Series: Women in the Gospels

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.

Pastor Wes’ sermon drew from the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, challenging common misconceptions about her character.  He paralleled her encounter with Jesus to the old song “There’s a Hole in My Bucket,” demonstrating that simply having knowledge doesn’t guarantee transformation.  The sermon emphasized that Jesus’ conversation with the woman was not about shame or marginalization but rather about renewal, hope, and deep spiritual connection. Through her dialogue with Jesus, the woman becomes and evangelist, leading others to faith. The message encouraged listeners to consider their own spiritual exhaustion and to open themselves to Christ’s renewing presence, just as the woman at the well did.

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 story of the unnamed woman who suffered for 12 years, reaching out in desperation to touch Jesus’ robe. He connects her struggle to our own experiences of pain—physical, emotional, and spiritual—urging us to let her story meet our own. Rather than explaining suffering through simplistic answers like karma, destiny, or the devil, Jesus responds with presence and love, affirming the woman’s faith and calling her “daughter.” The sermon invites us to recognize God’s nearness in our struggles and to reach out in faith, knowing we are seen, loved, and restored.

In “Where is an Editor When You Need One?”, Pastor Wes examines the unsettling encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28. He acknowledges how Jesus’ initial response—dismissing the woman and referring to her as a “dog”—feels uncharacteristically harsh. Reflecting on the human tendency to act poorly when “Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired” (HALT), Pastor Wes wonders if Jesus, too, was worn down. He challenges the idea that Jesus was merely testing the woman, instead suggesting that this moment reveals his humanity. The sermon highlights the Canaanite woman’s persistence and faith, likening her to other outsider women in Scripture—Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth—who influenced the Jewish tradition. Ultimately, Pastor Wes urges reflection on how we still “other” people today and how we are called to listen, learn, and grow from those we might dismiss.