Dare to Hope–Dare to be Hope
August 26, 2018 — Rev. Nancy Parent Bancroft Readings: Psalm 137: 1-6; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; John 14:27 Clergy, like all other working groups, have their professional journals. And the big topic being discussed in them this year and often among clergy when they get together is how to preach given the present divisiveness and political climate. And…
Music That Moves Me
August 19, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert Today, we celebrate Music Sunday here at Union Church. When I first began to explore the possibility of applying for the position as Pastor here, one of the most important things that people shared again and again was how much they loved the music. That really intrigued me…
Finding Refreshment – Woman at the Well
August 12, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert So today, we hear this long, but really wonderful story of Jesus, who himself has become thirsty in the noonday sun, after traveling from Jerusalem in the south to Gaililee in the north. He and his disciples take the quickest route, through Samaria, and we hear that Jesus…
A Learner’s Story
August 5, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert Today we listen again to the story of Moses when God rained manna from heaven to feed the Israelites in response to their complaining and suffering. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes to remind them of their unity in Christ as a community. He uses that…
The Souls of Animals
July 29, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert Since I first came to Union Church last September, one of the things that has truly impressed me is the number of people here who share a great love of animals…their dogs, cats, horses and other pets as well as their commitment to the well being of animals…
Come Away and Rest Awhile
July 22, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert In the reading from Mark’s Gospel today, we hear of a time when Jesus reconnects with his disciples after they have been out trying to spread the important message of Jesus as well as bringing healing and comfort to those they met along their journeys. It is clear…
Dare to Be a Daniel
July 8, 2018— Rev. Lamar Robinson Daniel 6:10-23 This morning we continue our adventure of re-visiting some of the classical stories of our faith, coming out of our Judeo-Christian traditions. The stories you learned as children and never forgot. The stories that give some direction to our lives, help to form our values, and even…
4th of July
July 1, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert In today’s passage from Luke, we hear the story of Jesus sending forth the seventy to prepare the way for him as he sets out to preach and teach, and he tells them, “Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” It may be hard for…
The Joys of Summer
June 24, 2018 — Rev. Paula Norbert In our reading from the Song of Solomon today, we hear that “the winter is past, flowers appear on the earth and the time of singing has come.” Just a few days ago on the Summer Solstice, people around the earth celebrated the day when the hours of…
Father’s Day
June 17, 2018 — Peter McPheeters Who’s your daddy? Good morning! I’m a very lucky guy. I not only had a father who was a good man, I also had a very kind step-father, a strong, loving and eccentric mother, two delightful step-mothers, and several other very strong semi-parental mentor figures in my life, both…