Union University Church

Matthew 4:1-11January 17, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott     The theologian Karl Barth once said, “Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both,” as a reminder to preachers that sermons must be relevant to current events and that current events should always be seen through the lens of the Bible.  Well, this year, I … More Tempted

I John 2:5-6Mark 1:1-11January 10, 2021Reverend Laurie DeMott It hasn’t been a good week for America.  Granted, America hasn’t had a good week in a long long time but this past week we hit a new low as rioters smashed their way into the Capital building, shouting obscenities and threats, and some carrying the confederate … More Christian Nationalism

Matthew 2:1-12January 3, 2021   Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Most years, we celebrate the start of a new year with fireworks and gatherings with friends and family, but of course, this year because of the pandemic, things were a bit different.  We had to forego our normal activities, and watch firework displays virtually on our laptops and … More A Resolution

Matthew 2:1-14December 20, 2020Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott This past Monday I finally decorated my house for Christmas, putting up my creches, my Santas, and hanging ornaments on my Christmas tree.   Like most homes, the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of my Christmas decorations.  I rearrange my living room in order to fit a … More The Christmas Tree

Isaiah 9:2-7December 13, 2020Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott In “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “Look, Charlie, let’s face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It’s run by a big eastern syndicate,” she whispers.  Lucy would have felt right at home on today’s internet where promoting wild … More The Prince of Wholeness

Luke 2:8-14December 6, 2020Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott  In the very familiar passage I just read from the Christmas story, the angel tells the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”  You’ve probably heard that verse a gajillion times in your life but … More For All the People

Isaiah 40:1-5    November 29, 2020Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott I want to talk for a second about the game of Peek-a-Boo.  Depending on where you’re from in the world, you may call this game “Peep-pie,” “Pee-po,” “Peep-ho,” or “Beebo,” but whatever you call it, the game involves covering your face in front of a baby and … More Peek-a-Boo

John 5:1-9    November 22, 2020Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott How many of you know which animal the World Wildlife Fund uses for its logo?   Probably more of you than you think.  The World Wildlife Fund is an organization that works to protect the habitat of declining species, and in 1961, it chose the panda for … More Save the Skinks

Acts 16:16-40November 15, 2020Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Do you remember way back in the spring, as the disasters of 2020 were piling up, how we tried to find humor in the unbelievable catalogue of tragedies? “Wildfires, hurricanes, pestilence; what’s next?” we asked smiling, “locusts?” and then to our chagrin, gigantic swarms of locusts did descend … More Paul and Silas