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Sermons

 

Giving all to God

Geoff Shutt, 7 November

Mark 12:38-44

The widow and her two coins.

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Hungering after Jesus and abiding in him
Juliette Fleming, 15 August - Trinity 11
John 6:51-58
Verse 56 “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”
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Learning to trust in God’s daily provision
Liz Gordon, 8 August - Trinity 10
John 6: 35, 41-51
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Muddles and Misunderstandings
Diana Hall, 1 August - Trinity 9
John 6: 24-35
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Miracles as Signs

Eddie Sykes, 25 July - Trinity 8

John 6: 1-21

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Crowds and Boats
Liz Gordon, 18 July - Trinity 7
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
If a boat is a safe space away from crowds, what has been your 'boat' during the COVID pandemic?
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Mark, John the Baptist and Martin Luther King
Stuart Ritchie, 11 July - Trinity 6                                                                      

Mark 6: 14-29

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The unconditional love of God
Geoff Shutt, 27 June - Trinity 4
Mark 5:21-43

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Crossing thresholds and stilling storms - the challenge and transforming power of Jesus
Diana Hall, 20 June - Trinity 3
Mark 4:35-41
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The Sower, the Soil, and the Spirit
Diana Hall, 13 June - Trinity 2
Mark 4:26-34
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Creation: a gift to be cherished
Diana Hall, 6 June - Climate Sunday
Ecclesiasticus 43:11–26
Creation is a way to experience God, an image of the invisible God. How can we cultivate reverence for the created order and take practical steps to halt climate change? Click to listen

Note: The video shown 12 minutes in to the recording is available to view here.


Structures to safeguard the church
David Mumford, 16 May - Easter 7
1 John 5:9-13
How the early church developed a framework of episcopal authority to preserve the faith passed down from eye witness accounts. Click to listen


What is true belief?
Stuart Ritchie, 9 May - Easter 6
1 John 5, 1-6
John's encouragement and advice for the early Christians is relevant today. Click to listen


Where does God' love lead you?

Geoff Shutt, 2 May - Easter 5

1 John 4, 7-21

Expressing God-given love in our church community and the world. Click to listen


Vocations

Val Cameron, 25 April - Easter 4

1 John 3:16-24

Learn about the role of vocational deacons... and how to commit your lives to God's love. Click to listen


Staying in Christ
Liz Gordon, 18 April 2021 - Easter 3
1 John 3:1-7
'No one who abides in him sins...' Second in a series on 1 John. Click to listen


Living life fully in the here and now
Diana Hall, 11 April 2021 - Easter 2
1 John 1:1 to 2:2
First in a 4-part series on this letter
Why material things still matter. Click to listen


God's new covenant
Diana Hall, 21 March 2021 - Lent 5
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Why us, why this, why now?
Singing the Lord's song in a strange land. Click to listen


Mothering is...
Liz Gordon, 14 March 2021 - Lent 4 and Mothering Sunday
What does the life of Mary teach us about mothering? How does God mother us? Click to listen


Belonging and Behaviour
Diana Hall, 7 March 2021 - Lent 3
Exodus 20:1-17
Commandments for God's community. Click to listen.


God's Covenant with Abraham - Stuart Ritchie, 28 February 2021 - Lent 2

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 

Trustng God beyond all reason. Click to listen.

 

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"Are you the one who is coming or should we expect another?" Sunday 15th December 2019 – Advent 3

Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 11:2-11 

Preparing for the end of the world. Click to listen.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Sunday 8th December 2019 – Advent 2 

Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12 

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"But about that day and hour no one knows" Sunday 1st December 2019 – Advent 1

Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44 

The only certainty is that nothing is certain. Learn about living in the meantime, with quiet, faithful watching and waiting. Click to listen.


Everything we have comes from You…Diana Hall, 2 Sept 2018

Who can tell me what Richard Branson, David Sainsbury, Ann Gloag and Bill Gates have in common?
Well, apart from the fact that they’re billionaires, each of them is a signatory to the Giving Pledge. The Giving Pledge is an invitation for billionaires ... 

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Soulcraft - It ain't what you do; it's your reason for doing it...  Ephesians 4:25-5:2 - Diana Hall, 12 August 2018

The fourth part of a sermon series on St Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Is Christianity about being a good person? Listen


Soulcraft - The Faith Balance: Ephesians 4:1-16 - Diana Hall, 5 August 2018

The third part of a sermon series on St Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Listen


Soulcraft - Identity and Community: Ephesians 2:10-22 - Diana Hall, 12 July 2018

The second part of a sermon series on St Paul's letter to the Ephesians. 

A little girl asked her Dad “Where did humans come from?”
He answered “God made Adam and Eve; they had children; and the whole of the human race are their descendants”.
A couple of days later the little girl asked her mum the same question... Download to keep reading


Soulcraft - Blessing and Gift: Ephesians 1:3-14 - Diana Hall, 15 July 2018

Encountering the God who lavishes us with blessings, and growing into Christian maturity.
The first part of a sermon series on St Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Listen

 

Living Generously: Corinthians 8:7-15  - Diana Hall, 1 July 2018

Glimpsing the extraordinary generosity of God, and how it motivates our own giving. Listen

 

The Book of Jonah, Pt 4: The Challenge of Knowing God - Diana Hall, 24 June 2018

The fourth and final talk in a series on Jonah, delivered as part of the Methodist Church’s Bible Month initiative… #BibleMonth. Listen

 

The Book of Jonah, Pt 3: Faith Facing Empire - Diana Hall, 17 June 2018

Spat out by the big fish, Jonah makes his way to Nineveh. But his biggest challenge is still to come...

The third part of a four part sermon series on Jonah for #BibleMonth. Listen

 

The Book of Jonah, Pt 2: In Which Jonah Reaches Rock Bottom - Diana Hall, 10 June 2018

The second part of a four part sermon series on Jonah for #BibleMonth. Listen

 

The Book of Jonah, Pt 1: In Which Jonah Does Something Very Sensible - Diana Hall, 3 June 2018
During June at St Anne’s we’re taking part in the Methodist Church’s Bible Month, where churches are encouraged to spend a month studying a whole book of the bible together. This year we’re reading Jonah… which isn’t too big an ask, since it’s only a couple of pages long. In fact you might ask how we could possibly talk about Jonah for 4 weeks?! Turns out it’s going to be quite easy, though. Coz if you think Jonah’s just a children’s morality tale, you may have been missing something… You’re welcome to listen in. If you’re around Dunbar there are also bible notes available and an informal discussion group held at St Anne’s Church on Thursdays from 11-12. Listen

 

A Welcome for All - Liz Gordon, 20 August 2017

Do you know what excites and delights me most about our refurbished building? Is it the smart new rooms in the tower, is it the wee secret kitchen at the back of the church or perhaps it's the sophisticated sound system with all its exciting possibilities? Well actually, no.  My heart sings when ... Download to keep reading

 

God is Alive, Magic is Afoot - Andrew Bain, 25 June

Jeremiah 20: 7-13; Matthew 10: 24-39
So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
The other night I was waiting for a bus on Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, the area where Sean Connery famously worked as a milkman for St Cuthbert’s Store ... Download to keep reading


Meeting the Three Persons of God - Liz Gordon, 11 June

As has been said, today is Trinity Sunday. When I was studying to be a lay reader, this wee book (Trinity 101) was the recommended reading on the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The author begins chapter four with these words ‘It’s been said that more heresy is (accidentally) preached on Trinity Sunday than at any other time of the year.’ ... Download to keep reading

 

Fake News v The Truth - Andrew Bain, 7 May

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life and have it more abundantly”.
This is an interesting time to be thinking about this Gospel against a background claims and counter-claims in the political arena, where no-one seems able to say with anything even remotely like confidence just what is true. Jesus warns against false shepherds ... Download to keep reading


Strangers and Angels - Liz Gordon, 30 April

Last week I told you that Peter’s first sermon had spectacular results. Well, today we see just how well his message was received, because we read ‘So those who welcomed his message were baptised and that day about three thousand persons were added to their number.’ Three thousand! What was it that made Peter such a powerful messenger? ... Download to keep reading


Faith and Doubt - Liz Gordon, 23 April

“What's that actor called?” “No idea.” “But they're in lots of things. You know that programme with Judy Dench and they were in that film with Hugh Grant” “No sorry, can't put a name to them but you're right they're in loads of stuff.” Today's readings feature two characters Peter and Thomas. They've been appearing with Jesus for three years now. One we’re very familiar with ... Download to keep reading


Hints of Resurrection - Andrew Bain, 16 April (Easter Sunday)

Matthew is definitely the special effects Gospel writer. He’s the one who gives us tombs cracking open to yield up their dead, rocks splitting and the temple curtain dramatically ripped right down the middle. And he doesn’t disappoint here ... Download to keep reading


The Breath of Life - Andrew Bain, 2 April (Lent 5)

Ezekiel 37: 1-14; John 11: 1-45

Well, two almost overpoweringly dramatic stories about the God who raises the dead. “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain that they may live.” “Lazarus, come forth!” This is the stuff of legends ... Download to keep reading

 

A Night Vistor - Liz Gordon, 12 March (Lent 2)

Picture a scene from one of those old spy movies. The streets are dark and our hero is walking rapidly, his coat collar turned up and his trilby pulled low over his eyes. As he reaches his destination ... Download to keep reading


An Invitation to Come Home - Andrew Bain, 5 March (Lent 1)

There’s a wonderful kind of contrast in today’s readings. On the one hand you get Adam and Eve succumbing to temptation, though not without a bit of a struggle; and on the other Jesus winning out over temptation, although again not without struggle. And what fascinates me is that ... Download to keep reading

 

Above the Treeline - Andrew Letby, 26 February

A book I first read nearly 30 years ago, keeps drawing me back. ‘Above the Treeline’ by Heije Faber. It takes the reader on an imaginary hike up a mountain. That hike starts in the hustle and bustle of the contemporary city .... Download to keep reading

 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry - Andrew Bain, 19 February 

I think I’m the kind of person who would actually have to have Jesus standing in front of me for me to be able to do that or be like that, and maybe not even then. I’m a professional worrier and I don’t seem to be able to do much about it .... Download to keep reading


Growing Up in Christ - Liz Gordon, 12 February 

‘I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh.’
If you remember, Paul is writing to the Christian church in Corinth which he’d founded a few years previously. Obviously at that time they were brand new Christians ... Download to keep reading


God Needs Us - Andrew Bain, 5 February 

The other night I saw a production of Peter Schaeffer’s “Amadeus” broadcast live from the National Theatre in London. If you saw the film years ago, you’ll remember how the story is told by Mozart’s rival, Antonio Salieri (who confesses that he was responsible for Mozart’s downfall and even his death). As an old man he recalls how he had dedicated himself to God almost as a bargain ... Download to keep reading


What Can I Give Him?Andrew Bain, 29 January 

'God is the Lord who has shown us Light; let us offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness.'

What does it mean to have an encounter with God and what does it mean for us? And what’s an oblation anyway?

When I was a wee boy I was packed off to Sunday School every Sunday, all dressed up ... Download to keep reading


We Lack Nothing - Liz Gordon, 15 January 

I want you to picture a day old baby lying in its little Perspex crib. It’s been pronounced healthy by the medics and will shortly be taken home by its parents (they don’t hang around in hospital these days!) Now this baby has within it everything it needs to develop into a fully functioning adult ... Download to keep reading