Sermon Library
The Reverend Emily Tanis-LikkelRev. 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 over nearly two decades of ministry across several denominations have included associate pastor, church planter, children and family minister, teacher and workshop/retreat leader. When the congregation unanimously called Emily as Pastor of Alki UCC, 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 student Eva (who works as tech deacon at Alki UCC), son and high school student 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
October 18 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"God-Esteem"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
October 11 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"Room for All"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
October 4 2026
Blessing of the Animals and
World Communion sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Attendees brought their furry/feathered pets and service animals for a Blessing of the Animals with Pastor Emily Tanis-Likkel and Rev. Penny Matthews.
Worship Video
September 27 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"Weaving Our Stories
Lay-Led Service
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
September 20 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"The Serviceberry"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Video linked to begin at sermon
September 13 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"Homecoming Sunday"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon: 31:26
September 6 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"There Among Them"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
As a congregation, we have recently discovered an exciting alignment about what is important to us and what we want to prioritize at this moment in time: hope about stable pastoral leadership, welcoming younger generations, improving communication, strengthening financial sustainability and remaining deeply engaged in ministry with the wider community. We don't want to simply maintain the status quo, we choose to put energy into thoughtful growth and vitality.
So . . . what's next? How do we become the church God is calling us to be? That is what we will explore in during Fall worship, a lectionary-based series moving us through four stages: We Listen, We Trust, We Belong and We Respond. Let's step in!
Worship Video
Sermon: 24:21
August 23 2026
This Neighborhood:
"Look for the Helpers"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Hello, Neighbor!
Our summer worship series is This Neighborhood, based on the beloved children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Each week spotlightsa particular core message that Mister Rogers taught and embodied.
Worship Video
In lieu of a sermon, worship featured a dialogue between Pastor Emily and neighbor Kim Chilcott, who co-founded the Seattle chapter of the non-profit Not One More in 2014. Not One More is a network of grassroots non-profit chapters to raise community awareness, provide education and offer compassionate support to families and individuals affected by substance use disorder and addiction.
August 16 2026
This Neighborhood:
"Love is a Verb"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Hello, Neighbor!
Our summer worship series is This Neighborhood, based on the beloved children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Each week spotlightsa particular core message that Mister Rogers taught and embodied.
Worship Video
In lieu of a sermon, worship featured a dialogue between Pastor Emily and "neighbor" Gabriel Behrend, co-leader of Dharma Community for All: Alki Meditation, meeting in our building every Monday evening.
July 5 2026
This Neighborhood:
"Slowness and Silence"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Hello, Neighbor!
Our summer worship series is This Neighborhood, based on the beloved children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Each week spotlightsa particular core message that Mister Rogers taught and embodied.
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
June 21, 2026
Lay-Led Worship
Sermon:
"Father, Sun-Son, Holy Spirit"-"GOOD" working words in progress;-)
A Celebration of Father's Day, Solstice and The Good Word(s)
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
June 14 2026
Commitment Sunday
Counterweight:
"Living Generously"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
June 7 2026
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Counterweight:
"You are a Miracle!"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Dialogue Sermon
with Pastor Emily and Sara Jane Walsh
linked at beginning
May 31 2026
First Sunday after Pentecost
Counterweight:
"Remembering Our Call to Stir Things Up"
Rev. Bruce Wilson, Guest Preacher
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"God-Esteem"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
October 11 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"Room for All"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
October 4 2026
Blessing of the Animals and
World Communion sunday
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Attendees brought their furry/feathered pets and service animals for a Blessing of the Animals with Pastor Emily Tanis-Likkel and Rev. Penny Matthews.
Worship Video
September 27 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"Weaving Our Stories
Lay-Led Service
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
September 20 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"The Serviceberry"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Video linked to begin at sermon
September 13 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"Homecoming Sunday"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon: 31:26
September 6 2026
Fall Worship Series
The Next Faithful Step:
"There Among Them"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
As a congregation, we have recently discovered an exciting alignment about what is important to us and what we want to prioritize at this moment in time: hope about stable pastoral leadership, welcoming younger generations, improving communication, strengthening financial sustainability and remaining deeply engaged in ministry with the wider community. We don't want to simply maintain the status quo, we choose to put energy into thoughtful growth and vitality.
So . . . what's next? How do we become the church God is calling us to be? That is what we will explore in during Fall worship, a lectionary-based series moving us through four stages: We Listen, We Trust, We Belong and We Respond. Let's step in!
Worship Video
Sermon: 24:21
August 23 2026
This Neighborhood:
"Look for the Helpers"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Hello, Neighbor!
Our summer worship series is This Neighborhood, based on the beloved children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Each week spotlightsa particular core message that Mister Rogers taught and embodied.
Worship Video
In lieu of a sermon, worship featured a dialogue between Pastor Emily and neighbor Kim Chilcott, who co-founded the Seattle chapter of the non-profit Not One More in 2014. Not One More is a network of grassroots non-profit chapters to raise community awareness, provide education and offer compassionate support to families and individuals affected by substance use disorder and addiction.
August 16 2026
This Neighborhood:
"Love is a Verb"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Hello, Neighbor!
Our summer worship series is This Neighborhood, based on the beloved children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Each week spotlightsa particular core message that Mister Rogers taught and embodied.
Worship Video
In lieu of a sermon, worship featured a dialogue between Pastor Emily and "neighbor" Gabriel Behrend, co-leader of Dharma Community for All: Alki Meditation, meeting in our building every Monday evening.
July 5 2026
This Neighborhood:
"Slowness and Silence"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Hello, Neighbor!
Our summer worship series is This Neighborhood, based on the beloved children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Each week spotlightsa particular core message that Mister Rogers taught and embodied.
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
June 21, 2026
Lay-Led Worship
Sermon:
"Father, Sun-Son, Holy Spirit"-"GOOD" working words in progress;-)
A Celebration of Father's Day, Solstice and The Good Word(s)
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
June 14 2026
Commitment Sunday
Counterweight:
"Living Generously"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
June 7 2026
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Counterweight:
"You are a Miracle!"
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Dialogue Sermon
with Pastor Emily and Sara Jane Walsh
linked at beginning
May 31 2026
First Sunday after Pentecost
Counterweight:
"Remembering Our Call to Stir Things Up"
Rev. Bruce Wilson, Guest Preacher
Daniel Self, Music Director
Worship Video
Sermon linked at beginning
