Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria VA

"The Israelites serve as simply people--flawed and forgetful people. They remind me that God has long been in the business of loving people who are either completely a hot mess or, at best, more or less ok." Whitney Fauntleroy preaches on Exodus 32:1-14.

Being present with a friend or family member who has dementia comes with special challenges. As part of their ongoing training, the Deacons host guest speaker Christi Clark, Assistant Director of the Insight Memory Care Center in Fairfax. Christi offers practical advice on engaging with individuals who have dementia, understanding common behaviors and communicating effectively.

"In 37 years of preaching, I have never given a sermon on the Ten Commandments. But they are central to our faith; many of us were exposed to them or even memorized them as children; and they are our Old Testament passage from the lectionary today. So I think it’s about time." Larry Hayward preaches on Exodus 20:1-18.

Dr. Dyer is the James Maxwell Professor of Christian Education & Pastoral Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. She lost her spouse suddenly and will offer insights from her journey of loss. What experiences might you go through adjusting to life without the person they loved? What are some physical, emotional and spiritual ways to help yourself and others to heal from painful loss?

For Jesus, the political is pastoral and the pastoral is political. Casey FitzGerald preaches from Matthew 21:23-32.

In the midst of the history we are living, God is living with us. God provides. But God’s provision also places a call upon us: a responsibility to know who we are, and to know where we have been as a prelude to knowing where we will go. Larry Hayward preaches on Exodus 16:1-5, 10-15.

With Doris A. Fuller, Chief of Research & Public Affairs, Treatment Advocacy Center Doris’ story is remarkable. Following the loss of her daughter to mental illness, she has become an international advocate for those dealing with chronic mental illness. Learn from someone who deals with brain diseases about making a difference for someone, somewhere and somehow.

Dry land or no dry land, the people of Israel take a leap of faith and step into the waters. Larry Hayward preaches on Exodus 14:19-31.

Given the changes in culture, and how such changes have impacted Christianity, what does all this tell us about our ministry here at Westminster? How might we move toward fuller faith and service to God in just such a context? Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward kicks off our 2017-2018 adult ed series. This year’s adult formation theme, "Towards Fuller Faith and Service," is meant to guide us toward praising a...

What is it about God—the God who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Christ in whose name we gather, who is the Spirit whose presence we invoke—that compels us to one simple and positive four-letter word? Larry R. Hayward preaches on Romans 13:8-10.

Perhaps God will remain within the burning bush until he finds someone willing to join him in the effort of setting his people free. Larry R. Hayward preaches today on Exodus 3:1-15.

Jesus asks his disciples two questions of identity: "Who do people say that I am?" and "Who do YOU say that I am?" Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy explores how the answers reveal both our typical human capacity of defining people through what we already know, and our ability to move beyond that through experience and revelation. The Scripture lesson is Matthew 16:13-20.

In our story for the day, our assigned lectionary text, Jesus drops the mic on 2017: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles. Jesus is clear--words matter. Casey FitzGerald preaches today from Matthew 15:10-28. The song included in the Scripture reading is "Listen in the Silence" by Linnea Good.

Larry Hayward continues his summer sermon series, "In the Beginning". Today's scripture is Genesis 37:12-28.

Something about being human means being drawn to a good fight. Patrick Hunnicutt continues the story of Jacob in Genesis 32:22-31.

Sermons and educational audio from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA.

Whether it is daylight or darkness; whether you are home, in the process of leaving home, or returning home; whether you are estranged from your family or as close as you have ever been with them: may you know that the Lord is with you, and may the Lord take you – Jacob-like – to your true home. And when you arrive, may you recognize it with the joy and wonder that came to Jacob. Larry Hayward con...

Among the most pronounced divisions which unfold in Genesis is that between brother and brother. In the story of Jacob and Esau, can we find hope for reconciliation? Larry Hayward preaches on Genesis 25:19-28.

From the time Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah until the time nearly forty years later he marries Rebekah, we see Isaac experience nothing but trauma and loss. But as the story of Isaac continues in Genesis, we get to see Isaac experience a moment of healing as well. Larry Hayward preaches on Genesis 24:62-67.

As we share in our nation’s 241st year of independence, the dynamics in this text concerning the relationship between the people of Israel and their leader Moses can, I believe, add a bit of wisdom to the dynamics of what it means in our time to be the people called “The United States of America.” I offer these comments neither as law, prescription, nor even opinion, but as perhaps a bit of wisdom...

When we first read the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, it is hard to garner much respect for any of the adults in it, for the flaws of each are on full display. The book itself presents us with certain ethical dilemmas and at times violent, morally reprehensible, and stomach-turning behavior on the part of the people of God. Larry Hayward preaches today from selected verses in Genesis 16 and 2...

There are moments when we are called into spaces and places—or when places and spaces appear around us suddenly—where we feel helpless and overwhelmed by the need at hand. Into this world, we are called to see, to hear, to experience what is around us. And then we are called to speak good news, and even to heal. Rev. Casey FitzGerald preaches today on Matthew 9:35—10:23.

This summer, Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches a sermon series on the Genesis selections of the Lectionary. The series begins with Genesis 1:26–31. In this first Creation story we encounter both a vertical relationship, between God and humanity, and a horizontal relationship--a communal relationship--within God's own person and with each other.

The church is a gathering of difference: different stories, different backgrounds, different calling, different life experiences, different gifts. In 1 Corinthians, Paul is writing to a divided church, one where certain gifts are being valued over others. Paul writes to remind them who they are, that the church is best when it is a motley crew of faithful folks seeking to bring humanity in reach o...

As the disciples pick up the mantle of mission in Acts, they face bitterness, resistance, persecution. Some are imprisoned. Some are shipwrecked. Some are assailed by angry mobs. Yet the last memory they have of Christ is him blessing them: thus they are able to carry on, even when carrying on is the last thing they have the confidence to do. Larry Hayward preaches on the Ascension of the Lord fro...