Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria Va

When it comes to the Bible, how do we decide if its words more reflect attitudes of its own day and time than attitudes that lie in the heart and mind of God? Do we have the right to conclude that one part of the Bible has authority for us, while another part doesn’t, that one part bears witness to God’s Word while another part bears no such witness? Larry R. Hayward explores this challenge through 1 Timothy 2:1-15 and Old Testament scholar Phyllis Trible’s article “Authority of the Bible.”

The texts of 1 and 2 Timothy reflect a time when Christianity had evolved from being a movement to being an organization: with standards and traditions and rules and regulations and offices and office-holders. In addition to being rather settled and mundane, they contain some very troubling passages. The people of these Pastoral Epistles, who lived a hundred or a hundred and fifty years after the death and resurrection of Christ, are actually closer to us in experience than those who lived in his immediate aftermath. We are settled into our life and our world, trying to make sense of events that happened eons ago, events that we have been told hold the key to life here and life in the world to come. And some issues we face – in daily life, in politics, in work – are not much different than the issues they faced. If we can work our way through these difficult passages in scripture – and in the way those passages have been used in church and society – we may be

Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches on Confirmation Sunday. The scripture for today is Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-14.

On this weekend in which as a nation we remember those who have lost their lives in battle, and on a day in which as a church we gather around the Lord’s Table to remember “the death of Christ” until he comes again, we look at two lectionary texts that provide similar insight and challenge. Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches today from 1 Kings 18:20-40 and Luke 7:1-10.

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

The doctrine of the Trinity is embedded in our worship—in our hymns, in our affirmation of faith at baptisms and communion, in our assurance of pardon. But what does it actually mean for us? On Trinity Sunday, Larry Hayward explores this mystery using Marilynne Robinson’s book of essays "The Giveness of Things." The Scripture lesson is John 1:1-5, 14.

The story in Genesis 11 is not so much a true story about a tower, but a truth-telling story: about a people who reach for the heights in order to remain where they are, and a God who has other plans for them. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches from Genesis 11:1-9.

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

Gathered around the Table, sharing what they come to realize is their last meal with Jesus, the disciples hear Christ pray on their behalf: for their healing, their hope, their empowerment, their faith, their witness, their courage, their protection, their strength--indeed, their very life. Today, Larry Hayward invites us to experience being prayed for. The Scripture lesson comes from John 17.

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” What do these words mean? How can they shape us in the same way that the 23rd Psalm or Lincoln’s Second Inaugural or “Little Red Corvette” have shaped us today? How does the peace Christ offers differ from the peace the world offers, and how does his peace “let not our hearts be troubled, and neither let [them] be afraid?” Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches from John 14:25-27 (KJV).

On Youth Sunday, several of our twelfth-grade students reflect on AWE, our youth motto to Accept, Walk, and Empower. The Scripture lesson is Exodus 3:1-14. Reading the Scripture lesson are Casey Lockard, Chris Neureiter, and Jilly Stone. Speakers are Maggie Chamberlain, Eric Folkerts, Sarah Keeth, Rosie Cool, Amanda Wilcox, Kelsey Van Horne, Jillian Schiele, and Laura Wilcox.

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Dr. Larry R. Hayward looks at how the scriptures can be a mirror through which we see ourselves and our world--in both our beauty and our fallenness. Today's Scripture lesson is John 10:22-39.

Today's resurrection story has a stream of details--an empty net, a charcoal fire, a naked fisherman--that on their own may seem insignificant, but which work together to create relationships and connection to the greater story of Jesus in John's gospel. Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches today from John 21:1-14.

How can the story of "Doubting Thomas" address our own doubts in our faith? Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches today on John 20:19-31.

On this Easter Sunday, Dr. Larry R. Hayward traces the appearance of the risen Christ to one person – Mary Magdalene – and relates her experience to poetry from the past and people in the present, both of whom express the beauty of Christian belief at its best. The Scripture lesson is John 20:1-18.

On Good Friday, Rev. Patrick A. Hunnicutt reflects on John 18:1-11, 19-27, and 19:16-17, 28-30.

On Maundy Thursday, Rev. Patrick A. Hunnicutt reflects on John 13:1-10, 31-38.