Louise Westfall's Blog

December 24: The World Is Wrapped in Light

Louise — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:49:09 +0000

The Christmas Eve sermon is based on a variety of scripture passages pertaining to the nativity of Christ, but in particular we can discuss Isaiah 9:2-7.

Isaiah 9:2-7

²The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.³You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.⁴For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.⁵For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.⁶For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.⁷His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

ABOUT OUR DECEMBER PREACHING THEME

Past Imperfect, Present Tense, Future Indicative

During Advent, Pastor Louise’s sermons will look in two directions: back to the past to explore ancient biblical prophecies and forward to the future, to catch a glimpse of hopeful prospects. What we see in those two directions has much to offer us as guidance for our lives today, in a world that is broken and fearful, where even now God is working to mend and reconcile. Scripture witnesses to a profound hope that is more truthful than nostalgia and more powerful than wishful thinking. What is the “peace of Christ” and how does it make a difference in our hearts and relationships? Where is the evidence of it? What does it call us to do? You’re invited to share your thoughts and ideas…

December 12: Real Men (and Women) Ask for Directions

Louise — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:06:56 +0000

Real Men (and Women) Ask for Directions, based on Isaiah 31:1-10

ABOUT OUR DECEMBER PREACHING THEME

Past Imperfect, Present Tense, Future Indicative

Isaiah 31:1-10

31Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help and who rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!²Yet he too is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will rise against the house of the evildoers, and against the helpers of those who work iniquity.³The Egyptians are human, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and the one helped will fall, and they will all perish together.⁴For thus the Lord said to me, As a lion or a young lion growls over its prey, and—when a band of shepherds is called out against it— is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the Lord of hosts will come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon its hill.⁵Like birds hovering overhead, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will spare and rescue it.

⁶Turn back to him whom you have deeply betrayed, O people of Israel.⁷For on that day all of you shall throw away your idols of silver and idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.⁸“Then the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of mortals; and a sword, not of humans, shall devour him; he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor.⁹His rock shall pass away in terror, and his officers desert the standard in panic,” says the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

December 5: Peace When There Is No Peace

Louise — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:05:28 +0000

Peace When There Is No Peace based on Isaiah 11:1-10

ABOUT OUR DECEMBER PREACHING THEME

Past Imperfect, Present Tense, Future Indicative

Isaiah 11:1-10

11A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.²The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.³His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear;⁴but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.⁵Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.⁶The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.⁷The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.⁸The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.⁹They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

¹⁰On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

November 14 – What Are We Building?

Louise — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:07:54 +0000

The overarching theme for the month of November (which includes Stewardship Dedication Sunday on the 14th) is “The Future Is Now” The investment of our gifts, our work, our faith and our very lives in God’s Reign prepares the way for a truly promising future.

The Gospel reading the sermon is based on is: Luke 21:5-19.

Luke 21:5-19

⁵When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ⁶“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” ⁷They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” ⁸And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. ⁹“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” ¹⁰Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; ¹¹there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. ¹²“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. ¹³This will give you an opportunity to testify. ¹⁴So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; ¹⁵for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷You will be hated by all because of my name. ¹⁸But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹By your endurance you will gain your souls.

October 31 – Changing Places

pastorlouise — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:57:42 +0000

The sermon scheduled for October 31 is themed: Changing Places and is based on Luke 19:1-10.

Jesus’ acceptance of Zaccheus moves him to live his life differently.

How would your life change if you knew you were saved? (or would it?)

October 10 – Gratitude and Healing

Louise — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:42:31 +0000

The sermon for October 10 is based on Luke 17:11-19.

Luke 17:11-19

¹¹On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. ¹²As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, ¹³they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” ¹⁴When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. ¹⁵Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. ¹⁶He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? ¹⁸Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

October 3 – No Strangers at the Feast

Louise — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:37:04 +0000

The scriptural theme for October is ”Increase Our Faith.” Some biblical role models show us how to open ourselves to spiritual growth.

The sermon for October 3 is titled: No Strangers at the Feast, in recognition of World Communion Sunday.

How have you been called to the table? Do you feel welcome? What things might people perceive as barriers to being welcomed at the Lord’s Table? How can we make sure the invitation is received?

(These questions are not meant to be exclusive or exhaustive, speak your mind).

September 26 – Tamar: Subversive Justice

Louise — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:23:22 +0000

The sermon for September 26 will be based on Genesis 38.

Tamar was an ancestor of both David and Jesus. The story is a portrait of one who risked honor that right be done.

This passage contains some elements still used to justify modern moral judgements. What is the true moral of this story how does it relate to our lives today?

Sermon for September 19 – Jacob: Wrestling with God

pastorlouise — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:44:51 +0000

The sermon lection for September 19 is Genesis 32:22-31.

One possible brief overarching theme for this passage is: “Blessing may be found in honest encounter and even struggle with the God of our faith.”

What ideas and possibilities germinate within you when reading this?

Begin at the Beginning (Sept. 12, 2010)

pastorlouise — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:45:14 +0000

TEXT: Genesis 1 and 2
In this sermon, we’ll explore how our essential goodness is marred by selfish choices; we live outside the garden, but God is still with us there.

The text for this day, September 12, 2010 (Celebration Sunday at Fairmount), coincides with the first two of three passages for the first daily “Year of the Bible” reading.

Not only do you get a head start on our reading, but you can offer suggestions and insight to help me prepare the sermon for that day!

(NOTE: This is the first of a weekly series where you are asked to provide ideas and insight on upcoming scripture passages for sermons. Please comment.)