Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge

About Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge

Join us each week for the latest sermon from Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, recorded live during our Sunday morning worship. Through Scripture, thoughtful preaching, and practical reflection, we explore how God's Word speaks into our daily lives. Whether you're part of our church family or listening from further afield, we hope these messages encourage your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and inspire you to follow Christ with confidence, hope, and love throughout the week.

Publisher

Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Jul 2026

Latest episode

8 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Nov 2026

   Lest We Forget: Remembrance, Peace and the Light of Hope

   This week, as we mark Remembrance Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd Tommy reflects on the sacrifices of those who have served, the importance of remembering the past and our responsibility to build a more peaceful future. Beginning with a moving moment at the war memorial in Crow Wood Park, Tommy considers how every poppy laid in remembrance represents a life, a friendship and a story that must never be forgotten. Drawing on Jesus' Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, he explores three powerful themes. The light of our lamps represents memory, illuminating the lessons of history. The oil reminds us of our responsibility to seek peace, practise forgiveness and pursue justice. And the midnight call challenges us to remain ready, faithful and committed to our Christian duty. But Remembrance Sunday is not simply about looking back. It is about recognising how conflict begins, learning from the mistakes of the past and ensuring that the sacrifices of others inspire the way we live today. Above all, Tommy reminds us that Christ offers something greater than remembrance alone. He offers hope. Even in the face of suffering and death, we are promised that this life is not the end. This week's sermon challenges us to remember faithfully, seek peace courageously and carry the light of Christ into a world that desperately needs hope. Because true remembrance is not only about honouring the past, but about shaping a future filled with peace, faith and hope.

2. 

   1 Nov 2026

   Behind the Mask: Discovering Who We Really Are in Christ

   This week, as we celebrate All Saints' Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd. Tommy takes an unexpected starting point for his sermon—Halloween! But beneath the costumes, masks and trick-or-treating lies a much deeper question: Who are we really, and are we hiding our true identity from the world? With his usual warmth and humour, Tommy reflects on our fascination with monsters, darkness and the things that frighten us. Drawing on his experiences of working alongside a prison chaplain, he suggests that the greatest dangers in our world don't come from imaginary monsters, but from the harm that ordinary people can sometimes cause. Yet the masks we wear aren't always intended to deceive others. Sometimes they hide something far more precious—our true identity as beloved children of God. We can spend so much of our lives listening to the world's judgements, convincing ourselves that we're not good enough, not worthy or not capable of making a difference. But Jesus tells us a very different story. Drawing on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, Tommy reminds us that being a follower of Christ means embracing humility, showing mercy, seeking peace and standing up for what is right—even when the world encourages us to do otherwise. Using a wonderful comparison with Superman and Clark Kent, we're challenged to consider whether the ordinary identity we present to the world is actually the disguise, hiding the extraordinary potential God has placed within each of us. All Saints' Sunday reminds us that sainthood isn't simply about extraordinary people from the past. It's about ordinary people today, living out God's love and allowing His light to shine through them. So this week, Tommy leaves us with a powerful challenge: What would happen if we took off the masks the world has given us and began living as the people God created us to be? Because our true identity isn't found in the world's expectations or judgements. It's found in Christ—and when we embrace it, His light can shine through us into the darkness.

3. 

   25 Oct 2026

   Love Your Neighbour as Yourself: The Part We Often Forget

   This week at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd. Tommy explores one of Jesus' most familiar teachings: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbour as yourself.” But what does that really mean, and could we be overlooking the most challenging part? Beginning with some light-hearted reflections on the many different ways we use the word love—from enjoying a Sunday dinner to the unconditional affection we have for family and even a much-loved new puppy—Tommy considers how God's love is unlike anything we experience in everyday life. God's love is complete, constant and deeply personal. It doesn't mean we will always get what we want, or that every prayer will be answered in the way we hope. Sometimes love means saying no, setting boundaries or doing what is right rather than what is easy. But while loving God and loving our neighbours can be challenging, Tommy suggests that the hardest part of Jesus' commandment might be just three little words: “as yourself.” How can we truly share God's love with others if we struggle to recognise that we ourselves are worthy of that same love? Drawing on the Gospel, Paul's teachings and the promise of being born again, we are reminded that God doesn't love us blindly or simply hope for the best. He knows us completely, has created us in His image and has entrusted each of us with the responsibility of sharing His good news. Through faith, we can begin to let go of our fears of darkness and abandonment, knowing that Christ is our light and that God will never leave us. This week's sermon is a powerful reminder that loving ourselves isn't about pride or selfishness. It's about recognising our worth in God's eyes, allowing His love to transform us and sharing that same love, kindness and forgiveness with everyone we meet. Because to love your neighbour as yourself, you must first understand just how deeply you are loved by God.

4. 

   18 Oct 2026

   The Power of Words: Changing How We See the World

   This week at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd. Tommy begins with a subject guaranteed to get everyone excited—taxes! But what starts as a light-hearted look at one of life's great certainties soon becomes a fascinating reflection on the power of words and how the language we use shapes the way we see the world. From climbing the career ladder to describing time as something we spend or waste, Tommy explores how everyday expressions influence our attitudes, relationships and understanding of others. Even the way we describe something as a burden rather than a blessing can completely change how we approach it. Drawing on Jesus' famous teaching about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God, we discover how Jesus cuts through clever arguments and carefully chosen words to reveal a much deeper truth: everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Through the readings, we are also reminded of the extraordinary intimacy of God's love. He knows each of us by name, sees us as individuals and calls us into a relationship that goes beyond anything words alone can express. But this week's message isn't simply about choosing our words more carefully. It's about recognising the responsibility that comes with them. How we describe ourselves, our neighbours and even God can influence how others see them—and how we see ourselves. Tommy leaves us with a simple challenge: Take something you would normally describe negatively and, just for one week, try speaking about it positively. What happens when a burden becomes an opportunity, a chore becomes a gift, or a stranger becomes a brother or sister? Ultimately, our faith should move beyond words altogether, allowing God's love to shine through our actions, attitudes and the way we live. Because sometimes changing the way we speak can begin to change the way we see—and the way we live.

5. 

   11 Oct 2026

   More Than Enough: Harvest, Generosity and God's Grace

   This week, as we celebrate Harvest Festival at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd. Tommy challenges us to think beyond simply giving thanks for what we have and consider a much bigger question: What are we doing with all that God has given us? Beginning with a humorous story about the seemingly endless choices available when ordering a meal, Tommy reflects on how many of us live in a world of abundance, where our biggest concern is often not whether we will eat, but what we will choose to eat. Yet while some have more than they need, others continue to struggle with hunger, poverty and loneliness. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, Paul's reminder that those who sow generously will also reap generously, and the Old Testament's call to remember times of need, we are challenged to recognise that everything we have ultimately comes from God. Through Jesus' words about the ravens and the lilies, Tommy reminds us that we are part of God's creation, not its Creator. We are all dependent upon His love and grace, and every person is equally precious in His sight. But Harvest is about more than gratitude. It's about generosity, compassion and recognising the needs of those around us. Whether someone lacks food, friendship, love or support, we are called to see them as our brothers and sisters in Christ and respond with kindness. And while we may not always get it right, God's grace offers us the opportunity to begin again, growing in generosity and sharing His blessings with others. Because the true measure of Harvest isn't simply how much we have received, but how willing we are to share it.

6. 

   4 Oct 2026

   Whose Power Is It Anyway? Giving It Back to Christ

   This week, Revd. Tommy reflects on power, humility and what it really means to depend upon Christ. Beginning with a wonderfully honest story from his ordination—complete with a troublesome deacon’s stole, some emergency stitching and the fear of a wardrobe malfunction—Tommy remembers a question later put to him by his bishop: “By whose power do you think you do this?” The answer was simple: by the power of Christ. Drawing on Jesus’ Parable of the Tenants, Paul’s desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the commandments that “give light to the eyes”, we are challenged to consider how we use the power and responsibility entrusted to us. The vineyard does not belong to the tenants, and neither are our gifts, ministries or achievements ours to possess and control. Everything ultimately comes from God. Our calling is not to prove that we are good enough, but to place what we have into Christ’s hands. Tommy also challenges us to look less at whether the world is “Christian enough” and instead ask a much more searching question: How good are Christians at being Christian? Do our words and actions demonstrate Christ’s love, humility and respect for the equal value of every person? Giving our power to Christ doesn't mean believing we have nothing to offer. It means allowing Christ to take our gifts, abilities and lives and use them to their fullest. The challenge this week: remain humble, use power with love, and remember whose power it really is.

7. 

   27 Sept 2026

   More Than Memory: When Faith Becomes Who We Are

   This week, Revd. Tommy explores the difference between simply remembering what God has done and truly learning who God is. Beginning with an admission that his own memory isn't always the best, Tommy reflects on the Israelites who complain about having no water shortly after receiving manna from heaven. They may have witnessed God's extraordinary works, but had those experiences really changed their understanding of Him? Through the Psalms, the teachings of Jesus and Paul's call to humility, we discover that faith is about far more than remembering Bible stories, names and facts. God's Word is intended to become written on our hearts—shaping our instincts, our actions and the way we treat others. The Pharisees knew the Scriptures, yet Jesus repeatedly challenged them because knowing the words wasn't necessarily the same as living their meaning. Their certainty could prevent them from recognising something new that God was doing. This week's message challenges us to remain humble enough to keep learning and asks an important question: What does the way we live teach other people about the God we believe in? We are called to move from remembering, to learning, to knowing, to living—until God's love, forgiveness, faithfulness and grace become not simply things we can recite, but part of who we are.

8. 

   20 Sept 2026

   When Fairness Meets Grace: God's Generosity Beyond Our Expectations

   s it fair that someone who works for just one hour receives the same reward as someone who has worked all day? This week, Revd. Tommy explores Jesus' challenging Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard and asks us to reconsider what fairness, generosity and God's grace really mean. We often crave simplicity and certainty, wanting life to follow clear rules where effort always determines reward. Yet Jesus challenges us to look beyond our own expectations and recognise a God whose love and generosity cannot be measured by human standards. Drawing on the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness, God's provision of manna and Paul's reflections on faith, Tommy explores how God remains alongside us even when we complain, doubt or struggle to understand His ways. This week's sermon reminds us that faith isn't always about finding easy answers. Sometimes it means learning to live with uncertainty, wrestling with difficult questions and trusting that God continues to guide and teach us. Above all, we are challenged to remember why we follow Christ. It isn't about earning more than others or comparing our faithfulness with theirs. It's about growing closer to God and helping others discover His love, regardless of when they begin their journey. Because in God's Kingdom, grace isn't something we earn by the hour—it's a gift generously offered to all.

9. 

   13 Sept 2026

   Faith, Learning & New Possibilities

   This week, as we mark Education Sunday, Revd. Tommy reflects on how learning can open doors to possibilities we may never have imagined—and how the same is true of our journey of faith. Through some entertaining examples of his own plans going unexpectedly wrong, Tommy explores how our greatest lessons are often learned not when everything works perfectly, but when we're forced to adapt, be creative and keep going. Education isn't simply about gaining knowledge; it's about having the confidence to put what we've learned into practice. Drawing on the Israelites crossing the sea, we're reminded that new challenges can sometimes feel as daunting as walking through an ocean. Yet when we trust God, take that first step and remain open to learning, new paths can appear before us. Faith requires both boldness and humility: boldness to try something new, make mistakes and discover what God might make possible; and humility to recognise that we don't have all the answers and can learn from the experiences of others. This Education Sunday, the challenge is simple: What possibilities might open up if we truly trusted God, trusted what He has taught us—and had the courage to step forward?

10. 

    7 Sept 2026

    Christ in Creation: Loved, Renewed and Made New

    Revd. Tommy is back from his holiday, and this week he reflects on what it means to see not simply creation, but Christ in creation—Christ our Saviour and Redeemer at work within the world of which we are all a part. Through some very personal moments from his time away—the sadness of saying goodbye to his beloved dog Paris and the joy of meeting and holding his new nephew Joshua—Tommy explores those moments when love simply overwhelms us. Whether through family, companionship, a beautiful sunset, a wonderful meal or time spent in nature, creation continually offers glimpses of the extraordinary love of its Creator. But creation is also about change, growth and renewal. Reflecting on sin as an absence of love, we consider how God calls us to prune away what prevents new life from flourishing, accept His forgiveness and allow ourselves to be made new. At the heart of it all is Christ. God loved His creation so deeply that He entered it, walked among us and gave Himself for us. This week's message reminds us that love fulfils the law. We are called to love God, care for His creation, love one another and come together as the Church—trusting Jesus' promise that where two or three gather in His name, He is there among them.

11. 

    2 Sept 2026

    Faith When Life Makes No Sense

    With Revd. Tommy still enjoying his holiday, this week we welcomed Revd. Lesley Ennis, who led our worship and gave the sermon. Why does a good and loving God allow suffering? It is one of the biggest and most difficult questions of faith, and one for which there are no simple answers. Drawing on the struggles of Jeremiah, the words of St Paul and Jesus' own journey to the cross, Lesley explores what it means to trust God when life doesn't go as we hoped. Jeremiah isn't afraid to tell God exactly how he feels, yet amid his pain and frustration he discovers that God has never abandoned him. We are reminded that Christian faith doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. Instead, we can bring our fears, doubts, anger and questions honestly before God, trusting in His strength when our own has run out. From Paul's call to “overcome evil with good” to Christ's promise that those who lose their life for His sake will find it, this week's message encourages us to keep turning towards God—even when we cannot see the whole picture. When we cannot carry ourselves, we can trust in the God who promises to carry us.

12. 

    23 Aug 2026

    Who Do You Say Jesus Is? From Doubt to a Rock-Solid Faith

    With Revd. Tommy taking a well-earned holiday, Dave Callaghan gives this week's talk and shares something of his own journey from scepticism to faith. At one time, Dave admits that the question “Who do you say Jesus is?” might have seemed almost irrelevant. Science appeared to provide the answers he needed, Christianity seemed restrictive, and the idea that the Bible could set someone free made little sense. Yet, over time, something changed. Reflecting on Peter's bold declaration that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Dave explores how encountering Christ can transform the way we understand ourselves, our lives and the world around us. Through Scripture, personal experience and a few supermarket anecdotes along the way, Dave considers how spending time with God's Word gradually renews and changes us, often in ways we don't immediately recognise. It's a personal and encouraging testimony to the transforming power of faith—from someone who once questioned why anyone would need Christianity to someone now standing in church and proclaiming Christ for himself. And ultimately, the question Jesus asked Peter remains a question for every one of us: “Who do you say that I am?”

13. 

    16 Aug 2026

    Get Out of the Boat: Faith Beyond Our Fears

    In this week's sermon, we reflect on what it truly means to be human and why God's grace is greater than our failures. Jesus reminds us that the struggles we see in the world often begin in the human heart, yet rather than condemning us, He meets us with mercy, forgiveness, and the promise of a fresh start. Drawing on the stories of Joseph and his brothers, the faith of the Canaanite woman, and Peter stepping out of the boat, we discover that God doesn't call perfect people—He calls ordinary people willing to trust Him. Even when we stumble, doubt, or fall short, Christ reaches out to lift us up and lead us forward. This message is a challenge to stop letting fear define us, to look honestly at our own hearts, and to step out in faith. Because with Jesus, there is always hope, always forgiveness, and always the courage to do more than we ever thought possible.

14. 

    9 Aug 2026

    Faith in Action: 150 Years of the Mothers' Union

    This week at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, we celebrate 150 years of the Mothers' Union while also sharing in the joy of baptism. Reflecting on the vision of founder Mary Sumner, we explore how one woman's faith and courage grew into a worldwide Christian movement dedicated to strengthening families, supporting communities, and putting faith into action. Drawing on the story of Joseph and his brothers, we consider the realities of family life—its joys, struggles, misunderstandings, and moments of reconciliation. Through this familiar biblical account, we are reminded that God is at work even in broken relationships, bringing healing, hope, and new beginnings. This week'a talk celebrates the enduring mission of the Mothers' Union: standing alongside families in all their diversity, nurturing loving relationships, and trusting that God's grace can transform even the most difficult circumstances. Whether through baptism, family life, or acts of compassion within our communities, we are all called to live out our faith with love, hope, and service.

15. 

    2 Aug 2026

    Five Loaves, Two Fish, and a Little Faith

    In this week's sermon, we reflect on the familiar story of Jesus feeding the five thousand and discover how God can do extraordinary things with what seems ordinary. The disciples saw only a lack of resources, but Jesus saw an opportunity for faith. Using a simple illustration of a ball of string that stretched much further than expected, we're reminded that our gifts, time, and faith may seem small in isolation, but when we place them in Christ's hands and share life with others, they can achieve far more than we imagine. As we also consider Jesus' compassion following the death of John the Baptist, this message encourages us to bring whatever we have—whether confidence or doubt, abundance or scarcity—to God. We don't need to have everything worked out. We simply need to trust that Jesus can multiply even the smallest offering, using it to bless others and reveal His love in remarkable ways.

16. 

    27 Jul 2026

    Faith Like a Mustard Seed: Holding On When Hope Feels Small

    What does faith look like when life feels uncertain? In this week's sermon, we reflect on Jesus' teaching that faith as small as a mustard seed can grow into something extraordinary. Through the moving story of The Last Leaf, we discover that hope can be sustained by even the smallest sign of God's presence. Acknowledging that doubt and weakness are part of every Christian journey, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit meets us in those very moments, giving us the strength to keep going. Whether your faith feels strong and flourishing or as fragile as a single leaf clinging to a tree, God's faithfulness never changes. This sermon is an encouraging reminder that God is not looking for perfection but perseverance. Even the smallest act of faith can bear fruit, offering hope, shelter, and encouragement to others as we continue to trust in Him through every season of life.

17. 

    25 Jul 2026

    Wheat, Weeds & Grace

    In this week's sermon, we explore Jesus' Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, reflecting on the reality that good and evil exist side by side in our world—and often within ourselves. Rather than rushing to judge or separate people, Jesus reminds us that God is patient, always offering the opportunity for repentance, renewal, and transformation. Drawing on the themes of God's unfailing love and hope, we are reminded that we are not defined by our mistakes. God has known and loved us from the very beginning, continually calling us back to the path He has prepared for us. Through Christ's grace, we are invited to live with confidence, using the gifts God has given us to bring light, hope, and encouragement to others. This sermon encourages us to be bold in our faith, to trust in God's purpose for our lives, and to keep sowing seeds of love and kindness, knowing that faithfulness—not perfection—is what God asks of us.

Contact Sunday at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.