Sermons & Worship by Rev. Laurie DeMott (Page 8)

Romans 6:5-11 During times of difficulty, people often turn to their faith for comfort and meaning.  In the rituals, the community, and the teachings of their religion, they can find direction and guidance, the support of others, and ways of making sense of their lives even when the world has suddenly turned upside down.  In an increasingly global community, we may have friends or neighbors who we know to be people of faith but their faith may be different from…

John 3:1-8June 25, 2006; April 19, 2020    Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus…

Romans 8:31-39 from April 11, 2004 A little while ago, I saw a quiz designed to test how well a person is in touch with their natural surroundings and, priding myself on being somewhat of an amateur naturalist, I decided to take the quiz.  The first question said, “Name five songbirds that return to your area in the spring.”  That was easy; I am always attuned to the sound of birds establishing their breeding territories in March and April and…

John 12:12-36 Originally preached April 4, 2004, revised April 5, 2020 I am preaching this in my living room because, as those who are listening in real time know, New York State is under “stay-at-home” orders during the coronavirus pandemic.  It is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, and during Holy Week, the church traditionally reenacts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the events leading to his crucifixion.  Holy Week embraces a roller coaster of emotions — from the…

Mark 12:28-34 So this is the third sermon I have worked on this week.  When I did my bulletin on Thursday — just three days ago — I was working on a sermon about Jesus’ statement to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s because I am preaching through Mark and that was what came next.  Friday morning, however, as the nation began shutting down at a serious pace, I decided I really needed a more topical sermon and so I…

Mark 10:17-27 To prepare for today’s sermon, I dug deep into the Bible.  Starting with Jesus’ command to the rich man here in the gospel of Mark to “… sell all that you have, and give the money to the poor,” I did a word search and read all of the verses in the Bible in which the word “money” appears, 204 verses to be exact. (1) I also read about the laws governing monetary practices for the Jewish people from…

Mark 9:14-29 In the popular comic strip, “Calvin and Hobbes,” six year old Calvin often worries that there might be monsters living under his bed so in one strip, Calvin and his pet tiger Hobbes decide that the best defense is offense.  That night before turning off the lights they throw scraps of food and other garbage under the bed hoping that it will appease the hunger of any monsters living there.  Bill Watterson, the cartoonist who drew Calvin and…

Mark 9:2-8 If you remember from last week, Jesus had sent the disciples out into the world to preach and heal, and when they came back from their mission, they were tired and in need of rest, but instead Jesus continued his preaching and even demanded that they use their small resources to feed a hungry crowd of 5000 people.  In the intervening chapters of Mark since the feeding of the 5000 and today’s reading, the disciples have tramped wearily…