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Sermon Library

The Reverend Emily Tanis-Likkel
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel sensed the call to ordained ministry when she was eight years old, baptizing her baby dolls and creating worship services for her family. She was ordained in 2005 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Bainbridge Island.

Her roles in the last seventeen years of ministry across several denominations have included associate pastor, church planter, children and family minister, teacher and workshop/retreat leader. When Emily was called as Bridge Pastor of Alki UCC in July 2022, she came home to her denomination and home to pastoral ministry.

Emily believes it is essential for churches to be a beacon of hope in their communities, acknowledging that each person is of infinite worth and value. Humanity bears the image of God. Beautifully unique in our diversity of race, culture, disability and ability, personality, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, we reflect God, who is wonderfully reflective of all. Everything that we are, God is.

 Emily lives in West Seattle in a multigenerational household with her creative-techie spouse, Brett, daughter and college sophomore Eva (who works as tech deacon at Alki UCC), son and high school sophomore Day, and her parents, Marti and Keith Tanis. The Tanis-Likkel family is known for their giant popcorn bowl, frequently filled to the brim.

 Emily writes, teaches, preaches and leads from a foundation of embodied spirituality, expansive theology and wonder. She loves walking labyrinths and reading novels. She is trained in Nia, a holistic movement practice, which has informed her own spiritual practice of embodying Scripture. Learn more about Emily at emilytanislikkel.com.

Worship Video

March 26 2023
Fifth
 Sunday in Lent
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"Can these bones live?" 
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 11:35

March 19 2023
Fourth Sunday in Lent

Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"Who sinned?" 
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 09:41

March 12 2023
Third Sunday in Lent

Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Testimony by Alki UCC member Bonita C.
Worship Video
Testimony begins at 07:30

March 5 2023
Second Sunday in Lent
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
“How do we begin again?”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 06:06

February 26 2023
First Sunday in Lent
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
“Who Will You Listen To?” 
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 07:44

February 19 2023
Transfiguration Sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
“Peaks and Valleys” 
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 05:14

February 12 2023
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Note: Due to last-minute technical difficulties, this Sunday's service was not recorded in its entirety. 
Instead, we uploaded an important section of worship when the microphone was passed to Alki UCC member and founder of Here’s Hope Project, Sara Jane Walsh.

Sara Jane began Here’s Hope Project in 2016 with the mission to help families with chronically ill children share their stories and spread awareness. She creates and shares bravery videos of children who are cancer warriors, explaining: “While these are stories for and about kids, they also connect to the stories and themes of our own lives. My hope is that we can all find ways to relate to and connect with these stories and each other.”

Sara Jane gave her testimony in worship, telling her own story of coming to faith and how she sees God connecting people together through the sharing of their stories. Learn more about Here’s Hope Project online or visit the Here's Hope YouTube channel for Sara jane's amazing videos.
February 5 2023
Communion Sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"Break Forth"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 07:04

January 29 2023
Pastor Emily's Installation Service and Celebration
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Sermon preached by Rev. Lynn Likkel:
“Beautiful Feet” 
 
January 29 2023
 New Member Sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"All In: Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 09:53

January 22 2023
 Third Sunday after Epiphany
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"All In: Follow Me"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 04.24

January 15 2023
 Second Sunday after Epiphany
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"All In: Come and See"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at  10:17

January 8 2023
First Sunday after Epiphany
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
"The Legend of the Poinsettia"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 07:38

January 1 2023
Communion Sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
“God Dwells with Us”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 09:48