Real Good Courage - The Westwood Podcast

What does it mean to have our sins forgiven? Although we hear this regularly, it is difficult for us to understand and internalize what this means. This message is from Pastor Sarah. The Gospel reading is from Matthew Chapter 18, Verses 15-22. 

Our daily bread. Praying this petition shapes us to notice that some people have bread enough for months while others struggle to get through the day. When we ask for daily bread, we ask not only for ourselves, but also for others. And we ask for more than just bread, but for all that people need to thrive. Ultimately, we are asking to trust God in little and big things, every day. This message is...

In this podcast, we explore God's will. How do we know what God's will really is?  Is every thing that happens actually God's will? Pastor Tania takes on this complex topic and provides insight. Our Gospel reading today is from the book of John Chapter 6Verses 35 to 40.  

This week we explore the 2nd petition… “Your Kingdom Come”.  The sermon will invite us to wonder about how we think about prayer in this petition and some reflections on what two parts of the Gospel mean when they refer to “the Kingdom of God”. This episode is brought to us by Pastor Jason, and the scripture readings are Luke Chapter 13 verses 18-31 and Matthew  Chapter 20, verses 1-16.

This week we explore the phrase “Hallowed be your name." We reflect on how God, who can seem mysterious and far, is deeply near to us like a loving parent. Drawing from Martin Luther’s teachings and scripture, we consider how God’s name becomes This message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron Schutte. Our Scripture is from Exodus Chapter 3, verses 1 - 15.

Are our prayers always answered? Jesus taught his followers the Lord’s Prayer, and told them to be persistent in prayer. As we begin a summer series on the Lord’s Prayer, the sermon addressed the closeness of God our father, the other-ness of God in heaven, and what it means for our prayers to be “answered.” This weeks message comes from Pastor Sarah. Our Gospel is from Luke Chapter 11, verses 1 -...

What does a congregation look like that’s faithful to Paul’s claim in Gal. 3? that our “oneness” is found by faith in Christ, not our sameness as we can so often see.  This week two members of Westwood will share their reflections on this question through the lens of their faith journey as members of the LGBT community. This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. Our scripture is from Galatians...

God's promise of freedom and liberation throughout history has been for the oppressed and the captives. Explore how we define freedom as individuals and as a country and how Jesus spoke about and lived it out.  This message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron, and our gospel is from Luke Chapter 4, verses 14-21, and the Lesson is Isaiah 61 which Jesus refers to in the Gospel. 

How does the presence of the Holy Spirit in the birth of Christianity relate to us today? Hope is at the root of the message. That we should live in hope is what the Spirit brought to those in that closed room long ago, and to us today.   Pastor Jason brings us today's message. The Gospel lesson comes from John, Chapter 14.

Trust. We don’t do anything alone. Trust is at the heart of relationship. God trusted Jesus with the disciples. Jesus trusted the disciples with his mission after he ascended.  Parents need trust when they hand their children to others for care and education. And we are all responsible for the well-being of all God’s children, not just our own. “Child Well-being” is one of Westwood's five core val...

How do we move from Troubles to passionate patience to character and how does this result in hope? Where and how does the Holy Spirit flow generously into our lives? Today's message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron, and our scripture is from Romans Chapter 5, verses 1-5 and our Gospel lesson is from John Chapter 14, verses 23-29.  

In this message we wonder about the effect of hope in God’s promises has in the present. This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. Our scripture reading comes from Lamentations Chapter 3, verses 21-24. Th e Gospel reading is from the book of John, Chapter 21, verses 9-17.

“I know the plans I have for you…to give you a future with hope.” That’s a popular Bible passage, giving hope to people who are in a hard times, but it’s only half of the story. Before God gives this promise, God says to settle down and make homes and families there – in this case, in a foreign country as refugees. Our faithful actions now – even if they seem small and insignificant – are part of...

Resurrection and hope are out in the world. But we need to step put into the world and be aware and look carefully to find them. Looking past the darkness, because Jesus knows that darkness and suffering to support us through the pain grief and evil, because the Risen Lord is with us.  Resurrection in our lives has many faces and if we look for it we can see it daily. It is authentic, messy vibran...

The Grinch who stole Christmas is not usually considered an Easter story, but in this sermon, Pastor Sarah uses the tale of Grinch to describe the miracle of Easter. Just like the Grinch was surprised to find out he hadn’t ruined Christmas, everyone involved in the crucifixion was surprised to find out that God’s love was more powerful than sin, more powerful even than death. Even Jesus’ closest d...

Good Friday, is it a night of sorrow or joy? It is both, for what is the cost of discipleship?  In this message, Pastor Jason provides unique context to the telling of the passion story in John, Chapters 18 and 19. 

Who is to be remembered? Is it those whose might makes them larger than life, or are other traits worthy of memory. We learn about the Roman tradition of the victor entering the conquered city and compare it to how Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Today's message comes to us from Pastor Jason, and he suggests that not only does what you remember matter, but that also memories define who we...

Today's message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron. Sam Bardwell, brings the Gospel Lesson, John Chapter 12, verses 1 to 8, to life.

Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Tania. The Gospel Lesson, Luke Chapter 15, verses 1 to 3 and 11 to 32 is brought to us today by Sam Bardwell, Theologian and actor, bringing the scriptures to life.

In this sermon we notice that the story of the fig tree is understood as first a story of God’s healing when it is read alongside the healing story in Luke 13.  We believe that a characteristic of a culture of grace is the having space for the healing that comes when we can be authentic about our stories of joys, sorrows, and traumas. Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gospel Le...

In this podcast, we have an opportunity to meet Westwood's new Pastoral Intern. Aaron Schutte. Aaron has been a member at Westwood for 3 years, and he and his family are integral to our community. Aaron shares his passions, how he found the ministry, and where he hopes his future lies. 

“Today we notice the direction of Jesus in Luke 13… instead of fleeing Jerusalem he goes in that direction for the gift of God’s redemption in the cross and empty tomb.  In this sermon, we wonder if that sense of direction… moving towards each other is a characteristic of a culture of grace. Today's message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gospel Lesson, Luke Chapter 13, verses 31 to 35 is br...

Our message is brought by Pastor Sarah.  The Gospel Lesson is brought to us today by Sam Bardwell, Theologian and actor, bringing the scriptures to life.

How can we hear Jesus’ voice cut through our weariness and fear? We wait, watch our guide, and listen for the signs. This message comes from Interim Pastor Aaron Schutte. The Gospel is from Luke, chapter 9, verses 28-36

As recorded in Matthew 6, Verse 21. “For where your treasure is,  there your heart will be also"(vs. 21).  These words are often interpreted to suggest that if you look at how your money (or time and talents) is used then you can find a persons heart/values. What if we reframe it to mean that your heart can and will follow how you use your money/time/talents. What would that mean for our understan...