Messages from Douglas UCC

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This podcast features homilies delivered by Pastor Sal Sapienza at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ -- a progressive, inclusive, open and affirming faith community located in Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan. To learn more, visit https://www.douglasucc.org

Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ


    • Jun 1, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 339 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Messages from Douglas UCC

    LGBTQIA+ (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 17:07


    496 anti-LGBTQI+ bills are being considered in the US. Transgender folk have it worse than most. 5% of youth identify as trans or non-binary, and 35% of them live in states that ban gender affirming care! This month, we focus on folks who are still discriminated against.

    Ascension Blessings (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 17:17


    Only Luke wrote about Christ's Ascension, and it made the disciples scratch their heads. Pastor Dan explains that we can do what Jesus did when his feet were on the ground - heal, forgive, and more - because the essence of who he was is very much alive.

    How to Hope (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 14:54


    Frank Lloyd Wright completed many works after the age of 80. A man who passed the bar in 1950 still practices law. Many factors contribute to the ability to work or to transition to new activities as we age. Pastor Jody talks about the book of Revelation and its message that God is always making all things new.

    The Restoration of Simon Peter (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 15:07


    ​What happens when you realize you've failed stunningly? From time to time, we all fail. So did Jesus' disciples – especially Simon Peter. Today's reading reminds us that life is a series of relapses and recoveries. It's about progression, not perfection.

    The Journey of a Lifetime (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 14:34


    Do you have regrets - maybe something you could have done differently? What guides you as you imagine your future? While the disciples tried to make sense of Jesus' death, they met a stranger. Something happened, and their lives changed focus.

    The Pope. The Earth. Our Yards. (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 18:40


    The late Pope Francis advocated for justice, stood with migrants, was more welcoming to LGBTQ+ people than previous pontiffs, and cared passionately about our planet. Pastor Dan connects these ideas and offers tips that come as close as your backyard.

    Easter is a Verb (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 16:18


    No matter how we look on the outside or inside, Easter affirms that every part of us is God's. Pastor Dan explains that the word ‘Easter' comes from a verb and suggests that we can affirm Easter through action.

    We Call This Week Holy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 17:42


    Today we carry palms to commemorate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Soon, the same crowd convinced Pilate that Jesus was dangerous. Pastors Dan and Jody reflect on what Holy Week can teach us about personal and national struggles.

    Who’s Lost? (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 18:37


    One can feel lost when a relationship falls apart, when a church denies one's presence, or when one's life path is unclear. Pastor Jody talks about the GIFT of being lost, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and offers tips on finding guides.

    Be the Miracle! (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 23:00


    Pastor Dan's teaser for this talk: Be the Miracle. (Could rightly be answered by the grieving...) Yes, damn it, we prayed day and night, night and day for one but never got it! Did you even hear us?

    The Gift of Uncertainty (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 15:02


    At one time, humans were certain that the Earth was flat! What makes us certain of ANYthing? Is it better to live humbly, knowing that we don't know EVERYthing? Pastor Jody talks about Jesus' response when people asked, ‘Who sinned to make this so?'

    She Crashed the Party (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 18:39


    Juicy stories are hard to resist; they feed the appetite of social media. Jesus aroused curiosity when he couldn't resist welcoming people whom others would cross the street to avoid. Pastor Dan talks about the woman who crashed a respectable dinner party to anoint Jesus' feet.

    The Temptation of Good (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 16:37


    Most of us aren't tempted to steal classified documents but we do face small, victimless temptations, like eating too many sweets. To help us understand Jesus' temptation, Pastor Jody explains how we may be undermined by a good thing we are tempted to do.

    Transfigurationalism (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 18:29


    The transfiguration of Jesus seems other-worldly and hard to relate to concerns like the lofty price of eggs. Yet people today do experience ‘thin places' where heaven feels nearby. Pastor Dan talks about how damaged times need more transfigured people.

    Blowing in the Wind (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 21:48


    According to gospel writer John, ‘The Spirit blows where she will.' The Old Testament talks of the breath of God and the wind with which God created the world. Pastor Jody addresses what can we learn about what sustains us by exploring the Spirit.

    Everything Worth Knowing I Learned By Rehabbing Old Houses (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 19:18


    Pastor Dan has discovered a relationship between tending old houses and tending churches. He shares four lessons learned from rehabbing ten different houses.

    How to Avoid Swamping Your Boat (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 13:32


    When the unimaginable happens, some jump for an explanation, some lash out, and some just want to forget. After Jesus rocked the fishermen's world with a huge catch, they became his followers and friends. Pastor Jody considers the implications.

    What's a Church to Do in a Culture of Contempt? (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 19:01


    Christianity in the US is increasingly mean-spirited - appointing all white males as gatekeepers, labeling immigrants of color a threat, and deeming non-heterosexuals perverse. Pastor Dan talks about what to do in the face of growing Christian Nationalism.

    How to Avoid Being Thrown Off a Cliff (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 13:04


    Jesus was a hometown boy who made good; then the town tried to throw him off a cliff! Pastor Jody reminds us that maybe we have wanted to ‘throw someone off a cliff' after they confronted us about our behavior or said something that changed our lives.

    So Much Muchness (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 17:50


    At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs the first of many miracles. Oddly, it is not an occasion of healing. Rather, the wine runs out - gasp! Pastor Dan suggests that this story is about abundance - God's, ours, and Martin Luther King's.

    Guides for the Journey (Linda Knieriemen)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 21:41


    Many people believe the story of Christ's birth is not historical, and that Matthew wrote it to offer guidance for our spiritual journeys. Rev. Linda Knieremen talks about the roles of the star, the Magi, and King Herod.

    The Gifts of the Holy Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 17:12


    Christmas is about love that comes from the edge of society, the poorest of the poor, the outsider, the foreigner. People often receive compassion, mercy, or an unexpected gift from a surprising place. Rev. Jody Betten helps us imagine the Holy Family and the gifts they bring.

    The Creatures of Christmas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 16:25


    Many of God's creatures support our ancient stories. At Christmas, they include a donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem, oxen sharing a manger, and camels carrying wise ones who follow a star. Rev. Jody asks us to consider the gift of the life of our planet.

    Have Yourself a Mary Christmas (Jody Betten)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 13:39


    Today's reading is about pregnant cousins Mary and Elizabeth visiting together. It's helpful to commiserate with others who know what we're feeling as changes in body and lifestyle prepare us for what's ahead. Children can bring us much joy; so can friends who walk with us on the journey of parenting.

    Reflection: Jody Betten and Dan Plasman

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 22:37


    In a sort of ‘audition,' Dan and Jody shared a few ideas about how Douglas UCC might grow and change. Afterward, the congregation voted overwhelmingly to accept them as the church's new co-pastors.

    Blessed Are the Persecuted

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 12:53


    When we extend mercy to the unforgivable or advocate for the least, last, lost, and lonely we may not be well received. This week Rev. Jody considers the consequences and rewards of following the way of Jesus.

    Blessed Are the Peacemakers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 15:51


    After the election, some folks began asking what it now means to live, love, imagine a flourishing future, and care for the least. They want to know how to contribute to the side of goodness and justice. Rev. Jody considers what it means to be a peacemaker.

    Blessed Are the Merciful

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024


    Mercy is compassion or forgiveness toward someone it is within one's power to punish or harm. When have you received mercy? Are you inclined to "pay it forward"? Rev. Jody talks about mercy in the Beatitudes.

    Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024


    A recent documentary discusses Christian nationalism; a current Presidential candidate is tied to the movement. Rev. Dan is not sure how righteousness is best defined, but he knows it when he sees it in the lives of ordinary saintly people.

    Blessed Are the Meek

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024


    Is meekness a weakness? ‘Meek and mild' implies a willingness to go along with things. But a horse's meekness after you put a bit in their mouth is more like ‘strength under control.' Are trees similarly strong under control, without the need for a bit?

    Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024


    We've all been broken by loss, pain, shame, mistakes, ridicule... Is it true that light gets in where we are broken? Do we become stronger? What is available if we let ourselves into the sadness and tears? Pastor Jody explores the blessing of those who mourn.

    Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024


    In October and November we're examining The Beatitudes, in which Jesus describes people God blesses or favors. What does 'poor in spirit' mean? Who are these favored ones? Rev. Jody considers the story of the rich man and Lazarus (‘one whom God helps').

    How Does Community Sustain Life?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024


    James suggests what to do when things get dicey, but he didn't know about compassion fatigue or climate change. He says to cut off a body part that causes you trouble -- not very practical! Rev. Jody talks about what can we draw from James' suggestions.

    First or Last, What Will It Be?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024


    The dictionary says humility is a modest or low view of one's own importance. How can one remain humble while not diminishing oneself? Pastor Jody talks about humility, based on James 4 and Mark 9.

    Sticks and Stones

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024


    The creation story suggests that God created with a word. Modern people know how to use words to hurt. We have the power to create reality with words. James tells us that we need to control our tongues.

    Who’s Your Favorite?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024


    In transactional relationships, each person expects something in return for an action. James points out that the Jesus-followers of his day pay attention to the rich at the expense of the poor who need their help. Pastor Jody considers our quid pro quos and how we can protect ourselves from this sort of relationship.

    The World Needs More Straw

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024


    It's comforting to know that we can't make God love us more; nothing will separate us from the energy of love. Nevertheless, the book of James says that what we do matters. Rev. Jody Betten explores possibilities for how to behave that make a difference.

    What Does Armor Look Like for the People of Love?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2024


    Some imagery in the Bible can seem archaic. It was written long ago in a different culture, yet it resonates with issues we face today. What practices keep you focused? Rev. Jody Betten explores practical and creative ways to keep on keeping on.

    The No-Matter-Whatness of God’s Love (Dan Plasman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024


    Dan Plasman muses on three Bible verses in which King Solomon prays for foreigners and outsiders whom he's never met. This brief ancient prayer jarred loose memories of people who reminded him that God welcomes us no matter what.

    Nourishing Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024


    What activities bring you joy -- baking bread? singing and dancing? reading a good book? walking in contemplation? Rev. Jody talks about Jesus' understanding of his way.

    Allies, Advocates, and Agitators

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024


    Do you ever wonder what you have to offer? When Jesus fed a crowd of 5000, a small boy with five loaves and two fishes had exactly what was needed. And how about the way Jesus handled the leftovers!

    Extravagant Love (Mark Johnston)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2024


    What is extravagant Love? What does it look like? Who is it for? Why make a practice of it? Church member Mark Johnston shares his ideas and a challenge as we get ready to show extravagant love to our neighbors at next week's block party

    Water is Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024


    How much of you is water? How many people don't have clean water? How many times does the Bible mention water? How can we best raise concern for water for ourselves, our neighbors, and our planet? Rev. Jody explores the joys and sorrows of water.

    Two Dancers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024


    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.

    Who Are Teachers Today?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024


    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.

    Reason to be Proud

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024


    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!

    What is a Miracle?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024


    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.

    Only Kindness Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2024


    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.

    Traditional Family Values?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024


    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'?

    What Is Our Why?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024


    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?

    Connections

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024


    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?

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