Messages from Douglas UCC

On ‘Energy Sunday,’ sponsored by the Creation Justice Team, we focus our worship on the role of energy in caring for our planet. Rev. Linda Kniereman speaks to us in the voice of Mother Earth, talking about how it all started and what we need to do now.

Retired Navy chaplain Beth Stallinga is the first in a series of church members to preach as we seek a new pastor. Beth compares our situation to an all-hands activity on a ship, reminding us that a church is more than a pastor; it’s a community.

For his final message at Douglas UCC, Pastor Sal talks about endings and beginnings.

On the final Sunday of Advent, Pastor Sal focuses on Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her revolutionary song of love.

Henri Nouwen, wrote, ‘Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.’ This Sunday’s pink candle symbolizes joy - the good news that the Light is on its way!

John the Baptist proclaimed, ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!’ Rev. David Van Dyke explores the meaning of calling and how God continues to make all things new.

Richard Rohr says, ‘Advent is a time for us to focus our expectations and anticipation on the Cosmic Christ.’ Pastor Sal focuses on the theme of the first Advent candle: HOPE.

On Reign of Christ Sunday we celebrate Jesus as fully human and fully divine, both man and Messiah. Pastor Sal shares wisdom from Richard Rohr and John Pavlovitz.

Marianne Williamson wrote, ‘It is our Light, not our darkness, that most frightens us’ and Leo Buscaglia said that what we do with our talents it is our gift to God. Pastor Sal talks about how to invest our gifts to bring more of God's abundance into play.

In the parable about bridesmaids who did not prepare enough oil for their lamps, Jesus reminds us to keep our spiritual lamps lit. Pastor Sal explores how to keep our spiritual lamps lit and burning during challenging times.

Jesus said that those who humble themselves would be exalted. Humility is being ‘un-selved,’ a liberation from the consciousness of self. Pastor Sal explores how the "humbling process" can lead to spiritual ascension.

Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Pastor Sal talks about The Golden Rule and celebrating the saints in our lives. Today’s service concludes in the Memorial Garden, honoring loved ones who have died.

In the gospel reading for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus says, ‘Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and render to God what is God's.’ Is Jesus telling us to keep politics and religion separate, or is he saying something else?

Jesus came that we might have a more abundant life. His ministry taught and demonstrated that mindset, yet many people have beliefs that limit them. Pastor Sal talks about developing an abundance consciousness.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, ‘The only constant in life is change.’ Pastor Sal speaks to the congregation for the first time since announcing that he will leave Douglas UCC in January to answer a new call in Connecticut.

Today we celebrate God's creation, focusing on the harvest which, in the Bible, represents health and abundance. The Bible also says we are to be the stewards of God's creation and yet a recent poll showed that 98% of climate change deniers identify as Christian.

If someone has hurt us deeply, this might seem an almost impossible assignment, but Jesus knew we must forgive if we are to have peace and harmony.

Jesus said, ‘If you obey my commandments, you shall abide in my love.’ The Ten Commandments are generally not hard to follow. Pastor Sal talks about obeying the commandments of Jesus - to love God and to love one another - no matter how difficult that is.

What did it mean when God told Moses at the burning bush, 'I am that I am'? In his book, ‘The Moses Code,’ James Twyman suggests a comma is missing, and that it makes all the difference. Pastor Sal talks about what God's name means for us today.

Jesus asks, "Who do YOU say I am?" Who was Jesus and what was his message? Who is he to you? Savior? Guide? Teacher? Friend? Has your understanding changed over the years? Pastor Sal talks about seeing Jesus more clearly so we can follow him more nearly.

Why was Jesus cruel and dismissive of a Canaanite woman who came seeking his help? She persists until Jesus says, ‘Let it be done for you as you wish.’ Pastor Sal explores what it means to be bold in putting faith into action.

The apostles are in a boat, gripped with fear. Jesus calms the storm and asks why they are afraid. During life’s storms, we too become fearful. Pastor Sal urges us to choose love over fear. As the Bible tells us more than 300 times, ‘be not afraid.’

Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed, a pearl, yeast, and hidden treasure. But where is this kingdom? Pastor Sal talks about how to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven in this lifetime.

In the story of Jacob's ladder, a large structure like a  tower or staircase reaches up to heaven. Pastor Sal talks about how to gain access to this kind of ladder and make a spiritual ascension.

The parable of the sower teaches the powerful spiritual law of sowing and reaping, which is seen throughout the Bible. Pastor Sal talks about how, in our own lives, we reap what we sow.