excerpts from NehemiahNovember 24, 2019 Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Background to ScriptureI have been preaching through the Hebrew scriptures — what Christians call the Old Testament — and today is the last of that series before we move into Advent so before we turn to Jesus I want to give you a very quick review … More “Let Us Be Grateful for ….”
Ezra 3:10-13November 17, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Background to Scripture:In 597, the Babylonians conquered Judea and over a period of 15 years, deported the Jews into exile in Babylon. (There were three deportations of Jews to Babylon — 597 BCE, 587/586 BCE, and 582/581 BCE.) In 539 BCE, the Persian Emperor Cyrus conquered the … More Road Construction Ahead
The Book of EstherNov 3, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Do you know the song “Baby Shark?” If you knew it before this last week, you are either the parent of a three year old or a Washington Nationals fan. Last week was baseball’s World Series which went seven games and was won by the … More Baby Shark
The Smell of Fire Daniel 3I Peter 1:3-7October 27, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be thrown into the flaming fiery furnace for their refusal to bow down to his statue. The Bible doesn’t say what kind of furnace this was, but we can assume it was some … More The Smell of Fire
Jeremiah 36:20-24October 20, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott As you know, I have been preaching a series on the important stories of the Hebrew scriptures, our Old Testament, and I chose all of those stories way back at the end of the summer. Back in August, I spent a few days skimming through the Bible … More Elishema
I Samuel 25October 13, 2019Union University Church Reverend Laurie DeMott Background to scripture: Saul was the first King of Israel but he wasn’t a very strong King and after some missteps, God tells the prophet Samuel that God has chosen the young man David to be King instead. Since Saul remains on the throne until … More David and Abigail
Saul and the Donkeys I Samuel 9:1-6, 15-17, 10:14-16October 6, 2019 Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott What do donkeys have to do with Kings? Here in Chapters 9 and 10, we have the story of the anointing of Saul as the first King of Israel, chosen to bring together the twelve tribes under one rule … More Saul and the Donkeys
September 29, 2019Judges 13:1-5, 15:1-11 Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Let’s begin by getting the bad joke out of the way. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? Samson — because he brought down the house! Most people, even the biblically illiterate, have heard of Samson and the long hair that gave him superhuman … More A Nation of One
Judges 6:36-40Union University ChurchSept 22, 2019Reverend Laurie DeMott In 1200 BCE, 1200 years before the birth of Christ, the people of Israel lived unsteadily in the Promised Land. They had entered under the leadership of Joshua, and eventually the twelve tribes had each settled in different areas of Canaan — modern day Israel — where … More Signs of Snow
Joshua 20 September 15, 2019 Union University Church Reverend Laurie DeMott Way back in the Dark Ages, after I graduated from college and before I had decided what to do with my life, I spent three months traveling the US with a college friend. When I left on my trip in September, I said goodbye … More Refuge, Refuge
