Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                          October 24, 2021       Jeremiah 29:10-14                                                                                     “A Future with Hope” Earlier this year on Easter Sunday morning, I cried as I drove to the church.  I didn’t want to face another empty sanctuary, I didn’t want to preach the miracle of resurrection into a camera.  I wanted to see your […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                          October 17, 2021       Mark 10:35-45                                                                    “The Upside-Down World of Jesus” Prior to taking the position here as your pastor, most of you know I worked for the national setting of the United Church of Christ in the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries.  One of my primary areas […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                          October 10, 2021       Mark 10:17-31                                                                                                                “Possible” 20th century American monk Thomas Merton was beloved in his time and continues to be after his death, for his wisdom and spiritual writings.  His life renewed a deep interest in monastic living, mysticism, and the intersection of social justice and faith.  […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                            October 3, 2021         Mark 10:13-16                                                                                                        “Like a Child” Years and years ago, during a Communion worship at my home congregation, my younger cousin, Ross, joined my mom and me.  Ross didn’t really grow up in a church – his family having moved on from their Catholic one when he […]

Rev. Danielle K. Bartz                                                                                    September 26, 2021 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 20-22                                                                                           “…Perhaps” In the mid-1850’s, a cholera epidemic struck St. Louis, MO and its surrounding communities.  The epidemic was particularly deadly for the (largely) German immigrant community as they were much poorer and didn’t have access to adequate healthcare.  As a result of […]

Today’s sermon is a conversation between Rev. Danielle K Bartz and licensed minister for social justice at Peace UCC in Rochester, Jerry Locula. Thank you! Rev. Danielle Bartz, the governing body {Council} of this great Congregation, members and visiting friends! I bring you greetings from my family in Liberia. I also bring you greetings from […]

Rev. Danielle K. Bartz                                                                                    September 12, 2021  Mark 8:27-38                                                                                     “Who Do You Say I Am?” On September 11, 2001, the small town of Gander in Newfoundland was informed that 38 international planes heading for the east coast of the United States were going to be diverted to their small international airport.  The people […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                       September 5, 2021 Mark 7:24-37                                                                                     “Ephphatha – “Be Opened” About 20 years ago, the United Church of Christ invested heavily in a media campaign as it launched it’s ‘Still-Speaking’ initiative.  For those of you who do not know, the tagline of the UCC is: “Never place a period where God has placed a comma; […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                           August 29, 2021         Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23                                                                       “Rituals and Traditions” Before I begin, I want to make it clear: this scripture is NOT teaching us that we don’t need to wash our hands before we eat.  Please wash your hands before you eat, in fact – wash your hands […]

Rev. Danielle K Bartz                                                                                           August 22, 2021         John 6:56-69                                                                                      “Questions and Memories” What have you come to believe?  How did you get there?  And where do you still look to go?  These are questions Jesus poses to the disciples.  And these are the questions we are still asked, and ask ourselves.  What have we […]