Sermons
All In
Rev. Amanda Benckhuysen
Our guest preacher on Sunday is the Rev. Amanda Benckhuysen who teaches Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Calvin Seminary. She is currently researching and writing in the area of biblical ethics. Her most recent project is a short book on biblical perspectives on immigration and, additionally, The Gospel According to Eve: A History of Women’s Interpretation, was just released. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband Martin and her daughters Kiya and Syann. She will preach on Isaiah 43:1-7, a sermon titled “All In.”
Sermon: Unfinished
Rev. Jeremy Bork
Thirteen 9th graders wrap up their confirmation journey this weekend where they will be received as Westminster's newest members. After a feast on Saturday night with their families, mentors, and members of Session, we will celebrate their milestone in worship on Sunday at the 11:00 service. The lectionary this week offers strong encouragement from the prophet Haggai. Haggai's words of hope follow the destruction of the temple, and in the valley of not knowing what will come next, God's people are promised, "The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former." Join us as we reflect on our own deconstruction, rebuilding, and where we find ourselves today.
Sermon: Impatient Patience
Kyle Nolan
Sunday, November 3 | TWO services at 8:30 & 11:00 | Kyle Nolan | Feast of All Saints Observance | The Quaker peace activist and educator Elise Boulding taught her students to recognize that each of us touches a two-hundred year present. Join us in worship this Sunday as we wonder at the visions of the prophet Daniel, take counsel from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, and read aloud the names of the departed saints who have touched our own present.
Sermon: Called to Invest
Rev. David Baak
STEWARDSHIP 2020 DEDICATION SUNDAY | The prophet Joel has something to say about God’s abundance and the power of God’s spirit among us. So does the reformer Martin Luther. Join us in worship as we reflect on how we are Called to Invest, especially this day as we bring our pledges for our congregation’s ministry in this next year.
Sermon: Called to Community
Rev. Jill Russell
Rev. Jill R. Russell has been a congregational pastor for twenty-four years and has served as co-pastor at Hope Church, RCA in Holland, Michigan since 2008 and she consulted with our WPC staff this past summer. Prior to her ministry at Hope Church she was an Interim pastor who specialized in working in congregations during times of transition. She is a founding member and the administrator for the Holland Restorative Circles which began its work in 2009. She and her partner, Andrew Bunnell, are the proud parents of two children who have just started 3rd and 6th grade. Rev. Russell will continue our Stewardship series this Sunday.
Sermon: Called to Steward
Rev. Jen Porter
Rev. Jen Porter will begin our Stewardship Series with "Called to Steward" based on Psalm 23.
Sermon: Let the Little Children Do What?
Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey is professor of religion and ethics at Drake University and author of Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America as well as Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation. In addition to preaching at Westminster, Harvey will join us during the Formation Hour for a discussion of Raising White Kids, and she will lead a public workshop on the book’s themes in the evening.
Sermon: A Claim that Claims Us
Rev. Doug Van Doren
We welcome back our guest preacher, the Rev. Doug Van Doren. Doug was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ for forty years, retiring in 2018. He has chaired and served on many local boards including the Grand Rapids Urban League and Planned Parenthood of West Michigan and was co-founder of Concerned Clergy of West Michigan.
Sermon: Beyond Justice
Rev. Doug Van Doren
We welcome back our guest preacher, the Rev. Doug Van Doren. Doug was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ for forty years, retiring in 2018. He has chaired and served on many local boards including the Grand Rapids Urban League and Planned Parenthood of West Michigan and was co-founder of Concerned Clergy of West Michigan. Rev. Van Doren will preach on September 22 and 29.
Sermon: A Blessed Limp
Rev. Doug Van Doren
We welcome our guest preacher, the Rev. Doug Van Doren. Doug was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ for forty years, retiring in 2018. He has chaired and served on many local boards including the Grand Rapids Urban League and Planned Parenthood of West Michigan and was co-founder of Concerned Clergy of West Michigan. Doug has served regional and national settings of the United Church of Christ and chaired the committee that brought all the mission efforts of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) together under a Common Global Ministries Board. He is married to Colleen Mahon-Van Doren and have two sons, Camilo (deceased) and Aidan. Doug is also an internationally recognized sea kayaker and sea kayak instructor. Rev. Van Doren will preach on September 15, 22, and 29.
Sermon: With Intention
Rev. Jen Porter
The Word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to the potter’s house and there I will let you hear my words.” God uses the very real things of this world to speak to us, things like bread and water and light. This week, hands working to form clay. We begin again this week, stepping into this program year. We do so with intention. This Sunday, we acknowledge our commitment to grow in our faith, acknowledging all who will offer themselves teaching and leading every age of discipleship. Come, to hear God’s words. Jeremiah 18:1-11.
Sermon: Road Trip
Rev. David Baak
There are two kinds of road trips…one that wanders and one that has a straight line focus—and each has its rewards; each has its challenges; each is a metaphor for life whether our own or that of our faith community. Jeremiah 2:4-13.
Sermon: Fleshing Out our Future
Rev. Paula Anema Sohl
Rev. Paula Anema Sohl is a United Church of Christ minister from Ashland, Oregon. She has travelled a long road to ministry since attending Calvin College in the 1970’s, including the writing of a book with her best Calvin buddy (Resurrecting Eve: Women of Faith Challenge the Fundamentalist Agenda) while a Presbyterian layperson, and finishing seminary. She completed her MDiv at Pacific School of Religion in 2011 and has been a resident of Ashland most of the past 24 years. She is passionate about justice and liberation and her work in the church has always involved kids. She loves their energy and their wisdom. She is happy incorporating music, dance, ritual, and manual arts into all facets of her ministry.
Sermon: NEWSFLASH: Jesus Does Not Bring Peace
Rev. Jen Porter
Some of Jesus' words puzzle us, especially when he says he has not come to create peace, rather division. This Sunday, Rev. Jen will preach from Luke 12:49-56. In the light of Christ within, we find with Matthew Fox that, 'we were made for something cosmic and will not fit peacefully into anything much smaller.' Our response and our growth in Christ's light takes many different forms. This Sunday, we send Hannah Nelson into her year of service in Colombia with the PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer program. 10:00a, everyone is welcome.
Sermon: Learn to Do Good
Rev. Jeremy Bork
This week's lectionary reading from the book of Isaiah is a strong rebuke from God directed at those who worship religiously but ignore the most vulnerable among them. Rather than disregarding surrounding systems of violence, inhospitality, and inequity in order to worship God, God would rather have people who seek justice for all. Join us in worship at 10:00am as we each reflect on our part in learning to do good.