What is the story of the events in the Garden of Eden really about? Is Eve as bad as many of us have been taught? Is the story about original sin? Or could it be a wisdom tale?In this participatory sermon from July 26, 2026, Rev. Diana Gibson, Pastor Emerita, invites us to examine Genesis…

In this sermon, Rev. Harris reflects on the sixth requirement: Do not kill. This is one of the requirements Jesus quotes directly. But, Jesus calls us to look within and examine not just our behavior but our feelings, thoughts, and motivations. Angry feelings can lead to angry words that can lead to angry actions. Violence…

Welcome to Sermons from First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto. Each week we share a recording of the Sunday sermon, offering theologically progressive, social justice–oriented reflections grounded in Scripture and what’s happening in our lives and in the world. Most weeks the sermon is preached by our pastor, the Rev. Tom Harris, and from time to…

In this sermon from July 5th, 2026, Rev. Harris explains how the Book of Exodus and the  Book of Deuteronomy give different reasons for observing the Sabbath. Exodus says we should observe the Sabbath because God rested on the seventh day of creation. Deuteronomy says we should observe the sabbath so that others don’t have…