Sermons at Niles Discovery Church

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In Search of a Progressive Baptism Liturgy

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Sunday, February 17, 2019

Matthew 28:16-20
Acts 10:34-48

An appropriate baptismal liturgy follows our understanding(s) of baptism and where it fits in a Christian spiritual journey. – Go to this sermon’s page

What Does It Mean to Join a Church (Part 2)?

Rev. Brenda Loreman – Sunday, February 10, 2019

Mark 1:16-20
Luke 18:18-27

Joining a church helps us to follow Jesus: to practice the Great Commandment, to open ourselves to transformation, and to experience and create the Kin-dom of God. – Go to this sermon’s page

What Does It Mean to Join a Church?

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Sunday, February 03, 2019

John 20:24-29
Mark 9:14-27

Choosing to be a part of a Christian church is saying something affirmative about your faith and your journey, about Jesus and about God, and about your commitment. – Go to this sermon’s page

What Does It Mean to be a Church?

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Sunday, January 27, 2019

Romans 12:1-21
Acts 2:43-47

A church is a group of people who are in (or want to be in) relationship with God by following (or at least trying to follow) Jesus. – Go to this sermon’s page

Baptism in the UCC, the DOC, and What's Emerging

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Sunday, January 20, 2019

Galatians 3;23-29
Acts 8:26-39

Baptism is the rite of the church (in fact, the sacrament of the church) through which one proclaims their decision to follow Jesus and through which one is becomes part of "the faith and family of Jesus Christ." – Go to this sermon’s page

A Historical and Ecumenical Look at Baptism

Rev. Brenda Loreman – Sunday, January 13, 2019

Mark 1:4-11
2 Kings 5:1-17

We begin a seven-part sermon series exploring what it means to be a member at Niles Discovery Church. This sermon focuses on the history of baptism in the church and on how the understanding of baptism has shifted. – Go to this sermon’s page

Seek, Follow, Be the Star

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Sunday, January 06, 2019

Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12

The Magi were on the look out for a sign in the heavens. When they found it, they followed it. Isaiah says we can be the star for others, too. – Go to this sermon’s page

Free-Range Jesus

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Sunday, December 30, 2018

Luke 2:41-52
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Could part of the reason Jesus understood who he was (in relationship to God) be because his parents let him explore and run off? – Go to this sermon’s page

Stories of a Silent Night

Rev. Jeffrey Spencer – Monday, December 24, 2018

Stories related to the Christmas Carol "Silent Night." – Go to this sermon’s page

Justice and Joy

Rev. Brenda Loreman – Sunday, December 23, 2018

Luke 1:46-55
Luke 1:67-79

Singing of light in a world of oppression is nothing short of an act of resistance. – Go to this sermon’s page

Our Pastors

The Rev. Jeff Spencer

Brenda Loreman

We try to get manuscripts, audio, and video of sermons preached at Niles Discovery Church up on the website as quickly as possible. Not all formats are available all the time, and videos generally aren’t posted until Monday or Tuesday evenings. We thank you for your patience.

If you would like to leave a comment on one of Pastor Jeff's sermons, you can do so on his personal blog.

Learn more about Progressive Christianity! Go to our Progressive Christianity Series page for links to eight sermons that discuss the various aspects of this exciting aspect of worship.