Luke Stanley, Eileen Poore and Jono Simpson Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-12

In today’s message, Christine looks at the God who displays his power Bible readings: Exodus 6:28 to 7:24 Hebrews 3:1-6 Speaker - Christine McCutchion

Following God’s call doesn’t remove challenges—sometimes obedience leads to greater resistance—but God’s purposes will prevail. Resistance is not a sign of God’s absence, but an opportunity for His power to be revealed. Speaker - Roger Simpson