Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria Va

In some ways I’m not the right one to talk much about a change of name, for I was born into this faith and it has remained with me “Rock-like” for as long as I can remember. I haven’t wrestled directly with an angel, nor heard the voice of God directly call my name. Yet I have seen people changed in ways beautiful and powerful that I cannot help but attribute to God. Rev. Larry Hayward preaches on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Scripture lesson is John 1:29-42, and is read by Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy.

Miri Bernovsky Tibon returns to present how the Bible is taught in secular schools in Israel, and how many secular Jews in Israel view the Old Testament – not only as a religious book, but also as a unique historical and cultural document. We will focus on an event from the “recent” past of the Jewish people: the biblical story of King David and his son Absalom, who tested his father’s hold on power. By reading and discussing this fascinating story in small groups, we will be able to address current news stories from our own day and age, and ethical and moral questions that were relevant 3000 years ago – and remain just as relevant in our own times. Are there any moral boundaries in the fight for political power? What makes a ruling government legitimate? And should the family of those who hold power be exempt from the rules that apply to others? This discussion will give participants a small taste of how biblical stories are often taught in secular schools in Israel, throu

"No, something is not right. This isn't how it is supposed to be. I need to be baptized by you, but you come to me." To this Jesus says, "let it be so now." And so, as Matthew tells us, John consented. Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches on the Baptism of the Lord. The Scripture lesson is Matthew 3:11-17, and is read by Rev. Larry Hayward.

What is it like to live your life inside an active war zone? How do people raise families under the constant threat of rockets? And is there any hope for a better future for the millions of people living in Gaza, one of the most troubled areas in the world? Miri and Amir Tibon, our guest speakers from Israel, will return to Westminster for a very personal presentation and discussion about the place they call home: Kibbutz Nahal Oz, the closest place in Israel to the Gaza Strip. They will talk about daily life in the shadow of an ongoing conflict, about the human price paid by people on both sides of the border, and about ways to overcome the current situation. Hear about their life in one of the most beautiful, but also most tense, areas of Israel. Miri, an “Israel emissary,” is working at the nearby Agudas Achim synagogue and is in charge of all Israel-related programs and education at the synagogue, working on behalf of the Jewish Agency. A clinical social worker before moving to the Unit

In December of 1984, I had been preaching five or six times a year as an Associate Pastor in a large church in West Texas. Along the way, I had encountered T. S. Eliot’s poem, “The Journey of the Magi,” and decided to use it for an Advent Sermon in early December that year. Incorporating that poem into the sermon was the first time I recall being aware of how powerful a poem can be about a text or event or person in the Bible, especially when the author is able to “get inside the skin” of one of the characters. I have decided to revisit that poem as we follow the journey of the wise men – or Magi – to the place Jesus was born on the day before Epiphany on which their journey is remembered. Rev. Larry Hayward preaches on the Second Sunday of Christmas. The Scripture lesson is Matthew 2:1-12.

In one Gospel, Joseph works with governing authorities; in another, he works against them. It is a choice that transcends Joseph’s time: in every culture, in every decision, in nearly every moment, Christians and churches have to decide whether they support the particular actions of the state (while still honoring civil authority as ordained by God) or oppose state action through some appropriate means. The questions are perennial for people and institutions of faith. Rev. Larry Hayward preaches on the First Sunday after Christmas. The Scripture lesson is Matthew 2:13-23.

Whatever it is to which the birth of Christ leads, his birth arises from and in the sadness and decay of the world. What God does at Christmas is bring something new, something re-born, something recreated from the destructiveness and decay into which God’s creation has fallen. In light of this recreation of all that has gone wrong, we who inhabit the earth – even as we mourn its fractures and pray over it all that troubles us about it – are renewed to work for its healing and live toward the redemption his birth promises. Rev. Larry Hayward preaches on Christmas Eve.

Matthew describes Joseph as a “just” man – a person who is righteous within his religious tradition and faithful to its laws and norms. But Matthew also depicts Joseph as a person whose intentions and character lie on the merciful side of righteousness rather than on its punitive side. Thus, Joseph resolves to divorce Mary as the law requires, but to divorce her quietly, to spare her at least some public humiliation. The word used in King James is “privily.” Rev. Larry Hayward preaches on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Scripture lesson is Matthew 1:18-25, and is read by the Rev. Jacob Bolton.

When it became clear that I was going to be preaching on the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday on which we light the pink candle of joy, I was thrilled to be presented with this section of New Testament gold, Elizabeth and Mary, two women, both great with child, bonding and caring for one another, and the emotionally stunning Magnificat. It is not that often in our sacred text that we explore encounters between two women, especially encounters between two women with dialogue. It is also not common for us to witness characters in our sacred story burst into song. Yet both of those holy signifiers shine forth from the page like the Advent candles we just lit indicating that something special, something unique, something full of Advent joy is present here. Rev. Jacob Bolton preaches on the Third Sunday of Advent. The scripture lesson is Luke 1:35-56.

Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy preaches on the First Sunday of Advent. The scripture lesson is Matthew 24:36-44, and is read by Rev. Larry Hayward.

Did you know that annually over 300,000 people from around the world complete the journey to Santiago de Compostela in Western Spain? WPC members Dave & Amy Donselar will share their stories about these ancient pathways. Hear about the remarkable people they’ve crossed paths with; the people with whom they’ve shared meals and common experiences that slowly broke down their differences and helped form a global community of pilgrims. Join in for some light-hearted lessons learned on the Way of St. James across France, Spain, and Portugal.

I recently learned that the liturgical holiday we are celebrating today – called Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday – is a relatively recent addition to the ancient church calendar known as the lectionary. Christ the King Sunday was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 – less than a hundred years ago. He instituted the day in response to the growing sentiments toward nationalism and secularism that emerged from the devastation of World War I. In a rare show of ecumenism, Protestants embraced this liturgical designation and added Christ the King to the church calendar every year as the final Sunday in the liturgical year before the new year begins with Advent. Thus, in our country, Christ the King nearly always falls on the Sunday before or after Thanksgiving, a time when we celebrate and give thanks for all the good we have received from our lives in this land. Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward preaches on Christ the King Sunday. The Scripture lesson is selected verses from Jeremiah 23; Colos

A common criticism of today’s society is that we live in our own particular bubbles and often fail to understand those who have very different beliefs and aspirations than our own. This 3 week interactive course with WPC member Dr. Jim Muyskens is designed to provide us a better understanding of other major religious traditions as we compare & contrast the basic tenets of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism with those of Christianity. The hope is we’ll gain greater understanding of other traditions as well as gain a deeper appreciation of our own. Where do various traditions align, and where do they differ from our own? We’ll end with a discussion of effective means for confronting inter-faith conflict and for advancing inter-faith dialogue. Part 3 of 3.

A common criticism of today’s society is that we live in our own particular bubbles and often fail to understand those who have very different beliefs and aspirations than our own. This 3 week interactive course with WPC member Dr. Jim Muyskens is designed to provide us a better understanding of other major religious traditions as we compare & contrast the basic tenets of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism with those of Christianity. The hope is we’ll gain greater understanding of other traditions as well as gain a deeper appreciation of our own. Where do various traditions align, and where do they differ from our own? We’ll end with a discussion of effective means for confronting inter-faith conflict and for advancing inter-faith dialogue. Part 2 of 3.

Elder Gordon H. Smith has served as member of Sixth Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition to his two terms in the U.S. Senate from Oregon, he’s practiced law at Covington & Burling, and has served as a stake high councilor, bishop, public affairs director and full time missionary in New Zealand. An hour you won’t likely forget, learn from a life-long Mormon, as passionate about his faith as his country and his service.

Giving to the church can be more than a pragmatic decision to support the church’s work. It can be part of a challenged, inspired, aspirational heart. Our giving reflects the center of our being…our hearts. Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward preaches on the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Scripture lesson is Proverbs 3:1-12, and is read by Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt.

"One of the great gifts of being on the staff at Westminster is that several Sundays - twice on a Sunday - I get to hear about the importance of using Pulitzer Prize-winning authors in your sermon. So I will follow suit when I make an allusion to Kendrick Lamar." Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy preaches on the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Scripture lesson is Luke 18:9-14, and is read by Rev. Larry Hayward.

A common criticism of today’s society is that we live in our own particular bubbles and often fail to understand those who have very different beliefs and aspirations than our own. This 3 week interactive course with WPC member Dr. Jim Muyskens is designed to provide us a better understanding of other major religious traditions as we compare & contrast the basic tenets of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism with those of Christianity. The hope is we’ll gain greater understanding of other traditions as well as gain a deeper appreciation of our own. Where do various traditions align, and where do they differ from our own? We’ll end with a discussion of effective means for confronting inter-faith conflict and for advancing inter-faith dialogue.

What can we learn from the Old and New Testaments about some of the issues and structures that vex us today? Pastor Larry Hayward will lead us to take a look at government/politics, class differences, legal traditions, the military and the family and challenge us to think about these structures through the lens of the Old and New Testaments. Week Four: Family.

Because our faith exists within the world, we join with others and become a community, an organization, an institution within the world. We are more than a collection of individuals who seek interaction with God on a personal level; we are a people, a community, organized to worship, serve, learn and grow together. We are an organization. We are an institution – what Peter calls “a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” Rev. D.r Larry Hayward preaches on the twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Scripture lesson is Acts 1:12-17, 21-26, and is read by Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy.