SUNDAY SERMONS

AUDIO

"The Devil Made Me Do It" | Rev. Emily Wright

Can the devil control a person? If so, can we blame this enemy of God for our wrongdoings? This Sunday, we examine what the Bible truly says about the root cause of our sin. James 1:12-16

"Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin"
Rev. Emily Wright

The Bible says a lot about sin, but even more about love. What is sin, and how are we to deal with it in love? This Sunday, we will see how Jesus dealt with sinners in his life. Luke 18:10-14

"God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
Rev. Stacy Ikard

Everything Happens for a Reason
Dr. Al Krummenacher

Sometimes life throws a curveball, and we're left wondering, "Does everything happen for a reason?" 🤔 This week, pastor Al dives into this question that many think is in the Bible, exploring how the answer isn't a simple yes or no, but more of a "both/and." As with a river, we learn that while we have the freedom to swim right, left, or even upstream, the river of history is always flowing towards God's ultimate destination. What a beautiful reminder that no matter our struggles, God's love and mercy will always prevail!

God Never Gives You More Than You Can Handle | PASTOR Stacy Ikard

What's in a Word: Beauty | Stephen Finkel

If you could ask God for just one thing during a moment of weakness or difficulty, what would it be? In our passage this week, David finds himself in such a situation and asks to behold God's "noam" (beauty). Join us this Sunday as we explore this Hebrew word for beauty and examine why David would choose to ask for this above all else in his moment of need. (Scripture: Psalm 27:4-6)

What's In A Word:
Deep | Dr. Al Krummenacher

Jesus calls us to move into the unknown and to go where we have not been. Listen as Pastor Al challenges us as individuals and as a church to follow Christ into the deep waters of faith.
(Scripture: Luke 5:1-11)

What's In A Word: Servant | Stacy Ikard

What does it mean to be great? What does it mean to live a great life? Join us this morning and reflect with us on Jesus' definition of greatness. Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

What's In A Word: Church/Community
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel

What does it mean in the New Testament when writers refer to the “ekklesia,” what we translate as “the church”? And what does it mean to be the church beyond the first century? Learning from how this word is used in Scripture will equip us to be the church more fully in our lives today.
Scripture: Colossians 1:1-20

What's In A Word: To Quit | Stacy Ikard

What happens to us when we are depleted, spiritually and emotionally. 
What keeps us from quitting? 
Hear how The Apostle Paul answers that question.

What's In A Word:
Steadfast Love | Rev Chris Knepp

God's proclamation of his name and declaration of his character to Moses are foundational for God's people then and remain so for God's people now. If someone asks you "What is God like?", you cannot go wrong with Exodus 34:6-7 as your answer. Central to God's self-description is the Hebrew word hesed, which appears almost 250 times in the OT. No single English word captures the full meaning of hesed, but "steadfast love" is the way it is rendered in our passage. Such a love never ceases, and finds its deepest expression in the cross of Jesus Christ.

What's in a Word: Still Small Voice Carolyn Helsel

1 Kings 19 tells the story of the prophet Elijah as he faces burnout and asks God to let him die, but God revives him and meets him on a mountaintop. God doesn’t appear in an earthquake or fire or whirlwind, but instead in “the sound of sheer silence” or “a still small voice.” Unpacking these words in Hebrew calls our attention to the miracle of God’s communication with us, and how hard it can be to hear God’s voice. How do we hear God speaking to us today?

What's In A Word: Power | Stacy Ikard

There are many kinds of power - but here we will explore power that can only come to us from God - power that accomplishes more than we can think or imagine! Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

What's in a Word:
All Things | Stephen Finkel

What’s in a Word? Our passage today contains a word that is only found once in all of scripture, “anakephalaiossathai.” Join us as we discover what God has done and continues to do, as we look at how this word invites us to deepen our faith and bring new perspective to the sufferings and joy in our day-to-day lives. [Scripture - Ephesians 1:7-10]

What's In A Word:
Paraclete | Kevin Ireland

This week in our Summer Sermon Series: “What’s In A Word”, we’re exploring the word “Paraclete” - the Spirit who comes alongside us with comfort and courage. Come ready to be inspired, renewed, and reminded that we never walk alone. Scripture: John 14:25-27

What's In A Word: Peace | Emily Wright

Peace: No words necessary. But what does it mean? No fighting? No war? No yelling? What does this that passes all understanding mean for Christ followers today? Join Pastor Emily to discover what's in the word. Scriptures: John 14:25-27; Numbers 6:22-26

What's In A Word: Evangelize
Dr Carolyn Helsel

What does it mean to preach the Good News? Considering the Greek word for “Evangelize” helps us understand the context for first-century discipleship and proclamation, while also inviting us to consider how each of us are invited into this work. Dr. Carolyn Helcel leads us in this exploration of Acts 16:9-15.

Never Alone: When They Die; Even Death Cannot Separate You | Emily Wright

In the final sermon of our Never Alone series, we will boldly proclaim together that even death itself cannot separate us from God - even after life, we are Never Alone.

Never Alone
A God We Can Trust | Emily Wright

Never Alone: The Community Will Guide You | Emily Wright

Breaking Bread, Building Hope
Kevin Ireland

Pastor Kevin reflects on the story of the road to Emmaus, where two weary disciples welcome a stranger and discover the risen Christ in their midst. Even in disappointment, hope is found through shared journeys and radical hospitality.

Sermon (Easter) - Look Up | Emily Wright

PALM SUNDAY STORY | Emily Wright

18 Hours: The END IS JUST THE BEGINNING | Emily Wright

18 Hours: SIMON OF CYRENE | Emily Wright

18 Hours: The One in Charge | Emily Wright

18 Hours: Blades & Betrayal | Kevin Ireland

Have you ever felt the sting of betrayal from someone you trusted? Judas wasn’t just a traitor- he was a friend. On this second Sunday of Lent, we step into the moment of his betrayal in the garden. As we follow Jesus’ final 18 hours, we’ll wrestle with the weight of Judas’ actions, their consequences, and the lessons they hold for us today.

18 Hours: We Are Weak, But He is Strong
Emily Wright

In the last 18 hours of Jesus’ life, every action, conversation and move he makes provides deep insight for Christians today. The last 18 hours of Jesus’ life reveals insight into highly relevant concepts for us today like power, conflict, friendship and violence. This Lent we will sit in these last hours of Jesus, learning from Him, as we journey towards the cross.

Inside Out Faith:
Anxiety & Sabbath | Emily Wright

Anxiety is the emotion that seems to be most popular to name, claim and blame these days. As humankind becomes busier, and as we have content overload, anxiety as a mental health diagnosis continues to increase at alarming rates. This week, we turn to Jesus to come alongside each of us with words of comfort and commands to rest.

Inside Out Faith:
Peaceful Anger | Emily Wright

Do we have a right to be angry? In other words, is it a God-given emotion that can be meant for good? This week we peer in on Jesus when he is very angry. This story gives us concrete tools for ways to peacefully deal with our own anger.

Inside Out: Fear With Faith | Emily Wright

Spiders, snakes, being stared at… what are you afraid of? Fear can be a gift from our biology that keeps us alive. Fear can become unhealthy when it paralyzes or prevents us from living a healthy and whole life. God reminds God’s people over and over throughout the Bible that the means of tempering fear is through trusting that God is with us, always. Join us as we continue to explore how scripture speaks to our mental health and wholeness.

Inside Out Faith: Envy With Contentment Emily Wright

To be human is to be a consumer, there simply are things we need to survive. The line that goes from being a consumer who seeks to get basic needs met to being a consumer who can never get enough, is blurry. Our story today sheds light on the importance of considering how contentment could bring wholeness to our lives and help us temper envy.

Inside Out Faith: The Gift of Sadness
Stephen Finkel

We will go Inside Out of Faith together as we continue focusing on how scripture speaks to our mental health and wellness this year. We will examine common emotions that, while not inherently bad, can lead to us feeling unwell. Our faith in Christ makes us well, not physically but in a deeper sense—living life fully and abundantly with faith, hope, contentment, peace, trust, and joy.

Shame with Faith | Emily Wright

In this sermon we will go Inside Out of Faith together as we continue focusing on how scripture speaks to our mental health and wellness this year. We will examine common emotions that, while not inherently bad, can lead to us feeling unwell. Our faith in Christ makes us well, not physically but in a deeper sense—living life fully and abundantly with faith, hope, contentment, peace, trust, and joy.

The Power of a Letter | Stacy Ikard

Today we will look at powerful letters written by Dr. King and a letter from the Apostle Paul. Such letters inspire and transform. These letters from decades ago and centuries ago they speak of our call to be "love" in the world.

The Road Isn't Straight | Kevin Ireland

Join us for Epiphany Sunday, as we celebrate the revealing of Christ to the world. Pastor Kevin will share the story of the magi from the East who come to worship the Christ-child and explain how sometimes God calls us to take the long way home.

What Now? | Stacy Ikard

As we prepare for a new year, what wisdom does scripture have for us? Perhaps the story of an old man meeting Jesus can inspire each of us to begin the new year as people of hope.

Words For The Beginning: Hope Is Worth the Risk | Emily Wright

A young woman gets pregnant before her wedding day. The father of the child wants to send her away. An angel appears out of nowhere and tells the father that although the story seems to be heading in a difficult direction, he should marry her. It reads like a daytime soap opera, yet it is in Matthew’s Gospel. The father, Joseph, must choose - does he risk his entire reputation just on someone else’s hope? On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we will all come close to this story and ask ourselves, is hope worth the risk?

Words For The Beginning:
Rejoice In God | Emily Wright

What does joy look like? Is it a baby that smiles at their parent. Or maybe the face of a football fan when their team wins a big game. Or does joy look like a couple who shares a dance after 40 years of marriage? When Mary really “gets” that she is going to give birth to the Savior of the World, she literally leaps with joy. Come and join us this Sunday if you want to experience this joy of the Lord.

Words For The Beginning: We Can’t Go Alone | Stacy Ikard

Advent reminds us that we are created for community; created for life together and life with God. Learn from the story of Ruth and Mary the true meaning of Emmanuel.

Words From the Beginning:
You Are a Blessing | Emily Wright

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. This year our Advent sermons and worship will emphasize the words we need to hear again and again as we begin new seasons. Join us to be reminded of the truths that always carry us into God’s future. May these words of belovedness and hope help us to begin again in the love of God.

Rooted and Reaching: Care and Compassion
Stephen Finkel

Scripture tells and shows us time and time again that God’s compassion for humanity is central to God’s heart. But how does God’s compassion look? How does it stand apart from kindness and other fruits of the Spirit? In Stephen's sermon we explore this topic through the story of Jeremiah.

Rooted And Reaching | Emily Wright

Five years ago, Pastor Emily attended a gala in Austin, where a stranger recognized WHPC as "mission-focused," sparking both pride and reflection. Rooted in service, worship, education, and love, WHPC has a legacy of outreach, from supporting refugee families to providing a safe haven for those in need. Drawing from the parable of the mustard seed, the church is called to continue reaching out, offering rest and new life to a divided world. As WHPC celebrates 150 years, its community is encouraged to remain “Rooted and Reaching” in Christ, sustaining its mission to serve and transform lives.

Stay at the Table: At the Table of Goodness and Mercy (All Saints) | Stacy Ikard

Join us for meaningful remembrance worship as we celebrate our loved ones and church members who have died and now live eternally with Christ.

Stay at the Table: At the Table with the Pharisees
Emily Wright

This week, our text tells the story from Luke of Jesus as a guest in an unnamed Pharisee’s home. Despite the stir Jesus created, he still got invited over for dinner! What Jesus received was anything but a welcome. Who are we in this story? Come and put yourself at the table.

Stay at the Table: At the Table with the Syrophoenician Woman | Emily Wright

If you could choose one person to NOT be at your table for dinner, who would it be? Our story this week is one where Jesus finds himself with an unlikely dinner guest. Jesus’ first response reveals his full humanity as he speaks an insult to this person. But Jesus’ second response reveals his full divinity as he offers grace and healing without measure. Let’s dive in together.

Stay At the Table: At the Table With Sinners
Emily Wright

Have you been cheering for your football team this fall? Are there certain fans you just cannot stand? Americans are passionate about football and sometimes this causes divisions, arguments, and boos from the crowds on and off the fields. These battles are a small indicator of our greater cultural tension around difference. In this sermon we all are challenged to "Stay at the Table" to lean in to our differences and find how we can be one in Christ.

World Communion Sunday
Bound By Bread: One in Christ | Kevin Ireland

At our Lord’s table we are united in Christ and with each other. This Sunday we kick-off a timely sermon series, “Stay at the Table.” Join with Christian siblings around the world as we celebrate our oneness on World Communion Sunday.

Wrestling With God: Jacob | Emily Wright

Wrestling With God: Jonah | Emily Wright

Jonah is famous for the story about a person who gets swallowed by a whale. But there is so much more to this tiny little four-chapter book. Jonah wrestles with God from start to finish. In this sermon we are going to peek in to the final chapter and see where this wrestling match leaves Jonah and also, where it often leaves us.

Wrestling With God: Paul | Emily Wright

"I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind." This is the Apostle Paul speaking about his wrestling between living for the flesh or living for the spirit. These are the hidden wrestling matches within our minds and hearts. Join us as we wrestle together and discover what sets us free from this battle.

Wrestling With God: Job | Emily Wright

The story of Job painstakingly models for us what wrestling with God is like. It also provides a heartbreaking example of how our great God is approachable, no matter our questioning, anger, confusion and doubts. Join us just as you are, bringing all that you wrestle with, before a loving and present God.

Sinners' Dinner: Levi's Party For Jesus
Kevin Ireland & Stacy Ikard

Faith Builders: The Building Block of Belonging
Emily Wright

Pastor Emily's sermon "The Building Block of Belonging" emphasizes the importance of belonging within the church community, noting that while not everyone may feel they belong, Jesus prayed for unity among believers. She highlights that each person is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit to contribute to the church through gifts, services, and activities, which are essential for fostering a sense of belonging. Pastor Emily encourages the congregation to reflect on their role within the church and to help others discover their place in the body of Christ.

Faith Builders: The Building Block of SERVICE
Emily Wright

“I am called to work in God’s kingdom, and I am equipped to do that work.” Following Jesus means serving. In this sermon, we get to peek into a conversation between a mom, her two sons, and her desire to make them the greatest children ever. No surprise, Jesus shares with her a unique way for them to be the greatest.

Faith Builders: The Building Block of KNOWING
STACY IKARD

Faith is built through lifelong learning. There is always more to learn about God, scripture and our place in God’s story. In Stacy's sermon we will watch Phillip in the book of Acts guide an Ethiopian man to knowledge of salvation in Christ.

Faith Builders: The Building Block of Hope
Emily Wright

We often give lip service to the phrase “God is always with you.” There are many times when it does not feel like God is close. If God was close, wouldn’t it feel/look/seem not as hopeless? Today we come alongside two disciples, one named Cleopas, as they walk with sad hearts soon after the crucifixion. For them, hope had died. Discover how this was the farthest thing from the truth for them, and how we have hope as a promise from Jesus.

Voices From the Wilderness: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Emily Wright

Grace is easy to preach about. Unless we add certain adjectives to the front. “Cheap” grace is when we take the price at which grace came for granted. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a 20th-century theologian who understood the cost of grace. In this sermon, Pastor Emily leads us as we explore the cost of discipleship for us today.

Voices From the Wilderness: When Did We See You? Rachel Finken

APTS intern Rachel Finken uses the teachings of Gustavo Gutierrez, Peruvian priest and theologian, to study Jesus’s story of the goats and the sheep and how it challenges us to a new vision of Christ’s love at work in the world.

Voices From the Wilderness: God’s People Everywhere Stephen Finkel

William Seymour had a way of going about “Church" that was completely unique in his time. In the early 1900s, the very segregated church kept to themselves. Through his understanding of the Holy Spirit, William created a church movement that still lives on to this day. What was his understanding? That the church dwells in the people of Christ and not in buildings. In Pastor Stephen's sermon we dive into the idea of an embodied church, living faithfully as God’s church in our day-to-day lives.

Voices From the Wilderness: Desert Mothers and Fathers | Emily Wright

Whether fleeing persecution or prosecution, thousands of people fled to the deserts of Egypt in the 3th through 5th centuries to seek something bigger, maybe smaller, maybe safer, or maybe riskier. People heard of the “word from God” that the monks were sharing with those who came, and so they went, desperate for guidance, respite, and wisdom. It was the ancient desert mothers and fathers they went to hear from. In Pastor Emily's sermon we hear from them as well.

Voices From the Wilderness: Going Home -
Gregory of Nyssa | Kevin Ireland

Pastor Kevin delves into the profound teachings of Gregory of Nyssa on eternal life. Discover how the ancient wisdom of our revered Church Fathers (and Mothers) can illuminate our modern spiritual journey as we explore Gregory and his sister Macrina’s insights on the soul’s endless pursuit of divine love and the transformative power of faith.

Voices From the Wilderness: Sojourner Truth

In this sermon we will listen for the voice of an illiterate itinerant preacher named Sojourner Truth. Truth was born in 1797, married and birthed 5 children all while a slave. We will learn of her amazing and courageous life and how she was able to put on the clothes of Christ speaking truth in love.

Voices From the Wilderness: On the Threshold of Everything (St. Francis)

Threshold moments are holy moments when God calls us to decide – when we are summoned toward sacrifice and compassion.  God is always calling us into the great adventure of deeper faith

Voices From the Wilderness: Rodger Nishioka

Young people are a vital part of our church family, but are their voices being heard? This week, we explore how to create a space where children and young adults feel welcome to participate in worship. Jesus himself said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them." Emily Wright highlights Rodger Nishioka in this week's installment of Voices of the Wilderness.

Voices From the Wilderness: Evelyn Underhill
PASTOR EMILY WRIGHT

This summer, we're exploring inspiring voices who found faith in challenging times. Our first spotlight is Evelyn Underhill, a scholar who urged Christians to integrate faith into everyday life. Just like the Athenians who worshipped "unknown gods," we often separate our spiritual and practical lives. But the truth is, God is already present in everything we do. So let's embrace faith in all aspects of our lives!

The Story of Amazing Grace | Emily Wright

It is the most well-known and beloved hymn of all time, Amazing Grace, written in 1777 by John Newton. The story behind the song is truly one of amazing grace being found. Let us worship our God of Amazing Grace.

Speed Bumps: Don't Worry | Stephen Finkel

Change is an inevitable part of the Christian life, and as a resurrected people, we are continually being transformed in and through Christ. Stephen encourages us to rejoice in the Lord, pray with humility, and trust in God's unchanging nature, even in the midst of uncertainty and transition. For the graduating students, Stephen reminds them that the gifts and relationships God has given them are meant to be used to bring healing, hope, and peace to the world. The church community is rooting for them, praying for them, and sending them with the peace of Christ, which they claim and know through their weekly worship of God.

The Speed Bump to Embrace | Stacy Ikard

Don't fear getting older! Growing older is a gift from God! Challenges like loss build character and compassion. You gain wisdom and time to grow closer to God. Embrace your age and share the love of Christ with the world. Stacy preaches "The Speed Bump To Embrace".