Sirach 5:9-12James 1:19-26October 10, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Introduction to scripture: I have been preaching through the Hebrew Scriptures and the historical periods of the Jewish people, and before we turn to the New testament next week, I want to look briefly at a genre of biblical writings that don’t fit easily into a … More If You Can’t Say Something Nice…..
Job 12:7-8 October 3, 2021 Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Tomorrow, October 4th, is the Feast of Saint Francis in the Catholic Church and so today around the globe many churches are participating in the ceremony of the Blessing of the Animals dedicated to his memory. St. Francis is one of those cross-over saints who has become … More Blessing of the Animals
Daniel 1Zechariah 7:4-10September 26, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Introduction I have been preaching through the historical periods of the Hebrew scriptures discussing the lessons that we can learn from each of them. To review: we heard about the call of Abraham and Sarah to follow a God who can accomplish what seems to our … More Eat Your Vegetables
Daniel 3:1-30September 19, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott A couple of weeks ago, I gave the ceremonial prayers at Alfred University’s convocation. As the platform party waited to process, I watched the flock of incoming students shuffle by us to take their seats and noted, as I do every year, how awkward and self-conscious they … More The Flaming Fiery Furnace
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
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