Union University Church

Jeremiah 31:2-9, 33-34September 12, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Traditionally Rally Day has been the start of our Sunday School year when we not only launch our program year but dedicate our Sunday School teachers.  Because of Covid, we were unable to have Sunday School last year and this year is still undecided but just … More A Short Reflection on Rally Day

I Samuel 17September 5, 2021 Union University Church Reverend Laurie DeMott I am preaching through the historical periods of the Hebrew scriptures and the lessons we are supposed to draw from each of them.  In the stories of the father and mother of our faith — Abraham and Sarah — we learn that what seems … More David and Goliath

Judges 9:1-21August 29, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott The Bible is a book for all ages.  For the tender young ears of our littlest ones there is the story of Noah with his floating zoo or the story of Jonah swallowed by a whale like Pinocchio.  For the graying seniors, there are the psalms of … More The Fable of the Trees

Exodus 3:1-12August 22, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott “I have seen the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,” God says to Moses out of the burning bush.   “I have seen, I have heard, I have known.”  To … More I Have Seen, I Have Heard, I Have Known

Genesis 18:1-15Isaiah 61:1-3  August 15, 2021      Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott The story of Abraham and Sarah’s visitation by angels begins with this sentence:  “God appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre.”  God appeared at the oaks of Mamre; not God appeared at the crabapples of Mamre; or God appeared at the buckthorns of Mamre or … More The Oaks of Mamre

Paul’s Letter to Philemon    July 11, 2021  Union University Church  Reverend Laurie DeMott The Bible says that, as Christians, we are called to spread the gospel.  While conservative Christians believe that that means winning souls to Christ, as progressive Christians we accept the legitimacy of other religions and we believe that Christianity is not the only pathway to … More Everything I Need to Know about the Art of Persuasion I Learned from My Dogs

Galatians 4:1-9July 4, 2021    Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Let’s begin with an exercise.  I want you to close your eyes for a minute and visualize the scene I am about to describe to you.  It’s just a one sentence description so listen carefully: “The girl ate the cake and her mother came in and said, … More Parsing God

Galatians 3:27-29June 27, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Some time ago, in the pre-pandemic years when people went out to eat, I was at a fancy restaurant for a family celebration of some sort when the couple at the next table ordered Sannakji.  A few minutes later, the server brought out a dish of raw … More Discomfort and Moral Decision Making

II Corinthians 4:7-11I Corinthians 15:51-54    Union University ChurchJune 20, 2021  Reverend Laurie DeMott Today is the longest day of the year and today summer officially begins.  It is finally safe to put away your snow shovels, to switch out your long johns for shorts, and enjoy the outdoors.  When I was a child, before the days of … More Phytoliths

Genesis 28:10-17; Luke 7:36-50June 13, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott One of the central paradoxes of the Christian faith is that we talk a lot about God guiding us, helping us, and being with us in times of trouble, and yet for all of our talk about God’s presence, most of us have had few, … More Pay Attention to Your Tears