Messages from Douglas UCC

The Book of Genesis is not all proper and pristine. There are family feuds, sibling jealousy, lying, and deception. Jacob marries two sisters with a couple of handmaidens thrown in. Pastor Dan asks whether our behavior eventually finds its way back to us.

Remember Led Zeppelin’s song, ‘Stairway to Heaven’? Jacob dreamt of angels climbing to heaven, then declared the spot where he slept holy. Pastor Jody explores the idea of thin places, where you feel like heaven comes close to Earth.

The book of Genesis features stories of betrayal, jealousy, treachery, and kidnapping. Pastor Dan talks about deception and more in the tale of the twins Esau and Jacob.

In the grand scheme of things, the USA is a child, and it behaves like a spoiled bully. Childhood is a time to assess our parents’ values while engaging in a world that offers new options. Pastor Jody explores a metaphor from one of our spiritual ancestors.

Jesus said seemingly outrageous things, like ‘Do not think I have come to bring peace… Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me… Those who find their life will lose it.’ Pastor Dan digs a little and finds good news in there.

Jesus sent the disciples to spread the news of God's extravagant love for ALL people. Rather than focusing on bad things someone else is doing, sometimes we can just ‘let them’ be that way. Pastor Jody suggests we shift our focus to letting love loose.

A church may be known for its steeple, pipe organ, or its members. How about its laughter? After today’s Old Testament story in which Sarah laughed, pastor Dan argues that laughing is important.

Church member Greg Gerrans shares a story of belonging to oneself, to one another, and to God. From struggling to reconcile faith and identity to adopting a son right after 9-11. Even in uncertain times, love has a way of leading us where we are meant to be.

The theological construct of the Trinity was hammered out in the fourth century in an attempt to understand the nature of God’s being. Pastor Dan explains that the Trinity is a relational way of being that blesses all things LGBTQ.

‘The Spirit blows where she will’ - like when it comes into a locked room and inspires Jesus' followers. Tongues of fire and speaking unknown languages make for an unusual event--the birthday of the Church? Pastor Jody talks about its significance for us.