PODCAST · religion
Westlake Hills Presbyterian
by WHPC
If you're wanting to check out our church, visit us at whpc.org! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram @westlakehillspresbyterian.
Episodes
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Oct 11 - Dear God: The Growing Edge | Emily Wright
Prayer’s deepest work often happens in hidden, wordless places — the quiet “growing edge” where hope keeps forming even in suffering, and the Spirit prays within us what we cannot say. [Lamentations 3:19–26; Romans 8:24-27]
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Oct. 4 - Dear God: Prayer That Changes What’s Possible | Stephen Finkel
What difference does prayer make when we cannot control the outcome? This Sunday, as we celebrate World Communion, we’ll listen to Abraham’s very honest conversation with God and consider prayer’s role in our relationship with God and with one another. [Genesis 18:22–33]
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Sept. 27 - Dear God: Come As You Are | Emily Wright
Have you ever felt like you needed to get cleaned up before praying to God, like a spiritual hand washing before you eat? Prayer doesn’t require getting it right first — it requires just showing up. Join us in worship as we continue to explore a deeper prayer life with God. [Exodus 3:1–6; Psalm 44]
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Sept. 20 - Dear God: Teach Us To Pray | Emily Wright
Every prayer starts the same way — by addressing God. This six-week series is built on that plain, personal act: prayer as a letter that begins “Dear God,” and keeps going, whatever shape it takes from there. It’s anchored in Luke 11:1, the moment the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to…
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Sept 13 - Compelling Community: Shapes Disciples | Emily Wright
A compelling community forms people through worship, Scripture, prayer, service, and shared life. [Luke 14:15-24, Jeremiah 18:1-6]
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Sept 6 - Compelling Community: Sends People Out | Al Krummenacher
Some things are meant to be shared. Jesus drew people into a compelling fellowship that was so life-changing it just had to be shared. Today, the world is hungry for the compelling fellowship Jesus offers, and it is incumbent upon us to share the good news with our friends and neighbors, near and...
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August 30 - Compelling Community: Encourages Growth | Stacy Ikard
Who would you be without the people who have walked alongside you in faith? One of the most remarkable gifts of Christian community is its power to shape us over time. Through shared joys and struggles, meaningful relationships, and God's grace at work among us, we become more Christ-like than…
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August 23 - Compelling Community: Lives In Harmony | Emily Wright
A compelling community makes room for people across differences, backgrounds, ages, stories, and struggles. Come be inspired, make new connections, and celebrate the beautiful community we share. [Romans 15:4-7]
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August 16 - Compelling Community: Blesses Others | Stephen Finkel
From the beginning of God’s covenant with Abraham, blessing was never intended to be a private possession. God blesses a people so that, through them, all the families of the earth might experience God’s grace. Jesus carries that calling to the table in Luke 14, where the invitation moves…
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August 9 - The Tough Questions Jesus Asked | Emily Wright
Pastor Emily concludes the "Tough Questions Jesus Asked" sermon series. Looking back on a season of challenging questions from Christ, we discover that every hard lesson is an invitation to "turn"—to shift our direction toward humility, grace, and trust rather than striving for status and…
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August 2 - The Tough Questions Jesus Asked: Why Do You Not Notice the Log in Your Own Eye?
Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black! Don’t be such a hypocrite! These phrases are tossed around in our homes, at the TV, and in our friend groups. Jesus spoke plainly and clearly about judging others, and yet, it seems as if we cannot help ourselves from doing it. [Matthew 7:1-6]
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July 26 - The Tough Questions Jesus Asked: Will You Lay Down Your Life For Me? | Emily Wright
In all of the Gospels, Jesus says that a life that follows him demands sacrifice. This week, we look at a conversation in which Jesus asks Peter whether he is willing to lay down his life for Him. We will consider how much we are willing to sacrifice as His followers. [John 13:36-38]
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July 19 - The Tough Questions Jesus Asked: Do You Love Me? | Stephen Finkel
After Peter denies Jesus three times, the risen Christ meets him not with condemnation, but with breakfast, a searching question, and a renewed calling. In this message, we will explore how Jesus’ grace restores us after failure and turns our love for him into faithful action. [John 21:15-17]
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July 12 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: What Do You See? | Stacy Ikard
When Jesus heals a blind man in Mark 8, He asks a question that challenges us then and now: "Do you see anything?" True spiritual sight is a journey. If you’ve ever felt like your faith was a little blurry, or you're trying to figure out what God is doing next, this message will speak to you.…
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July 5 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: What Do You Want Me To Do For You? | Emily Wright
Jesus asks a blind beggar named Bartimaeus: "What do you want me to do for you?" While the answer might seem obvious, humans are often inept at knowing what we really want. By looking closely at Bartimaeus's cry for mercy, we see a man who wasn't just begging for physical sight—he was longing to…
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June 28 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: Why Do You Worry? | Emily Wright
Pastor Emily says "When one of my children tells me not to worry, I respond with, "It is my job to worry". To give up worrying is to surrender. Join us this Sunday as we explore the gift of surrendering our worries to God. [Matthew 6:25-34]
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June 21 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: If You Love Those Who Love You, What Reward Do You Have? | Stacy Ikard
Jesus wasn't kidding when he asked us to love our enemies. How do we go about that? Why would we do that? Today we explore one of the most challenging commands our Savior ever gave us. [Matthew 5:43-48]
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June 14 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: Do You Want to Be Healed? | Emily Wright
It seems a silly question. Who would not want to be healed? What if Jesus was asking the paralyzed man, do you want to be part of the healing I was brought to do? Join us this Sunday as we explore what it means for followers of Christ to live as people who work for the healing of the world. [John...
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June 7 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: Why Are You Afraid? | Emily Wright
Have you ever tried to calm the fears of a child, terrified over something that you know is not a big deal at all? We want the child to realize, we will not let anything happen to you, we are here. This Sunday we look at a time when Jesus asks the disciples, “Why are you afraid?” Why did he ask...
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May 31 - Tough Questions Jesus Asked: What are You Looking For? | Emily Wright
Jesus is walking along in the wilderness after being baptized by his cousin John. People begin to follow him. He turns and asks them, “What are you looking for?” It is a tough question and one we will consider ourselves. What are we looking for in life right now? Join us as we begin our summer...
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May 24- [Pentecost] Abundant Life: in Difficulty | Emily Wright
On Pentecost we conclude our Abundant Life Sermon and Study Series considering how we can have abundant life even in difficult times. [Genesis 21:8-21]
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May 17 - Abundant Life: At Play | Stephen Finkel
May 17 - Abundant Life: At Play | Stephen Finkel by WHPC
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May 10 - Abundant Life: At Home | Emily Wright
May 10 - Abundant Life: At Home | Emily Wright by WHPC
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May 7 - Abundant Life: In Uncertain Times | Emily Wright
During times of transition, there are so many moments of uncertainty, doubt and fear. The Israelites experienced a season of waiting that lasted 40 years. Their story in the book of Exodus has much to teach us about how to have abundant life even in times of transition [Exodus 16: 1-8, 27-30]
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April 26 - Abundant Life: Abundance at Rest | Stacy Ikard
Whether at an office, home, school, or business, all of us work. In fact, we spend most of our time doing “work” more than any other thing in life. So, how can we live abundantly while we work? Join us this week as we look at what scripture says about abundant life at work. [Ecclesiastes 2:4-11]
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April 19 - Abundant Life: Abundance At Work | Emily Wright
Whether at an office, home, school, or business, all of us work. In fact, we spend most of our time doing “work” more than any other thing in life. So, how can we live abundantly while we work? Listen as we look at what scripture says about abundant life at work. [Ecclesiastes 2:4-11]
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April 12 - Abundant Life: Abundant in Community | Stephen Finkel
Following Jesus isn’t something we do alone. In John 21, Jesus shows his disciples—and us—that abundant life is found in the abundant community he creates and sustains. Join us as we celebrate the gift of faith and those who help us live it. [John 21:1-14]
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April 5 (Easter) - A New Lens For Lent: The Lens of Hope | Emily Wright
Have you ever found yourself saying, "But we had hoped..."? 🚶♂️ On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion were processing the ultimate disappointment—their plans for a Messiah didn't match the reality of the cross. We often do the same, basing our hope on our circumstances or our…
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March 25 (Palm Sunday) - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Surrender | Emily Wright
"The Lord needs it." For the owner of the donkey, these words were an invitation to loosen their grip on the very thing they depended on for security. This Palm Sunday, we explore the power of surrender: what we place in Jesus’ hands can carry His presence much further than anything we try to…
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Mar. 22 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Faith | Emily Wright
Our parable this week offers to us a lens of faith. All of the characters in this parable are given responsibility, but not all of them believe that they deserve it or that they are capable of handling that responsibility. Join us as we discover how a lens of faith impacts and enhances daily…
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Mar. 15 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Justice | Stacy Ikard
It’s hard to watch the evening news or talk about our government institutions without the question of justice—real, equitable justice—quickly rising to the surface. Jesus taught us not only to pray for justice but to pursue it, even when it feels distant or difficult to attain. This Sunday, we’ll...
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Mar 8 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Abundance | Emily Wright
When you get home and glance at your kitchen, are you more likely to see the dishes out and dirty, or the ones that are put away? I tend toward the former and struggle with a scarcity lens, seeing what has not been done or what is lacking. In this week's parable, Jesus offers us a new lens, one…
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Mar. 1 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Compassion | Emily Wright
Mar. 1 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Compassion | Emily Wright by WHPC
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Feb. 22 - A New Lens for Lent: The Lens of Humility | Emily Wright
This Lent, we will journey with Jesus as he tells 6 parables on his way to the cross. We begin with Jesus dining at a Pharisee's home. When an unexpected guest arrives and begins to anoint Jesus’ feet, the host judges her behavior as inappropriate. Jesus tells a short parable that reveals a new...
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Feb. 18 - A New Heart (Ash Wednesday) | Pastors Emily, Stephen and Stacy (with meditations)
What burdens are you carrying into Lent? In this Ash Wednesday sermon, Pastors Emily, Stacy and Stephen confess their own struggles with judgment, shame, and fear. By bringing these struggles into the light, they invite us to ask ourselves: What do we need to let go of so that God's new creation...
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Feb. 15 - Gospel Truth: Bear One Another | Emily Wright
We conclude our Gospel on Conflict Sermon Series this week with Galatians 6. In these final verses, Paul offers faith communities insight on how to treat one another when we disagree. [Galatians 6:1-10]
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Feb. 8 - Gospel Truth: Live By The Spirit | Emily Wright
We are reminded about this Gospel Truth - live by the Spirit. We will experience that in a tangible way as we pray for the spirit to be awakened in all of us, but especially upon the shoulders of our new officers. Wear red today as a visible sign of how our Church commits again to live by the...
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Feb. 1 - Gospel Truth: All God’s Children Belong | Stacy Ikard
So much conflict comes from labeling those who are in and out - those who belong and those who do not. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on the Gospel message of belonging for all God's children. Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 15:25-32
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Jan. 25 - Gospel Truth: Clothe Ourselves With Christ | Emily Wright
we continue exploring how to handle conflicts with people who hold views different from ours. The Gospel Truth is that we put on Christ. Galatians 3:23-28 | Colossians 3:12-17
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Jan. 18 - Gospel Truth: Christ Lives in Me | Stephen Finkel
This week’s Gospel Truth from Galatians 2 is this: Christ Lives in Me. Paul uses this image to describe his life that has been transformed by the grace of God. But what does it mean that Christ lives in us? And what does that mean for the conflicts in our lives? Galatians 2: 15-21
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Jan. 11 - Gospel Truth: Serving Christ, Not People | Emily Wright
The letter to the churches in Galatia is filled with tension as the writer, the Apostle Paul, wrestles with the conflict these churches are experiencing. They are divided about what is the “right” way to live the Christian life? This letter reminds us what the Gospel says when we are in conflict,...
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Jan. 4 - Hope Awaits | Emily Wright
Now that the Christmas season has passed, how do we live as people of hope? The sermon "Hope Awaits" looks to Simeon and Anna to find the answer. We are called to follow their model: Look for the Spirit of God at work, Worship as a central priority, and Bless those around us. Luke 2:21-38
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Dec. 28 - Too Little To Matter | Stephen Finkel
Did you know It’s a Wonderful Life was originally a box office flop? Critics missed it because they were looking for the biggest stories—and history often makes the same mistake. While the world was watching the Roman Empire, God was tuned into a small whisper in Bethlehem. Rome had the armies…
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Dec. 21 - Advent Hope: When The Future Is Uncertain | Emily Wright
Ever felt like your future was unraveling? You’re not alone. From George Bailey on the bridge in "It's a Wonderful Life" to Mary and Joseph facing a scandal, even the most faithful struggle when the path ahead is unclear. This week, discover why you don't need to fix everything at once—you just...
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Dec. 14 - Advent Hope: Singing For Joy | Stacy Ikard
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once said that "singing is the language of holy joy." On this Christmas music Sunday, hear what scripture has to say about the gift of holy joy and it's role in providing hope for us in every circumstance. [Zephaniah 3:14-15]
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Dec. 7 - Advent Hope: In the Darkness | Emily Wright
When we go through seasons of darkness, it takes effort to find the light. Because of Jesus, nothing in creation is beyond His light. How can we hold despair and hope at the same time? Join us for this second Sunday of Advent as we continue in our Advent Experiment of Hope, even when it is dark....
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Nov. 30 - Advent Hope: Even In The Silence | Emily Wright
The historical moment of the Advent story, “the days of King Herod,” was a violent and scary period of history. And yet, it is in that moment that God broke in to the world. In this first week of advent, we will read the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, when God broke in to their world in such a...
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Moments of Gratitude | Heart (Nov 28)
Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy. Today we give thanks for the amazing retreat that happens every August for our youth called Celebration. Take a moment for gratitude.
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Moments of Gratitude | Heart (Nov 27)
Philippians 1:6-7a I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart. Today, we give thanks for a little patch of land in the middle of...
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Moments of Gratitude | Heart (Nov 26)
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Today, we give thanks for those in our faith family who teach us and remind us of God’s word through music....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
If you're wanting to check out our church, visit us at whpc.org! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram @westlakehillspresbyterian.
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Westlake Hills Presbyterian currently has 500 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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If you're wanting to check out our church, visit us at whpc.org! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram @westlakehillspresbyterian.
How often does Westlake Hills Presbyterian release new episodes?
Westlake Hills Presbyterian publishes regularly with 500 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Westlake Hills Presbyterian is created and hosted by WHPC.
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