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 recording of the sermon, which you can download as a podcast. You can also subscribe to our podcast to receive our latest sermons and lectures.

Advent Reflection #1

An Advent Reflection on the First Sunday of Advent on the theme of joy. You can watch the entire Reflection at the bottom of the page.

The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor

Sunday, 3rd December 2023

Sermon given at Sung Eucharist on the Epiphany of Our Lord

Matthew 2:1-12

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Dean of Westminster

Monday, 6th January 2020

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Christmas 2020

By grace we are gathered and by grace we shall be gathered.

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 5th January 2020

Sermon at Evensong on the First Sunday of Christmas 2019

We travel in faith, for the nativity story is one of journeys.

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 29th December 2019

Sermon given on Christmas Day 2019

John 1 1-14

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Dean of Westminster

Wednesday, 25th December 2019

Sermon given at Midnight Mass, Christmas 2019

Luke 2

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Dean of Westminster

Tuesday, 24th December 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2019

Where we have come from and where we belong now?

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 22nd December 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Third Sunday of Advent 2019

Here, in this country, we are in changing, exciting, and challenging times.

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 15th December 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Second Sunday of Advent 2019

"The things which matter most must never be at the mercy of the things which matter least." [Goethe]

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 8th December 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the feast of Christ the King 2019

The ambiguity of a king who serves.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian

Sunday, 24th November 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday before Advent 2019

‘See, the day is coming, burning like an oven.’

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 17th November 2019

Sermon given at Evensong with the Installation of Dr David Michael Hoyle as Dean of the Collegiate Church of St Peter in Westminster

Colossians 3:12-17

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Dean of Westminster

Saturday, 16th November 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday before Advent 2019

The dignity of each person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.

The Venerable David Stanton Sub-Dean, Canon Treasurer, and Archdeacon of Westminster

Sunday, 3rd November 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on All Saints' Day 2019

This beautiful feast of All the Saints reminds us of the triumph our Lord Jesus Christ won over death.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Friday, 1st November 2019

Sermon at the Evening Service on the Last Sunday after Trinity 2019

We are called to be reconciled to one another.

The Reverend Dr Tony Kyriakides Priest Vicar

Sunday, 27th October 2019

Sermon at a Service for Queen Anne's School, Caversham, to celebrate their 125th anniversary

We have been rooted in a good land.

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist, and School Governor

Friday, 25th October 2019

Sermon given at the Dedication Festival Sung Eucharist

Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of this third Abbey Church, which took place 750 years ago last Sunday.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 20th October 2019

Celebrating the re-building of Westminster Abbey 1269 in the presence of HM The Queen

Our celebration today marks a particular moment in the long history of this Abbey Church.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Tuesday, 15th October 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Feast of the Translation of St Edward the Confessor 2019

The warrior and the saint, on the same axis, West and East

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 13th October 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Feast of the Translation of St Edward the Confessor 2019

Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?

The Reverend Professor Sarah Foot Canon of Christ Church and Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History
in the University of Oxford

Sunday, 13th October 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

One Saint in particular fascinated Henry: St Edward, King and Confessor

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 6th October 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist of St Michael and All Angels 2019

Why are we all here?

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 29th September 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

Lancelot Andrewes

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

What is money for?

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 22nd September 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

Dr Edward Bouverie Pusey, who fought for the soul of our beloved Church of England.

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 15th September 2019

Sermon at Evensong with Installation of Headmaster and Admission of Choristers

Generations to come will look back at the music of our rich and creative times.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 8th September 2019

Sermon at Evensong of the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 2019

On being economical with the truth

The Venerable David Stanton Sub-Dean, Canon Treasurer, and Archdeacon of Westminster

Sunday, 1st September 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 2019

Humility

The Venerable David Stanton Sub-Dean, Canon Treasurer, and Archdeacon of Westminster

Sunday, 1st September 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

Encouraging words and actions have the power to motivate and breed success.

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 25th August 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity 2019

We need to recover a profound sense of the awe and wonder of God.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 25th August 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity 2019

There is something more than just keeping to the strict rules or laws.

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 18th August 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity 2019

'We are haunted by God’s large purposes.'

The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar

Sunday, 18th August 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2019

It’s not just about being good, it’s about becoming holy.

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Thursday, 15th August 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2019

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 11th August 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2019

Our vulnerability and our waiting, our faith, will not be in vain.

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 11th August 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Seventh Sunday after Trinity

The Venerable David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 4th August 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday after Trinity 2019

The vice which constantly seeks more possessions.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian

Sunday, 4th August 2019

Sermon at the Evening Service on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity 2019

Exactly who was Mary Magdalene?

The Reverend Dr Tony Kyriakides Priest Vicar

Sunday, 21st July 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity

If we only have the courage to stop and look and listen...

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 21st July 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Second Sunday after Trinity 2019

“With what two crownes is this Citie adorned?”

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 30th June 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Eve of St Peter 2019

Should we think of St Peter as a good role model?

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Friday, 28th June 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the First Sunday after Trinity 2019

Wanting the best for our children.

The Reverend Dr James Walters Chaplain, London School of Economics

Sunday, 23rd June 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on Corpus Christi 2019

Christians have been accused of cannibalism since earliest times.

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Thursday, 20th June 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Day of Pentecost 2019

'Time is how you spend your love.'

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 9th June 2019

Sermon given on the Day of Pentecost

‘I am in the Father and the Father is in me.’ And he said, ‘I am going to the Father.’

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 9th June 2019

Sermon at Evensong on the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2019

'He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.'

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 2nd June 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2019

What does it mean to believe in the resurrection when there are no more resurrection appearances?

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 2nd June 2019

Sermon at Ascension Day 2019

We celebrate today the last of our Lord’s resurrection appearances.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Thursday, 30th May 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2019

‘Those who love me will keep my word.’

The Venerable David Stanton Sub-Dean, Canon Treasurer, and Archdeacon of Westminster

Sunday, 26th May 2019

Address given at a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Westminster Hospital

We honour the men and women who have served over the years and those who continue to serve in our own day.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Thursday, 23rd May 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday of Easter 2019

Tell us plainly what we need to know!

The Reverend Mark Birch Minor Canon and Sacrist

Sunday, 12th May 2019

Sermon at the Sung Eucharist on the Third Sunday of Easter 2019

Patterns of resurrection

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 5th May 2019

Sermon at Evensong at the Festival of Our Lady of Walsingham

'All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer.'

The Most Reverend Rino Fisichella President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation

Saturday, 4th May 2019

Sermon given at Festival of Our Lady of Walsingham Solemn Eucharist

What on earth just happened? What have we just done?

The Right Reverend Philip North Bishop of Burnley and Master of The Guardians of the Holy House

Saturday, 4th May 2019

Address given at a service to recognise fifty years of Continuous At Sea Deterrent

We cannot celebrate weapons of mass destruction. But we do owe a debt of gratitude and sincere thanks to all those countless men and women who in the past fifty years have maintained the deterrent, and indeed to their families who have stood by them.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster

Friday, 3rd May 2019