Sermons

In Genesis 15, Abram, having followed God’s call into uncertainty, wrestles with doubt and frustration as he wonders when God’s promises will come to fruition. Pastor Wes reflects on Abram’s moment of deep uncertainty, drawing parallels to our own lives when we feel the tension of promises unfulfilled. Despite God’s reassurance that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars, Abram struggles to see the realization of this promise. Pastor Wes highlights the beauty of the ordinary, daily faithfulness, as Abram continues to wait. The sermon invites us to reflect on our own moments of waiting and to trust in God’s continued presence and promise, even when fulfillment seems distant.

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.

In this sermon, Pastor Wes reflects on Isaiah 42, urging the congregation to embrace both familiar and new songs of faith. Drawing from beloved hymns like Amazing Grace, he explains how music helps us process pain and connect with God. Pastor Wes encourages everyone to discover their own “new song,” sharing that God’s voice resides in each of us. He challenges the congregation to listen to the music of younger generations and explore new expressions of faith, blending the old with the new to deepen our connection with God and each other.

In his sermon, Pastor Wes reflects on Acts 16, where Paul and Silas, imprisoned and without instruments, sing hymns to God in the midst of their suffering. He compares this to the hymn My Life Flows On in Endless Song, urging the congregation to listen to the “endless song” of their lives and find harmony with themselves, others, and God. Pastor Wes challenges us to sing even when life feels like a prison—whether it’s oppression, despair, or anger. The sermon emphasizes that music and song have the power to connect us and break down invisible walls, inspiring the congregation to live out a song of faith that transcends boundaries.

Pastor Wes reflects on Acts 16:13-15, inviting the congregation to “join Lydia’s circle.” In her time, Lydia, a woman of faith and a dealer in purple cloth, worships by the river, outside the formal religious system, reminding us of God’s call to embrace and welcome others beyond societal boundaries. Like Lydia, who stands in a lineage of faithful women, we are encouraged to create inclusive spaces, open our hearts, and let faith inspire our daily lives. Pastor Wes challenges us to live out Lydia’s spirit by expanding our “circle” to include all voices, embracing God’s liberating love.