Sunday Sermon, 3 May 2026

Sunday Sermon, 14 June 2026

The Second Sunday of Trinity, St Andrew’s Church, Sedbergh You can read the sermon below, or listen here: Sunday Sermon Revd Andy Burgess Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/6a31111670a8271656906be4/1781600548073/Sermon+14+June+2026.m4a] A reading from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5.1–8 NRSVA   Last month, a friend and I went to see Paul Simon live in concert in Liverpool. It was a great gig! But I was aware what a privilege it was. As we arrived at the venue we had to show the tickets that gained us access. Although we went for the most affordable seats, they were still expensive, and out of the reach of many people. As we entered the vast arena, we could see the premium front row seats that cost even more. As I looked up to the luxury corporate booths, I saw business people and executives who had access to complimentary tickets out of the reach of us ordinary folk. And of course, there are always those lucky few who get to go backstage and meet the performer themselves. This is just one example of the many social hierarchies that shape and form our society. In every area of life, there are structures which privilege those who hold wealth, power, and status. This phenomenon has been referred to as the ‘Social Pyramid’ – a few at the top, with the majority at the bottom. It was even more pronounced in the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago, when St Paul wrote his letter to the Christians living in Rome. The emperor was at the top of the pyramid, and the vast majority were at the lowest levels, living in poverty, or close to it. In their day, as in ours, they knew that access to the best that society offers was only available to the privileged few. ---------------------------------------- This is why St Paul’s letter to the Romans is like a lightning bolt from the sky, which challenges and subverts the traditional power structures. In it, he preaches a radical new message – the idea that access to God and the spiritual life is in no way limited by human social expectations or achievements. Rather, it is open to all. He writes to the Romans that through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, “we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand.” (Romans 5:2 NRSVA) The language Paul is using here is reminiscent of a throne room. Usually only those who are worthy of honour are permitted to approach the sovereign. In our country, an audience with the King is the privilege of just a select few (although I know there are some in our congregation who have had the honour of meeting King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales!) But St Paul is teaching that access to God is open to all. We gain access to God not because of our own social standing, or our own achievements, or our own good deeds – it rests upon God’s love and initiative, and this access is offered to everyone through the preaching of the Gospel. It is summarised at the end of our passage this morning: “God proves his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. In the book of Romans, Paul takes time to explain that all humanity is in the same situation – we have all fallen short of God’s glory, we have all sinned, and the only way to be made right with God is not through our human effort, but through trusting in Jesus Christ. This is why it depends on faith, not works. God has made peace with us, through Christ, even though we don’t deserve it. All that is required of us is to accept the free gift, and to trust that we have access to God because of Christ’s saving work. ---------------------------------------- This is a radical message, both at the personal and the social level. It is significant personally, because it reminds us that God’s love for us doesn’t rest on our own good works or accomplishments. There are often times when we are tempted to feel that it is only a select few who are worthy to come into the presence of God, and kneel before his throne. Perhaps only those who are truly righteous, pious, or humble, like the great saints of old. Certainly not someone ordinary like me or you. After all, God sees into our hearts. He knows our deepest thoughts and desires, and we may feel deep down that we are not worthy of coming before him or gaining access to his throne. But this is precisely Paul’s point. It is in our weakness that God has opened a way for us to come before him. He removes our shame, he gives us a living hope, and he invites us into the heavenly places. We have free access to God, and this is received by faith as a gift, not through our own works. ---------------------------------------- This gospel message is also significant for society, because if all people have been offered access to God regardless of background or situation, it follows that we should seek to reflect this in society by removing the hierarchies and power structures which privilege just the few. This is one of the reasons St Paul is writing to the Romans. He is concerned that they have separated into different groups – Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, and what he refers to as the ‘strong’ and the ‘weak’. But the church is not meant to reflect social hierarchies. It is meant to be a place of radical acceptance and welcome, where we do not distinguish according to social status. In a world which now has its first trillionaire, it causes us to reflect on the gap between rich and poor. While we can be thankful that our society has historically valued universal access to education, healthcare, and opportunity, we must also recognise that our world remains deeply unjust in many ways, and the gap between rich and poor is increasing. As the church, the Gospel compels us to be concerned about these things. God’s love is made real and tangible in our love of neighbour and care for wider society. ---------------------------------------- I began by sharing my experience of a Paul Simon concert recently. I’d like to close with a thought from one of his later songs, called ‘Wristband’. In this song, he reflects on the way in which access is limited in our society to those with wealth and status. The chorus goes like this: Wristband, my man, you've got to have a wristband If you don't have a wristband, my man You don't get through the door. There are many doors which are closed to the poor and those of low status in our society. St Paul’s radical gospel message tells us that the most important door – the door to peace with God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit – is open to all. May our church become a place which reflects this generosity and openness. May we be excited to share the generous love of God with those around us. May we welcome one another as we have been welcomed by Christ. And may we delight in the grace in which we stand, and in the hope of salvation that we have been freely given. Amen.

Sunday Sermon, 24 May 2026

The Feast of Pentecost, St Andrew’s Church, Sedbergh You can read the sermon below, or listen here: Sunday Sermon Revd Andy Burgess Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/6a130411e33b461bb0be0be5/1781600496547/Sermon+24+May+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel according to St John On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7.37–39 NRSVA ---------------------------------------- Many years ago Joy and I went on holiday to Morocco. We were young and didn’t do much research when when planning our trip. We decided to go in the month of August, which was the hottest time of the year. And being eager to make the most of our trip and see all the sights, we ventured out in the midday sun. I remember feeling like I instantly wilted the moment we stepped outside. We found ourselves hopping from cafe to cafe just trying to keep ourselves hydrated. It didn’t take us long to realise the wisdom of those who waited to come out in the evening, when it was cooler and much more pleasant. In our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus says: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” This is one of the primary spiritual metaphors that we find in John’s Gospel. Just as we might feel thirsty in a hot climate where water is scarce, so there are times when our soul becomes dry and arid, and we feel spiritually empty. In these moments, Jesus invites us to come to him and draw deeply from him. Christ is the sparkling fountain of life, who refreshes the soul, gives an assurance of God’s love, and provides meaning and direction in a difficult and confusing world. ---------------------------------------- It feels a particularly appropriate image for today. Many commentators have observed that contemporary society can feel like a desert place. The rise of modernity has uprooted local traditions and customs, and increased our sense of social isolation and loneliness. The climate crisis which is ravaging the earth is causing profound levels of anxiety and distress, especially amongst the young. And the prevalence of digital screens and the rise of AI is blurring the line between what is real and virtual, reducing our attention spans, and shaking the foundations of our common life. Today is the Feast of Pentecost, which marks the birth of the church two millennia ago. This was the day when the Holy Spirit – the ‘living water’ that Jesus speaks of – was first poured out upon the Apostles. And, from that day until now, the church is called to be a spiritual oasis in a dry and parched land. It is meant to draw people towards it as a place where deep questions and yearnings of the soul might be raised and explored. ---------------------------------------- It causes us to reflect on whether this is people’s experience of the church today.  I had a conversation with someone just this week who recognised her spiritual need, but didn’t feel she could find it in the church because of her past experiences. She had experienced the church as authoritarian, repressive, and unwelcoming. Rather than being an oasis in the desert, it was like a dried up well that offered no hope. This is an extreme example, and I am thankful that our local churches are welcoming places which seek to nurture faith. We can be encouraged that the Holy Spirit is active and at work in our churches and communities, as we grow in faith, hope, and love. There is a depth of genuine desire for God and a care for others that is very precious here. Events like our community BBQ this afternoon are evidence of care for our community. But a birthday is a good time to look in the mirror and ask the hard questions. The Church is almost 2,000 years old. Are there ways in which our habits and practices alienate rather than welcome? Are there places where the well has run dry? Are we willing to listen to valid criticism and be prepared to change? Is this a place where people can hear and encounter the invitation of Christ to find spiritual fulfilment? I am not suggesting that the church should market itself to contemporary society as just another lifestyle choice. I am also not suggesting we throw out the ancient practices of the church, or that we attempt a ‘rebrand’. Christianity declares that Jesus is Lord, and that Christ is on the throne. But our Living Lord sends his Spirit to challenge and rebirth the church in every generation, and so, on this birthday of the church, we must be alert and responsive to this. We ought to ask where the Spirit is leading us next, and be open to follow where she leads us. ---------------------------------------- Jesus says: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” In this age of spiritual drought, may we respond to Christ’s invitation, and trust that in him, we may glimpse the divine and embrace the mystery of God.  As we come together in worship, let us pray for the empowering presence of the Spirit who causes streams to flow in the desert. And as we share in bread and wine as our Lord commanded, may we be nourished by the Living Water of Christ, as it pours through our lives and churches, into the soil of our culture, and springs forth flowers of God’s love in the wilderness.  Amen.

Sunday Sermon, 10 May 2026

Low Smithy Chapel Anniversary and Farewell Thanksgiving Service For the final service in Low Smithy Chapel, we were glad to welcome Geoff Park as our guest preacher. You can listen to his sermon below. Sunday Sermon Geoff Park Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/6a00b5585375d140d8b09a13/1778431337942/Sermon+10+May+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel According to Luke When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.” ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. Luke 8.4–15 NRSVA

Sunday Sermon, 3 May 2026

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, St Andrew’s Church, Sedbergh You can read the sermon below, or listen here: Sunday Sermon Revd Andy Burgess Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/69f73dddcbf8151d813d3073/1779631089655/Sermon+3+May+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel according to St John ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. John 14.1–14 NRSVA ---------------------------------------- One way of understanding our human condition is that we are all searching for something. What we are searching for changes from person to person, and depends upon our circumstances. The philosopher searches for meaning, for purpose, and for significance in life. The hedonist searches for pleasure. The spiritual mystic searches for enlightenment, for nirvana, for union with the divine. In the West, many of us have the luxury of devoting considerable time and resources to the search. In the poorer parts of society and our world, the search often consists of simply trying to find the next meal. St Augustine wrote that we have restless hearts. Sometimes we wake in the middle of the night wondering what might have been, or what could be. Many of us sense that there is more to discover beyond the boundaries of our daily lives and experiences. This is reflected in our cultural stories of legendary quests, from Homer’s Odyssey, to King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail. Some are excited and earnest in their search. Others are weary and tired. Some are open and impressionable, whereas others are hardened and sceptical. Some continue to seek, whereas others have given up in frustration and disappointment. Some have long forgotten what they were looking for, and others can’t see the object of their desire when it’s right in front of them. Some feel like they’ve struck gold, whereas others realise they’ve spent their life chasing after Fool’s Gold. Where are you on your search this morning? What are you seeking? Are you hopeful or disillusioned? Do you have faith or are you full of doubt, or somewhere in between? Do you believe that those who ask receive, those who seek will find, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened? ---------------------------------------- In our reading from John’s Gospel, we hear the famous words of Jesus: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. This is an invitation to ground our searching, not in a philosophy, nor in a teaching, nor in the pursuit of material things, but in a person. That person is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the one who opens for us the Way to the Father. The Way is discovered in a relationship. There is no map that shows us where the treasure lies, nor a predefined set of steps that we must follow to gain approval. There is simply a person who invites us to trust in him, and to abide in his love. I think this is what makes Christianity both so exciting but also so daunting. So often in life we seek to master things so that they will serve our needs. But the living Christ is abundantly free, and we cannot master him. If we bring our searching before him, and allow him to direct and guide us, he promises to be with us. But we cannot co-opt him for our own gain. Rather, we are called to lay at the feet of Christ all of our desires, our hopes, our history, our grievances, our disappointments, our guilt, our plans, and our dreams. We bring everything that we are, and he promises to transform, to reshape and to refashion us. He will tutor us, discipline us, lead us, and be with us as he becomes our Way. The Way is not something that we can understand or comprehend without this act of faith. It is as we trust in Christ that he becomes for us Truth and Life, and this fullness cannot be known objectively, or in a scientific sense. The Way becomes the Way of Truth, and the Way of Life, only as we follow him. ---------------------------------------- The poet TS Eliot writes these lines towards the end of his poem ‘Little Gidding’: > We shall not cease from exploration > And the end of all our exploring > Will be to arrive where we started > And know the place for the first time. Home is pictured for us in John’s Gospel as ‘the Father’s house’. This is the place where God dwells, and Jesus is the Way to this heavenly abode. Humanity began its search in the garden, in the presence of God; Jesus promises he will show his disciples the way back into the fullness of God’s presence, to his Father’s house. When we embrace Jesus as our Way, it feels as though our searching has come home. It is not that we have searched out something new; rather, someone who has known us from before time itself has sought us out and found us. From our first moments of life as a newborn, God has been present. When we come to Jesus as the Way, we discover this afresh, and we see familiar things in a new light. We know the place as if for the first time. It is not an easy Way to the Father’s house. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection. He is going ahead of us, but he will return, to show us the Way. We too must be prepared to embrace death, and to let go of everything that we cling to so tightly. This Way brings pain and hardship. It throws everything into confusion. Think of the revolutions of the heart that the early disciples went through. Everything they thought about the world was turned upside down. Similarly, everything we think we know is provisional, is liable to be emptied out, questioned, and reexamined when we commit ourselves to the Way. But the death we pass through leads to new life, both in the present, and in the future. As we daily walk in the Way, we are invited to leave behind old patterns of behaviour and embrace a new mode of living. As our defences come down, Jesus reveals new layers of humanity within us, compassion for others, the humility to say “I’m wrong” or “I’m sorry”. And when the day of our departure comes, like St Stephen gazing into the heavens and seeing the glory of the Lord, so Jesus promises he will be there with us, ready to take us on from this life into the next. ---------------------------------------- John’s Gospel does not give us easy formulas or logical propositions. Through the written word, the Spirit of Christ invites us into relationship with the Divine Word. This is probably better understood through poetry than through teaching. George Herbert begins his poem ‘The Call’ with a meditation on this text: “Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life”. Herbert understood Jesus’ words as an invitation to possess Christ, and to be possessed by him. We are called to follow Jesus as our Way, our Truth, and our Life. All of our searching begins and ends in him. We can trust him to lead us on the right path, even when the way seems rocky. Wherever you are on your search this morning, you are invited to renew your trust in the Resurrected One, who will come again to show us the Way to the Father. Amen.

Sunday Sermon, 26 April 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cornerstone Community Church, Sedbergh You can listen to the sermon by Pam Dent here: Sunday Sermon Pam Dent Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/69ee4acd9bc55a0165ad2a7c/1778431230047/Sermon+26+April+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel According to John Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ John 21.4–19 NRSVA