“I Am Somebody” A Sermon by Rev. Megan Lynes Given at The First Parish in Bedford, Massachusetts On Sunday, September 23, 2012 A Thought to Ponder Since life may summon us at any age Be ready, heart, for parting, new endeavor, Be ready bravely and without remorse To find new light that old ties cannot … Read more
“What Is Your Final Destination” A Sermon by Rev. John E. Gibbons delivered on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at The First Parish in Bedford, Massachusetts A Thought to Ponder What are days for? Days are where we live. They come, they wake us Time and time over. They are to be happy in: Where … Read more
Ingathering Extravaganza 2012 Sep. 9, 2012 From John Gibbons: National Anthem Opening Words: Play ball! And as our old Afghan friend Rumi said, Come, come whoever you are. Come wanderer, come worshiper, come lover of leaving. Come though you have broken your vow a thousand times before. Ours is no caravan of despair. Come, yet … Read more
“Remembering to Remember” A Sermon by Joe Cleveland Delivered at First Parish in Bedford, Unitarian Universalist Sunday, May 27, 2012 Reading “Letter Home” by Ellen Steinbaum I love you forever my father’s letter tells her for forty-nine pages, from the troopship crossing the Atlantic before they’d ever heard of Anzio. He misses her, the … Read more
“It All Depends on What the Meaning of the Word ‘It’ Is” Musings by Rev. John E. Gibbons delivered on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at The First Parish in Bedford, Massachusetts Opening Words “Things were done very literally. One thing they did at that church that I’ll never forget, was that they had a … Read more
Two Reflections: “The Future of Memory” – Hanna Papanek “From Blossoms” – Rev. John Gibbons given at the First Parish in Bedford on Sunday, April 22, 2012, Yom HaShoah Opening Words “The Only Sermon,” by Andrea Ayvazian if we dug a huge grave miles wide, miles deep and buried every rifle, pistol, knife, … Read more
Reflection on “Apparitions and Visitations” by Rev. John E. Gibbons Delivered on Sunday, April 8, 2012 at The First Parish in Bedford, Massachusetts Opening Words: Long Winter by Tim Nolan So much I’ve forgotten the grass the birds the close insects the shoot–the drip– the spray of the sprinkler freckles–strawberries– the heat of the Sun … Read more
“Hope? Hell, Yes! (No Fooling) A sermon preached April 1, 2012, at the First Parish in Bedford, MA (Unitarian Universalist) by the Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz, Affiliated Community Minister and President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Today I am beginning what will be the most extended sermon series in the history of … Read more
“The Sermon on the Amount” A Sermon by Rev. John E. Gibbons delivered on Stewardship Sunday, March 25, 2012 at The First Parish in Bedford, Massachusetts OPENING WORDS “Spring Cleaning” By Sarah Getty Open the house. Let the sun roar in and corner the huddling dust. Let the March wind tear down cobwebs, sweep out … Read more
“Why Belong?” A Sermon on joining by Joe Cleveland, Ministerial Intern Delivered on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at The First Parish in Bedford, Massachusetts This sermon is somewhat revised for readability from what was given orally. Opening Words “The differences between persons are determined by the quality and direction of their participation. In this sense … Read more