Book: Psalms

In “Comforting Care”, Pastor Wes reflects on the familiar yet deeply profound words of Psalm 23. He invites us to reconsider the psalm not just as funeral liturgy, but as a bold declaration of trust and challenge for daily life. Through humor, humility, and depth, he explores what it means to truly live with God at the center — not just in peaceful moments, but also in trials, tension, and even awkward tables set before enemies. This sermon calls us to let Psalm 23 comfort us and interrupt us, revealing sacredness in the familiar and the mystifying.

Amid the noise of modern life—both external and internal—Pastor Wes invites us to rediscover the sacred symphony of creation that praises God. Drawing from Psalms 100 and 150, the sermon calls us to embrace joy not as superficial emotion but as a faithful, embodied response to God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Joy, like praise, is both a personal and communal act—a justice we offer ourselves. As Pride Month begins, the message celebrates the unique ways we each reflect God’s image, reminding us that true praise is honest, expansive, and alive in every act of delight, resistance, and authenticity.

Pastor Wes explores Psalm 88—arguably Scripture’s saddest song—and its raw, unresolved lament. Unlike most psalms, Psalm 88 offers no turn toward praise, no easy resolution. And yet, it gives us something profound: permission to cry out honestly to God, every day, from the depths of our sorrow. Through vivid metaphors of darkness, drowning, and isolation, the psalm invites us to voice our own heartbreaks and soul aches without needing to “wrap them up.” In this space of holy honesty, we’re reminded that lament can be faithful—and transformative.

Drawing on Psalm 1, Pastor Wes explores how our environments shape our inner lives. The psalm’s dual metaphors—paths and trees—invite reflection on what influences us and who we are becoming.

On Mental Health Awareness Sunday, Wes challenges us to consider not just whether we’ve avoided overtly “wicked” influences, but whether we’ve been subtly drawn away from God—or led others astray. He references a century-long Harvard study showing that strong relationships, not wealth or success, are key to happiness.

Psalm 1’s use of the Hebrew word ashray—blessedness or happiness—reminds us that joy is not a destination but a way of traveling. The psalm urges reflection on where we’re rooted, what nourishes us, and how daily habits (including scripture meditation) shape our souls. Pastor Wes invites the congregation to read the Psalms this summer as a shared spiritual practice of awareness, belonging, and joy.

In this sermon based on Psalm 29, Dr. Sarah Melcher reflects on God’s power, especially as seen through the awe-inspiring force of storms. She shares personal experiences, connecting ancient Israel’s reverence for God’s strength to the modern challenges of climate change. Dr. Melcher emphasizes our role in environmental stewardship, drawing from theological insights that God’s redemptive work includes all of creation. She calls for partnership with God to “serve and preserve” the earth, seeking peace and strength from God to live sustainably.

This sermon invites us to consider the clutter within our hearts and souls, asking God to help create a renewed spirit within us. Reflecting on personal experiences and the challenges we often carry, Pastor Wes likens our internal clutter to an old church basement filled with neglected items. Just as we clear out physical spaces, we’re called to open our hearts to God’s restorative presence, allowing divine love to cleanse and transform us. Through deep breaths and mindful prayers, we can embrace God’s continual work in our lives, inviting peace and purpose into our daily journey.

This sermon explores Psalm 65’s celebration of God’s presence within creation, drawing from the spiritual insights of Brother Lawrence, who found the sacred in everyday tasks, and poet Mary Oliver’s idea that “attention is the beginning of devotion.” Reflecting on Psalm 65, which describes God’s active presence in the natural world, the sermon invites us to open our senses to the teaching and mystery in creation. By contemplating our lives through the seasons of nature, we can become more aware of God’s presence in all moments, whether in awe or struggle, and carry this awareness to the communion table as a tangible expression of God’s grace.

In Psalm 100, Pastor Wes explores the call to “sing a new song” as a way to worship and praise God. Drawing from the Psalm’s theme, Pastor Wes reflects on how creation itself is constantly singing God’s praises—from babbling brooks to rustling trees—inviting us to join in. He examines the role of music and hymns in our faith journey, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression within the church. Pastor Wes challenges the congregation to reflect on how they embody worship, praise, and blessing in their lives, and encourages them to find new ways to live and sing their faith. The sermon emphasizes the power of music as a tool for justice and unity, urging the church to embrace a diverse range of expressions in its worship and to lift every voice in song.

In this sermon, Dr. Christine Hoffman invites the congregation to reflect on what it means to sing “the Lord’s song,” drawing from Psalms 81:1-4 and 137:1-6. She explores three key questions: Where are we when singing the Lord’s song, what makes it the Lord’s song, and why do we sing it? Dr. Hoffman shares how places, like memorials and moments of loss, shape our hymns, while highlighting how singing through grief connects us to God’s faithfulness and hope. Through examples of both despair and joy, she reminds us that hymns unite us in faith, allowing space for both lament and praise.