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 Annunciation of Our Lord 2024
If we can but bear it, we will see that all around are the fields of paradise.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE Dean of Westminster
Monday, 8th April 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Easter 2024
‘My Lord and my God.’
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Acting Minor Canon
Sunday, 7th April 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on Easter Day 2024
Easter Day and Christ is risen. Easter Day and the whole gospel of God.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE
Sunday, 31st March 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Fifth Sunday of Lent 2024
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
The Reverend Justin White Priest Vicar
Sunday, 17th March 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday of Lent 2024
God is love.
The Reverend Ralph Godsall Acting Minor Canon
Sunday, 10th March 2024
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Third Sunday of Lent 2024
The Wedding at Cana
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE Dean of Westminster
Sunday, 3rd March 2024
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 Ash Wednesday 2024
‘What’s love got to do with it?’
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE Dean of Westminster
Wednesday, 14th 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
