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  • Deborah Westbrook

    Contributing sermons since Aug 13, 2008
Deborah's church

Oakville United Methodist
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania 17257
717-776-3862

About Deborah
  • Education: Wesley Theological Seminary
  • Experience: 5+ years as Pastor Curriculum Writer for Cokesbury; Middle Elementary SS
  • Comment to those looking at my sermons: I try to always draw analogies to everyday life as my congregation is living it. I try to bring the words of Scripture alive and relevant by coming up with modern day "parables" that illustrate, entertain, and tell the story. I often say, "If Jesus were here today, he might have used this example..."
  • Best advice given to me about preaching: Preach it from the heart, and keep it simple. Use everyday examples everyone can identify with. Only use humor if it’s your gift.
  • Something funny that happened while preaching: A 3 year old got "loose" from mom, ran up the center isle, stood in front of the pulpit and asked, "When are you going to be done?"
  • What I want on my tombstone: She really cared about the flock.
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Newest Sermons

  • When The Walls Come Tumblin' Down

    Contributed on Mar 13, 2009
    based on 11 ratings
     | 10,366 views

    Jesus anger wasn’t about selling things; it was about the evil vendors preying upon the innocent. When barriers go up relationship is broken.

    John 2:13-22 When the Tables Come Tumbling Down I would hazard a guess that when most of us think of Jesus, we picture the soft spoken, peace loving, gentle as a lamb, Savior. Always smiling, always patient, always kind. There is no doubt that Christ had a side of Him ...read more

  • You May Already Be A Winner

    Contributed on Aug 19, 2008
    based on 10 ratings
     | 6,553 views

    Realizing you are God’s child comes with reassurance and responsibility.

    John 15:16-17 “You May Already Be a Winner” Jan 20, 2008 There is a historical account of the preparations for one of Napoleon’s famous battles. As Napoleon was talking to a group of his high ranking officers, his horse, standing nearby, spooked and bolted. A quick thinking private, ...read more

  • Here's Mud In Your Eye

    Contributed on Aug 13, 2008
    based on 5 ratings
     | 7,055 views

    Spiritual blindness comes in many forms, and often we don’t recognize it’s symptoms in us.

    3/2/08 John 9:1-7 Here’s Mud in Your Eye (Ephes. 5:8-14) A man born blind is made to see again by the simple touch of Jesus. This thought and Scriptural story has been made into countless sermons, devotionals, and hymns. “For once he was blind, but now he sees” and immediately we all think ...read more

  • If You Want To Walk On Water, You Gotta Get Out Of The Boat

    Contributed on Aug 13, 2008
    based on 8 ratings
     | 22,934 views

    God loves those sitting in the pews, but you’re denying yourself a more personal and profound relationship with Christ if you don’t get up and DO something. Take that leap of faith and grow closer to God than ever before.

    Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus Walks on Water Our Scripture this morning begins where last week’s ended. Jesus has fed the people, the disciples have gathered the leftovers, and now, Jesus makes it a solid point to dismiss the people who had gathered, and to also dismiss the disciples back across ...read more

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Newest Sermon Illustrations

  • There Is A Historical Account Of The Preparations ...

    Contributed on Aug 19, 2008
     | 3,149 views

    There is a historical account of the preparations for one of Napoleon’s famous battles. As Napoleon was talking to a group of his high ranking officers, his horse, standing nearby, spooked and bolted. A quick thinking private, observing the scene, pursued the runaway on his own horse, and was ...read more

  • Several Years Ago, As I Was Just Beginning My ...

    Contributed on Aug 13, 2008
     | 1,294 views

    Several years ago, as I was just beginning my serious study for ministry, I became friends with a woman about my own age, and in similar circumstances. She was a single mother of two middle school age boys. She wanted the best she could provide for her children…as we all do. Through several ...read more

  • It Is Like The Brand New, High Tech Fire Helmets ...

    Contributed on Aug 13, 2008
     | 2,407 views

    It is like the brand new, high tech fire helmets sent to a big city fire department to try recently. They were shiny, reflected light, had adjustable sizes, even a built in radio receiver. There was only one problem. When they were exposed to high heat they melted. But our lives are like that. ...read more

  • Tom White's Story

    Contributed on Aug 13, 2008
     | 2,156 views

    TOM WHITE'S STORY Sometimes there are great revelations that come out of our storms. Let me tell you about a man named Tom White. In the 1970’s when America was full of protest marches and flower power, stories began coming out of Castro’s Cuba of terrible torture and imprisonment of ...read more