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
