Sermons
Sermon: Christ be with me, Christ within me
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
TWO services at 8:30 & 11:00 | March 1 First Sunday in Lent | Celebration of the Lord's Supper Christ be with me; Christ within me Rev. Laurie Hartzell | Scripture: Acts: 17:24-28 Music: Stacey Bosman Tanner, cello at 8:30a. Sanctuary Choir at 11:00a
Sermon: Moved
Rev. Jeremy Bork
Join Rev. Jeremy Bork for Transfiguration Sunday to hear his sermon, "Moved."
Sermon: #Blessed
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Join Rev. Laurie Hartzell on this Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.
Sermon: Looking for Jerusalem
Rev. Jen Porter
February 9 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany To All Who Were Looking Rev. Jen Porter Preaching | Scripture: Luke 2:25-38 Music: Westminster Men's Choir at 8:30a and 11:00a.
Sermon: Let Love Lead
Rev. Jeremy Bork
Youth Sunday! | Every year, the middle school and high school youth are given the opportunity to envision, plan, and lead a worship service. Our youth group theme this year "Let Love Lead” will guide the flow of the service. In addition to all the expected moments of worship, seniors will offer reflections on their time at Westminster. Join the youth at either service on February 2 as they creatively and faithfully lead our community in worship. Music: Kirk Singers at 8:30a & 11:00a
Sermon: Following the Light
Rev. Laurie Hartzell
Rev. Laurie Hartzell will lead us in worship on this Third Sunday after Epiphany. Jesus called fishermen by the Sea of Galilee to follow him. As God's people, we, too, are invited to follow the light of Christ in our work and our lives. We will explore "Following the Light" in a sermon based on Matthew 4:12-22. Elders, deacons and trustees, called to follow Christ in unique church ministries, will be ordained and installed during the 11:00a. worship service. In addition, we will honor Rev. David Baak's service and ministry during the 11:00a service and in a luncheon after the service.
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: 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.