Sermons

Recent Sermons Preached at Downing Place URC

March 2024

10th March 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd. Revd Dr Michael Wilson on 10th March 2024 Readings: Deuteronomy 21: 18-23; 1 Corinthians 2: 1-2; Galatians 3: 13-14; Mark 7: 24-30

3rd March 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd. Nigel Uden on 3rd March 2024 Readings: Exodus 20.1-10; Psalm 19; I Corinthians 1.18-25; John 2.13-22

17th March 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd. Nigel Uden on 17th March 2024 Readings: Psalm 51; Philippians 4.10-20; John 12.20-33

February 2024

11th February 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd. John Proctor on 11th February 2024 Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 4:2-6; Mark 9:2-9

4th February 2024

Sermon preached by The Ven. Dr Rachel Mann on 4th February 2024.  Readings: Isaiah 40. 21-31; Mark 1.29-39

25th February 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd. Peter McEnhill on 25th February 2024 Readings: Genesis 17: 1-7,15-16; Romans 4: 13-25; Mark 7: 31-38

18th February 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd. Nigel Uden on 18th February 2024 Readings: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25; Mark 1.9-15

January 2024

14th January2024

Sermon preached by the Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young on 14th January 2024

Readings: John 1: 43-51; 1 Samuel 3: 1-10

7th January 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 7th January 2024

Readings: Ephesians 3.1-12; Matthew 2.1-12

21st January 2024

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 21st January 2024

Readings: Psalm 62; I Corinthians 7.29-31; Mark 1.14-20

28th January 2024

Sharing Together led by the Revd Nigel Uden on 28th January 2024

Readings: Luke 5: 25 – 37; Acts 16: 6-10

Talk given by Professor David Reynolds on 28th January 2024

Readings: Luke 5: 25 – 37; Acts 16: 6-10

December 2023

10th December 2023

Sermon preached by Penny Flynn on 10th December 2023

Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1: 1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-15

3rd December 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 3rd December 2023

Readings: Isaiah 64.1-9; I Corinthians 3.1-9; Mark 13.24-37

31st December 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd professor David Thompson on 31st December 2023

Readings: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40

24th December 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 24th December 2023

Readings: II Samuel 7.1-11 and 16; Luke 1.68-79 – Benedictus; Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38

November 2023

19th November 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 19th November 2023

Readings: Zephaniah 1.7, 12-18; Psalm 90; I Thessalonians 5.1-11;Matthew 25.14-30

12th November 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Pofessor David Thompson 12th November 2023

Readings: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

26th November 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 26th November 2023

Readings: Psalm 95; Matthew 25.31-46

October 2023

8th October 2023

Sermon preached by the Dr Alan Rickard on 8th October 2023

Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46; Philippians 3:4b-14

1st October 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 1st October 2023

Readings:  Ezekiel 18; Psalm 25.1-9; Philippians 2.5-11; Matthew 21.28-32

29th October 2023

Talk given by the Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young on 29th October 2023

Readings: Matthew 22: 34-46; Leviticus 19: 1-2 and 15-18

22nd October 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 22nd October 2023

Readings: Isaiah 45.1-7; Psalm 6; I Thessalonians 1.1-10

September 2023

17th September 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 17th September 2023

Readings: Genesis 50.15-21; Psalm 103; Matthew 18.21-35

3rd September 2023

Sermon preached by the Revd Nigel Uden on 3rd September 2023

Readings: Jeremiah 15.15-21, Romans 12.9-21 & Matthew 16.21-28

24th September 2023

Sermon preached by the Penny Flynn on 24th September 2023

Readings: Matthew 20,1-16; Exodus 16,2-15; Philippians 1,21-30

August 2023

13th August 2023

Service led by the Sustainability Group on 13th August 2023

Readings: Matthew 14: 22-33; Genesis 2:8-9; Revelation 22:1-5

6th August 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Chris Baker on 6th August 2023

Readings: Matthew 14:13-21; Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

20th August 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Peter Ball on 20th August 2023

Readings: Psalm 67; Matthew 15:1-20

July 2023

9th July 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Alex Clare-Young on 9th July 2023

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-12; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19,25-30

2nd July 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Professor David Thompson on 2nd July 2023

Readings: Genesis 22: 1-14; Matthew 10: 40-42; Romans 6: 10-23

30th July 2023

Service led by the Evangelism and Service group on 30th July 2023

Readings: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52; Romans 8: 24-28, 38-39

23rd July 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 23rd July 2023

Readings: Wisdom 12. 13, 16-19; Psalm 86.11-17; Romans 8.12-25;
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

16th July 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 16th July 2023

Readings: Romans 8.1-11; Matthew 13.1-9 and 18-23

June 2023

18th June 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 18th June 2023

Readings: Exodus 19.2-8a; Romans 5.1-8; Matthew 9.35-10.8

4th June 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Dr John Bradbury on 4th June 2023

Readings: Matthew 28:16-20; Genesis 1:1-13; II Corinthians 13:11-13

25th June 2023

Sermon preached by Richard Lewney on 25th June 2023

Readings: Jeremiah 20.7-13; Matthew 10.24-39; Romans 6:1b-11

May 2023

21st May 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 21st May 2023

Readings: Joel 1.10-12 and 2.18-29; Matthew 13.1-9 and 31-32

7th May 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 7th May 2023

Reading: Acts 7.55-60

April 2023

16th April 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 16th April 2023

Readings: I Peter 1.3-9; John 20.19-31

2nd April 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Chris Baker on 2nd April 2023

Readings: Matthew 21:1-11; Philippians 2:511

30th April 2023

Sermon preached by Dr Janet Bottoms on 30th April 2023

Readings: John 10: 1-10; Acts 2: 42-47; 1 Peter 2: 19-25. (Psalm 23)

23rd April 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 23rd April 2023

Readings: Acts 2.14, 36-41; Luke 24.13-35

March 2023

12th March 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Robert Pope on 12th March 2023

Readings: 1-10 Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:5-42

26th March 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Lance Stone on 26th March 2023

Readings: John 11:17-45; Romans 8:6-11

February 2023

12th February 2023

Sermon preached by Revd Janet Sutton on 12th February 2023

Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:21-30

19th February 2023

Sermon preached by Dr Augur Pearce on 19th February 2023

Readings: Matthew 17:1-9; Exodus 24:12-18; II Peter 1:16-21

January 2023

15th January 2023

Sermon preached by Revd John Proctor on 15th January 2023

Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

22nd January 2023

Sermon preached by Revd David Tatem on 22nd January 2023 

Readings: Matthew 4:12-23; Isaiah 9:1-4; Corinthians 1:10-18

November 2022

6th November 2022

Sermon Preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 6th November 2022

Reading: Acts 19: 1-8

27th November 2022

Sermon Preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 27th November 2022

Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5; Romans 13.11-14; Matthew 24.36-44

October 2022

9th October 2022

‘Sharing Together’, led by Jess Uden on 9th October 2022: in a service led by the Evangelism & Service Group

Readings:Leviticus 19: 1-4, 9-18; Mark 12: 28-34

2nd October 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Professor David Thompson on 2nd October 2022:  Jubilee of the United Reformed Church

Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6; Luke 17:5-10

30th October 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Robert Pope on 30th October 2022

Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6; Luke 17:5-10

September 2022

18th September 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Alex Clare-Young on 18th September 2022 –

Readings: Luke 16: 1-13; Amos 8: 4-7

4th September 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 4th September 2022 –

Readings: Deuteronomy 30.15-20; Luke 14.25-33

25th September 2022

Sermon preached by Dr Alan Rickard on 25th September 2022 –

Readings: Amos 6: 1a, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6: 6-19; Luke 16: 19-31

August 2022

7th August 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Chris Baker on 7th August 2022 –

Readings: Genesis 15.1-6; Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16; Luke 12.32-40

14th August 2022

Sermon preached by Richard Lewney on 14th August 2022 –

Readings: Jeremiah 23.23-29, Hebrews 11.29-12.2, Luke 12.49-56

21st August 2022

Sermon preached by Bishop Sharma Nithiyanandham
on 21st August 2022

Readings: Isaiah 58:9b- 14; Psalm 103:1-8’ Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17

June – July 2022

5th June 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 5th June 2022 – Pentecost

Readings: Acts 2.1-21; Romans 8.14-17

3rd July 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 3rd July 2022 – 

Readings: Isaiah 66, 10-14; Luke 10, 1-11, 16-20

10th July 2022

Sermon preached by Revd David Tatem on 10th July 2022 – 

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Corinthians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37

24th July 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Dr David Cornick on 24th July 2022

Readings: Gen 18:20-32; Col 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13

May 2022

22nd May 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 22nd May 2022

Readings: Psalm 67; Acts 16.9-15; John 5.1-9

29th May 2022

Sermon preached by Dr Augur Pearce on 29th May 2022

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Luke 21:25-33; Ephesians 1:15-23

April 2022

3rd April 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 3rd April 2022

Readings: Isaiah 43.18-21; Philippians 3.7-14; John 12.1-8

17th April 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on Easter Day, 17th April 2022

Readings: Psalm 118; Acts 10.34-43; I Corinthians 15.19-26; Luke 24.1-12

March 2022

20th March 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 20th March 2022

Readings: Isaiah 55.1-9 and 12-13; Luke 13.1-9

February 2022

6th February 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Carla Grosch-Miller on 6th February 2022

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

27th February 2022

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 27th February 2022

Readings: Luke 18.18-30;
II Corinthians 9

January 2022

9th January 2022

Sermon preached by Dr Simone Maghenzani on 9th January 2022

Readings: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22; Isaiah 43: 1-7; I Corinthians 8: 6

2nd January 2022

Dr Janet Bottoms: Reflections, 2nd January 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 31: 7-9, John 1: 10-18; Ephesians 1: 3-14

16th January 2022

Sermon preached by Revd. Nigel Uden on 16th January 2022

Readings: Isaiah 62.1-5; Psalm 36.5-10; I Corinthians 12.1-11; John 2.1-11

23rd January 2022

Sermon preached by Revd. Nigel Uden on 23rd January 2022

Readings: Nehemiah 8.1-10; Mark 10.46-52

30th January 2022

Sermon preached by Karen Campbell on 30th January 2022

Readings: Genesis 17.1-8; I Corinthians 13.1-13

December 2021

5th December 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 5th December 2021

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

12th December 2021

Sermon preached by Dr Alan Rickard on 12th December 2021

Readings: Luke 3: 7-18; Zephaniah 3: 14-21

24th December 2021 - Christmas Eve

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 24th December 2021

Readings: Isaiah 52.7-10; John 1.1-14

November 2021

21 November 2021

Sermon preached by Ken Rathje on 21st November 2021

Readings: Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14; Revelation 1.4b-8; John 15.9-17

14 November 2021

Remembrance Day: Sermon preached by Revd David Tatem on 14th November 2021

Readings: Daniel 12: 1-13; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8

28 November 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 28th November 2021

Readings: Jeremiah 33.14-16; I Thessalonians 3.9-13; Luke 21.25-36

6th November 2021: Downing Place URC Re-dedication Service

6 November 2021

Looking back, looking ahead

6 November 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Dr John Bradbury

Readings: 1 Kings 8.22-30, Acts 17.16-32

6 November 2021

Act of Dedication, and Thanks

October 2021

3 October 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 3rd October 2021

Readings: Psalm 8.1-2; Hebrews 1.1-4 and 2.5-12; Mark 10.2-16

10 October 2021

Sermon preached by Dr Augur Pearce on 10th October 2021

Readings: Mark 10:17-31; Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Hebrews 4:12-16

17 October 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Robert Pope on 17th October 2021

Readings: Mark 10:35-45; Isaiah 53:4-12; Hebrews 5:1-10

Talk and Sermon – Commitment for Life service, 24 October 2021

Talk and Sermon – Commitment for Life service, 24 October 2021

Readings: Psalm 126; Mark 10.46-52; Jeremiah 31.7-9

September 2021

5 September 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 5th September 2021

Readings: Isaiah 35.4-7a; Psalm 125; Mark 7.24-37

19 September 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 19th September 2021

Believer’s Baptism

Readings: Ezekiel 36.24-27; I Peter 3.13-22; John 1.19-34

August 2021

1 August 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Professor David Thompson on 1st August 2021

Readings: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35

8 August 2021

Sermon preached by Richard Lewney on 8th August 2021

Readings: Ephesians 4.25 – 5.2, John 6.35, 41-51

15 August 2021

Sermon preached by Revd. Nigel Uden on 15th August 2021

Readings: Revelation 12.1-5a; Luke 1.46-55

22 August 2021

Sermon preached by Revd. Chris Baker on 22nd August 2021

Readings: Ephesians 6.10-20; 1 Kings 8.22-30; John 6.56-69

29 August 2021

Sharing together and Sermon – Revd. Nigel Uden on 29th August 2021

Readings: Song of Solomon 2.8-13; James 1.17-27; Mark 7.1-8 and 14-15

July 2021

4 July 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 4th July 2021

Readings: II Samuel, 5.1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; II Corinthians 12.2-10; Mark 6.13

Revd Nigel Uden

11 July 2021

Sermon preached by Dr Alan Rickard on 11th July 2021

Readings: 2 Samuel 6: 1 – 5 and 12b – 19, Ephesians 1: 3 – 14, Mark 6: 14 – 29

Dr Alan Rickard

18 July 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Derek Wales on 18th July 2021

Readings: Genesis 2: 4b-7, 18–25, I John 4: 7-12, 19-21, Luke 6: 27-36

Revd Derek Wales

25 July 2021

Sermon preached by Dr Janet Bottoms on 25th July 2021

Readings: John 6: 1-21; 2 Kings 4: 18, 42-44; Ephesians 3: 14-21

Dr Janet Bottoms

June 2021

6 June 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 6th June 2021

Readings:  II Corinthians 4.13-5.1, Genesis 3.8-15, Mark 3.20-35

Revd Nigel Uden

13 June 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Dr Janet E Tollington on 13th June 2021

Readings: Mark 4:26-34, Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17

Revd Dr Janet E Tollington

20 June 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 20th June 2021

Readings: II Samuel 17, I Corinthians 6.1-13, Mark 6.35-41

Revd Nigel Uden

27 June 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 27th June 2021

Readings: Lamentations 3.22-33, Psalm 30, II Corinthians 8.7-15, Mark 5.21-43

Revd Nigel Uden

May 2021

2 May 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 2nd May2021

Readings: I John 4.7-21, Acts 8.26-40, John 15.1-8

Revd Nigel Uden

9 May 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Dr David Cornick on 9th May 2021

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-11; Acts 10:44-48; John 15:9-17

Revd Dr David Cornick

16 May 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 16th May2021

Readings: Genesis 2.4a-9, 15-17, Mark 10.42-45

Revd Nigel Uden

23 May 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 23rd May 2021

Readings: Acts 2.1-4, Ezekiel 37.1-10, John 15.26-27

Revd Nigel Uden

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30 May 2021

Sharing together; and Sermon.  Revd Nigel Uden on 30th May 2021

Readings: Isaiah 6.1-8, Romans 8.12-17, John 3.1-17

Revd Nigel Uden

April 2021

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4 April 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on Easter Day 2021

Readings: Mark16.1-8, I Corinthians 15.1-11

Revd Nigel Uden

18 April 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 18th April 2021

Readings: Luke 24.36b-48, Acts 3.12-19, I John 3.1-7

Revd Nigel Uden

11 April 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Deborah McVey on 11th April 2021

Readings: Isaiah 65: 17-25, Acts 4: 23-37, John 20: 19-30

Revd Deborah McVey

25 April 2021

Sermon preached by Revd Nigel Uden on 25th April 2021

Readings: Acts 4.5-12, I John 3.16-24, John 10.11-18

Revd Nigel Uden

March 2021

7 March 2021

Readings:  Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22

Revd Nigel Uden

14 March 2021

Readings:  Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10

Dr Augur Pearce

21 March 2021

Readings:  John 12.20-35; Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.5-10

Revd Paul Whittle

28 March 2021

Readings: Mark 11.1-11; Isaiah 50.4-9a; Passion Narrative: Mark 15; Philippians 2.5-11

Revd Nigel Uden

7 February 2021

An Order of Service for a special service to mark LGBT History Month, led by Open Table members.

Featuring reflections by Revd Alex Clare-Young and Revd Diana Johnson

Readings: Mark 1: 29-39; 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23

Sermon 14 February 2021

Readings: Mark 9:2-9; 2 Kings 2:1-12

Revd Elizabeth Caswell

February 2021

Sermon 21 February 2021

Readings: Mark 1.9-15; Genesis 9.8-17; I Peter 3.12-22

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 28 February 2021

Readings: Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16; Romans 4.13-25; Mark 8.31-38

Revd Nigel Uden

January 2021

Sermon 3 January 2021

Readings: Matthew 2.1-12; Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.1-12

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 10 January 2021

Readings: Mark 1:4-13; Genesis 1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7

Revd Dr David Cornick

Sermon 17 January 2021

Readings: John 1.43-51; I Samuel 3.1-10

Revd Nigel Uden

Address 31 January 2021

Readings: Psalm 104; Luke 4:16-20

A reflection from Chris Wright during our Sustainability themed service

December 2020

Sermon 6 December 2020

Readings: Mark 1.1-8; Isaiah 40.1-11; II Peter 3.8-15a

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 24 December 2020

Readings: Hebrews 1.1-14; John 1.1-14

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 27 December 2020

Readings: Isaiah 61.10-62.3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.22-40

Revd Elizabeth Caswell

November 2020

Sermon 1 November 2020

Revelation 7.9-17; I John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12   

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 8 November 2020

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Revelation 7:9-17

Dr Augur Pearce

Sermon 15 November 2020

I Thessalonians 5.1-11; Matthew 25.14-30

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 22 November 2020

Readings: Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1.15-23; Matthew 25.31-46

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 29 November 2020

Readings: Isaiah 64.1-9; I Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.32-37

Revd Nigel Uden

October 2020

Sermon 4 October 2020

Philippians 3.4b-14; Exodus 20.1-4; Matthew 21.33-46

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 11 October 2020

Isaiah 25:1-9; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14

Revd Dr David Cornick

Sermon 18 October 2020

I Thessalonians 1.1-10

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 25 October 2020

I Thessalonians 2.1-8; Amos 5.18-24; Luke 10.25-37

Revd Nigel Uden

September 2020

Sermon 6 September 2020

Readings: Matthew 18.15-20; Exodus 12.1-14; Romans 13.8-14

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 13 September 2020

Genesis 50.15-21; Matthew 18.21-35

Revd Nigel Uden

Sermon 20 September 2020

Matthew 20.1-16; Jonah 3.10-4.11; Philippians 1.21-30

Revd Nigel Uden