Sermons
Most Recent Sermon
Seasons of Life
(N.B., Rather than give a traditional sermon, Rev. Sue gave a series of reflections on the meaning of “Seasons of Life” for our congregation this year.)One of the unique aspects of who we are as a congregation, is that whether or not someone participates in the spiritual life of our church, we hold space for our community to gather at life’s threshold moments - births, weddings, and deaths. In these sacramental moments, we recognize that the deepest dimensions of what it means to be human are...
Previous Sermons
A Way Out of No Way
Back in August of 2014, David and I traveled from our home in upstate NY to Rockport for the weekend with the intent of finding a place to rent as we started a new chapter in our lives. I had scoured the online resources before we made the trip and only found two...
To Take Up the Cross
"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow in my footsteps.” In 1981, when I graduated from high school in Niskayuna, New York (a suburb of Schenectady), I vowed to never again live in Niskayuna or any suburb like...
Sermon & Guided meditation: Harmony of Body, Mind and Spirit
Guest Presiders, Captain James Ashton (Sermon) and Rev. Brigid Beckman (Meditation) Sermon: Hello Everyone I am so happy to be with you this morning and to be alongside my friend Rev. Brigid as we reflect upon our scripture reading. I will be sharing with you a short...
Guided Meditation: Making it Safely to the Other Side
This morning, rather than a traditional sermon, I offered a guided meditation because the scripture we just heard lends itself so well to this form of spiritual practice. Forms of guided meditation are part of many of the world’s religious traditions, including...
The Open Door
By guest preacher, Julie LaFontaineGood morning! It is a pleasure to be here in this meeting house —steeped in 292 years of history and service to the community. I am deeply honored to sit with you in this special place. My name is Julie LaFontaine. Those of you who...
To Create a Miracle
This morning I have two questions for you. Number one: Of all the problems in the world, what are you most concerned about? What really worries you? Second question: Is there anything you can do about it? Be honest with yourself. Do you believe there is anything you...
How Do We Move a Mountain?
By guest preacher, Lindsay CrouseHow do we move a mountain? I think it’s a question I think we’re all asking ourselves at this moment. In the passage in Matthew the mountain seems huge and impassable, and the mustard seed insignificantly small. But Christ is saying...
Tending the Garden without “Roundup”
Text: Matthew 13. 24-30, 36-43 Jesus presented another parable before those gathered: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a farmer who sowed good seed in a field;but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away....
An Extravagant Love
One of the great mysteries of the human experience is why some of us flourish and others do not. Some years ago when I was in graduate school, I dated a man, whom I will call Dan, who was intelligent, strived to do good in the world, and had a strong belief in God. He...
The Welcome of Christ
I remember as a young girl sitting in the pews, the priest describing the church as “here comes everybody.” Above the doorway to the sanctuary were words from the prophet Isaiah, “My house will be a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Church, I was led to believe,...
A Growing Relationship
Successful. Able to provide. Generous. Compassionate. Ever Hopeful. Seeking the best for you. Warm Hearted. Affectionate. Joyous. A Good Listener. Forgiving. Wise. These are all qualities of the father in today’s Gospel reading. This parable, of course, is meant to...
What Will You Do?
"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me... Brother will betray...