Speaker: Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby

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.

In “Firm Foundations,” Pastor Wes explores the wisdom of Jesus in Matthew 7, challenging us to consider the foundations on which we build our lives. Drawing from personal stories of home renovations and struggles, he highlights how both our lives and our souls are “unfinished houses” under constant renovation. Pastor Wes emphasizes that while life is filled with moments of sinking sand, we are called to build on the solid foundation of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. By reflecting on wisdom, love, and justice, we invite God’s transformative power to reshape us and our communities.

Pastor Wes reflected on Matthew 6:1-15, exploring five foundational practices of faith: faithfulness, forgiveness, fasting, generosity, and prayer. He shared a childhood memory of a bedroom sign listing daily rules, comparing it to how Jesus’ teachings might feel like a set of regulations. However, he emphasized that Jesus calls for deeper reflection and transformation, not just rule-following.

He contrasted these spiritual practices with society’s focus on fame, wealth, and success, challenging the congregation to consider how these values shape their lives. Encouraging both personal and communal commitment, he invited everyone to embody these practices daily as a way to live out their faith.

In “Spice of Life,” Pastor Wes draws parallels between the everyday, ordinary nature of salt and light and the calling of Christians to embody faithful discipleship. Just as salt enhances flavors and light guides our paths, Jesus invites followers to embrace their roles in ways that are often mundane yet transformative. Pastor Wes emphasizes the importance of balance, warning against “too much” salt or light that can overwhelm rather than heal or inspire. He highlights the collective responsibility of the church to be agents of love, justice, and belonging in a world often clouded by cynicism and negativity. The message concludes by reminding the congregation that God, the head chef, continues to guide and shape the church’s identity, blending both familiar and forgotten “spices” for meaningful service and community.

In today’s sermon, “Can We Do This?” Pastor Wes introduces the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-11), emphasizing how Jesus’ Beatitudes challenge societal norms and invite us into God’s radical vision of discipleship. Drawing parallels to the emotional multitudes at Disney World, Pastor Wes illustrates how our personal experiences shape our response to Jesus’ teachings. The Beatitudes call us to embrace vulnerability, uplift the marginalized, and live counter to worldly values like wealth and power. Pastor Wes challenges the congregation to reflect on whether their lives and actions evidence true discipleship and invites everyone to read the Sermon on the Mount weekly as a spiritual practice throughout February.

In his sermon titled “Drenched,” Pastor Wes reflects on Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17, emphasizing the transformative and communal nature of baptism. He likens the twists and turns of the River Jordan to the meandering paths of our own lives and invites us to embrace God’s grace, which claims us as beloved even before we prove ourselves. Pastor Wes encourages us to remember our baptism daily, listening for God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life and opening ourselves to renewal and love.

Pastor Wes reflects on Matthew 2 and the journey of the Magi, exploring their unique gifts and the deeper truths of the Epiphany story. He highlights the Magi’s status as outsiders and how their search for the Christ child reflects our own spiritual journeys. Through humor and insight, Pastor Wes considers their mistaken visit to Herod’s palace and the dangers of power, contrasting it with the humility of Christ’s birth. He invites us to ask three guiding questions for the new year: “What are you searching for? Why are you searching for it? How are you searching?” Reminding us of God’s grace when we lose our way, he inspires us to follow God’s light with faith and purpose.

Pastor Wes explores the bold beginning of the Gospel of Mark, contrasting its message with the political “good news” of the Roman Empire. Unlike the festive narratives of Jesus’ birth in other Gospels, Mark launches with the declaration of good news amid the wilderness, a setting of struggle and transformation. Pastor Wes highlights the tension between the world’s headlines—stories of conflict, disaster, and personal challenges—and Mark’s announcement of God’s presence through Jesus Christ.

This good news confronts both external oppression and the internal stories we tell ourselves, offering hope and grounding in God’s transformative presence. Pastor Wes invites the congregation to reflect on their own “wilderness” experiences and examine the headlines of their lives, encouraging them to hear and live out the true good news that speaks to the heartlines of all people.