11th May 2025 Choral Evensong – Dedication Service John 10:22-30 Is there a more frequently reoccurring metaphor than that of the shepherd in the Bible? To be honest I don’t know – there are other contenders, the vine, perhaps, or ‘light’. But in any case the shepherd is up there, naturally enough, one might say, …
Author archives: Philip Rawlings
VE Day – a poem
A Poem for VE Day At last, at last the war could ceaseAnd Europe could enjoy real peace,May the Eighth was VE DayAnd little girls could shout hooray. Children who’d known ruined streetsChildren used to rationed meat.Children whose fathers left to fightAnd now will never say ‘Good Night’ But then as costly fighting endsPeace called …
Sermon 2025-05-04
4th May 2025 – Parish Communion Acts 9:1-20 and John 21:1-19. Today blesses us with two of the greatest calling stories in the Bible. Those of Peter and of Paul, or Saul as he was known then. Stories so familiar that we have read, listened, reflected and heard sermons on them many times in our …
Music 2025-06-08
8th June 2025 Pentecost Choral Evensong 6pm Organ Veni Creator Spiritus – Nicolas de GrignyIntroit If ye love me, keep my commandments – David Hansell Hymns NEH137 Come down, O love divine; NEH431 O thou who camest from above; NEH408 Love Divine, all loves excelling Psalm 150 (BCPp312)Canticles Gibbons/Beach Anthem I will sing with …
Music 2025-06-01
1st June 2025 7th Sunday of Easter/Sunday after Ascension Day Parish Communion 10:30am Organ A Voluntary – Orlando Gibbons Introit Rejoice today with one accord (NEH 444) – Martin Luther/J S BachHymns NEH349 Come let us join our cheerful songs; NEH134 The head that once was crowned with thorns [IA: 100 vv7&8] ; …
Parish News
Latest issue of Abinger & Coldharbour Parish News is now available.
New pictures
See some new photos and pictures of St James’ over the centuries.
Sermon 2025-04-27
27th April 2025 – Benefice Service Acts 5: 27-32, John 20: 19-end Alleluia Christ is risen he is risen indeed alleluia. What tosh! What balderdash! What nonsense! Talk about being away with the fairies not to mention dragons, unicorns and all other fanciful things. Jesus Christ is risen, no way! Simply delusional. Such sentiments have …
Dedication Festival
ST JAMES DEDICATION FESTIVAL – MAY 10th & 11th 2025 Following the necessary post-war repairs, St James was re-dedicated and came back back into use on May 12th 1951. You can read the original 1951 re-dedication service here.. This year’s celebrations are as follows: May 10th Dedication Festival Concerts, 12 noon and 4.00 pm with refreshments …
St George’s Day – a poem
A poem for St George’s day By Virginia Smith Today, today’s St George’s DayAnd all we English shout “Hooray”A heroic saint who liked to rideA trusty weapon by his side.He always sought some maid to saveFrom some dragon’s dismal cave.The dragon might breathe smoke and fire.Which did no harm to G’s attireAlthough at times it …
