How Jesus Became a Morning Person.
I confess that I am a morning person. Perhaps, because it does take me a while to wake up, I love my quiet time in the am. I love my quiet house (my partner is not a morning person, she says it is a rule that we attract each other, and, the world favors morning people. . .) I love my nearby gym, Starbucks and The New York Times, and my prayer time.
Easter Message by Rev Elder Glenna Shepherd, Elder Serving MCC Region 4
The Text: John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."
Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
Good Friday Sermon by Rev. Nancy Wilson, MCC Moderator
Someone wrote to me a while ago, upset with MCC because we do not preach enough about "the cross."
I knew what he meant by that, and I know why that charge may be true!
I spent some time thinking about it the last few months. And, I thought about asking about 25 MCCer's, from various theological and cultural perspectives, to write about the cross. I still think that is a great idea, and I would love to see the creativity and wonderful, contextual thinking that would provide. In fact, Jim Mitulski did just that in a Region 1 Spiritual offering a week ago, that I deeply appreciated. . .
Palm Sunday Sermon, 2009 by MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
What I love about preaching is finding the throw-away line, and letting it settle into your mind, bones and consciousness, until it does its thing, and finally gives you a sermon . . .
Can I have a witness?
I was supposed to preach three times this Palm Sunday, at New Spirit MCC/UCC/Disciples in Berkeley, City of Refuge UCC and MCC San Francisco. But, as some of you know, my partner has been ill, and I needed to stay home with her as she mends (keep those prayers coming).
I chose the middle of those three sermons to share with all of you instead. It is based on the throw-away line at the end of the story of Palm Sunday in Mark's gospel.
The story as we know it has colts and mysterious resources that Jesus seems to have, special friends, secret signals, and Hosannas! (Mark 1 - 10)
Jesus came forward and addressed them in these words: All authority has been given me both in heaven and earth; go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of Abba God, and of the Only Begotten, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, even until the end of the world!
Matthew 28:18-20
(The Inclusive New Testament, 1996 by The Priest for Equality)
Delivered by Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches
December 12, 2008 Gaudete Sunday, Sunshine Cathedral MCC, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Scripture 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As the light of Advent grows, we light the candle of Joy today, and it burns brightly in all Churches for those who will come near.
The first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is the oldest of the writings of the New Testament, and the earliest of Paul's famous letters. It is a letter of encouragement in the midst of stress, pressures and even persecution. The Church of Jesus Christ was only about 20 years old when he wrote it, half the age of MCC today.