Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria Va

*Due to technical difficulties, this sermon was not recorded. Download the PDF to read it!* Whenever we hear a Biblical story about healing, we likely react in one of several ways: Our eyes may immediately be drawn to our own experience; we may think of people who have experienced some kind of healing; we may wonder about – and even be angry over – those near to use who have not been healed. When I chose to preach on this passage today, what attracted me was one simple sentence at the outset of the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law: Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward preaches on Mark 1:29-39.

At WPC for the first time, Betsey will share her wisdom and extensive understanding of “elder law.” The maze of navigating legal, financial and practical questions for every decade can be overwhelming. This dynamic, interactive workshop (Q&A) is designed for all adults and for those with aging parents and allows plenty of opportunity for questions!

While changes in any congregation are necessary, inevitable, and best greeted with welcome, because a significant part the church’s role is to serve as sanctuary from the pressures of society, an island of stability in a sea of change, changes in the church can be particularly challenging for those of us for whom our church home – Westminster – is dear as refuge and relief. Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward preaches today. The Scripture lesson is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

With WPC Elder David Roden. Explore why Paul’s letter to the Romans became the key motivation for the reformation. Why do some modern theologians believe the reformers misread Paul? What did Paul say and what was Paul doing in this important letter? Discover how you might interpret Romans differently. Part 3 of 3. (Due to technical difficulties, Part 2 was not recorded).

In a prophetic tale with an overabundance of the absurd, how do we stay focused on the sometimes startling, sometimes challenging, always absurd grace of God? Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy preaches on Jonah 3:1-5, 10.

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael is stuck: stuck in himself, stuck in his own ignorance, stuck in his own constricted view of reality. But when he is told to “come and see,” his willingness to go leads him to Jesus. And Christ’s seeing, and Christ’s knowing, change everything for Nathanael. Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches on John 1:43-51.

With WPC Elder David Roden. Explore why Paul’s letter to the Romans became the key motivation for the reformation. Why do some modern theologians believe the reformers misread Paul? What did Paul say and what was Paul doing in this important letter? Discover how you might interpret Romans differently. Part 1 of 3.

Whatever children and youth experience from hearing, seeing, interacting with adults – in the kitchen, in the hallways, at the water fountain, in the classroom, in the sanctuary, in the choir loft – whatever they experience from us shapes their faith, for good or for ill. We are all Simeons and Annas. Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches from Luke 2:21-40.

Matthew, Luke, and John, each writing thirty to sixty years after the death of Christ, have introduced us to Jesus with words carefully chosen and beautifully written. In contrast, Mark’s words are informative. They are important. But they are not particularly poetic or beautiful. Instead, Mark calls us to get to work, “immediately.” The kingdom of God is near. The business of life is at hand. It is time to repent, turn our attention to the kingdom Christ brings, commit ourselves to it, get to work on its behalf. Larry Hayward preaches on Mark 1:1-14.

though the stories that Christian churches across the world recite, sing, and tell this night are about a particular birth of a particular person in the midst of a particular people at a particular time and place in history – namely, Jesus Christ, born as a free, Jewish male, in first century Palestine – the significance of his birth transcends the time and place and gender and race and legal standing and national heritage in which he was born. The peace Christ brings transcends these all.

Our sermons this Advent are drawn from the opening to each of the four gospels in the New Testament. We heard the beginning of Matthew three weeks ago; the beginning of Luke last Sunday. Today, we focus on the opening of John’s Gospel. Both Matthew and Luke begin their stories of Jesus with his conception and birth, not an illogical place to begin. As we will see next Sunday, Mark begins with Jesus is an adult. By contrast, John takes the origins of Jesus Christ all the way back to and even before creation. In fact, when we open the Gospel of John, we wonder if we haven’t by accident opened the Book of Genesis. Larry Hayward preaches on John 1:1-18.

With a passion for portraits and faith, artist and elder at Georgetown Presbyterian Cynthia Farrell Johnson talks about the series of portraits she created and why it’s important to her. Her faith formation and her art has continued her journey toward fuller faith and service.

Preaching her last sermon at Westminster, Rev. Casey FitzGerald leaves us with three thoughts: 1) Do not be afraid--fear is the wrong story; 2) Surround yourself with Elizabeths--those who would name for you how God is working in your life. Be Elizabeths--do not withhold your joy in naming the way you see God working in the world; and 3) Learn and tell the stories, that, like Mary, you might recall the promises of God when you and the world need them most! The Scripture lesson is Luke 1:26–56.

A longtime and favorite lecturer at Westminster, Dr. Tony Tambasco taught theology at Georgetown University for 35 years, specializing in biblical studies and ethics. December 10: “The Spirit of Advent.” Look at biblical characters related to the Advent liturgical cycle to understand our own Spirit-filled call to mission.

A longtime and favorite lecturer at Westminster, Dr. Tony Tambasco taught theology at Georgetown University for 35 years, specializing in biblical studies and ethics. December 3: "Responding in Faith to the Advents of the Lord.” Discuss the past, present, and future comings of Christ and the spiritual life that arises from these. December 10: “The Spirit of Advent.” Look at biblical characters related to the Advent liturgical cycle to understand our own Spirit-filled call to mission.

Matthew: a gospel whose opening words would not necessarily win a prize for catching our attention. But by putting the account of Christ’s birth right after the family tree, Matthew shows us how it is connected to the broad passage of time and humanity that has come before—and how we might see the new life born in our midst. Patrick Hunnicutt begins a series of Advent sermons exploring how the gospels frame our understanding of the coming Christ in their opening pages. Today’s Scripture lesson is Matthew 1:17-25.

"I realize that in the past couple of years, in the midst of our national divisiveness, I have been trying to emphasize two things at the heart of the Christian faith: That every human being is created in the image of God and is therefore a child of God, and that the steadfast love of the Lord is given to every human being. But our text for this Reign of Christ Sunday exceeds in emphasis even these two hallmarks of Christian teaching. In emphasizing human unity, today’s text points to something else: God’s ultimate power which stands above us all." Larry Hayward preaches on Christ the King Sunday from Ephesians 1:15-23.

As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Dr. Bruce Douglass, Director, Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington and Associate Professor, Georgetown University, returns to look at those 16th Century reformations. What is its enduring legacy? How does it impact us and the world we live in today? Fourth in a four-part series.

As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Dr. Bruce Douglass, Director, Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington and Associate Professor, Georgetown University, returns to look at those 16th Century reformations. What is its enduring legacy? How does it impact us and the world we live in today? Third in a four-part series.

In this sermon, we probe two fundamental questions that appear to be at the center of this imaginatively truth-telling parable: who is God, and how do we live joyfully with this God and with all who share in God's life both now and in the age to come? Patrick Hunnicutt preaches on Matthew 25:14-30.