This includes the reading of the Gospel.
I recorded David’s sermon using Voice Recorder in my phone, but the quality is rather unnatural. Apologies for that. I used a small bluetooth microphone attached to the lectern, and that worked well! Next week, I will use the video recorder for a more natural sound. (Ed.)
This is an imperfect transcript of David’s sermon, written by Steve – authorised by David.
David started…….
There are three messages from our readings today.
Stand up, Stand firm
Shine out
Serve with love and kindness.
Stand up, stand firm! In Luke’s gospel, we read about the predicted destruction of the Temple, the pride of the disciple’s religion, “…not one stone will be left upon another”. Everyone was horrified.
But Jesus said: By your endurance you will survive, gain your soul.
Stand up, stand firm.
David spoke of a woman who had a porcelain cup. She loved it. Sadly she died and the cup was broken into 3 pieces. But her husband, who was a craftsman, glued it back together with gold. So the cracks shone brighter than before. The cup wasn’t ruined, it was redeemed. Through its suffering, it had become more beautiful.
Standing up doesn’t mean not breaking. It means love can fill the cracks.
We may have had a difficult week. But stand up, stand firm. Maybe your faith trembles.
Stand up, stand firm.
Shine out.
David spoke about a lighthouse keeper (admittedly an unlikely story!) A storm broke all the windows of the lighthouse during the night, but he put his last single candle behind a window. The next day, the captain of a boat came to thank him. It saved his ship from being wrecked. A little light can save a life. Be a prescence.
Shine out. Glow, be pleasant. Stand firm.
Paul wrote in the epistle, “Don’t be idle. Live as love’s hands in the world”.
A volunteer was serving soup to homeless people but she was exhausted. And she must have appeared exhausted because one of the men who she was serving offered to take her place. “We all take turns in being strong”. Sharing kindness, sharing love.
Your world may tremble, for whatever reason. But Jesus says, “Love still shines, love still stands. Love still serves”.
Share and serve in love, day by by day. When the world shakes, when your world shakes, stand firm. Love will take you through whatever happens.
Amen
We come together to Remember and Repent ….. and to pray for Reconciliation and a Rebuilding of a happier, fairer, peaceful world where people of all nations can grow to be themselves at their best
Remembering, Repenting, Reconciling and Rebuilding
Two wonderful readings from Ecclesiasties and Luke but I am adding a third reading which is a poem written by Chris for today which are the words of a dead soldier:
Soldier
My soldier’s tag lies on my chest–
I’m one of many in these fields,
we’ve come to rest together,
but none of us is whole in body,
we’ve all been ripped asunder.
My legs are blown off at the hips,
my arms above the elbow.
My skull is broken like a pot,
my brains are smashed to bits.
My guts are spilled out in the mud,
my throat is scorched with gas,
my ribs are cracked, my heart is shot,
my lungs are filled with blood.
Remember please these parts of me,
they once made up a man.
Remember please these parts of me,
so I did not die in vain.
In time black crows patrol these fields
where all of us are scattered,
and poppies grow up through our bones
where all of us lie shattered.
Remember please what we fought for,
for what we did, it mattered.
Remembering, Repenting, Reconciling and Rebuilding
Ecclesiastes reminded us:
“For everything there is a season… a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time for war and a time for peace.”
It’s honest — heartbreakingly so.
The writer doesn’t pretend that the world is tidy or fair. He simply names life as it is — seasons of joy and of sorrow, gain and loss.
And that honesty is where remembrance begins.
Remembering
We remember not as historians, but as human beings.
The poem “Soldier” reminds us that behind every medal, every monument,
every statistic — lies a body, a name, a heartbeat that once loved and was loved.
“Remember please these parts of me, they once made up a man.”
There’s no romance here — only reality.
And yet, in that raw truth, there’s deep dignity.
Because remembrance is not just about death — it’s about love strong enough to ache, love that refuses to forget.
When the women came to the tomb in Luke 24, they came carrying spices — the symbols of love continuing beyond death.
And what did the angel say?
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here — he is risen.”
In remembrance, we do not worship the grave.
We honour the love that even death couldn’t destroy.
Reconciling
The soldier’s poem ends with the words:
“Remember please what we fought for, for what we did, it mattered.”
Those words echo like a plea — not for revenge, not for victory, but for meaning.
To say that it mattered is to say that peace, compassion, and reconciliation are worth our lives.
In our multinational congregation, we stand together — once enemies perhaps, now neighbours.
We come from nations that fought one another — but here we pray side by side.
That is sacred reconciliation.
Love has outlived empire, ideology, and flag.
And that is what those who died would want — not for us to repeat their wars, but to redeem their suffering.
Rebuilding
The resurrection story is not just an ending overcome — it’s a beginning announced.
The tomb is empty not so we can look back, but so we can go out.
“Go,” the angels tell the women, “and tell the others.”
Remembrance is not passive nostalgia; it is active compassion.
It calls us to rebuild — to make this fractured world a little fairer, a little kinder, a little more like the dream of God…a fractured suffering divided world but a world able to be healed by the dream of Love.
Every time we choose peace over pride, every time we forgive instead of retaliate, every time we build bridges instead of walls —
we raise a new kind of monument, not of stone, but of spirit.
Closing reflection
So today, as we remember the poem again in silence,
may we hold three things close:
Remembering — not just the fallen, but the love they lived for.
Reconciling — refusing hatred, seeking peace.
Rebuilding — making the world they dreamed of possible.
And when the last poppy fades, may we still hear that soldier’s voice whispering across the years:
“Remember please what we fought for — for what we did, it mattered.”
And it still does.
Fr David just posted a video on Facebook, he said: Do you use Facebook? Well I hope you do because it’s a good way of communicating with people. I know all the reasons for not doing so and maybe that’s persuaded you. But if you do use it, can I just say this. Every day, I stop and I look at Facebook and I try to find five positive things which come out of it. Sometimes it’s just that somebody has seen something good, sometimes they talk about family, sometimes they just post a good picture or a good message. So, please if you use do Facebook, can you make sure that I’ve got something positive to use from your Facebook! Thank you, bless you!
A SIMPLE RULE OF LIFE Please think about whether you could commit to trying this. Others will be journeying with you. Talk with Fr David and start!! Look down at the Final Word for reassurance It is about walking gently, growing deeply, loving boldly.
1. Silence – Making space for the Presence
In our noisy, busy world, silence isn’t emptiness — it’s the space where Love speaks. Whether it’s a few moments before you get out of bed, five minutes of breath between Zoom meetings, or a quiet walk listening for the birds — this is where you reconnect with yourself and the deep Love at the heart of all things.
Try this: Begin, or end, each day, in a “special place”, with 5 minutes of stillness. Maybe Light a candle, breathe deeply, whisper “Here I am.” Listen ………..That’s Prayer enough.
2. Study – Nourishing your roots
We grow when we stay curious. Read something sacred, strange, or stirring. It could be Scripture, poetry, a podcast, or a question you’re sitting with. The goal isn’t to “know more” but to be opened and deepened.
Try this: Read a Psalm a day. Or read one book a month that makes your soul say, “Yes!” Keep a Journal for thoughts, questions, and gentle surprises You will treasure this Journal !! Ask Fr David for suggestions.
Reflection and Renewal
Every 3 months, meet with Fr David, or someone you love and trust. Have a drink together and take a few moments to reflect:
Where have I met Love in silence, study, or service?
What’s been life-giving? What’s been hard?
Is there one small thing I’d like to shift or recommit to?
This is not about guilt or performance — it’s about paying attention.
Final Word: This Rule isn’t a stick to beat yourself with. It’s a walking stick for the journey. Some days you’ll forget. Some weeks will be messy.
That’s okay. Just begin again. Love is always there — not judging, just welcoming.
Rev David Brown, Chaplain, Holy Trinity, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Fr David just wrote this:
TONIGHT IS HALLOWEEN ( All Hallows’ Even ) !! See the positives about it !!
1. Honours the Past with Wisdom and Joy
2. Encourages the Magic of Imagination
3. Overcomes Fears
4. Encourages Gratitude for Simple things
5. Allows Creativity and Playfulness
6. Celebrates Community
7 Reminds us that there is Light and Love in the Darkest times
HELP During the Summer , many of you will be visiting other Churches Please could you see if they have good ideas which we can use We want to become the best and most welcoming Church in Europe !!!
From Father David –
On 29th June last year, I celebrated 50 years since my Ordination. I gave thanks to all those people who have given so much to me during such a privileged, blessed and happy life.
On any Sunday you are warmly invited to come to Holy Trinity and celebrate with us. There will be our normal Sunday Service from 11:00 to 12:00, followed by wine, juice, good food and good company. You can come to either or both! There will be absolutely no charge. It is my treat and way of saying thank you!
I would be really delighted if could you come and bring those close to you.