A Post-Election Sermon Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria VA

I fear that over the last decade or so, we have become a nation whose unresolved anger – often growing out of centuries of real and profound grievance – has led us to slap the faces of even the people with whom we share earth and stars and common dreams. While one interpretation of this week’s election is a rejection on the part of the American people of an unbridled expression of anger, whatever anger we have within our body politic will not likely disappear with the results of an election. We cannot just vote our anger away. We must as a people face, acknowledge, understand and address our anger so that we can channel it toward constructive ends; otherwise, it will continue to consume the institutions of our common life – such as churches and schools and businesses and families – which are not immune from the lasting sting of its slap.

Following a tradition that began in 1982, Westminster celebrates Remembrance Sunday on the Sunday closest to Veterans Day. We do so to remember those who have given their lives in service to our nation and to honor those who serve today. We also add our prayers for continued peace throughout our nation and the world. Rev. Larry Hayward preaches on this Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday following the 2020 Presidential Election.