Sermons
Sermon: Power to Release
Kyle Kooyers
Join us as we welcome Kyle Kooyers to the pulpit. Kyle is a Candidate for Ordination in the PC(USA), a Westminster member, and a program manager for the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. Kyle will reflect on "Power to Release" based on John 18:33-19:11, where we encounter two infamous conversations between Pilate and Jesus that creates an ambiguity as to who is actually on trial. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporally defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant”
Sermon: Power to Release
Kyle Kooyers
Join us as we welcome Kyle Kooyers to the pulpit. Kyle is a Candidate for Ordination in the PC(USA), a Westminster member, and a program manager for the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. Kyle will reflect on "Power to Release" based on John 18:33-19:11, where we encounter two infamous conversations between Pilate and Jesus that creates an ambiguity as to who is actually on trial. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporally defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” In this passages we encounter two infamous conversations between Pilate and Jesus. Even amidst the drama of the Passion narrative, the theatrical back and forth between these two figures creates an ambiguity as to who is actually on trial. It is the one who wields imperial privilege or the one who carries truth and love? Surrounded by polarizing voices and plagued by fearful indecision, the character of Pilate illumines for us a picture of privilege and what happens when that privilege is presented with reorienting truth about claims to power.
Sermon: A Visit to the Jordan River
Rev. Dr. Ann Updegraff Spleth
A Disciples of Christ Minister, Rev. Dr. Updegraff Spleth is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Kiwanis International Foundation. She has also served as Vice President for External Relations for Christian Theological Seminary, Director of Major Gift Planning for Goodwill Industries and as a consultant for The Columbia Partnership. Rev. Dr. Updegraff holds degrees from Transylvania University, Vanderbilt Divinity School and the School of Theology in Claremont, California. She and her husband, Rev. Randall Spleth, have two adult children. They live in Indianapolis.
Sermon: Finding Our Way Into Love
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Sunday, December 22 | TWO services at 8:30 & 11:00 | Rev. Laurie Hartzell | Advent 4 Together we find our way into the promise of Christmas and into all the story holds. This Advent, we walk through Isaiah’s imagery-filled witness of God and God’s people. Households will call us into worship with the lighting of the advent candle and each week we will hear the scripture spoken both before and after the sermon. And, art created by members of the congregation for prayerful meditation will be on display in the chapel. What might we learn, notice, and receive along this way this year? Rev. Laurie Hartzell will lead us through week 4 of Advent by Finding Our Way Into Love. Scripture Isaiah 7:10-16. All are welcome!
Sermon: Into Joy
Rev. Jen Porter
Together we find our way into the promise of Christmas and into all the story holds. This Advent, we walk through Isaiah’s imagery-filled witness of God and God’s people. “Come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord.” We step into hope. “They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain.” There will be peace. “The eyes of the blind will be opened.” And, oh the joy that comes. “God will give a sign,” a sign of pure unbounded love, love made flesh. Along with our preachers, elders have been invited to pray us through this season. Households will call us into worship with the lighting of the advent candle and each week we will hear the scripture spoken both before and after the sermon. And, art created by members of the congregation for prayerful meditation will be on display in the chapel. What might we learn, notice, and receive along this way this year? Rev. Jen Porter will lead us through week 3 of Advent by Finding Our Way Into Hope. Scripture Isaiah 35:1-10.
Sermon: Finding Our Way Into Peace
Gene Ryan
Seminary Intern and Westminster Middle School Youth Coordinator Gene Ryan will lead us into week 2 of Advent with his sermon "Finding Our Way Into Peace." Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10. Absolutely all are welcome!
Sermon: Finding Our Way Into Hope
Rev. Jeremy Bork
Rev. Jeremy Bork | On this first Sunday of Advent, Isaiah takes us up God’s holy mountain. At the summit, we find neighbors from all corners of the earth, and the violence within us transformed into unity and peace. But when we look around our world today, we know we’re not there yet. Join us in worship this Sunday as we locate ourselves on the journey toward the mountain and wait for the coming of Hope in the flesh.
Sermon: The Problem of Good or Threatened with Resurrection
Rev. Riley Jensen
Sunday, November 24 | TWO services at 8:30 & 11:00 | Rev. Riley Jensen | We look forward to welcoming Rev. Riley Jensen back to the Westminster pulpit this Sunday. Riley was our Senior Pastor and Head of Staff from 1998-2007. After retiring, Riley was part of the founding leadership team for “Presbyterian CREDO” (a health and wellness program for Presbyterian Clergy) until 2017 acting as a Conference Leader. He will preach on “The Problem of Good” or "Threatened with Resurrection” based on Mark 10:17-22. Please join us in worship for our Thanksgiving Ingathering for the Pantry and as we commission our volunteers.
Sermon: 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.