Sermons
November 1, 2026 Sermon by Tricia Gerhard
I can’t tell you how much I relate to the relationship between Mary and Jesus as told in this little story from John’s gospel. I mean, we’ve all met that kid or teen, who would make the perfect stand in for Jesus – not for the water into wine action – but in the look …Read more
Sermon October 18, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
It’s not unusual for a person to stop by my office because they need to talk. Sometimes it’s just for a venting session, which I can totally get behind. Everybody needs a good vent every once and a while. Sometimes it’s a grief that feels too heavy to carry alone, so they come by to …Read more
Sermon October 11, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
As you well know we had a fundraising campaign here at the church to help offset the cost of the roof replacement. We achieved our goal, which is incredible to me and is a testament to the commitment you all have to ensuring that Westworth continues to be a place of worship and service. For …Read more
Sermon October 4, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
How many of you, after hearing the passage from Exodus this morning, have the image of a bearded Charlton Heston posing with two big stone tablets that have the ten commandments neatly engraved on them? Yup, me too. The Ten commandments are firmly lodged in our culture as a society thanks to art, film, and …Read more
Sermon September 20, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
Last week we started a lectionary sojourn which will take us through the Book of Exodus. As we gathered on the lawn by the pollinator garden, we heard the story of the Israelites escaping the Egyptians via the parting of the Reed Sea thanks to Moses and his trusty staff. Today, we rejoin the Israelite …Read more
Sermon July 19, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
So often we think we know the essence of a character or how we are supposed to understand their interactions with Jesus. Our appreciation of a story tends not to be shaped by the narrative itself but rather by the way the story is interpreted for us through preachers and commentators. When a character is …Read more
Sermon July 12, 2026
They say I looked back out of curiosity. But I could have had other reasons. I looked back mourning my silver bowl. Carelessly, while tying my sandal strap. So I wouldn’t have to keep staring at the righteous nape Of my husband Lot’s neck. From the sudden conviction that if I dropped dead He wouldn’t …Read more
Sermon July 5, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
Every story needs a villain, right? We need someone to boo, to blame when things go sideways. There needs to be a clear delineation between good and evil so that we know that good will win at the end, because all stories have a happy ending, right? It’s the tension between the hero and the …Read more
Sermon June 28, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
Our scripture reading this morning comes from a chapter in Matthew that is all about the disciples and their mission in the world. The chapter kicks off with Jesus giving the twelve disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits, to cure the sick and to heal the injured all the while preaching the gospel to …Read more
Sermon June 21, 2026 by Tricia Gerhard
There are some questions that seem simple and straight forward… until we actually really take the time to sit with them and think about them. “What does God require of us?” A simple question, right? It should have a simple answer. Or at least one could hope that there would be a simple answer. Maybe …Read more
