Rev. Nancy S. Taylor

February 4, 2018 - Black History Month
Third Time’s the Charm?, a sermon by Nancy S Taylor, Senior Minister
I Corinthians 13. 1-7, 13 

The Apostle Paul – arguably, the most important Christian intellectual across time –frames the Christian life as a three-fold adventure: an undertaking of faith, hope and love. That’s it. That’s enough. Faith. Hope. Love. These three.

Based on John 4. 1-19 The Woman at the Samaritan Well

On this, the second Sunday in Lent, I begin my sermon, at its end, that is, with its conclusions.

1. No one, no human, can or should control access to God or to God’s grace, hence, keep baptizing.

2. Talk to strangers, especially women, and don’t forget to listen.

Will you pray with me?

Come, God, come. Bend low. Enter this your house. Come so near to each of us as to oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors that they may swing easily and gently, to welcome your coming. Amen.

"At Sea", a sermon by Senior Minister Nancy S. Taylor on the Sunday of the 348th Annual Meeting
Based on Hebrews, portions of chapters 11 and 12

An ancient analogy imagines the Christian soul—your Christian soul, my Christian soul—as on a ship, sailing, under way, under sail, embarked upon a voyage. Destination? The shores of heaven.

Based on Job 23:10 “When God hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”

Here is what I know: I am sixty-two-years old. I’ve lost my grandparents, my father, my husband. I’ve lost friends. I’ve buried – that is, officiated – at more funerals than I can count, including funerals of those who were impossibly young. Here is what I know: this life – it can be achingly lovely, and it can be wracked with unbearable pain. I know that bad things, awful things can and do happen to good people.

“Imagination! who can sing thy force?”  a sermon by Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister

Some would say that the story we just read together is about a miracle performed by Peter, the miracle of bringing the dead back to life. I wonder if there isn’t another miracle or two in the story as well.