Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria VA

Dr. Muyskens, a WPC member, has written and taught on religion and medical ethics and was President of Queens College, the City University of New York, from 2002-2013. At this second session, we have a philosophical discussion looking at whether access to a basic minimum of care is a right—can a society be called just if many have no access?

Dr. Muyskens, a WPC member, has written and taught on religion and medical ethics and was President of Queens College, the City University of New York, from 2002-2013. His first session will focus on how the American health care delivery systems works—or doesn’t. At the second, we’ll have a philosophical discussion looking at whether access to a basic minimum of care is a right—can a society be ca...

Today is Reformation Sunday, and this year we mark the 499th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, dating from when Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. Using Marilynne Robinson’s essay “Reformation,” Dr. Larry Hayward explores the Reformers’ belief that every able human being had the right to access the scriptures, because God reveals wisdom to each individ...

Dr. Peter Stearns, Professor of History and Provost Emeritus at George Mason University, talks with us about fear. An obvious factor in contemporary life, how has American fear been changing since the 1970s? What is our response to excessive fear? Part 2 of 2.

The first thing we say about ourselves in worship each week is that we are sinners. This is a meaningful moment; a moment where we are honest with ourselves and before God and are yet are able to receive God's grace with joy and thanksgiving. How do we balance this understanding of ourselves as sinners with the knowledge of our divine origins in the image of God? Patrick Hunnicutt preaches on Psal...

Dr. Peter Stearns, Professor of History and Provost Emeritus at George Mason University, talks with us about fear. An obvious factor in contemporary life, how has American fear been changing since the 1970s? What is our response to excessive fear? Part 1 of 2.

In several of Jesus’ parables, particularly in Luke, two central characters stand in clear contrast with one another: the Rich Man and Lazarus; The Pharisee and Publican; the Prodigal Son and the Elder Brother. In today’s parable, we encounter the Judge and the Widow. What might Jesus be saying to us through these two characters? Larry Hayward preaches today on Luke 18:1–8.

Some commentators praise the power of technology to help us organize and connect. Others say the Internet is decimating our attention spans and weakening our relationships in real life. This session offers theological grounding and practical wisdom as we navigate the joys and perils of this digital age—ever-changing yet here to stay. Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana is the author of Sabbath in the Subur...

Today’s story reminds us that an essential aspect of being a Christian is having a special focus on people who are needy, people who are rejected, people who are on the margins of society and even on the margins of respectability. Larry Hayward preaches on Luke 17:11-19.

Dr. Christina Puchalski, Executive Director of the George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish), is a pioneer and international leader in the movement to integrate spirituality into healthcare in both the clinical setting and in medical education. She continues to break new ground in the understanding and integration of spiritual care in a broad spectrum of healthcare...

"I wrote this sermon title--How Did We Get Here?--after the explosion in New York, after the bags were found in New Jersey, after the mall in Minnesota…in coming across vitriol being spewed against my Muslim brothers and sisters…with the image of refugees and their children scrolling across my mind. I wrote this sermon title--How Did We Get Here?--thinking about all the ways language is being used...

A steward in crisis adopts a shrewd but dishonest plan to cheat his master. The steward receives praise from that master, and then Jesus holds the steward up as an example for Christians to follow. What can we make of this? What do we do when God reverses our sense of what is right and what is wrong? Larry Hayward preaches today from Luke 16:1-13.

In an engaging forum, Salih Sayilgan and Dodd Sims will present their work on Christian-Muslim engagement in a world of difference. Bringing Muslim and Christian perspectives into discussion, they will offer new insights for a more fruitful cooperation between the two faiths based on the modern Muslim theologian Said Nursi (d. 1960) and his work the Risale-i Nur. Dodd Sims, MD practices internal m...

Almost our entire cultural heritage expects us to search for and find personal happiness, meaning and purpose to our lives, and a spiritual identity or relationship with God. Jesus tells two parables describing a search: a shepherd looking for a sheep, and a woman looking for a lost coin. Who is the searcher in these stories? Who is the searcher in our lives? What do these parables tell us about f...

From existential threats such as disease and nuclear war to the immediate physical challenges of food, energy, and potable water, being of citizen of the world today means grappling with vast change. General James Cartwright, USMC (Ret.), sets the stage for us on three great issues we are facing: technology, especially in communications and in the partnering of persons with machines; migration and...

The book of Philemon is in many ways a book about change: the degree of change, the pace of change, the embracing of change that arises from deep within our Christian faith. In the nostalgia which some of us feel and the change which all of us face, what can this shortest of Biblical books teach us? Larry Hayward preaches today from Philemon.

When it comes to dinner guests, Jesus ranks among the worst. The Pharisees practice hospitality by inviting Jesus to dinner, and he proceeds to tell a story about…the best way to host a dinner party. Jesus, as he tends to do, continues to disrupt our ways of thinking and our lives for the sake of the kingdom. Casey FitzGerald preaches today from Luke 14:1, 7–14 and Hebrews 13:1–8.

“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.” When Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, the church leaders react and the whole crowd rejoices. What does this healing tell us about Sabbath? What do we do when our insistence on right practice comes into conflict with the freedom that comes with Sabbath? The Rev. Casey FitzGerald preaches today from Luke 13:10-17.

Brutal heat. Long-running and simmering divisions. Lingering stress. Sound familiar? We might long for words of peace, a Scripture that soothes us from the troubles of today’s world; instead, we get a Jesus who predicts division, a scorching heat carried by southerly winds. How do Jesus’ words in this passage challenge some of our assumptions about how we understand his message? Rev. Patrick Hunni...

This summer, the “Jewels in the Attic” series has addressed Biblical passages that are either not very familiar, might be mundane or boring, or have some troublesome aspects to them. Today, we consider the value and role that Biblical texts such as these – and the Bible as a whole – can play in our life. How can the Bible give us meaning and relevance? How does God use these passages to speak to u...

In today’s world, ideas have consequences. How important is it to have clear, well-considered ideas of who we are and what we believe? In what spirit do we develop and share those beliefs? And what is the “sound doctrine” that makes up the content of those beliefs? Dr. Larry R. Hayward continues the summer sermon series “Jewels in the Attic?” The Scripture lesson is 2 Timothy 1:8–14, 2:1–7, 4:1–5.

The Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward continues his summer sermon series, Jewels in the Attic. The scripture for today is 1 Timothy 6:6-19.

In today’s letter to Timothy, Paul lays out the duty of small house churches to determine who among its members has need and to focus the church’s support toward such members. What can Paul’s instructions teach us about how we live in community today? Larry Hayward preaches today from 1 Timothy 5:1-16.

This week has been a tough one in our nation, following the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the police officers in Dallas. Among the pieces of advice Paul gives Timothy concerning leadership and his own Christian commitment is this: “Set the believers an example in speech and conduct.” How can we -- as individuals, as a community, and as a nation -- seek to listen and move beyond o...

Evangelism: It’s not a numbers game. When Jesus sends out his followers, he sends them out to offer peace, share meals, and share stories together—to build relationships. But in today’s world, where we seem to be more divided than ever, how do we create community? How do we provide hospitality when it means being uncomfortable? Casey W. FitzGerald preaches today from Luke 10:1-11, with reference t...