In the Thick of It

Posted on September 4, 2011 by WPC

September 4, 2011

In the Thick of It, Rev. Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman

I Corinthians 12:14-20
Matthew 18: 15-20

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To be a community of faith is central to our practice as Christians, to our understanding of God among us. This month, we’re going to follow the lectionary’s Gospel of Matthew narrative that focuses on what it means to be a community and the labor of love that goes into it. We invite you to live into this text along with us as we begin our school year, our program year, our newly staffed-year and figure out together how we can build up the body of Christ for the kindom – the family – of God. Continue reading →

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…God intended it for good

Posted on August 28, 2011 by WPC

August 28, 2011

…God intended it for good, Rev. Chris Tuttle

Genesis 45:1-8
Genesis 50:15-21

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This is a story with two endings.

The first ending is the text Judy read a moment ago.  After all the buildup, twenty years or so, of Joseph’s older brothers selling him in slavery, of somehow finding a good job, of being falsely accused of having an affair with his employer’s wife, he ends up in prison.  He interprets dreams for fellow prisoners and gains some prominence among them, but stays there for two long years.  Soon Pharaoh has dreams, and someone in his court knows a guy who could interpret them.  Joseph does, impresses Pharaoh, and improbably rises to power.  He wisely stockpiles grain so that, when the famine comes, all the nations make their way towards Egypt – the only place with anything to eat.  Even those brothers come, after twenty years. Continue reading →

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…But he started it

Posted on August 21, 2011 by WPC

August 21, 2011

…But he started it, Rev. Tully Fletcher

Matthew 5:38-44
Genesis 42:6-17

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[sermon text not available]

 

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Joseph: Dreams and Visions of God

Posted on August 14, 2011 by WPC

August 14, 2011

Joseph: Dreams and Visions of God, Rev. Betty Berghaus

Genesis 41:9-36

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“Imagine all the people, living life in peace.  You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.  I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.”  – John Lennon

How many of you knew those words were from a song by John Lennon, once one of the Beatles?  Here’s another flash from the past for the Boomer generation.  Khalil Gibran, who wrote The Prophet, said:  “I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams or desires.”  And Jim Valvano, a winning  coach of NC State basketball back in the 1970’s, said, “Be a dreamer.  If you don’t know how to dream, you’re dead.” Continue reading →

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The Power Underneath Our Dreams

Posted on August 7, 2011 by WPC

August 7, 2011

The Power Underneath Our Dreams, Rev. Chris Tuttle

Genesis 37: 1-28

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I don’t know how much of it had to do with Joseph.

Sure, it would be wise of the tattle-tale with a privileged position in the family not to rock the boat.  It would have been wise for him to actually be a helper, like the text claims he is, instead of bringing a bad report on his brothers.  He gets the love, a fancy coat, and a good deal of resentment from his siblings.  It would have been wise to keep quiet.  But, instead, everything he does seems to rub salt in his brothers’ already raw wounds. Continue reading →

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Feeding God’s People

Posted on July 31, 2011 by WPC

July 31, 2011

Feeding God’s People, Rev. Betty Berghaus

Isaiah 55:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

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Mysteries and crime-solving shows have been popular for some time, and still are.  From Dragnet and Adam-12, to The Rockford Files and Murder She Wrote, to Law and Order, CSI, NCIS, and so many more now than before because we have so many networks, we like crime shows.  Even some of the medical shows, like House, solve mysteries surrounding diseases.  We like to watch these shows that solve the mystery and resolve the issue, with the bad guy (or gal) getting caught, and justice prevailing for the victims.

Delving into Scripture passages can be a bit like solving a mystery. Continue reading →

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The Undercover Boss

Posted on July 24, 2011 by WPC

July 24, 2011

The Undercover Boss, Rev. Chris Tuttle

Psalm 67
Matthew 25:31-46

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Every person matters.

That was a phrase that speakers came back to, over and over again, at breakfast on Friday. I got to sit proudly with about 25 other Westminster folks at a breakfast in support of Housing for New Hope, a remarkable organization that fights homelessness in Durham and Orange Counties. Continue reading →

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And We Didn’t Even Know It…

Posted on July 17, 2011 by WPC

July 17, 2011

And We Didn’t Even Know It…, Rev. Chris Tuttle

Psalm 139:1-14
Genesis 28:10-19

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He hadn’t had a moments’ rest from the beginning.

It began before they were born, as God was knitting them together in their mother Rebekah’s womb.  It was then the struggle began. Continue reading →

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The Power of a Parable

Posted on July 10, 2011 by WPC

July 10, 2011

The Power of a Parable, Rev. Betty Berghaus

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

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Let me tell you a story.

He was a good young pastor.  It was his first church, and he wanted to use all he had learned in seminary to lead these people he had just met to follow God in extraordinary ways, ways that would make the church grow and be known in the community -all good goals, all good intentions. Continue reading →

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The World According to Jesus

Posted on July 3, 2011 by WPC

July 3, 2011

The World According to Jesus, Rev. Betty Berghaus

Psalm 1
Matthew 11:25-30

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[link to sermon audio fixed 07/13/2011]

 

The new royal couple, William and Kate, have gotten a lot of attention in their first visit to North America, to Canada and California.  Have you been watching?  I have to admit that I am a royal family follower. Continue reading →

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