Draycote and Leam Valley Benefice

Phil Price
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The latest Teaching and news from the Draycote and Leam Valley Benefice

  1. 4D AGO

    When Life let's you down, where to go when people, systems of life fail you.

    Where do you turn when people, systems, or life itself seem to fail you?We all face moments when life doesn’t hold together — relationships break down, pressure builds, support disappears, and we’re left feeling on our own.In this talk from John 14, Jesus speaks into that experience. To frightened and uncertain disciples, he makes a striking promise: “I will not leave you as orphans.”What does that mean in the middle of real-life disappointment and struggle? And how does the Holy Spirit come alongside us as Comforter, Helper, and Advocate?Part of the series: 21st Century Problems, 1st Century Solutions.

    12 min

  2. MAY 3

    When Heaven Is Open: What Still Feels Non-Negotiable?

    When Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7, the violence is immediate and unavoidable. But Luke tells us something extraordinary: heaven is opened, and Stephen sees Jesus. In this sermon, we explore what changes when eternity breaks into the present—and how that reshapes what we call “non-negotiable.” We often hold tightly to things that feel essential in church and in life. But what if seeing Jesus clearly challenges some of those assumptions? This is a reflection on sacrifice, perspective, and the quiet question beneath it all: when heaven is open, what really matters? 📖 Acts 7:54–60

    12 min

  3. APR 26

    What the Early Church Knew That We Often Forget

    In Acts 2:42–47 we get a snapshot of what the early church was like at its most vibrant and alive. But this isn’t just history—it raises a searching question for us today: what actually gives the church its life, its character, and its direction?In this sermon, we explore four core devotions of the early church—teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer—and consider how everything else in church life flows from these foundations. Along the way, we reflect on how easily churches (and individuals) can drift into focusing on programmes, structures, and responsibilities while losing sight of what sits at the centre.📖 Passage: Acts 2:42–47

    14 min

  4. APR 19

    Why Do We Drift Away—Even When We Believe?

    In Luke 24, two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem, trying to make sense of everything that has just happened. They’re confused, disappointed, and heading in the wrong direction without really realising it.And yet, they’re met on the road by Jesus.In this sermon, we explore one of the most tender and powerful resurrection encounters in Scripture. Jesus doesn’t interrupt their confusion or shame them for drifting—he walks with them, listens to them, opens the Scriptures, and slowly reorients their understanding of what God has been doing all along.Only later, in the breaking of bread, do they recognise him. And when they do, everything changes. They turn around and go back.This raises a deeply practical question for us today: how do we respond when we realise we’ve drifted—often not in rebellion, but simply by getting caught up in our own concerns, assumptions, and distractions?This sermon reflects on what it means to be formed over time by Jesus—through Scripture, prayer, and daily life—so that we begin to recognise him more quickly, and gently turn back before the journey takes us further than we intended.If you’ve ever felt like faith is real but life still feels slightly off course, this passage speaks directly into that experience.

    14 min

  5. APR 5

    Living Like Easter Never Happened

    What if the resurrection of Jesus is true—but our lives don’t actually look any different?In this Easter Sunday sermon, we explore the subtle but powerful difference between living as if Easter has happened and living as if it hasn’t. Because while we celebrate the resurrection, the reality is that many of us still face the same pressures: difficult relationships, uncertain futures, waiting rooms, bad news, and the everyday weight of ordinary life.Through the story of the first witnesses to the empty tomb, we see a world literally shaken by the news that Jesus is alive. But the question is: do we stop long enough to let that news reshape us?This message invites us to pause—not just to believe in Easter, but to live it. Because if Jesus really rose from the dead, then:people can changefear doesn’t get the final wordand the story of the world is still being writtenThis isn’t just a message for Easter Sunday. It’s about what it means to walk into work, sit in waiting rooms, and face the world around us with the quiet but radical confidence that Easter has changed everything.

    13 min

  6. MAR 29

    Palm Sunday: Only Happy When She’s Dancing? Finding Joy in the Journey

    Join Phil as we explore Palm Sunday through a fresh lens, comparing the fleeting excitement of the crowd with the enduring faith of Jesus’ disciples. Using the pop song She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancing by Bryan Adams as a starting point, we reflect on the Psalms of Ascent, the boldness of the disciples, and how true joy is found not just in the big moments but in our everyday lives. 🎵 Learn how Jesus meets us in both the celebration and the ordinary.📖 Scriptures referenced: Matthew 21:1-11, Psalms 122, 126, 130🙏 Reflect, engage, and consider: are we following the hype, or following Jesus? #PalmSunday #Discipleship #BryanAdams #PsalmsOfAscent #FaithInDailyLife

    15 min

  7. MAR 22

    When God Feels Distant: Learning to Wait (Psalm 130)

    What do you do when you know God forgives… but you don’t feel it? Psalm 130 is one of the “Psalms of Ascent,” sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Surprisingly, it begins not with celebration, but with a cry from the depths. This sermon explores that honest, in-between space: when we know we’ve got things wrong when forgiveness is real but restoration doesn’t quite feel complete At the heart of the Psalm is a powerful image: waiting for the Lord like a watchman waiting for the morning. Not anxiously, but with quiet confidence that light is coming. As we approach Holy Week, this ancient song helps us make sense of the journey from darkness to hope—through waiting, trust, and ultimately, redemption. If you’ve ever felt stuck, distant from God, or unsure what to do next, this Psalm offers a simple but profound invitation: Cry. Trust. Wait. Hope.

    14 min

  8. MAR 15

    Psalm 23 and the Modern Epidemic of Exhaustion | Mothering Sunday Reflection

    In this Mothering Sunday reflection, we explore Psalm 23 in a fresh, modern context. From the pressures of social media and the “TATT” (Tired All The Time) epidemic to the relentless demands of work, family, and daily life, we discover a different kind of rest — one that God actively offers. Using the timeless imagery of green pastures, quiet waters, and the shepherd’s care, this message reminds us that being tired is not failure, and true success is finding rest in the loving provision of Jesus. 📖 Scripture: Psalm 23🙏 Reflection for anyone feeling weary, overwhelmed, or constantly on the go💡 Practical encouragement for Mothering Sunday and beyond #Psalm23 #RestInJesus #MotheringSunday #ChristianEncouragement #TATT

    14 min
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The latest Teaching and news from the Draycote and Leam Valley Benefice

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