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Christian Resources Library

A continually updated collection of articles
and information from St. Mary's Parish.

Liturgy and the Lectionary

Services for Weekdays by James Woodward and Leslie Houlden

Let's think about the New Testament
Resource material for Lent 2004 (PDF format, 718kb)
First Session: What about the world of the New Testament

Tried and tested Assemblies for Primary Schools

The story and meanings of the Eucharist

Lectionary
Revised Common Lectionary for 2008 - Year A
Revised Common Lectionary for 2007
- Year C
Revised Common Lectionary for 2006
- Year B
Revised Common Lectionary for 2005 - Year A
Revised Common Lectionary for 2004 - Year C
Revised Common Lectionary for 2003
- Year B

Notes on the selected Lectionary readings:

Sermons

The Baptism of Christ First Sunday after Epiphany (Matthew 3.13-17). Sermon preached on 6 January 2008 by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

God with us (Matthew 1. 18 – 25) Sermon preached on 23rd December 2007 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

What are the fears which imprison you? (Matthew 11: 2 – 11) Sermon preached on 16th December 2007 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Easter Day. Sermon preached at a Parish Eucharist, Baptism and Confirmation on Sunday 8th April 2007 by The Rt. Revd Mark Santer

The Adoration of the Shepherds (Luke 2. 1 - 14). Sermon preached on 24 December 2006 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Second Sunday in Advent and the centenary of the English Hymnal (Luke 3.1-6.) Sermon preached on 10 December 2006 by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

Open or closed minds for God? (Second Sunday after Epiphany - John 1. 43 - 51) Sermon preached on 15 January 2006 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Psalm 121 (Second Sunday of Lent) Sermon preached on Sunday 20th February 2005 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Happy the man whose sin is forgiven (First Sunday of Lent - Psalm 32) Sermon preached on Sunday 13th February 2005 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

No one can serve two masters (Second Sunday before Lent - Matthew 6. 24 - 34) Sermon preached on Sunday 30th January 2005 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Preparing for the Kingdom (Third Sunday of Epiphany - Matthew 4: 12 - 23) Sermon preached on Sunday 23th January 2005 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Revelation and Witness (Second Sunday of Epiphany - John 1: 29 - 42) Sermon preached on Sunday 16th January 2005 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3: 13 - 17) Sermon preached on Sunday, 9th January 2005 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

The parable of the prudent manager (Luke 16.1 - 13) Sermon preached on 19 September 2004 by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden .

An aged man is but a paltry thing . . . Unless . . . - Sermon preached at Temple Balsall Heritage Weekend, Sunday 12th September 2004, by The Rt Revd Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford.

And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, be set free? (Luke 13. 10 - 17) - Sermon preached on Sunday, 22nd August 2004 Eleventh Sunday after Trinity by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke1. 46 - 55) Sermon preached on Sunday, 15th August 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Faith (Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16) - Sermon preached by
The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden 8 August 2004

First Sunday after Trinity - Sermon preached on 13th June 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Light In Darkness - (John 13: 31 - 35) Sermon preached on 9th May 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

A Simple Faith worth Sharing - (John 21. 1 - 19) Sermon preached on 25th April 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Easter Day - (Luke 24. 1 - 12) Sermon preached on Easter Day, 11th April 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Do this - (John 13. 1-7, 31-35) Sermon preached on Maundy Thursday, 8 April 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Ash Wednesday - (Isaiah 58.1-12 2 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10 John 8.1-11.) Sermon preached by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

Will we look for God this Lent - (Luke 9: 28 - 36) Sermon preached on Sunday 22nd February 2004 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Here am I, send me - (Isaiah 6.1-8; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11; Luke 5.1-11.) Sermon preached by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

Mary pondered all these things (Fourth Sunday of Advent) Sermon preached on Sunday 21st December 2003 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Advent Sunday - (Luke 21. 25 - 36) - Sermon preached on 30th November 2003 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Let God show you His great love for you - Sermon given by Bishop Michael Whinney during a Baptism and Confirmation Service on All Saints Day, 2nd November 2003

Seeing the Generosity of God (2 Kings 4. 42 - 44 and John 6:1-2) Sermon preached on 27th July 2003 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Faith & Fear (Mark 4: 35 - 41) Sermon preached on 22nd June 2003 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

The story and meanings of the Eucharist - a series of four sermons with historical background and study materials
1: The Gathering of the People of God
2: The Liturgy of the Word
3: The Liturgy of the Supper: the Eucharistic Prayer
4: The Liturgy of the Supper: Communion and departure

see also Historical background and study material

Trapped by the System, but freed by the Outsider (Mark 1. 40 - 45) Sermon preached on 16 February 2003 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

I have become all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9.22) Sermon preached by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

The Voice of one crying in the Wilderness (John 1. 6-8, 19-28) Sermon preached on 15 December 2002 by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

Bible Sunday Sermon preached on 27 October 2002 by The Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

The Great Feast in Matthew (Matthew 22. 1 14) Sermon preached on 13 October 2002 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Gardeners Question Time : the Spiritual Version (Matthew 13: 1 - 9, 18 - 23) Sermon preached on 14 July 2002 on The Parable of the Sower by The Reverend Dr James Woodward

Spirituality and Ageing. (1 Corinthians 13: 8 - 13; John 16: 12 - 15; Habakkuk 3: 17 - 18) Sermon preached on 27 April 2002 to Affirming Catholicism, West Midlands by the Reverend Professor Leslie Houlden

CD of sermon by Austin Farrer, 1904 - 68
On the Sunday before he died, Austin Farrer, one of the most famous and esteemed preachers of his day, preached a sermon on The Ultimate Hope. A recording of it survives and is now available on CD. If you would like a copy, please send a cheque for £10, made out to: Leslie Houlden, 5 The Court, Temple Balsal, Solihull B93 0AN. All proceeds will go to the Farrer Memorial Fund and Trinity College, Oxford.

Faith Seeking Understanding

Finding God in Illness - booklet by The Reverend Dr James Woodward (Adobe Acrobat Format - 123Kb).

Beliefs and Business: the experience of Quaker Companies. A talk by Sir Adrian Cadbury - May 2003

Women Sharing in the Ministry of Christ Part of a talk given by Marlene Parsons - Diocesan Director of Ordinands on 15th October 2002

Art, Religion, Belief and Unbelief. Part of a talk given in St Mary's Church by Nigel Dwyer, whose sculpture of the crucifix now adorns the church.

Will a new Archbishop make any difference to us? Reflection on the appointment of Rowan Williams as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury - July 2002 by The Reverend Dr James Woodward.

Book Reviews

Dying and Grieving: A guide to pastoral ministry by Alan Billings reviewed by James Woodward

Easter Holiday Reading 2004. James Woodward reviews books by Andrew Roberts and Jenny Uglow

Jesus in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia Leslie Houlden (Ed.). Publication details.

Christmas Holiday Books 2003. Autobiographies reviewed by James Woodward

Holiday Books 2003. more relaxing reading reviewed by James Woodward

Holiday Books 2002. James Woodward reviews some relaxing reading

Reports

Vicar's Report to the Annual General Meeting of the Parochial Church Council of The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Sunday 28th March 2004

Vicar's Report to the Annual General Meeting of the Parochial Church Council of The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wednesday 2nd April 2003

Vicar's Report to the Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 20th March 2002