A Sermon by the Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson

Delivered at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, Houston, Texas, on April 30, 2006

Scripture: Acts 3: 1-16

Greetings. It is a joy to worship with you in this season of Easter, this season of Resurrection!

As Rev. Elder Freda Smith, a wonderful MCC pioneer, is fond of saying, "MCC is the most exciting church since the Book of Acts!"

I love the Book of Acts. It offers a little glimpse into the tumultuous and often chaotic times of the earliest church. I see Metropolitan Community Churches all through the Book of Acts, which is the history book of the New Testament. It includes the story of Pentecost (this year is the 100th anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival that launched the modern Pentecostal movement) and MCC's Pentecostal roots are very important for us. In fact, this weekend, in Southern California, there is an LGBT-friendly celebration of  that 100th anniversary. I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit that came on Pentecost is the same power that gave Rev. Troy Perry the courage and freedom to start MCC.

by The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches
Delivered at Joy MCC, Orlando, Florida, on January 8, 2006

Baptism, in the Christian faith, is about beginnings and initiation.
 
I am sure that's why the creators of the lectionary paired the story of Jesus' baptism by John with the first few words of the story of creation itself, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Years ago, my friend and MCC LA staff clergy, Rev. Carlos Jones preached from Genesis, "In the beginning...God!"

by The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches

Text: Luke 1:26 to 38

Dear Friends:
 
Our gospel text for today is the very familiar story of the Annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel appears to Mary.
 
And this story reminds me that one of the great gifts of MCC to me over the past 33 years has been to open my heart and spirit to the belief that angels really do speak to us.
 
On that day long ago, Gabriel spoke three "words" to Mary. I believe they are words we need to hear today.