Sermons

Surely Not I

John 13: 1-17; 31b - 35 Surely not I I feel very blessed by the gift that we received from Durham, just a few months ago, in the form of a new Dean. He’s brought with him the rich Christian heritage of the North and the deep wisdom it has to teach us in the South about being disciple… Read more

Sermon by Paul Davies on Thursday 17th April 2025

Chrism Eucharist | Maundy Thursday

Chrism Eucharist 2025 Luke 4:16-21, 17.4.25, Guildford Cathedral Well, of course, I’ve preached on it many times before, and so have most of you. I’ve preached on it at confirmations, ordination retreats, as part of a sermon series, and every year that Luke comes around in the Le… Read more

Sermon by Andrew Watson on Thursday 17th April 2025

Passion Sunday

Its true to say that most organisations today have a strap brand line of sorts, and the Diocese of Guildford has a very catchy one ......... Hands up if you can remember it !! Sorry, I forgot myself for one moment, in that I am not in a classroom full of teenagers!! And in fairness its still ve… Read more

Sermon by Paul Thompson on Sunday 6th April 2025

A Sermon for Mothering Sunday

I recall from when my now adult children were very young that dressing them could sometimes be challenging. They would need to be in the mood to be dressed and, as they began to learn to speak, gradually began to express their opinions about the outfits that had been selected for them. My wife, th… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 30th March 2025

A Sermon for Mothering Sunday | Choral Evensong

A few hundred meters from St Peter’s basilica, standing on the banks of the Tiber, is the Villa Farnesina. Cool in the summer heat of Rome, and with an excellent gelato and espresso provision in is a place of sanctuary from the Roman sun.  On the ground floor are two incredible frescoes… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 30th March 2025

Sermon | Lent 3 Choral Eucharist

I am not a big fan of figs. Fig rolls, oh yes, the Queen of biscuits in my book, bring them on, but figs themselves I can take or leave them. They are rather too sweet for my pallet. Plus, I have to say that watching someone eat figs can be a dangerous activity. Allow me to explain. One of the… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 23rd March 2025

A Sermon for Lent 2

Before ordination, I worked as a logistics and distribution planning manager for a major parcels company. It was fascinating. Whether I was dealing with road-borne parcel traffic, or express air parcels, the issues were the same: how to get the parcels to their destinations for the lowest cost tha… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 16th March 2025

A Sermon for Lent 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Every family in the land will know, or will have known, journeys by car in which from the back seat comes the plaintiff cry: ‘Are we nearly there, yet?’  The young travellers may know that, for example,… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 9th March 2025

Exodus 33 and 1 John 3

May I speak in the name of the living God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Both of our readings tonight, in different ways, are asking us to reflect on the nature of divine glory. Both Exodus and 1 John, together illuminate the nature of God's glory and its call to have a transfor… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 2nd March 2025

Genesis 1

May I speak in the name of the Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I love the poetry and form of Genesis 1. It has flow and beauty; it reflects forward into the prologue in John’s Gospel and resonates with the overarching theme of scripture that God is at the heart of His creat… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 23rd February 2025

Art Reveals God’s Beauty and Creativity

I am delighted that at the end of the service today we will be receiving Piers Rosslyn-Smith’s beautiful installation Unending Love into the cathedral. Art helps us engage with God by drawing our attention to His nature, stirring our emotions, and deepening our spiritual reflections. Whet… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 16th February 2025

Racial Justice Sunday Sermon

Racial Justice Sunday Sermon Friends, it is a pleasure and an honour coming here today. It is like a home coming. With joy, I remember my ordination in this same cathedral 11 years ago. With gladness I remember the services I attended and the friendship and support I received here and in… Read more

Sermon by Folli Olokose on Sunday 9th February 2025