I Corinthians 6:12 June 6, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott I want to begin by asking you a question. It seems to be a simple question, but I want you to consider it carefully before you answer. “Is there a Christian ethic?” In other words, is there a set of ethical principles that you must adhere … More All Things are Legal?
Acts 2:1-6May 23, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott I want you to imagine for a minute that you are an artist and someone has hired you to paint a picture of God. Now, I know the Ten Commandments tell us not to make any images of God but I want you to imagine not only … More The God of Pentecost
John 3:1-10 May 16, 2021Union University Church Reverend Laurie DeMott Nicodemus, cloaked in the darkness of his own uncertainty, came to Jesus in the night seeking the light of understanding. “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the … More Nick at Night
Matthew 18:23-24May 9, 2021Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott Before preaching today’s sermon, I want to make a note on the translation I used. Most modern translations quote Jesus as saying that you should forgive seventy-seven times,” but as a child I learned seven times seventy times which is based on an alternative manuscript. I’ve always … More Forgiveness
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
