SUNDAY TALKS

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‘Choosing your Bible lens’ by Stephen Welbourne - 5 July 2026

‘Choosing your Bible lens’ by Stephen Welbourne - 5 July 2026

How does the way we look at the Bible change what we think it means, and how we live as a result? Stephen Welbourne takes inspiration from Zach Lambert’s “Better Ways to Read the Bible” and Danielle Strickland’s “Right Side Up” podcast (from April 27th 2026), and looks at what happened when Jesus met a woman accused of adultery. This story has been seen in lots of ways. If it can help us to see Jesus’ approach, it can also help us to treat people and brokenness effectively and avoid weaponising religion. What stands out to you from this story?

Stephen WelbourneSevern Vineyard5 July 2026John, Miscellaneous

‘Father God’ by Kyle Henderson-Begg - 28 June 2026

‘Father God’ by Kyle Henderson-Begg - 28 June 2026

What does it mean to think of God as father? Kyle Henderson-Begg brings his experience of mixed feelings about this and considers the importance of relationship to us and, according to the Bible, to God. Can a fresh look at how and why God is described as a father, together with our experience of God today, help to heal any hurt that arises when we think of a father God?

Kyle Henderson-BeggSevern Vineyard28 June 2026Father, Miscellaneous

‘Bearers of hope’ by David Jennings - 7 June 2026

‘Bearers of hope’ by David Jennings - 7 June 2026

How can we bring hope where we live? David Jennings shares his experience of life in Bristol meeting people in difficult situations and trying to share God's love with them. It can sometimes feel like our faith life is purely personal, and it's good to remember how much God love us. But is this comfort only part of the life God wants for us? Can we believe that it's possible to share in suffering and bring hope and life too?

David JenningsSevern Vineyard7 June 2026Miscellaneous, Romans

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 4 - Pentecost, the festival of Weeks’ by Owen Lynch - 31 May 2026

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 4 - Pentecost, the festival of Weeks’ by Owen Lynch - 31 May 2026

What does it mean to celebrate things that grow slowly? Owen Lynch looks at the Jewish festival that marked 50 days after Passover. In the time since offering first fruits of the harvest to God, more crops had grown and matured, and bread could be made that had time to rise. Offering this to God showed thanks for his provision of things that took time to get right. How often do we appreciate these things more than what we can get instantly, on demand, for ourselves?

Pentecost also used to be understood as a celebration of the nation-defining law given to Moses so Jewish people could grow. Christians remember the Holy Spirit given to believers at the time of this festival too. What does God want us to know about what can happen when we let this Spirit define us and grow fruit slowly in us?

Owen LynchSevern Vineyard31 May 2026Pentecost, Rhythms and rituals, Leviticus

‘The spark in the dark’ by Marie-Anne Joiner - 24 May 2026

‘The spark in the dark’ by Marie-Anne Joiner - 24 May 2026

When life looks dark, what happens when light surprises us? Marie-Anne Joiner shares experiences of finding joy in difficulty and mystery, and how this can fuel creativity we all have. Everyone has stories worth sharing, but how do we find them? Can we learn to make space and silence to notice the fullness of God’s presence, like stars in the darkness?

Marie-Anne JoinerSevern Vineyard24 May 2026Miscellaneous

‘Closed minds, blown minds, open minds’ by Karen Green - 10 May 2026

‘Closed minds, blown minds, open minds’ by Karen Green - 10 May 2026

What difference does our state of mind make when we see new things happening? Karen Green shares experience of life in Bristol and looks at stories of people around Jesus who looked at God’s coming kingdom in different ways. Can getting to know Jesus better and growing our faith in him change the way we see the world, and develop open minds to new possibilities?

Karen GreenSevern Vineyard10 May 2026Matthew, Miscellaneous

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 3 - Firstfruits’ by Owen Lynch - 3 May 2026

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 3 - Firstfruits’ by Owen Lynch - 3 May 2026

How can celebrating and giving the first part of our year’s grown food be helpful to us? Owen Lynch looks at the festival of Firstfruits, given in the Bible for Jewish people to mark a few days after Passover. It recognises how a food-growing community that has gone through a season where nothing grew could look forward to more fruitful life ahead. They didn’t wait for the whole year’s harvest, but made offerings from their first fruits in faith that new life had overcome the threat of death. What difference could that kind of faith make to us, and how can we practise it?

Owen LynchSevern Vineyard3 May 2026Rhythms and rituals, Leviticus

‘How is your soil?’ by Kyle Henderson-Begg - 26 April 2026

‘How is your soil?’ by Kyle Henderson-Begg - 26 April 2026

What difference does the state of our hearts make to how we receive, process and grow with words from God? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at Jesus’ parable of the sower, and what it meant for their seed to be everywhere but growing differently in different places. What does good growth look like, and how can we see more of it?

Kyle Henderson-BeggSevern Vineyard26 April 2026fruit, Miscellaneous

‘Vulnerability’ - 19 April 2026

‘Vulnerability’ - 19 April 2026

What difference does sharing vulnerability make? Looking at examples from the Bible and stories of experience today, we look at how willingness to show where we are imperfect or need help can transform us and our relationships.

Severn Vineyard19 April 2026Miscellaneous

‘God’s love for us’ by Jason Whiley - 12 April 2026

‘God’s love for us’ by Jason Whiley - 12 April 2026

What does love from God mean for us? Jason Whiley shares experience of receiving, living in and sharing love from God, and looks at passages from the Bible including Psalm 139 which show how others have seen this too.

Jason WhileySevern Vineyard12 April 2026love, Psalm 139, Miscellaneous

‘Faith, flags, and an unlikely kind of King’ by Dan Green - 29 March 2026

‘Faith, flags, and an unlikely kind of King’ by Dan Green - 29 March 2026

What do we expect from God’s kingdom and Jesus as King? In this Palm Sunday talk, Dan Green looks at what the crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem hoped and believed might happen, and how they would have been shocked by Jesus and what would happen next. Similarly, when crowds gather today with faith, flags and the nation in mind, does Jesus fit expectations? What do we expect from Jesus?

Dan GreenSevern Vineyard29 March 2026Miscellaneous, Palm Sunday

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 2 - Sabbath’ by Owen Lynch - 22 March 2026

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 2 - Sabbath’ by Owen Lynch - 22 March 2026

What is so important about rest? Owen Lynch looks at what it meant for God’s people to be told and shown how to rest together, and what might be good for us to learn from this too. What difference would it make for us to create space for our own ways of practising a Sabbath rest, and how could we make a start?

Owen LynchSevern Vineyard22 March 2026Leviticus, Rhythms and rituals

‘A short guide to the Bible (part 2)’ by Claire Lynch - 8 March 2026

‘A short guide to the Bible (part 2)’ by Claire Lynch - 8 March 2026

What is the Bible, how did we get it, and what is it for? Claire Lynch looks at how the different genres, stories and conversations in the Bible fit together into something which has conveyed truth to people for thousands of years - as long as they knew how to interpret it. How can we do this today?

Claire LynchSevern Vineyard8 March 2026Bible, Short Bible Guide

‘The “R” word’ by Kyle Henderson-Begg - 1 March 2026

‘The “R” word’ by Kyle Henderson-Begg - 1 March 2026

Why can it feel awkward to think or talk about being “redeemed” or “saved”? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at how we can understand this better by getting to know God’s love, his long-standing promises and the person and work of Jesus.

Kyle Henderson-BeggSevern Vineyard1 March 2026Miscellaneous

‘God wants to be with you’ by David Jennings - 8 February 2026

‘God wants to be with you’ by David Jennings - 8 February 2026

What is worship all about? David Jennings looks at how important it has always been for God's people to worship, how this has been reflected in buildings and structures, and how these give us a meaningful picture today.

David JenningsSevern Vineyard8 February 2026worship, Miscellaneous

Severn's Vision 2026

Severn's Vision 2026

Where are we as a church, what makes us who we are, and what are we looking forward to in 2026? Owen and Claire Lynch share how Severn is an inclusive community of friends where all people are welcome to encounter Christ Jesus. If you would like to know more about giving to Severn, see our Giving page.

Claire Lynch, Owen LynchSevern Vineyard1 February 2026Vision, Miscellaneous

‘A short guide to the Bible (part 1)’ by Claire Lynch - 25 January 2026

‘A short guide to the Bible (part 1)’ by Claire Lynch - 25 January 2026

How can we get to grips with the Bible and what it means? Claire Lynch looks at how it fits together lots of stories as part of one big story of life, purpose, relationships, struggles, suffering, hope and fulfilment. Can looking at the Bible as a box set with recognisable episodes help us to explore it and connect it with our lives today?

Claire LynchSevern Vineyard24 January 2026Bible, Short Bible Guide

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 1 - Passover’ by Owen Lynch - 11 January 2026

‘Rhythms and rituals episode 1 - Passover’ by Owen Lynch - 11 January 2026

How do we find meaning in life through what we regularly do? Owen Lynch looks at the role of repeated patterns, habits or rituals in diverse places, from the minds of sports stars to the tables of families. God's people have also been encouraged for centuries to remember who we and God are to each other through shared festivals with meaningful meals. This year, people at Severn can expect to share the Lord's Supper regularly, and we remember what this means - Jesus' life, given for us - as we share it today.

Owen LynchSevern Vineyard11 January 2026Communion, Luke, Rhythms and rituals

‘For such a time’ - 4 January 2026

‘For such a time’ - 4 January 2026

What might God have prepared you for this year? The story of Esther describes a woman in an unusual work situation, picked out by leaders with their own purposes in mind, but seemingly placed by God for an unimaginably important role.

Jewish people regularly celebrate this story and credit God, who is not directly seen in it, for saving and supporting them through Esther's faith and faithfulness. Can we also discern purpose from God in our work, family or community?

Severn Vineyard4 January 2026Esther, Miscellaneous