Union University Church

May 2, 2021I Corinthians 11:23-26Union University Church Reverend Laurie DeMott In 2010, an Anglican minister in Toronto ignited a Canada-wide controversy when she gave communion bread to a German Shepherd named Trapper.  The dog’s owner had been harassed by the police earlier in the week for sitting on the church’s steps and when he called … More The Lord’s Supper

Matthew 6:7-13; Philippians 4:10-14April 25, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Spring is finally arriving here in western NY and the birds are returning to my property.  Although I put out seed all winter, I’ve had to increase my offerings in order to accommodate the additional traffic.  Over the winter, I hosted chickadees, nuthatches, and red … More Our Daily Bread

Matthew 20:1-15   April 18, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Before I begin my sermon, we are going to have a pop quiz!  Pop quiz — those dreaded words.  I can hear the moans already, but pop quizzes keep you mentally agile so get out some paper and a pencil.  I will not be collecting your quiz … More One Word Essay

1 Peter 1:3April 4, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Toward the end of the TV special, “Charlie Brown’s Christmas,” Charlie Brown, frustrated by the commercialization of the holiday, shouts out in frustration, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”  Linus says that he can answer that question and then, in the quiet … More That’s What Easter is All About, Charlie Brown

Luke 9:7-9; 23:4-11    March 28, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Today as we stand on the threshold of Holy Week, I want to ask a very simple question: who killed Jesus?   Every year on Palm Sunday, we reenact Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, waving our palms and singing our Hosannas knowing full well that the celebration will … More Who Killed Jesus?

Luke 16:19-31March 21, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott     When my daughter Stacy was on the Alfred-Almond Track team, she had a T-shirt that read, “You know Track and Field is not your sport if you stop at each hurdle waiting for someone to open the gate.” If we go by today’s Dexter Time, we would … More Closed Doors and Open Gates

March 14, 2021Mark 4:26-32Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott As of today, 2.65 million people across the world have died from Covid-19, half a million of them in the US.  In his speech Thursday night, President Biden tried to come up with a comparison that would help us comprehend those numbers: “This is as many people … More Mustard Seeds

March 7, 2021Mark 3:13-19, Romans 16Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott How are you at remembering names?  Some of you might have a mind like a steel trap, able to retain names and faces for years after you have met someone.  Others of us are more mediocre and it may take a couple of greetings before … More Their Names

John 2:1-11February 28, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott As I have mentioned, I have been preaching on the passages that each gospel writer has used to introduce us to Jesus and his ministry, because these opening passages set the tone for everything the gospel writers are about to say.  Authors recognize the power of the … More Miracles

Luke 4:14-22, 31-32February 21, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott One day in the land of make believe, the pastor of a small church announced during worship that there would be a meeting of the Church Board following the service. After the Postlude, the members of the Board gathered at the back of the sanctuary but … More “He Spoke with Authority”