Sermons from Westminster Presbyterian

Different

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:07:02 -0800

DIFFERENT Dr. Jim Moiso John 14:18-31 May 13, 2007 Today's gospel reading seems to go backwards chronologically. We did Easter five weeks ago, but the lectionary assignment is from the night of Jesus' betrayal and arrest. The best understanding I have about why this reading now is that it points to the future, to Pentecost and the gift of the Advocate, the Spirit

Spirit Led

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:28:39 -0800

Luke 24:50-53; Acts 16:16-34 The Rev. David Hutchinson Sunday, May 20, 2007 The decisions we make, over a period of time, when strung together, would begin to tell the story of who we are. Our decisions, when taken together, are the story of our identity, at least in part. Maybe that's why we keep track of the voting records of politicians. A game I used to play with the youth group I once led was called, 'would you rather?'.

Like it or Not

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:04:30 -0800

Dr. Jim Moiso
Acts 11:1-18
May 6, 2007

The whole written episode looks back, is after-the-fact, happened decades before it got recorded. And what we have are not minutes taken by a trained clerk. Nuances, details, who said what to whom�all that is lacking. To get into it, we need some reconstruction. Remember Peter: strong-willed, tightly arranged presuppositions about how things should be. Like the time Jesus told him that he, Jesus, would eventually wind up in Jerusalem, be arrested, and executed�and Peter directly contradicted his Lord. Remember when Peter: 'Lord, I will lay down my life for you,' and then denied him three times instead. It is this stubborn, traditional, fiercely loyal Peter whom we find in this world-changing incident.

Mine and Thine

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:54:01 -0800

The Rev. Laurie Vischer
Haggai 1:15b-2:9;Luke 20:27-38
November 11, 2007
'Mine and Thine'

Last month, a dear friend of ours died, after a long and fruitful life. It seemed to us that, more than most people, he embodied Christlike love, and tried his whole life to align his actions with what he discerned to be God's loving, compassionate, peaceful way. Our children had been too young to really remember him, but they could tell from the way we spoke of him, that we loved him and would miss him. While our family sat at the dinner table, my husband said 'If there is a heaven, then Robert is there.' There was a pause, and then, our oldest son said, very thoughtfully, and with a bit of shock, 'Well, there aren't going to be any dead people in heaven!'

The End of the Building

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:22:33 -0800

Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 21:5-19
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Rev. David Hutchinson
There is an organization in Des Moines, Iowa called 'Orchard Place' that helps troubled youth rebuild their lives.

New Life

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:55:12 -0800

Sermon by The Rev. Laurie Vischer. April 29, 2007 "This congregation has a connection to Tabitha/Dorcas. We have a room downstairs, on the other side of the building, named after Dorcas."

If and Even If

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:34:45 -0800

David Hutchinson on October 21, 2007. "Henry Ward Beecher was a famous preacher - - who lived about 100 years ago. He preached at Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims - - in Brooklyn Heights - - in New York City. I served there - - as an intern while in seminary. It was a huge - grand - old church - - with white walls and red carpeting - - and a huge balcony - - and a pew with a brass plate indicating where President Abraham Lincoln used to sit. / And the chancel was raised up HIGH - - so that Beecher could stand on that high chancel - - to preach."

Jim's Benediction

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:05:48 -0800

Jim Moiso's Traditional Benediction

Beth Enos, October 28, 2007

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:04:51 -0800

Beth Enos describes her relationship with Westminster Presbyterian Church

Bill Scott, October 28, 2007

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:01:35 -0800

Bill Scott describes his relationship with Westminster Presbyterian Church

Gloria Davis, October 28, 2007

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:58:02 -0800

Gloria Davis describes her relationship with Westminster Presbyterian Church

There's No Place Like Home

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:54:00 -0700

Debbie Garber, May 27, 2007 ... Next to the Sound of Music, the Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies. Growing up, network television indulged me with yearly repeats. I loved the Technicolor and snappy music, and even the evil laugh of the Wicked Witch of the East. There were so many sights and sounds, good and bad creatures, and a yellow brick road to follow. Dorothy, the heroine, was amazed by it all, but she was also a bit frightened to be in such a strange place. I worried about Dorothy and her little dog, Toto. Would they ever find the wizard? Would they ever see Auntie Em and Uncle Henry again? Would they ever get home to the familiar? Now, not to spoil the ending for you�but Dorothy and Toto did eventually get home. Using her magic ruby slippers, she clicked her heels twice and repeated the phrase: 'There's no place like home. There's no place like home.' And, through the whirlwind, she was magically transported back home.

Three Big Words

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:01:30 -0700

Sermon by the Rev. Laurie M. Vischer on June 3rd, 2007

The Road

Sun, 06 May 2007 23:18:03 -0700

I have been thinking a lot about the road Jesus traveled. A road from Jericho, past Bethany, to the Mt. of Olives, and from there he could see the city of Jerusalem. I have walked on that road. I have looked at the walls of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives. Probably some of you have too. The places mentioned in Luke are there. There are roads, and there is dust, and there are stones. You might imagine what it would feel like to walk that road barefoot or in sandals. The road really exists.

Wilderness Silence and Wilderness Bounty

Sun, 06 May 2007 21:49:00 -0700

As we prepare to celebrate communion every Sunday from now until Easter Sunday in April, let us all take a moment to consider the bread on this table. Consider everything that bread represents. Bread is basic. In some form, it is a fundamental building block of most diets. Around the world. And maybe because of that it is also a reminder of poverty and injustice around the world. There are many places where bread is not plentiful. We acknowledge all of this when we gather around this table.