Sermons from First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto, CA

The following sermon is from the 10 a.m. service on Sunday February 15th. Pastor Tom reflects on the story of the healing of the royal official’s son from John 4. He reflects on the differences between cure and healing. We also hear from church member Deborahlise Mota who leads a guided meditation as an introduction to the healing rituals that were offered following the message. 

In this sermon preached on February 8th, 2026 Pastor Tom reflects on the story of the Samaritan Woman from John 4:1-42. He invites us to hear in the woman’s voice, the voices of all those who are abused by the powerful. Will we be the disciples who can’t believe the woman is talking? Or will we be the townspeople who believe her first and then go see for themselves? The message is clear. Our salvation requires us to go through Samaria and listen to the voices of the marginalized and abused. 

In this sermon from Sunday, February 1, Pastor Tom reflects on John 3:22–36, focusing on two key themes. First, he explores the importance of moving away from exclusively male language for God—such as “Father” and even “the Son”—and considers gender-neutral alternatives. Second, he examines the meaning of eternal life, emphasizing it as a way of living now rather than something that begins after death. Along the way, he also reflects on how the idea of “judgment” fits into this understanding.

In this sermon Pastor Tom shares his experience of seeing the film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and asks us to consider why we watch such heart-breaking stories. He makes the connection to the John 3 texts by discussing how “lifting up the serpent in the wilderness” is a story about having the courage to look at what is killing us. Yet, the crucifixion of Jesus also lifts up the innocent victim. Pastor Tom closes with his testimony about what he sees in the video of the killing of Alex Pretti and testimony about the kind of person he was. How are we called to witness the evils of this society and testify on behalf of the victims? 

In this sermon on John’s version of the Cleansing of the Temple, Pastor Tom suggests there are two levels of meaning. In one John is inviting us to move from a transaction faith to a passionate faith. On another level John is inviting us to move from faith in institutions to faith in community. 

In this sermon on the Wedding of Cana (John 2) Pastor Tom explores what it really means to turn water into wine. It is not about physically controlling nature. It is about the abundance that comes from sharing. When we share what we have and welcome all people to a common table experience abundance. This abundance exposes the lie of scarcity told to use by the wealthy and powerful. 

Rev. Jane Esterline (John 11:1-6, 17-37)

Rev. Jane Esterline (1 Samuel 16:1-3, 6-13)

Rev. Jane Esterline (John 4:7-26)

Rev. Jane Esterline (John 3:1-17)