Sermons
Below you can find transcripts of sermons our clergy and guest preachers have given at recent Abbey services. They deal with current theological issues, religion and world events, and the interpretation of biblical texts.
Where possible, we provide an audio and video recording of the sermon.
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the First Sunday of Lent 2024
‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologiand and Almoner
Sunday, 18th February 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on Racial Justice Sunday 2024
Let us begin and finish with glory.
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby GCVO Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan
Sunday, 11th February 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday before Lent 2024
In the first few lines of John’s gospel, I hope anyone would find ideas that are gripping and enticing.
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO
Sunday, 4th February 2024
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Baptism of Christ 2024
Returning from Bethlehem.
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence
Sunday, 7th January 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Baptism of Christ 2024
The Baptism of Jesus by John in the River Jordan is one of the most important stories in the New Testament.
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Minor Canon
Sunday, 7th January 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist of the Feast of the Epiphany 2024
The challenge for the Church is to acknowledge, to welcome, the insight of outsiders.
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor
Saturday, 6th January 2024
Sermon Christmas Day 2023
In the beginning was the Word.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster
Monday, 25th December 2023
Sermon preached at the First Eucharist of Christmas 2023
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is not a myth.
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner
Sunday, 24th December 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Advent 2023
John Baptist’s voice came from the edge, not from the centre of power.
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Minor Canon
Sunday, 10th December 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the feast of Christ the King 2023
Today is a summons to believe in God, not ourselves.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster
Sunday, 26th November 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday before Advent 2023
Where is the violence we see and sometimes experience actually coming from?
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor
Sunday, 19th November 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Third Sunday before Advent 2023
What kind of a nation are we and what direction do we want to move in?
The Right Reverend Anthony Ball Canon in Residence
Sunday, 12th November 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Fourth Sunday before Advent 2023
Naming God
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence
Sunday, 5th November 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday before Advent 2023
Many of us don’t love ourselves nearly enough.
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor
Sunday, 5th November 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on All Saints' Day 2023
God will wipe away every tear.
His Excellency The Most Reverend Bashar Matti Warda Archbishop of Erbil of the Chaldeans
Wednesday, 1st November 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity 2023
If we wish to be seen as virtuous, then we should commit to a life of virtue.
The Reverend Robert Latham Sacrist
Sunday, 22nd October 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong of the feast of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey, 2023
May we hold onto the perspective of the heavenly city as we seek the peace and prosperity of our city.
The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Grenfell Bishop of Stepney, Diocese of London
Sunday, 15th October 2023
Sermon preached on the feast of the Translation of St Edward the Confessor, 2023
This is an astonishing place, and today we honour the Saint whose gift it is.
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor
Friday, 13th October 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity 2023
Discerning the will of God for our lives and obeying God’s commandments.
The Right Reverend Anthony Ball Canon in Residence
Sunday, 8th October 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist with Inauguration of St Margaret's Choristers
This is wonderful, but it is also a little awkward.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster
Sunday, 1st October 2023
Sermon given at a Sung Eucharist on the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity 2023
Looking for just one thing.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster
Sunday, 1st October 2023
Sermon preached at Eucharist with Ordination and Consecration 2023
St Michael and All Angels Genesis 28: 10–17
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle
Friday, 29th September 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 2023
How will you engage in community with others in the Church?
The Reverend David Stanton Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer
Sunday, 3rd September 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 2023
'Let your gentleness be known to everyone.'
The Reverend David Stanton Canon in Residence
Sunday, 27th August 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 2023
Humanitarianism is fundamental to the Christian faith.
The Reverend David Stanton Canon in Residence
Sunday, 20th August 2023
Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 2023
There is no gap or limit to God’s mercy.
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar
Sunday, 20th August 2023
Sermon preached at Evensong on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2023
The dungeon shook and my chains fell off; I’m gonna grieve my Lord no more.
The Right Honourable The Lord Boateng CVO PC DL
Sunday, 30th July 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2023
Our life and our work can be given the dignity of revealing something of the kingdom of heaven.
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner
Sunday, 30th July 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday after Trinity 2023
The sower has sown good seed in his field and looks forward to a good harvest.
The Reverend Prebendary Dr Tony Kyriakides Priest Vicar
Sunday, 23rd July 2023
Sermon preached at the Festival of St Margaret of Antioch 2023
God is with us in our trials and tribulations and will ultimately uphold the righteous.
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar
Thursday, 20th July 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the First Sunday after Trinity 2023
‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
The Reverend Justin White Priest Vicar
Sunday, 11th June 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist of Trinity Sunday 2023
‘Firmly I believe and truly, God is three and God is one’
The Reverend David Stanton Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer
Sunday, 4th June 2023
The Sermon preached on the Day of Pentecost 2023
The Holy Spirit is the invitation to all people, in all their diversity, to share in the Power of all our powers.
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor
Sunday, 28th May 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2023
Hope and Despair
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster
Sunday, 21st May 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on Ascension Day 2023
Ascension Day declares the primary task of the Church universal, its true vocation.
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar
Thursday, 18th May 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2023
‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.’
The Reverend Robert Latham Sacrist
Sunday, 14th May 2023
