Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria Va

Jesus asks his disciples two questions of identity: "Who do people say that I am?" and "Who do YOU say that I am?" Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy explores how the answers reveal both our typical human capacity of defining people through what we already know, and our ability to move beyond that through experience and revelation. The Scripture lesson is Matthew 16:13-20.

In our story for the day, our assigned lectionary text, Jesus drops the mic on 2017: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles. Jesus is clear--words matter. Casey FitzGerald preaches today from Matthew 15:10-28. The song included in the Scripture reading is "Listen in the Silence" by Linnea Good.

Larry Hayward continues his summer sermon series, "In the Beginning". Today's scripture is Genesis 37:12-28.

Something about being human means being drawn to a good fight. Patrick Hunnicutt continues the story of Jacob in Genesis 32:22-31.

Sermons and educational audio from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA.

Whether it is daylight or darkness; whether you are home, in the process of leaving home, or returning home; whether you are estranged from your family or as close as you have ever been with them: may you know that the Lord is with you, and may the Lord take you – Jacob-like – to your true home. And when you arrive, may you recognize it with the joy and wonder that came to Jacob. Larry Hayward continues the series “In the Beginning” with Genesis 28:10-19.

Among the most pronounced divisions which unfold in Genesis is that between brother and brother. In the story of Jacob and Esau, can we find hope for reconciliation? Larry Hayward preaches on Genesis 25:19-28.

From the time Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah until the time nearly forty years later he marries Rebekah, we see Isaac experience nothing but trauma and loss. But as the story of Isaac continues in Genesis, we get to see Isaac experience a moment of healing as well. Larry Hayward preaches on Genesis 24:62-67.

As we share in our nation’s 241st year of independence, the dynamics in this text concerning the relationship between the people of Israel and their leader Moses can, I believe, add a bit of wisdom to the dynamics of what it means in our time to be the people called “The United States of America.” I offer these comments neither as law, prescription, nor even opinion, but as perhaps a bit of wisdom gleaned from a particular moment in the history of the people of God who were not quite as far along in their formation as a people as we are in our nation today, but a people with whom we may have more in common than at first we think. Larry Hayward preaches on Numbers 11:24-30.

When we first read the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, it is hard to garner much respect for any of the adults in it, for the flaws of each are on full display. The book itself presents us with certain ethical dilemmas and at times violent, morally reprehensible, and stomach-turning behavior on the part of the people of God. Larry Hayward preaches today from selected verses in Genesis 16 and 21.

There are moments when we are called into spaces and places—or when places and spaces appear around us suddenly—where we feel helpless and overwhelmed by the need at hand. Into this world, we are called to see, to hear, to experience what is around us. And then we are called to speak good news, and even to heal. Rev. Casey FitzGerald preaches today on Matthew 9:35—10:23.

This summer, Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches a sermon series on the Genesis selections of the Lectionary. The series begins with Genesis 1:26–31. In this first Creation story we encounter both a vertical relationship, between God and humanity, and a horizontal relationship--a communal relationship--within God's own person and with each other.

The church is a gathering of difference: different stories, different backgrounds, different calling, different life experiences, different gifts. In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a divided church, one where certain gifts are being valued over others. Paul writes to remind them who they are, that the church is best when it is a motley crew of faithful folks seeking to bring humanity in reach of something higher. On the Day of Pentecost, Whitney Fauntleroy preaches on 1 Corinthians 12:3b–13.

As the disciples pick up the mantle of mission in Acts, they face bitterness, resistance, persecution. Some are imprisoned. Some are shipwrecked. Some are assailed by angry mobs. Yet the last memory they have of Christ is him blessing them: thus they are able to carry on, even when carrying on is the last thing they have the confidence to do. Larry Hayward preaches on the Ascension of the Lord from Luke 24:44-53.

Rev. Dr. Kathryn Grieb, Virginia Theological Seminary, concludes her series on the experience of the early church, as described in the book of Acts, in dealing with both personal and social change. This week's theme is "From Fear of Gentiles to Welcoming Gentiles."

If our task as the church is to participate in the inbreaking of God’s kingdom on earth, perhaps we need not aim for some heroic and decisive departure from everything we have known in order to follow Jesus. Perhaps we just to situate ourselves at the beginning of the story, in the crowd that is eager to listen. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches from Luke 5:1-11.

Rev. Dr. Kathryn Grieb, Virginia Theological Seminary, reflects on the experience of the early church, as described in the book of Acts, in dealing with both personal and social change. This week's theme is "From Church Persecutor to Church Planter." Through May 21.

In a context in which disciples are confused and fearful of Jesus’s leaving – “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” – Christ is saying, with calm reassurance, “You have seen the Father because you have seen me. I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is expressing exalted reassurance, not a call to conversion or theological precision. How does the beauty and power of John’s language about Christ actually lift our souls into his presence and lead us to belief? Larry Hayward preaches today on John 14:1-14.

Rev. Dr. Kathryn Grieb, Virginia Theological Seminary, reflects on the experience of the early church, as described in the book of Acts, in dealing with both personal and social change. This week's theme is "From Timid Disciples to Bold Witnesses for Jesus." Through May 21.

On Youth Sunday, several of our twelfth-grade students reflect on Psalm 23. Speakers are Anne-Marie Berens, Andi Scroggs, Chris Neureiter, Julia Ruffino, and Jilly Stone.