Book: Luke

Pastor Wes reflects on the story of Jesus dining at the house of Simon the Pharisee and being anointed by a woman known as a sinner. Drawing a playful parallel to the childhood game “Simon Says,” he invites the congregation to consider how often we, like Simon, use rules or social norms to maintain control in uncertain times. Wes explores Simon’s sincerity, yet also his judgment, contrasting it with the woman’s unrestrained and scandalous act of love. He challenges listeners to feel the discomfort of the story: a woman touching Jesus, breaking societal norms, and Jesus receiving her with grace. In this reversal, Jesus levels the playing field—socially, economically, and spiritually—inviting us to reflect on where we judge, where we hurt, and whether we truly welcome everyone at the table of God’s grace.

In this sermon, Pastor Wes explored Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Comparing our desire for quick solutions to life’s mysteries with the neatly wrapped endings of a Scooby-Doo episode, he challenged us to embrace the unresolved nature of Jesus’ teachings. The widow’s unwavering determination in seeking justice serves as a call for us to persist in faith and advocacy, even when answers are elusive. Who are we standing with? Where are we insisting on justice? This parable reminds us that faith is not about solving a puzzle—it’s about persistence, hope, and transformation.

Rev. Ellen Marsey’s sermon dramatized the story of the bent-over woman from Luke 13:10-17, portraying her journey to the synagogue, her sense of isolation, and her miraculous healing by Jesus. The woman describes how society had made her invisible due to her condition and how she doubted her worthiness to be healed. However, Jesus saw her, called her forward, and healed her, restoring her dignity and place in the community. The synagogue leaders criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, but he rebuked them, emphasizing that human needs take precedence over strict legalism. The sermon highlighted Jesus’ compassion, his challenge to religious hypocrisy, and the importance of being seen and valued by God.

Pastor Wes reflects on the meaning of Emmanuel—“God is here”—reminding us of the gift of God’s presence in every moment, especially the imperfect ones. Using the imagery of Christmas gifts and the nativity story, he explores what it means to embody Mary’s courage, Joseph’s conviction, and the shepherds’ joy. Pastor Wes challenges us to nurture our inner innkeeper, embracing radical hospitality and spreading hope, peace, love, and joy in a world that desperately needs them.

In his sermon on Luke 12, Pastor Wes invites us to consider Jesus’ reminder to “consider the ravens” as a call to embrace peace over worry. Observing creation, from playful ravens to blooming lilies, Pastor Wes explains how Jesus uses nature’s resilience to illustrate God’s care for us. Despite our tendency to worry and strive for control, this passage reminds us that we are deeply connected to all of creation and cared for by God’s love. Jesus’ words urge us to let go of perfectionism, fear, and the need for control, and instead, to find calm and confidence in God’s unwavering kindness.