Messages from Douglas UCC

This week, we learn about John baptizing Jesus. For most Protestants, baptism is one of two sacraments. Some baptize infants, but others wait a while. Baptism or christening can be done by immersion or sprinkling. Pastor Dan talks about the implications.

Christmas cards are typically serene, angelic, and magical. Pastor Jody explains that the real story begins with a family being called to another city to pay taxes to a despot, and ends with the family fleeing for their lives.

Christmas is over, and we’re thinking about settling back into our old routines. Pastor Dan suggests that, just as the three wise ones were warned to go home by another way, maybe there are routines we might want to change.

Joseph is an unlikely character, compelled into a drama with a revolutionary baby, shepherds, angels, and outsiders bringing kingly gifts. He was a rule-breaker, protector, dreamer, silent hero, and more. Pastor Jody asks what Joseph’s journey can teach us.

Protestants don’t know quite what to do with the Virgin Mary: worship her? Call upon her in times of need? From the Gospel of Luke, we know that Mary was anything but a weak young woman. Pastor Dan shares inspiration from Mary’s ‘Magnificat’ prayer.

After the Annunciation, Mary began waiting and preparing. Today, during Advent, we are also waiting: for justice to come, for a thriving world, and more. Pastor Jody asks what one does while waiting and preparing.

The November 20, 2025, service was canceled due to inclement weather.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for what we have. Pastor Dan suggests that we should also give thanks for our losses, deprivations, and setbacks. What might it mean to give thanks for our scars?

Pastor Jody shares recent experiences with three places in Greece - Athens, the monasteries at Meteora, and the fortified town of Monemvasia - where residents are deeply connected to their past.

In Mathew 22, Jesus is asked about heaven. Jim DeVries spent 40 years as a hospital and hospice chaplain. He gives an upbeat message about what we know and ways to make the transition to ‘what’s next’ easier.

Saints are not just people with Vatican-approved miracles. Linda Knieriemen talks about ‘balcony people,’ the everyday folks who encourage us to be peace-loving, justice-seeking, love-bestowing humans.

Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’ But being generous doesn’t make us healthier or protect us from calamities. Pastor Dan considers why we might want to be givers.

We cannot fall out of grace with God, and that fact compels us to live our best lives. Pastor Jody asks us to consider God’s generous gift of unconditional love and grace.

How do other people make you feel welcome? Has it ever been difficult for you to welcome others? Should an extravagant welcome have limits? Pastor Dan considers these and other questions.

On the Feast of St. Francis, we celebrate the generosity of God's creation, and Pastor Jody talks about a ‘gift economy,’ where exchanges are made without expectation of a return - relying instead on reciprocity, trust, and community interdependence.

We know that humans and animals groan. In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul tells us that Creation is also groaning. Pastor Dan introduces us to the Greek word sustenazó - a collective groan - and talks about what we might do about Creation groaning.

In the story of the burning bush, Moses saw the bush because he was paying attention. Perhaps holy ground can be found everywhere. Creation supports us, and Pastor Jody suggests that we listen for her messages.

Continuing the Season of Creation, we hear the Biblical account of the fashioning of human beings. Pastor Dan offers ideas about how humans can care for creation in response to recent occurrences of humans killing each other.

In September, many denominations observe the Season of Creation, exploring our place in God’s connected world: the need to be stewards, understanding that all ground is holy, and mourning as the Earth groans. Today, Pastor Jody looks at the Hebrew creation story.

After dinner, guests strive for the best seat, but Jesus applauds the humble. Does humility have a bankable value today? People find the term hard to define, and nobody seems to get ahead by being humble. Pastor Dan explores the nature of humility.

At times, we long for healing, comfort, and peace. At other times, we bring healing into the world. There are still other times when we keep others from healing. Pastor Jody points out each of these behaviors in the Gospel story of the bent-over woman.

In the 12th chapter of Luke, Jesus says he has come to bring fire and division, not peace. That sounds like many political discussions these days around supper tables. Pastor Dan unpacks the message.

‘Don't worry, be happy’ is a nice thought, but is it that easy? Maybe we can't help it. Do we worry because we care? Does worry keep us from actually doing something? Pastor Jody talks about Jesus’ advice not worry.

In today’s parable, a man who runs a successful farm wants to expand his business by tearing down old barns and building new ones. In one translation, God calls him a fool. Pastor Dan asks why? Is this not good for business?

Let your light shine, but darkness is necessary if you want to see the stars. Do binaries like clean & dirty or love & hate tie us to simplistic thinking? Pastor Jody suggests that complicating things and embracing nuance may help us investigate the world.