Please visit our Preaching and Teaching at Western blog to read and comment on our most recent sermons. Below you will find an archive of our older sermons. The people of Western relish biblically-based sermons that address the economic, social, and political environment in which we seek to be faithful disciples. We do not expect to agree with every sermon. We do hope to be challenged by every sermon.
“The Knowledge of Good and Evil”
a sermon by Carol Howard Merritt
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
October 25, 2008
Text: Genesis 2:4-17
When I was a teenager, an interesting thing happened. All of a sudden, my father…
Facing Reality
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
October 19, 2008
Text: Matthew 22:15-22
When this particular Gospel passage appears in the lectionary, I usually preach on the separation…
Grumbling to Gratitude
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
October 12, 2008
Text: Exodus 32:1-14
As some of you know, I have a cousin who is currently in the ministry, my dad and one of his…
Christians in a Post-American World
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
October 5, 2008
World Communion Sunday
Text: Matthew 21:33-46
The tallest building in the world is being built not…
“Who’s Got the Power?”
A Sermon by Carol Howard Merritt, Pastor
Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
September 28, 2008
Text: Philippians 2:1-13
My grandmother died a couple of years ago, but when she was alive, she used to be…
The Spiritual Life of Jesus
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
September 21, 2008
Text: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
As some of you know, I read a lot of biography. In part, I am fascinated by…
Drill, Baby, Drill
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
September 14, 2008
Text: Genesis 6:5-8,18-22
Comedian Jay Leno and others have been having a field day running clips of delegates to…
“A Fettered Soul”
A Sermon by Carol Howard Merritt
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
September 7, 2008
Text: Matthew 18:15-20
It was early in the morning, about five a.m., and the phone rang. I was in a daze, stumbling…
The Nobility of Work
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
August 31, 2008
Text: Romans 12:9-21
At this year’s General Assembly two overtures were passed that, if affirmed by a majority of…
Our Bodies, Our Selves
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
August 24, 2008
Text: Romans 12:1-2
In the church, we talk about stewardship of our personal finances, stewardship of the…
Words Matter
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
August 17, 2008
Text: Matthew 15:10-20
As I reflect back on my life, I have decided that my mouth has gotten me in the most trouble. …
Martyrs
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
August 10, 2008
Text: II Corinthians 11:21b-31
There are approximately one billion Muslims in the world. Within the enormous and multi-cultural…
They Won’t Go Away
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
August 3, 2008
Text: Matthew 14:13-21
Our lectionary Gospel lesson starts with the words, “Now when Jesus heard this.” …
Tough Times
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
July 27, 2008
Text: Romans 8:26-39
Before I left for my vacation, I created today’s bulletin and sermon topic. Since the nation was…
Wrestling
A sermon by Carol Howard Merritt
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
July 20, 2008
Text: Genesis 28:10-19a
Ralph was a very successful businessman in Florida, a CFO of a large company, and when I met him, he was…
Family functions and Dysfunctions
A sermon by Carol Howard Merritt, Pastor
Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
July 13, 2008
Text: Genesis 25:19-34
I had just been a pastor for a couple of weeks. My husband and I were both serving…
“Wisdom and Her Deeds”
A sermon by Carol Howard Merritt, Pastor
Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, DC
Text: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
I’m not sure why friendship seems to grow stronger and sweeter as I get older. Perhaps it is just…
“Transforming Freedom”
a sermon by Carol Howard Merritt, Pastor
Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
June 29, 2008
Text: Romans 6:12-23
While serving a small church in Cajun Louisiana, we begin to notice that the population…
“Losing Self, Gaining Life”
a sermon by Carol Howard Merritt
Pastor of Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
June 22, 2008
Text: Matthew 10:24-39
As many of you know, I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian home, and when I felt…
Losing
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
June 15, 2008
Text: Romans 5:1-8
When I watch a sporting event and my team wins, predictably, my first reaction is elation. However, when I see…
The Courage to Reach out
A sermon by Carol Howard Merritt, Pastor
Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
June 8, 2008
Text: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
We recognized our Sunday school teachers this morning. You do an amazing and important…
Faith and Works
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
June 1, 2008
Text: Matthew 7:21-29, Roman 3:22b-28
A couple of weeks ago coming back from a wedding at Mt. Vernon, I was driving through…
Life and Death
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
May 25, 2008
Text: Matthew 6:24-34
When I was in seminary, I had a shocking realization. At age 25, I had never been to a funeral. Now…
In the Beginning
a sermon by John W. Wimberly, Jr.
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
May 18, 2008
Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
This week a college friend now living in Los Angeles sent me an article about Rev. Jose Gabriel…
“By Water and by Spirit”
a sermon by Carol Howard Merritt
Pastor, Western Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
May 11, 2008
Text: Acts 2
Connor grew up in a home full of discord. His parents were always fighting with each other. It was…