Woodland Christian Church

After nearly thirty-five years under Hayes Farish, Woodland entered a new era with the arrival of Donald Anderson. Discover how its young new pastor began asking difficult questions about who belongs in the church—and why those questions would soon carry him beyond the sanctuary and into the struggle for racial equality. 

In this sermon celebrating World Communion Sunday, David Shirey explores the way God seeks to enlarge the circumference of our hearts – our capacity to include an ever-widening circle of others in friendship, experience ever-broadening horizons of engagement in the world, and ever-deepening understanding of the breadth and width of God’s redeeming purposes. At the Lord’s Table, as with every meal,...

In this sermon David Shirey explores the frequent themes of music and compassion in the bible through Colossians 3:12-17. This sermon was preached on September 27th, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandchristianlex Woodland Christian Church’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/woodlandchristianlex/ Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)...

What's in a name? At Woodland, quite a bit of history. Discover how three words and a pair of parentheses connected Woodland to its Stone-Campbell roots, clarified its identity as a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and still left the doors wide open. 

After thirty-five years, Hayes Farish said farewell to Woodland. A new Studebaker, a portable typewriter, and a high-fidelity phonograph marked the occasion—but his real legacy was the congregation he helped shape through decades of education, service, fellowship, and open doors. 

In today's sermon, guest pastor, Rev. Dave Carr shares a message from Isaiah that corresponds with the International Day of Peace, which is recognized on September 21st.  This sermon was preached on September 20th, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandchristianlex Woodland Christian Church’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/woodlandchristi...

Politics, money, and Kentucky basketball—Hayes Farish wasn't afraid to take on any of them. When a national gambling scandal reached the University of Kentucky, Woodland's longtime pastor asked a larger question: “Who's to Blame?” Discover how his answer traveled from The Woodland Echoes all the way to the United States Congressional Record . 

In this sermon based on one of Jesus’ parables in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35), David Shirey explores a “Come to Jesus” meeting between a king and a servant with a billion dollar debt. A billion dollars! Welcome to the world of holy hyperbole. The parable speaks of the incalculable value and necessity of forgiveness. This sermon was preached on September 13, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’...

For decades, the Prewitt Circle showed how faith becomes service. Its members studied together, supported missions, helped families at home and abroad, and quietly turned fellowship into action. Discover how one small group helped establish a pattern of Christian service that spread throughout Woodland. 

In this sermon Rev. Dave Carr shares the message of Luke 18: 18-30. This sermon was preached on September 6th, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandchristianlex Woodland Christian Church’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/woodlandchristianlex/ Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a progressive, open and affirming congregation in L...

The mortgage was gone. The mission remained. Join us as Woodland celebrates a hard-won milestone, honors Pastor Hayes Farish, and rededicates itself to building not just a church—but a community. 

In this week’s message, Rev. Vicki Ray shares some thoughts from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 3:14–4:5, in which he holds three things to be true that guide not only the church, but also believers in Christ Jesus on life’s journey:  scripture, tradition, and sound teaching of the faith–that we may be equipped to do every good work. This sermon was preached on August 30th, 2026. Woodland Christi...

In this week’s sermon, Rev. Christy Jo shares a message from Matthew 16:13-19. In this sermon we explore what it means to move beyond answers we have inherited and encounter Jesus through our own lived experience. Together, we are invited to keep learning, keep questioning, and keep unlocking the potential of Heaven right here on Earth. This sermon was preached on August 23rd 2026. Woodland Christ...

Tom Brokaw called them "The Greatest Generation." At Woodland, they were simply neighbors doing what needed to be done. This Woodland Memory honors the soldiers, volunteers, families, and faithful servants whose quiet courage shaped the church during World War II. 

For decades, August brought artists, neighbors, and volunteers together at Woodland. What began with a few crafts on an empty church lot grew into an arts fair with as many as eighty-five artists—and raised nearly a quarter-million dollars for ministry. Today the land serves a different purpose, but the artists are back, and an old Woodland tradition has come full circle. 

By 1940, Woodland had earned a reputation for opening doors. Discover how Pastor Hayes Farish's welcoming spirit, thoughtful leadership, and willingness to embrace new ideas helped shape a congregation known for hospitality, cooperation, and hope. 

In celebration of baptism, David Shirey takes a close look at Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism found in Matthew 3:13-17. Pastor David explores how the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism empowers us to live lives marked by righteousness and gentleness – Dove power!   This sermon was preached on August 9th, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandchristia...

As the Great Depression began to ease, Woodland looked to the future. Discover how Vacation Church School, Joyland outings, and a renewed commitment to stewardship reflected a congregation investing in its children—and in generations yet to come. 

In this week's sermon, Rev. David Shirey explores the idea of one lord, one faith, and one baptism as found in Ephesians 4:1-6 and how it relates to the faith being split among many denominations, as well as the concept of worshipping a loving god as opposed to an oppressive one. This sermon was preached on March 22nd, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/...

Today, Woodland had the pleasure of welcoming general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, Rev. Terri Hord Owens. She shares a message with us from I Corinthians 1:25-31 and Ephesians 3: 14-21. This sermon was preached on July 24th, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandchristianlex Woodlan...

For more than fifty years, Woodland was home to generations of Scouts learning far more than knots and campcraft. Discover how Troop 6 helped shape character, citizenship, and leadership—and why its legacy still lives on in the lives of those who gathered here. 

In this week’s sermon, Rev. Christy Jo shares a message from Matthew 13:31-32. Through the image of a tiny seed, we’re reminded that God transforms ordinary lives and communities into places of hope. As we reflect on our own story of growth, we’re invited to trust that what God has planted among us is still growing! This sermon was preached on July 19th, 2026. Woodland Christian Church’s Facebook...

Religion historian Ward Russell wrote that it is impossible to tell Woodland's story without its women. This Memory explores the remarkable contributions of the Ladies' Aid, the Women's Christian Missionary Society, and the Daughters of Woodland during the church's formative years. 

In this week’s sermon, Rev. Christy Jo shares a message from Matthew 13:1-9. What if God isn’t a careful gardener, but an extravagant sower? This morning we move past the familiar self-examination of “which soil am I?” to ask: what if the Church became known not for judgment, but for radical generosity? We explore God’s invitation to sow without fear of running out. This sermon was preached on Jul...