Isaiah 6:1-8 Rev. Deborah L. Clark July 18, 2021 The picture was unambiguous–God seated on a high and lofty throne. Isaiah knew exactly what he was seeing. He knew exactly what he was hearing: the singing of the heavenly host, the voice of God calling him. Isaiah had many questions about this calling: why would God choose him? […]
More Than Walls
More than Walls Exodus 14:5-9, 21-25 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark June 20, 2021 “Juneteenth is everybody’s holiday.” Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, pastor of Greater Framingham Community Church, spoke these words at the conclusion of “Uncovering our Untold History.” The virtual panel discussion, held this past Thursday evening, was hosted by Framingham State University, […]
Do Not Be Afraid
Do Not Be Afraid Mark 6:45-55 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark June 6, 2021 “Do not be afraid.” Moses spoke these words to the Hebrew people, as they stood beside the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army at their heels. “Do not be afraid.” Elijah instructed the hungry, despairing widow. Isaiah comforted the exiles. A voice […]
Side by Side
John 15:9-17; Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark; May 9, 2021 “If you’ve got pain, he’s a pain-taker. If you feel lost, he’s a way-maker. If you need freedom and saving, he’s a prison-shaking savior. If you’ve got chains, he’s a chain-breaker.” Remember that chorus? It was written by Zach Williams and recorded especially for our […]
Abiding
John 15:1-8 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark May 2, 2021 “I am the vine; you are the branches…. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing….” This is not a theological treatise, crafted to convey an ultimate truth for all times. It is not […]
Abiding
Abiding John 15:1-8 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark May 2, 2021 “I am the vine; you are the branches…. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing….” This is not a theological treatise, crafted to convey an ultimate truth for all times. It is […]
“Pursued”
Psalm 23 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark April 25, 2021 Nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds. Over and over we have watched the video of Derek Chauvin’s knee on George Floyd’s neck. Over and over we have been reminded that it was not an isolated incident. In between reports of the trial, we saw bodycam video […]
“Nesting, Singing, Soaring…And Folding”
Mark 16:1-8 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark April 4, 2021 It is a heart-breaking story—of a twelve-year-old girl who survived a nuclear bomb only to die a painful death. Inspired by our Lenten origami project, I read The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes, written by Sue DiCicco and Sadako’s brother Masahiro. There […]
Under Her Wings
Luke 13:31-35 Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark March 21, 2021 Chickens? Over the course of Lent, we have nested with the marsh wren, sung with the sparrow and soared with the eagle. And now chickens? Chickens do nest, of course, but it’s a stretch to imagine their clucking as a song. And pretty much impossible […]
“Soaring in Circles”
Isaiah 40:28-31, Mark 9:33-35 March 14, 2021 About fifteen years ago, our church welcomed new neighbors—the New England Buddhist Vihara, a Sri Lankan community initially located off Central Street. Jenny Allen tutored several young monks in English. An older monk walked through Edwards Cemetery daily, contentedly contemplating the impermanence of existence. Bhante Aluth, the head […]