Sermons
Archived Sermons from Westminster Presbyterian Clergy.
(To see sermons by a particular Pastor, click on their name in the list below, then click on "apply" )
| Title |
Sermon Date |
Preacher | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I and We | January 29, 2012 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
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| Messenger and Message | January 22, 2012 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
For some people, the to-do list is the bane of their existence. It is a reminder of all the things that are yet undone, a list that lengthens rather than shortens, a list that points out all... |
| “Call and Response” | January 15, 2012 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Do you remember that old commercial (I think it was for a sleep aid) that showed the husband flicking on the light and saying, "Honey? Are you awake?" And his wife replies, "I am now!" ... |
| "The Way" | January 8, 2012 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
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| Christmas Meditation | December 24, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
Christmas Meditation There once was an old man whom, this evening, we will call Joe. Joe was single, never married, didn’t date much. He was an only child and his parents... |
| Love, the Lord, is On the Way | December 11, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
“I’m dreamin’ of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. . .” ... |
| On the Way, Again | November 27, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
We begin at the end. And for that, I am grateful. |
| Sheep and Goats | November 20, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Has anyone here ever raised goats? As I wrestled with the scriptures appointed for today, I became very curious about the differences between sheep and goats... |
| Other People's Money | November 13, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“Other People’s Money”... |
| The Things We Carry | November 6, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
You might remember the classic 80’s tv show, MacGyver, about a good-looking, brilliant but mild-mannered secret agent who was always finding himself in some sort of life-threatening... |
| Crossing the River | October 30, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
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| Ready or Not | October 16, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
Sermon Notes |
| Ownership and Belonging | October 2, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
I wanted to belong. I wanted to know what the answers were to the big questions of my life: Would I marry? Would I have children?... |
| Ripples of Grace | September 11, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
A pebble is thrown into a still pool, and from that single plunk, circles of water flow out, one after another, until they reach the shore. ... |
| Walking the Faith | August 28, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in northwest Spain is a trek of a few hundred miles (depending on your route). It was created in the Middle Ages by Christian pilgrims seeking a spiritual... |
| “God’s Children” | August 21, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
You can tell a lot about a society by looking at its children. |
| Pride and Prejudice and… | August 14, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
It is hard for me to think well, or even positively, of a man who would call a woman a dog. And that puts me in a quandary and maybe you... |
| Out of the Boat | August 7, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
When I was about twelve years old, my family lived near Dale Hollow Lake, in North Carolina. It was a beautiful, deep, mysterious body of water. One memory that stands out was the... |
| Out of the Boat | August 7, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
When I was about twelve years old, my family lived near Dale Hollow Lake, in North Carolina. It was a beautiful, deep, mysterious body of water. One memory that stands out was the... |
| At the Center | July 24, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
It’s such an elusive question: what is love? Hollywood gets it wrong more often than not; poets tend to get it right. The rest of us muddle... |
| Together, Wherever We Go | July 17, 2011 (All day) | Rev. Beth Neel |
Perhaps like me, you know someone who is an atheist. Chances are pretty good that you do. I have an acquaintance, the mother of one of Sarah’s... |
| A Long Shot | July 10, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
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| “Feasting” | July 6, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer | |
| "Hearing" (Pentecost Sunday) | June 12, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
This day of Pentecost reminds me of the story of the visitor in a Presbyterian church (not this one!) who was very moved. As she listened to the music and preaching, she suddenly... |
| Cloud Cover | June 5, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
There is a so called ‘jewelry and loan’ shop on Sandy Boulevard that claims to be the “friendliest pawn shop” in Portland. The name of the shop is “Silver Lining... |
| No more a stranger or a guest. . . | May 16, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
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| Heart Smart | May 8, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
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| Seeing and Touching | May 1, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
It’s been a while now, but I can remember a time in my life when seeing and touching meant everything. It was right after our first pregnancy, which ended in an early miscarriage.... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Filled with Emptiness | April 24, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
Easter and Christmas are the two high points in the church year. You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| 2011 Good Friday Service -- Scriptural Interpretation | April 22, 2011 (All day) | Guest Preacher | |
| "Procession" | April 17, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
“Procession” 2011 Palm Sunday During the years I was... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Bone-Tired | April 10, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Refrain: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us! |
| "Spit" | April 3, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
This sermon was inspired by two works: You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| “Living Questions and Living Water” | March 27, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
For what are you thirsty? I’ve always been thirsty for books. . .When I was about thirteen, I was exploring my father’s office (he was a pastor), waiting for him to be done with... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| When the Wind Blows, Where Will You Go? | March 20, 2011 (All day) | Guest Preacher |
20 March 2011 You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| After the Fall | March 13, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
A line from a nursery rhyme - - sticks in my head - - You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Dazzling! | March 6, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
One of my favorite spots on the planet is Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay area. Karl and I were... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Bliss | February 27, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
When I am worrying about something, and I tell someone about it, they will sometimes say, ‘Don’t worry” in response to my description of the situation. It... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Fools for Christ | February 20, 2011 (All day) | Guest Preacher |
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| But I Say... | February 13, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
What makes you angry? |
| Fishing Zebulun and Naphtali | January 23, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
Sometimes instead of seeing what’s actually in front of us, we see what we want to see instead. For example, we can see a tree, and miss the forest. Or we... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| A New Song | January 16, 2011 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
“A New Song” (formerly Seeing and Testifying) You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| From the Water | January 9, 2011 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“From the Water” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| “The Dilemma of Dreams” | December 26, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“The... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Saying Yes | December 24, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
“If in your heart you make a manger for his birth, You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| What You Hear and See | December 12, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
When you look around, where do you see God’s Spirit at work? Not just in our congregation, but in your neighborhood, in your workplace, where you hang out for leisure, in school, in your... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| “New Uses for Old Things” | November 28, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
Have you ever thought about the difference between planning and preparation? |
| "What Matters Most" | November 21, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
I recently heard an interview with author Nora Ephron about her latest book: I Remember Nothing: Aging Gratefully. The interviewer noted that the chapter titled “The O Word... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| What Matters Most | November 21, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
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| Get Low | October 24, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
Big man talkin' to God one day You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| The Great Chasm | September 26, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Sept. 26, 2010 The Rev. Laurie Vischer |
| “Life’s Ups and Downs” | August 29, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“Life’s Ups and Downs”... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| “Believing in the Future” | August 8, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“Believing in the Future” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Distracted | July 18, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Distracted | July 18, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“... |
| “The Samaritan Standard” | July 11, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“The Samaritan Standard” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Forgiven | June 13, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
The Rev. Laurie Vischer June 13, 2010 You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Pray It Forward | May 16, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“Pray It Forward”... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Paralysis | May 9, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Question to consider: What do you/we need in terms of healing? You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| The Stones Will Cry Out | March 28, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
March 28, 2010 - Palm Sunday The Rev. Laurie Vischer You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| The Wonders of Redeeming Love | March 14, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“The Wonders of Redeeming Love” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Hard to Hear: Fox, Hen and Worm | February 28, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Hard to Hear: Fox, Hen and Worm The Rev. Laurie Vischer Luke 13:31-35 2nd Sunday in Lent You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Beloved | January 10, 2010 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Children of God | January 3, 2010 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Through all of my childhood, my family of origin moved every two or three years. So, in many ways, my only consistent “home” was Grandpa and Grandma Campbell’s... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Roses in the Snow | December 20, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Roses in the Snow The Rev. Laurie Vischer You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| 2009 | November 29, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“2009” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| “What Do You Want From Me?" | October 25, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Mark 10:36-43 |
| Mercy, Mercy, Mercy | October 4, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Opening | September 6, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
"Opening" The comic strip “Momma” by Mell Lazarus, shows Momma’s youngest son, Francis, dropping by her house and saying, “Momma, I’m bringing my new... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Dwelling | August 23, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
“Dwelling” You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Bread and ... | August 9, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
How do every day things take on holy significance? ... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| "Take or Give" | July 26, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Laurie: Know the love of Christ and be filled-- People: With all the fullness of God! I remember when I was younger and I stayed for the first time, (without my parents )... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Lord of the Dance | July 12, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
Lord of the Dance |
| Resting in the Shade | June 14, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Here’s a riddle for you. By the way, apparently, only 17% of Stanford graduates figured out this riddle, but 80% of kindergartners knew the answer.
You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| What a Friend | May 17, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
I have recently rediscovered some of my friends from high school because of Facebook. For those of you who are not on Facebook, it’s a social networking tool that allows you to... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Touching Jesus | April 26, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
"There is a truth past knowing; there is a joy past hope. " A poet expressed this mystery of our faith. Do we really know the good news of God's love and forgiveness? Do we... |
| Promises, Promises | March 1, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Promises, Promises |
| Stumbling Blocks | February 1, 2009 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
It happened in New York’s Lincoln Center, during a violin concerto. And it is retold in a book by Jeff Lucas, called, The Prodigal Friendly Church: Itzhak Perlman, arguably the world’s... |
| The Brightness of Your Rising | January 4, 2009 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
The Brightness of Your Rising” |
| Impossible Surprises | December 21, 2008 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
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| Awake | November 30, 2008 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
“Awake” |
| My Westminster | October 19, 2008 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
My Westminster“My Westminster” |
| Mine and Thine | November 11, 2007 (All day) | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
Last month, a dear friend of ours died, after a long and fruitful life. It seemed to us that, more than most people, he embodied Christlike love, and tried his whole life to align his actions with... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| Spirit Led | May 20, 2007 (All day) | Rev David Hutchinson |
The decisions we make, over a period of time, when strung together, would begin to tell the story of who we are. Our decisions, when taken together, are the story of our identity, at least in part... You may need: Adobe Flash Player. |
| My Westminster | Rev David Hutchinson |
One of my favorite things about Westminster is looking out at all of you. When it comes to saying where I see God's image, it‘s there. And it truly is one of my favorite things. But today I... |
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| In a Heartbeat | Rev David Hutchinson |
There is a connection - - between our rules and our relationships. |
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| Not Fair! | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
My parents tell a funny story about me at age two. It was about my first good friend, Jennifer. We were playing with imaginary candy. We were imagining the taste, the color, the wealth of it all!... |
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| I thank my God | Dr Jim Moiso |
Before there were pastors and seminaries and a New Testament, prior to church committees and budgets and buildings, the apostle Paul had birthed a tiny new religious group. Near the northern edge... |
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| Walking Humbly | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
The summer seems to be speeding by. Until today, I haven't had a chance to give a full report to you on my experience as an elected commissioner to the 218th General Assembly of the PC(USA) in San... |
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| Of Joseph, Olynpics, and the mystery of God | Dr Jim Moiso |
Before we hear today’s lectionary reading from Genesis, we need to catch up with what is one of the fabulous and longest stories in all of the Bible. It stretches from chapter 37 to the end... |
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| Impressed? Hardly. Well, Maybe | Dr Jim Moiso |
Commenting on Senator Obama's speech in Berlin last week, one news person noted that Obama was long on generalities and short on specifics. He chose broad brush stroke images instead of facing... |
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| Stairway to Heaven | Rev David Hutchinson |
It seems to me - - that Biblical characters encounter God more often than I do. |
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| Transforming our World into a Better Place for Living | Guest Preacher |
Dear brothers and sisters, I want to give thanks to God, to my brother Reverend Jim Moiso, to Judy´s family and Westminster Presbyterian congregation for this opportunity of staying here... |
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| Here I am | Rev David Hutchinson |
Have you ever walked in on a conversation between two other people? Maybe you entered the room - when they were about half way through talking about something - and you were surprised by something... |
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| They Went | Dr Jim Moiso |
This collection of writings we call "holy" never ceases to amaze me. I am so thankful that we are people of the book, texts to which we bring our best minds and experiences, seeking to be open to... |
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| Home | Dr Jim Moiso |
Scholars tell us that probably three different prophets' writings make up the book of Isaiah. Our reading comes from "second Isaiah." He worked between the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem... |
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| Possibility | Dr Jim Moiso |
I am not sure that I have ever heard today's lectionary reading from the Old Testament book of Numbers in worship before. Numbers 11 is a textual doublet of Exodus 15, 16-very similar stories. The... |
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| We Are One | Rev David Hutchinson |
If I asked you to look around, and then to tell me how many people there are in this sanctuary, what would you say? How many people are there? Anybody? Would anyone answer my question by saying "... |
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| Celebrate | Dr Jim Moiso |
Perhaps America's most influential naturalist and conservationist, John Muir was born 160 years ago tomorrow. This tenacious Scotsman became "the Father of our National Parks." Tuesday, we mark... |
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| At Home | Rev Laurie M. Vischer |
When have you felt uprooted? When have you longed for belonging? |