Messages from Douglas UCC

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Messages from Douglas UCC

Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ

150 episodes

4 days ago

This podcast features homilies delivered 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

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Religion & Spirituality

All content for Messages from Douglas UCC is the property of Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

This podcast features homilies delivered 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

Show more...

Religion & Spirituality

Episodes (20/150)

Messages from Douglas UCC

A Horrifying but Necessary Ending to the Christmas Story (Jody Betten)

Christmas cards are typically serene, angelic, and magical. Pastor Jody explains that the real story begins with a family being called to another city to pay taxes to a despot, and ends with the family fleeing for their lives.

5 days ago

17 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Home By Another Way (Dan Plasman)

Christmas is over, and we’re thinking about settling back into our old routines. Pastor Dan suggests that, just as the three wise ones were warned to go home by another way, maybe there are routines we might want to change.

1 week ago

15 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Who is This Joseph Character? (Jody Betten)

Joseph is an unlikely character, compelled into a drama with a revolutionary baby, shepherds, angels, and outsiders bringing kingly gifts. He was a rule-breaker, protector, dreamer, silent hero, and more. Pastor Jody asks what Joseph’s journey can teach us.

2 weeks ago

16 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Embracing Mary (Dan Plasman)

Protestants don’t know quite what to do with the Virgin Mary: worship her? Call upon her in times of need? From the Gospel of Luke, we know that Mary was anything but a weak young woman. Pastor Dan shares inspiration from Mary’s ‘Magnificat’ prayer.

3 weeks ago

16 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

What Time Is It (Redux)? (Jody Betten)

After the Annunciation, Mary began waiting and preparing. Today, during Advent, we are also waiting: for justice to come, for a thriving world, and more. Pastor Jody asks what one does while waiting and preparing.

1 month ago

15 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

November 20, 2025 Service Canceled

The November 20, 2025, service was canceled due to inclement weather.

1 month ago

Messages from Douglas UCC

Giving Thanks … for Our Scars (Dan Plasman)

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for what we have. Pastor Dan suggests that we should also give thanks for our losses, deprivations, and setbacks. What might it mean to give thanks for our scars?

1 month ago

13 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Athens, Meteora, and Monemvasia (Jody Betten)

Pastor Jody shares recent experiences with three places in Greece - Athens, the monasteries at Meteora, and the fortified town of Monemvasia - where residents are deeply connected to their past.

1 month ago

17 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

What’s Next? (Jim DeVries)

In Mathew 22, Jesus is asked about heaven. Jim DeVries spent 40 years as a hospital and hospice chaplain. He gives an upbeat message about what we know and ways to make the transition to ‘what’s next’ easier.

2 months ago

20 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Balcony People, Basement People (Linda Knieriemen)

Saints are not just people with Vatican-approved miracles. Linda Knieriemen talks about ‘balcony people,’ the everyday folks who encourage us to be peace-loving, justice-seeking, love-bestowing humans.

2 months ago

16 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

The Generosity of Giving (Dan Plasman)

Winston Churchill said, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’ But being generous doesn’t make us healthier or protect us from calamities. Pastor Dan considers why we might want to be givers.

2 months ago

15 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

The Generosity of Grace (Jody Betten)

We cannot fall out of grace with God, and that fact compels us to live our best lives. Pastor Jody asks us to consider God’s generous gift of unconditional love and grace.

2 months ago

10 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

The Generosity of Extravagant Welcome (Dan Plasman)

How do other people make you feel welcome? Has it ever been difficult for you to welcome others? Should an extravagant welcome have limits? Pastor Dan considers these and other questions.

2 months ago

12 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

The Generosity of Creation (Jody Betten)

On the Feast of St. Francis, we celebrate the generosity of God's creation, and Pastor Jody talks about a ‘gift economy,’ where exchanges are made without expectation of a return - relying instead on reciprocity, trust, and community interdependence.

3 months ago

13 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

When the Earth Groans (Dan Plasman)

We know that humans and animals groan. In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul tells us that Creation is also groaning. Pastor Dan introduces us to the Greek word sustenazó - a collective groan - and talks about what we might do about Creation groaning.

3 months ago

12 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Standing on Holy Ground (Jody Betten)

In the story of the burning bush, Moses saw the bush because he was paying attention. Perhaps holy ground can be found everywhere. Creation supports us, and Pastor Jody suggests that we listen for her messages.

3 months ago

14 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

How Do We Love Creation, When We Can’t Stop Killing Each Other? (Dan Plasman)

Continuing the Season of Creation, we hear the Biblical account of the fashioning of human beings. Pastor Dan offers ideas about how humans can care for creation in response to recent occurrences of humans killing each other.

3 months ago

19 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

God is Green and All is Good (Jody Betten)

In September, many denominations observe the Season of Creation, exploring our place in God’s connected world: the need to be stewards, understanding that all ground is holy, and mourning as the Earth groans. Today, Pastor Jody looks at the Hebrew creation story.

4 months ago

14 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

Humility, The Lost Virtue (Dan Plasman)

After dinner, guests strive for the best seat, but Jesus applauds the humble. Does humility have a bankable value today? People find the term hard to define, and nobody seems to get ahead by being humble. Pastor Dan explores the nature of humility.

4 months ago

14 minutes

Messages from Douglas UCC

The Weight of the World (Jody Betten)

At times, we long for healing, comfort, and peace. At other times, we bring healing into the world. There are still other times when we keep others from healing. Pastor Jody points out each of these behaviors in the Gospel story of the bent-over woman.

4 months ago

11 minutes