For The Life Of The World Sermon Notes for Maundy Thursday, Year B Hypothesis The lessons appointed for Year B, along with the Collect for the Day, compose a beautiful harmony of biblical imagery brought together in one event: the night before Jesus died. We see the Passover, the Eucharist, the washing of the disciples’ feet, and Jesus’ command to love one another all in the same scene. All discipleship and Christian ministry should be eucharistic and loving in nature.... Read more
This is written from the thoughts of Rahab as she awaits the return of Joshua’s spies. She just wants to be remembered by the spies, little does she know that she will be remembered forever in the royal line of David. Will They Remember? Will they remember? Will they keep their word? I’ve risked everything helping these men, I’ve given myself over to them in trust I don’t know if they are worthy, But I am hopeful that they are... Read more
Today is my son’s third birthday. Hard to believe that he’s already three! His name is Joshua and this poem was written a few weeks before he was born. My prayer for him is that he too would stand strong and courageous before the LORD and that he would be able to say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Happy birthday sweet boy! Joshua How do you take over for a giant? How do you... Read more
Sermon Notes – Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) – Year B I would say that these notes will be shorter than normal because there are other services to prepare for this week, but I’m a bit verbose and hate cutting down on a word count. I apologize in advance if this takes a while to read! Peace, Porter Liturgy of the Palms Hosanna, hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. The Sanctus should be ringing in your ears as you listen to these... Read more
A poem that I wrote back in 2012 from the perspective of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32. The Golden Calf Shimmering, sparkling, gleaming, beaming, My light for eyes to see Dancing, singing, shouting, praising Israel in front of me Swirling, twirling, whirling, hurling, Joyous revelry at my feet Clapping, jumping, crying, praying In rhythm with the beat My self-awareness is little and my history short I’ve not been around long, and am on my way out I was created... Read more
I enjoy reading poetry–duh, I’m a liturgy need! I’ve also made an attempt or two at composing some poems myself. Here is a poem titled “Over All.” This is not the way it was supposed to be. Things were intended to be different. Death and darkness, storm and shadow Chaos and chronic dissatisfaction whirling around us Running, ruling, reigning our lives. Or are they? You are LORD over all things You are the one, the only Creativity and grace, beauty... Read more
I am in the process of moving some of my favorites posts from porterctaylor@wordpress.com over here to my new blog. This is another Lenten reflection from three years ago (February 27, 2012). Enjoy! I deal with fear. I would not say that I am a fearful person, per se, but I definitely struggle with a type of fear. I am not afraid of death or eternity (though I used to be!), and I am not afraid of spiders, clowns or... Read more
This is a post that I wrote for my old blog. It was published a little over three years ago (February 28, 2012). Enjoy… I recently wrote a paper for an Old Testament assignment about the nature of worship in Genesis and Exodus. As I wrote about what it means to worship, I had this verse from Psalm 96 ringing in my ears: “Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his name, bring offerings and come into his courts with... Read more
I will be posting these “notes” every Monday for the upcoming Sunday. I have developed this style from my experiences at Epiphany Anglican Church in Mission Viejo, CA when I was preparing these for our two priests/preachers as part of my job. The format will be hypothesis, analysis, and synthesis. Put in other terms: I will first give you my thoughts on the theme, I will then go through the Collect and readings one at a time and then I... Read more
Here is an article I wrote first for the Diocese of C4SO monthly newsletter. It was then picked up and published by Anglican Pastor. My social media news feeds are a flutter with posts about the beginning of Lent: Shrove Tuesday meals, Ash Wednesday services, Lenten disciplines and strong opinions about the relevance of the season. It seems that there are differing views and/or misunderstandings about the nature of the Lenten season. People write about Lent being “Roman Catholic” or... Read more
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