Messages from Douglas UCC

If one has to believe in Jesus in order to have eternal life, then what happens to people of other faith traditions? If Jesus is the "only son," then why did he say we are ALL children of God? Pastor Sal explains how Progressive Christians understand John 3:16.

The Prince of Peace once became so enraged that he brandished a whip and overturned tables! With this furious cleansing of the temple, was Jesus saying that it's okay to get angry? Pastor Sal considers whether anger can serve a positive purpose in our lives.

Jesus came so that we might live life to the fullest. To do this, we must give up the illusion of our false ‘ego-self.’ Pastor Sal talks about using Lent to awaken the Divine Self within and to change whatever blocks us from experiencing abundance.

Before Jesus began his ministry he spent forty days and nights in the wilderness. Lent invites us to venture into our own wilderness and wrestle with the things that keep us from living life to the fullest. Pastor Sal talks about "tidying up" our spiritual lives during this season of spiritual preparation.

On the mountaintop, his clothes became a dazzling white and Jesus underwent a spiritual change -- a transfiguration. People in our time can also have experiences that lead them to become more attuned to the Divine Light. Pastor Sal explores how to spiritually transform our lives and our world.

In today's Gospel, Jesus begins his healing ministry, curing many who were sick. He said that we have been given the power to heal, and came to show us the way. Pastor Sal shares wisdom from Louise Hay and Eckhart Tolle.

As Jesus begins to teach, everyone is amazed at his inner authority. Spiritual growth requires that we develop an inner knowing. We must wrestle with an inner “devil” on our way to recognizing the Divine Light inside. Pastor Sal talks about overcoming the ego and living a life of spiritual freedom.

Jesus told fishermen Simon and Andrew that he would make them “fishers of men." Was he saying we should go catch people for God, or did he have something deeper in mind? Pastor Sal explains what the fish symbol meant to the early church and what evangelism means to today’s Progressive Christians.

With the words "come and see," Jesus call the first apostles to help him build a kin-dom that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the beloved community." During this dark time, we take a moment to celebrate King’s life. He reminded us that only light can drive out darkness and only love can drive out hate.

On the Sunday after Epiphany, we celebrate the day Christ was baptized in the River Jordan. Does our baptism remove Original Sin? Is it necessary for salvation? Pastor Sal addresses these questions, sharing wisdom from Bishop John Shelby Spong.