Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria Va

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” What do these words mean? How can they shape us in the same way that the 23rd Psalm or Lincoln’s Second Inaugural or “Little Red Corvette” have shaped us today? How does the peace Christ offers differ from the peace the world offers, and how does his peace “let not our hearts be troubled, and neither let [them] be afraid?” Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches from John 14:25-27 (KJV).

On Youth Sunday, several of our twelfth-grade students reflect on AWE, our youth motto to Accept, Walk, and Empower. The Scripture lesson is Exodus 3:1-14. Reading the Scripture lesson are Casey Lockard, Chris Neureiter, and Jilly Stone. Speakers are Maggie Chamberlain, Eric Folkerts, Sarah Keeth, Rosie Cool, Amanda Wilcox, Kelsey Van Horne, Jillian Schiele, and Laura Wilcox.

Central to our Christian faith is caring for God’s creation. What is our relationship to the natural world? In this lecture series, Dr. Tony Tambasco will suggest elements for a “creation spirituality,” drawing on the Pope’s encyclical and Elizabeth Johnson’s book "Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love."

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Dr. Larry R. Hayward looks at how the scriptures can be a mirror through which we see ourselves and our world--in both our beauty and our fallenness. Today's Scripture lesson is John 10:22-39.

Today's resurrection story has a stream of details--an empty net, a charcoal fire, a naked fisherman--that on their own may seem insignificant, but which work together to create relationships and connection to the greater story of Jesus in John's gospel. Rev. Patrick Hunnicutt preaches today from John 21:1-14.

How can the story of "Doubting Thomas" address our own doubts in our faith? Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches today on John 20:19-31.

On this Easter Sunday, Dr. Larry R. Hayward traces the appearance of the risen Christ to one person – Mary Magdalene – and relates her experience to poetry from the past and people in the present, both of whom express the beauty of Christian belief at its best. The Scripture lesson is John 20:1-18.

On Good Friday, Rev. Patrick A. Hunnicutt reflects on John 18:1-11, 19-27, and 19:16-17, 28-30.

On Maundy Thursday, Rev. Patrick A. Hunnicutt reflects on John 13:1-10, 31-38.

Throughout the season of Lent, the sermons will feature the poems of George Herbert (1593-1633), a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who wrote between the Age of Shakespeare and the Age of Milton. Five poems, published in 1633, formed the basis of Ralph Vaughan Williams “Five Mystical Songs,” written between 1906 and 1911. On Palm Sunday, the choir will present all five of these songs. Today, using the poem “Love Bade Me Weclome,” Dr. Larry R. Hayward examines communion in the context of Presbyterian worship. The Scripture lesson is 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Throughout the season of Lent, the sermons will feature the poems of George Herbert (1593-1633), a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who wrote between the Age of Shakespeare and the Age of Milton. Five poems, published in 1633, formed the basis of Ralph Vaughan Williams “Five Mystical Songs,” written between 1906 and 1911. On Palm Sunday, the choir will present all five of these songs. Today, using the poem “Antiphon,” Dr. Larry R. Hayward asks, how can we be sure we are not alone as we make our way through life? The Scripture lesson is Psalm 139:1-12.

Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches today in celebration of Westminster's 75th Anniversary. The Scripture lesson is Galatians 4:8-20.

Throughout the season of Lent, the sermons will feature the poems of George Herbert (1593-1633), a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who wrote between the Age of Shakespeare and the Age of Milton. Five poems, published in 1633 in The Temple, formed the basis of Ralph Vaughan Williams “Five Mystical Songs,” written between 1906 and 1911. The poems are “Easter,” “I Got Me Flowers,” “Love Bade Me Welcome,” “The Call,” and “Antiphon.” On Palm Sunday, the choir will present all five mystical songs. Today, using the second half of the poem “Easter,” Dr. Larry R. Hayward explores where we find beauty in our lives: in our relationships, in the midst of suffering and sacrifice, and in Christian doctrine. The Scripture lesson is Mark 14:3-9 (RSV).

Throughout the season of Lent, the sermons will feature the poems of George Herbert (1593-1633), a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who wrote between the Age of Shakespeare and the Age of Milton. Five poems, published in 1633 in The Temple, formed the basis of Ralph Vaughan Williams “Five Mystical Songs,” written between 1906 and 1911. The poems are “Easter,” “I Got Me Flowers,” “Love Bade Me Welcome,” “The Call,” and “Antiphon.” On Palm Sunday, the choir will present all five mystical songs. Today, using the poem “Easter,” Dr. Larry R. Hayward explores how we might embrace the cross as Christ embraced the cross, living our daily lives in the most ordinary way: serving others. The Scripture lesson is John 10:11-18.

On this Transfiguration Sunday, the Rev. Casey W. FitzGerald looks at this strange story--of a mysterious, wild, and holy mountaintop encounter--and wonders what is going on in the valley. Today's Scripture is Luke 9:28-36.

Today, Westminster ordains and installs this year's class of elders and deacons, our lay leaders of the church. Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward looks to God's call of Jeremiah to show us how we can serve not just Westminster, but our community, our city, our nation, and the world. Today's Scripture passage is Jeremiah 1:4-10.

On the day after a blizzard, Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches on Psalm 19, a psalm that extols the beauty of nature.

This is not a story about abstaining from or having permission to consume wine; it is not a story about obeying or disobeying parents; it is not a story about consistency of voting record or campaign promises. Rather, it is a story about identity; timing, and abundance. Rev. Dr. Larry R. Hayward preaches today from John 2:1-11.

The first session of our Parenting Series explores how parents are the primary architects of the young brain. Learn how to give your children "brain food" and to communicate and connect! Beverly Tauke is a family counselor whose clinical focus revolves around providing people with strategies to achieve parenting success, integrating biblical concepts with current research and strategies for healthy living. She has her Masters of Social Work from The Catholic University of America and an M.A. in Communications. The next session of our series will be "Family Story Power" on February 14.