The Cranmer Group Podcast

Annie helps us to discover the essence of our Heavenly Father, and just how intimately He loves us, through Moses' encounter with the Lord on Mount Sinai in Exodus 34, and Matthew's account of Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3, verses 13-17).

In the final instalment of our journey through Paul's letter to the Philippians (chapter 4, verses 10-23), Tim ponders how we all want to be content, but try to attain this through possessions, success and experiences rather than through learning to place our trust in Jesus, who has already given us the joy in contentment that comes from knowing in our hearts that our names are already writte...

Tim reflects on Paul's message to the Philippian Christians in chapter 3, verse 17 to chapter 4, verse 9, of his letter to them. He encourages us, also sharing some of his own personal journey of faith, to see the "Joy in Trust" that: - comes from seeing ourselves as Citizens of Heaven; - comes from standing firm on the promises that Jesus has made to each one of us who follow him;...

Tim leads us through St. Paul's life before and after encountering the risen Jesus, as recounted to the Philippian believers in Chapter 3, verses 1-16. He encourages us that it's through our faith in Christ alone, not through any good that we may or may not do in our lives, that we are made 'righteous' - that is, brought into right relationship with our Heavenly Father.

We continue our exploration of Paul's letter to the Philippians, through chapter 2, verses 14-30. Annie suggests to us that letting go of our self, and allowing God to do His work in us, with us and through us, leads us to joy in fellowship, as we shine in a dark world, drawing others to our community and to Christ himself.

Bronwen continues our Philippians sermon series, reflecting on chapter 1, verse 27, to chapter 2, verse 11, thinking especially about how we find joy in Jesus. She suggests that joy (J-O-Y) comes from putting "J" - Jesus - first; "O" - others - second; and "Y" - yourself - last.

This week, we start our new sermon series journeying together through St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians: "The Letter of Joy". Tim sets the scene for the letter, and explores how we can share in Paul's joy in the Good News - the Gospel - of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:1-26).

On this Trinity Sunday, Tim encourages us to deepen our understanding of, and connection with, all three persons of our triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, through Jesus' "Great Commission" of Matthew 28, and the final verses of St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians - what we often now know as the Grace.

Annie considers the fulfilment of God's covenant with us - foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-34 - through the person of Jesus, and sealed with the gift of God's Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Tim explores what Jesus says to his disciples in John 17:1-11, in the light of the Ascension (Acts 1:6-14)

Tim reflects on Jesus abiding in us, and us abiding in him, based on Christ's words to his disciples in John 14:15-21

Annie looks at Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in John 10:1-10, and how we can recognise and follow the Shepherd's voice, that we might experience "life to the full", in and through him.

Tim - accompanied by the rain drumming on the roof of Hawksworth Church! - looks at hope fulfilled through Scripture, Sacrament and Spirit, in the encounter of the two disciples with the risen Jesus, on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

Bronwen looks at Thomas' encounter with the risen Jesus (John 20:19-end), and reflects on how our personal stories of encountering Jesus enable us to share our faith with others.

With the help of St. Matthew's account of the Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10), Tim gives us the encouragement of what Easter really means to all of us, for our past; for our present; and for our future.

Tim brings to a close our sermon series, by inviting us to follow the examples of the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; and the poor widow, extraordinarily giving her two coins to God in the Temple: what do we bring, to worship our King?

Annie Dickinson, through the story of Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19:1-10), encourages us, like Zacchaeus, to give generously and joyfully of what we have, in response to God's grace - the gift freely given to each of us through Jesus himself.

Tim continues our Lent sermon series on God's extraordinary generosity, and how we are called to respond to Him with our own generosity.  He asks how we - unlike the rich landowner - can be "rich towards God" in the way we steward what we are given by God; and how we might also answer the question the landowner asks of himself, "What shall I do?"

Rev. Canon Bronwen Gamble continues our Lent sermon series on God's generosity, and our response, through Jesus' encounter with the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30), and St. Paul's teaching on "the love of money" in 1 Timothy 6:3-10.

Tim kicks off our Lent sermon series on God's extraordinary generosity, and how we are called to respond to Him with our own generosity. Our Vicar does some "scene setting" for the series; and considers what Jesus says about himself to Nicodemus in St. John's Gospel (chapter 3, verses 1-17), and how St. Paul encourages the early Christians in Corinth to be generous (2 Corinthia...

On Palm Sunday, Tim shares with us, in the last of our Lent sermon series on Nehemiah, that his story of rebuilding Jerusalem ends ultimately in failure. But we also look forward in St. John's Gospel, in that same city of Jerusalem, to “the ‘true’ Nehemiah”, in the person of Jesus, entering on a donkey to the cries of “Hosanna!” from the crowds.

Rev. Peter Watkins shares with us from chapter 12 of the Book of Nehemiah how, when we worship the Lord, we are called make our worship joyful, holy, and sacrificial.

Annie Dickinson, our Lay Minister, continues our Lent preaching series through the Book of Nehemiah, speaking to us on Chapter 5, and how the bread and wine shared between the people of Jerusalem prefigure God’s spiritual food for us in Word and Eucharist, and an encouragement to trust in God’s abundant provision for us all.

Tim continues our journey through the Book of Nehemiah, looking at how Nehemiah coped with opposition from without and within, and reflecting on the lessons for us today.

Tim continues our Lent sermon series on Nehemiah, to tie in with the Cranmer Group vision process, reflecting on the sort of church we desire to be in our communities. He preaches on Nehemiah 3:1-12.