The Cranmer Group Podcast

Reflecting on Isaiah 63:7-9 and especially Matthew 2:13-18, Tim helps us to explore how we can have confidence that - in spite of the suffering of the innocent - the redemptive work of Jesus is certain, and it is true.

Annie rounds off our Advent series, reminding us of God’s abiding presence with us, as we journey with the Holy Spirit towards Christmas, waiting expectantly for the promised return of Jesus. Readings: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-19 and Matthew 24:36-44.

Drawing on Isaiah 25:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11, Bron encourages us to keep on praying; keep being expectant; and keep being patient. God's grace is sufficient, and He will bring to us what we need, even if it is not what we expected!

Annie continues Tim’s theme for Advent for us all to be vigilant, prayerful and active. She reminds us, referring to Psalm 98 and Luke 2:1-6, that Christmas is part of a far bigger story which is still being played out. We are called during Advent to be vigilant, expectant and joyful in anticipation of the return of Jesus.

Tim reflects on what God calls us to do, as we wait on Him in this Advent season, drawing on Romans 13:11-14, and Matthew 24:36-44.

Reflecting on Colossians 1:9-20 & Luke 23:32-43, Tim asked us the question, "So What?" As we celebrate this Feast of Christ the King, worshipping the One who rules over all, what difference - "So What?" - does Jesus's majesty and rule over all make to us and the way in which we live our lives as his disciples?

Looking at John's encouragement to us to "love with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:16-24), and Jesus's account of who our neighbour is (The Good Samaritan; Luke 10:25-37), Tim encourages us all to see that Biblically-rooted principles of safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone in our church family.

Through stories and the poetry of the World War I British Army Chaplain, Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy - better known as "Woodbine Willie" - Tim reflects on the messages of Paul's Letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verses 31-39, and Revelation, chapter 21, verses 1-7, and the hope, love and new life we find in Jesus Christ.

Bron reflects on Jesus's actions in John 18.1-12, in contrast to those of the hot-headed apostle, Peter; and also looks at the latter's teaching once he had acquired greater spiritual maturity, in 2 Peter 1:1-8. She considers how self-control helps us, as Christians,  to resist the temptation to act on simple, sinful impulses or conform to the ways of the world. True self-control is not...

Referring to God appearing to Elijah in the cave (1 Kings 19:7-13) and Jesus speaking about himself in Matthew 11:25-30, Annie speaks of gentleness as 'power under restraint', and of Jesus claiming that gentleness is at the core of who he is, and who God is.

With a bit of congregational heckling(!) and the help of a current very popular TV show, Tim considers how, in the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den (Daniel 6:1-23) and Jesus's teaching in Matthew 25:14-30, God's faithfulness to us inspires us to be faithful to him, showing courage and boldness for our King and His Kingdom.

In our Harvest Holy Communion at St. Mary's Orston, referring to the lessons of Scripture in Exodus 16:1-8, and Luke 10:25-37, Bronwen explores the harvest of goodness in God's provision for us, and the harvest of goodness in the Fruit of the Spirit.

Drawing on David's covenantal kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13); and Jesus's teaching to his followers (Matthew 25:31-40), that their showing of kindness to others, is as if they are being kind to him; Tim encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to grow God's kindness in us.

Through the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin in Luke 15:1-10, and Paul's First Letter to Timothy (chapter 1, verses 12-17), Bron highlights Jesus's unlimited patience with each one of us. Illustrated by the figure of the shepherd, searching relentlessly for, and finally finding, the lost sheep (and helped by her own illustrations of making a fruit salad and baking a Victoria...

With some help from one of our family's favourite children's books - and Paul's letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4-9, and John chapter 14, verses 15-27 - Tim explains how God's gift of peace is one which is based not on the absence of the things which may bring anxiety and care into our lives. Rather, the Fruit of the Spirit which is God's peace, is based on pr...

Annie continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit by considering the gift of Joy, referring to 1 Peter 1:1-9 and Mark 1:1-8. Unlike happiness, joy doesn’t depend on our circumstances but remains with us, even in adversity. It’s closely tied to Grace and grows as our confidence in the ‘Good News’ of God’s Kingdom flourishes, and is a fruit intended for us to share to bring life to those around...

Tim kicks off our new sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit described by Paul in Galatians Chapter 5, verses 13-26, reflecting on Jesus's command to us to love one another (John's Gospel 13:31-35), and St. John's description of the relationship between divine love and human love (The First Letter of John 4:7-21).

Particularly drawing on what Paul says to the early Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:1-5), Tim explores how the Spiritual Gifts of prophesy and encouragement can show us the character of God; be a blessing individually and as a church family, as they build us up and reveal the fruit of the Spirit in us - which we'll explore more fully after our brief summer pause. See you again in Sept...

Reflecting on Luke 21:1-4 and Philippians 4:10-20, Annie shares with us why generosity is an important gift for the Church; and how we develop and use this gift for God’s glory and the building up of his Kingdom here, in this place.

Through Jesus's teaching to his disciples in Matthew's Gospel, chapter 20, verses 20-28, and the command of the prophet Micah (chapter 6, verses 6-8) to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God", Bronwen encourages each of us to consider whether God may be calling us into a position of servant leadership, following in Christ's footsteps.

Continuing our sermon series on the Holy Spirit, Tim leads us in the first of our explorations of the Gifts of the Spirit which Paul outlines in Romans 12:1-8. Tim invites us, through God's grace, to receive the spiritual gift of service, that we might use all the gifts He has given us through his Holy Spirit, in the service of His people in our Benefice, and beyond.

Drawing on Ephesians 1:3-14 and Luke 11:5-13, Annie outlines five simple elements to being "filled continually" with the Holy Spirit, as Paul desires for us: Believe; Ask; Stay close; Let go! - yes, 5  not 4!

With the help of Jesus's encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-8), and Paul's Letter to the Romans (chapter 8; verses 9-17), Tim helps us discover that the Holy Spirit gives new life; that the Holy Spirit comes and makes his dwelling in us; and that the Holy Spirit leads us as children of God, testifying with our spirit that we are not only God’s children, but also his heirs.

With the help of the illustration of the 'Borromean Rings', Bron helps us to discover God's promise for each one of us that the Holy Spirit is His gift to us, and, because God is love, we experience that love through the Holy Spirit.

On this day of Pentecost, Tim invites us all to step into a place of spiritual health and maturity - which is nothing less than ever-increasing closeness to the person of Jesus himself - by opening our hearts and lives to the work of God’s Holy Spirit in us.