Westlake Hills Presbyterian

Jesus asks a blind beggar named Bartimaeus: "What do you want me to do for you?" While the answer might seem obvious, humans are often inept at knowing what we really want. By looking closely at Bartimaeus's cry for mercy, we see a man who wasn't just begging for physical sight—he was longing to be seen, loved, and freed from a lifetime of shame and marginalization.

Pastor Emily says "When one of my children tells me not to worry, I respond with, "It is my job to worry". To give up worrying is to surrender. Join us this Sunday as we explore the gift of surrendering our worries to God. [Matthew 6:25-34]

Jesus wasn't kidding when he asked us to love our enemies.  How do we go about that? Why would we do that?  Today we explore one of the most challenging commands our Savior ever gave us. [Matthew 5:43-48]

It seems a silly question. Who would not want to be healed? What if Jesus was asking the paralyzed man, do you want to be part of the healing I was brought to do? Join us this Sunday as we explore what it means for followers of Christ to live as people who work for the healing of the world. [John 5:1-15]

Have you ever tried to calm the fears of a child, terrified over something that you know is not a big deal at all? We want the child to realize, we will not let anything happen to you, we are here. This Sunday we look at a time when Jesus asks the disciples, “Why are you afraid?” Why did he ask this question? What was he teaching the disciples? What is the lesson for us today? [Mark 4:35-41]

Jesus is walking along in the wilderness after being baptized by his cousin John. People begin to follow him. He turns and asks them, “What are you looking for?” It is a tough question and one we will consider ourselves. What are we looking for in life right now? Join us as we begin our summer sermon series on "The Tough Questions Jesus Asked". [John 1:35-42]

On Pentecost we conclude our Abundant Life Sermon and Study Series considering how we can have abundant life even in difficult times. [Genesis 21:8-21]

May 17 - Abundant Life: At Play | Stephen Finkel by WHPC

May 10 - Abundant Life: At Home | Emily Wright by WHPC

During times of transition, there are so many moments of uncertainty, doubt and fear. The Israelites experienced a season of waiting that lasted 40 years. Their story in the book of Exodus has much to teach us about how to have abundant life even in times of transition [Exodus 16: 1-8, 27-30]

Whether at an office, home, school, or business, all of us work. In fact, we spend most of our time doing “work” more than any other thing in life. So, how can we live abundantly while we work? Join us this week as we look at what scripture says about abundant life at work. [Ecclesiastes 2:4-11]

Whether at an office, home, school, or business, all of us work. In fact, we spend most of our time doing “work” more than any other thing in life. So, how can we live abundantly while we work? Listen as we look at what scripture says about abundant life at work. [Ecclesiastes 2:4-11]

Following Jesus isn’t something we do alone. In John 21, Jesus shows his disciples—and us—that abundant life is found in the abundant community he creates and sustains. Join us as we celebrate the gift of faith and those who help us live it. [John 21:1-14]

Have you ever found yourself saying, "But we had hoped..."? 🚶‍♂️ On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion were processing the ultimate disappointment—their plans for a Messiah didn't match the reality of the cross. We often do the same, basing our hope on our circumstances or our "perfect" plans. But Easter hope isn't a roll of the dice or a wish that things go our way. It is a "sure and...

"The Lord needs it." For the owner of the donkey, these words were an invitation to loosen their grip on the very thing they depended on for security. This Palm Sunday, we explore the power of surrender: what we place in Jesus’ hands can carry His presence much further than anything we try to hold onto ourselves.

Our parable this week offers to us a lens of faith. All of the characters in this parable are given responsibility, but not all of them believe that they deserve it or that they are capable of handling that responsibility. Join us as we discover how a lens of faith impacts and enhances daily life. [Luke 19:11-26]

It’s hard to watch the evening news or talk about our government institutions without the question of justice—real, equitable justice—quickly rising to the surface. Jesus taught us not only to pray for justice but to pursue it, even when it feels distant or difficult to attain. This Sunday, we’ll look at one of Jesus’ parables that offers renewed encouragement and fresh perspective for all who see...

When you get home and glance at your kitchen, are you more likely to see the dishes out and dirty, or the ones that are put away? I tend toward the former and struggle with a scarcity lens, seeing what has not been done or what is lacking. In this week's parable, Jesus offers us a new lens, one of abundance. God never reaches His limit in love, compassion, and welcome. Join us as we study the para...

Mar. 1 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Compassion | Emily Wright by WHPC

This Lent, we will journey with Jesus as he tells 6 parables on his way to the cross. We begin with Jesus dining at a Pharisee's home. When an unexpected guest arrives and begins to anoint Jesus’ feet, the host judges her behavior as inappropriate. Jesus tells a short parable that reveals a new lens for us to consider when we make judgments - the lens of humility. [Luke 7:36-50]

What burdens are you carrying into Lent? In this Ash Wednesday sermon, Pastors Emily, Stacy and Stephen confess their own struggles with judgment, shame, and fear. By bringing these struggles into the light, they invite us to ask ourselves: What do we need to let go of so that God's new creation can come into being? Join us as we explore how letting go of our heaviest burdens makes room for God's...

We conclude our Gospel on Conflict Sermon Series this week with Galatians 6. In these final verses, Paul offers faith communities insight on how to treat one another when we disagree. [Galatians 6:1-10]

We are reminded about this Gospel Truth - live by the Spirit. We will experience that in a tangible way as we pray for the spirit to be awakened in all of us, but especially upon the shoulders of our new officers. Wear red today as a visible sign of how our Church commits again to live by the spirit. Galatians 5:13-26

So much conflict comes from labeling those who are in and out - those who belong and those who do not. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on the Gospel message of belonging for all God's children. Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 15:25-32

we continue exploring how to handle conflicts with people who hold views different from ours. The Gospel Truth is that we put on Christ. Galatians 3:23-28 | Colossians 3:12-17