Messages from Douglas UCC

Do you twirl around the house when you want to celebrate a life-giving event? Dancing is a way to move our bodies with joy. Rev. Jody considers separate stories that feature Kings David and Herodias, where dancers bring intrigue and emotion.

Do sources of wisdom look or talk a certain way? Must they have degrees or titles? Did you ever unexpectedly learn something? Rev. Jody explores three stories: a shepherd boy becomes king, an evangelist has a thorn in the flesh, and Jesus is not welcome.

We don’t have to ignore Scripture to affirm our queer friends and family. Rev. Jody explains that the Bible says good things about same-gender loving relationships. Today we celebrate all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations!

These are tenuous days. We face trouble in our lives, our relationships, and our world. We do the best we can and, somehow we get by. In two stories this week, where David fights Goliath and Jesus calms a storm, Rev. Jody sees a response to trouble.

Remember the warmth you felt when someone was kind to you. What did they do? Jesus says that faith the size of a mustard seed is all we need to make a difference in the world. Rev. Jodi Betten talks about how kindness makes a difference.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks who his family is. What does your family of choice like? Does it fit the phrase ‘traditional family values’?

Rev. Jody explores today's all-important question for our church - and any church. Why do we have the Vision we have? Why do we do this church thing? Are we making choices that support our Why?

Rev. Jody helps us explore all of our connections on this Memorial Day weekend. How are we connected to each other, our church, our sibling churches, other denominations and faith traditions, and the world, and God? Quite a big think, don't you think?

Systems and Structures and Leadership! Rev. Jody, our interim pastor, shares a Pentecost message: the world was shaken, and a new world order emerged. How have we been shaken, and how will it make our foundation stronger for our future?

Michigan Conference minister, Rev. Lillian Daniel, author, homilist, and humorist offered this lovely interpretation of scripture and a hilarious-loving homily to illustrate the Body of Christ, with a Mother's Day message running in the current.

Rev. Jody Betten had us thinking about identity, our own, our community's, our church and its place in the world. Who do we think we are? Who do others say that we are? Who do we wish to be? What is possible for this church as we move into our future?

You are likely familiar with the adage, "Those who don't know their history are destined to repeat it." It may also apply to churches and the selection of their ministers. On Sunday, find out why the ham got cut in half for Easter. Find out what the Bible says about "marrying out." Consider your own personal history and how it affects your present (and your presence).

Our new interim pastor considers liminal spaces from ancient traditions and our own history at Douglas UCC. Is this space a tomb? Or a womb?

This week's scripture reminds us to take heart in bad times. Church member Jeremy Lund asks if uncertainty is always a problem. Can it sometimes be a gift?

Church member Mark Johnston shares a little humor and some personal stories, as he challenges us to embrace the messiness that is our congregation. No matter how we serve the church family, we could use a reminder that we are all the Body of Christ.

On Easter Sunday we hear the story of Jesus appearing, unknown, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Church member Linda Knieriemen talks about loss, chaos, and the transformation into hope. Jesus is on the loose!

Our friend Doug Petersen reminisces about parades and relates them to the two processions in today’s scripture: one of cheers and palms, one of jeers and pain.

This week's scripture reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is always with us and within us, but who are we and what are we made for? Church member Jeremy Lund focuses on the stories we tell, and how very much they matter.

Jesus said to forgive those who wrong you not once, but ‘seventy times seven.’ Church Council Moderator Mark Johnson talks about how hard that is - and how important.

On World Wildlife Sunday, the Creation Justice Team has organized a service focusing on birds. Church member Rev. Ginny Mikita talks about the role of the lowly pigeon as God’s messenger in the Bible.

It is February, but early signs of spring seem to invite us to consider repentance in a new way. Church member Rev. Marty Rienstra offers a different way to live Lent - one that is unlike what many people were taught.

Scripture describes how Jesus was tested for forty days in the wilderness. Church member Pamela Chappell helps us consider the tests in our lives with the help of a Zen proverb, ‘The Obstacle is the Path.’

Today’s gospel tells the story of a miraculous transfiguration. Congregational Care coordinator Lynne Snyder shares a transformational story from her career in special education that she believes was a minor miracle.

After teaching and healing in Capernaum, scripture tells us Jesus immediately continued His ministry in the surrounding villages. Congregation member Stan Green talks about the ‘somewhere else’ where we're called to carry God's love.

When Jesus begins to teach in the temple everyone is amazed by his inner authority. As part of our spiritual growth, we need to develop an inner knowing. 93-year-old Rev. Fred Hamlin shares experiences along that line. (a Q-and-A session begins at 11:20).