Sermons

Sermon March 17, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

“I forgive you.” We Christians are supposed to be good at this forgiveness thing.  Someone wrongs us, we forgive and move on, right?  Then why do we sometimes find it so hard to say, let alone live into?  Why do we hesitate, preferring to say “I accept your apology” rather than “I forgive you?”  Why …Read more

Sermon March 10, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

Matthew 16:21-23 “Human Things and Wilderness Times” There are a few Bible passages that most ministers avoid at all costs…..Ephesians 5:22-23 for example, Psalm 137:8-9); pretty much anything from the book of Judges …and then there this one, Matthew 16:21-23.  Following right on the heels of Peter’s incredible confession from last week that Jesus is …Read more

Sermon February 25, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

Jesus walks on water.  What a great story! And one that you’d think would be easy to write a sermon about.  And it would have been easy, if it weren’t for one little verse in the middle that in some Bibles is recorded in red because the words are coming from Jesus himself: “You of …Read more

Sermon February 18, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

Lent 1 – Luke 5: 1-11 – So, why Peter? What was it about Jesus that made Simon Peter give up his way of life without, as it seems in the gospel, without a second thought.  Jesus says: “Follow me” and Simon Peter drops his nets.  Not neatly piling the nets on the boat, no, …Read more

Sermon February 11, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

Mark 9:2-9 The Mountain For the last six weeks we have come to this place and turned our hearts and minds to the stories of Jesus.   Basking in the light of Christ we have marveled as the Epiphany star offered guidance to the Wise Ones; we have wondered as Simeon spoke words of blessing and …Read more

Sermon February 4, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

Sermon February 4, 2024 Tricia Gerhard

Sermon January 28, 2024 Tricia Gerhard

Luke 2:41-52 “Left Behind and Loving It” We all have that story…the “left behind” story.  In it we are either the one left behind or we’re the one that did the leaving…either way these tend to be moments that grow in family lore in such a way that they wind up being hilarious stories that …Read more

Sermon January 21, 2024

A lot of things have changed over the centuries since the Bible was written, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the animals that we share our homes with.  But one thing that hasn’t changed is our love of music, and the way that it reflects our emotions and the situations …Read more

Reflection January 14, 2024 by Tricia Gerhard

They’ve finally made it. The Wise Men have finally made it to the nativity… well, here at Westworth they’ve been in the manger the whole of Advent and Christmas, but in my house, the Magi have been tucked away waiting for their big moment to finally arrive on the mantle with their camel and their …Read more

Sermon December 24, 2023 by Tricia Gerhard

December 24, 2023             Tricia Gerhard In 1998, psychologist and grief specialist, Nancy Reeves was in the midst of her Advent evening prayer when she found herself envisioning a weary couple, the woman heavily pregnant, making their way into a town and looking for a place to stay.  She realized, as she imagined this scene, as …Read more