First Church Williamsport

Dr. Gombis earned his Ph. D. in Biblical Studies from the University of St. Andrews; his work focuses analyzing Paul’s letters in the New Testament. He also contributes to his blog, “Faith Improvised,” and hosts a podcast show by the same name. Currently, he serves as a professor of New Testament at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and an affiliate professor of New Testament at Fuller Seminary. ...

In the ten commandments, we find ten words of life that remind us God is a grace-filled God who moves towards us before we move towards God. This reminder serves as a catalyst towards a life of re-creation and flourishing. Exodus 20:1-17 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake October 25, 2026

Dr. Marzouk was ordained as a pastor in 2002 by the Delta Presbytery of the Synod of the Nile (the governing body of the Presbyterian Church in Egypt), and in May 2021 he joined the Wabash Valley Presbytery of PC(USA). As a Christian Egyptian and migrant to the U.S., he interprets the Bible in ways that are interreligiously and interculturally sensitive seeking God’s shalom and justice for the vul...

God has not simply delivered us from the wilderness; God is still at work forming us into something greater. Exodus 15:22-27; 16:2-5, 13-18; 17:1-13 Mitch Marcello October 18, 2026

Dr. Middleton is an accomplished scholar and the author of Abraham’s Silence: The Binding of Isaac, the Suffering of Job, and How to Talk Back to God (Baker Academic, 2021); A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology (Baker Academic, 2014); and The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1 (Brazos, 2005).  CONNET WITH DR. MIDDLETON + His bio | https://www.globalscholarscanada...

When we learn to be still and realize the Lord will fight for us, we are empowered to stand firm and not be afraid, no matter what circumstances we are facing. Exodus 14:5-14 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake October 11, 2026

Dr. Burt has thoughtfully engaged a great deal with the theme of “Wilderness,” which is central to the story of Exodus. She has published an insightful book titled God in the Desert: A Spiritual Theology of Wilderness in the Old Testament . CONNECT WITH DR. FORLINI BURT + Her bio   + Buy her book, “ God in the Desert ”  + Follow her on her Substack , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn   ⁠GO DEEPE...

God reveals God’s power in a way that invites all people to come to know God. Exodus 8:1-15 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake October 4, 2026 (World Communion Sunday)

Dr. Imes has made Exodus the focus of her professional career in Biblical Scholarship. Her doctoral work presented an impactful thesis on the 3rd commandment, which led to the publication of "Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters." Among several other publications, she is now developing a robust commentary on the book of Exodus set to publish in 2027. CONNECT WITH DR. IMES + ⁠Her b...

Aligning with God's perspective requires us to be obedient and faithful rather than successful. Exodus 5 - 7 Rev. Dr. Ben Conrad and Mitch Marcello September 27, 2026

Dr. Roberts (PhD, Durham University) works as an adjunct Senior Fellow for the Theopolis Institute. He is a co-author of the book "Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption Through Scripture." He has a free chapter-by-chapter audio commentary on the entire Bible which can be found here . CONNECT WITH DR. ROBERTS + Check out the Mere Fidelity and Theopolis podcasts  + Follow him on S...

Moses was called forth to live his life in light of the ultimate reality of God’s holy name, “I AM.” We are called to do the same today. Exodus 3:1-14 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake September 20, 2026

Dr. Lapsley holds the position of President of Union Presbyterian Seminary and also serves on Faculty as Old Testament Professor. Among other publications, Dr. Lapsley has authored Whispering the Word: Hearing Women’s Stories in the Old Testament .  CONNECT WITH DR. LAPSLEY + Her bio + Buy her book, Whispering the Word     GO DEEPER IN EXODUS   + ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Exodus Study Devotional⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   + ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video...

The balcony story of Exodus reminds us that God both knows us and remembers us in our sin slavery, and ultimately delivers us from that slavery. Exodus 1:6-14; 2:23-25 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake September 13, 2026 (Fall Kickoff Sunday)

By remembering that we have citizenship here and in heaven we avoid making earthly politics an idol as we live as peculiar people in God’s Kingdom. Philippians 3:15-21 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake September 6, 2026

True freedom is found when we live for Jesus under the restraints of His teaching and truth, rather than turning from His teaching and truth. John 8:31-36 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake August 30, 2026

When we seek the approval of others, we are caught in a web of insecurity trying to perfect ourselves. Paul urges us to find our confidence by knowing that in Christ we are declared saints. Galatians 1:1-10 Caroline Glazier August 23, 2026

When we experience the love of the Risen Christ who gave His life for us in a real and intentional way, the idol of the self loses its grip on our lives and Jesus becomes our first priority. Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV) and Galatians 2:11-13, 19-21 (MSG) Rev. Dr. Matt Lake August 16, 2026

If we are not careful, we will be formed by the idol of technology that is ever more present in our lives as a first priority, rather than formation in the embodied practices of Christ. Exodus 32:1-8 and Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV) Rev. Dr. Matt Lake August 9, 2026

Overcoming the idol of comfort in our lives is not a matter of trying harder or being driven by shame, but rather by knowing and embracing the surpassing love of Jesus in our lives. Luke 9:23-24 and Philippians 3:7-14 Reverend Dr. Matt Lake August 2, 2026

The idol of control trusts the self rather than God. We can turn away from the idol of control by embracing godly agency. Exodus 20:1-6 Rev. Janet Durrwachter July 26, 2026

Sharing in the deeper version of the Jesus story means we grow in depth from accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior to joining Jesus as Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake July 19, 2026

When the scandalous grace of Jesus impacts us in our soul, it gets exemplified outwardly in our generosity in all ways towards others and with God. Luke 19:1-10 Reverend Dr. Matt Lake July 12, 2026

Daniel models for us what it means to faithfully live in this world without being a part of this world. Daniel 6:10-12, 16-22 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake July 5, 2026

When we refuse to let the world define who we are and trust who God is forming us to be, we will find the courage to step in front of giants, and follow God wherever he is calling us. 1 Samuel 17:38-40 Mitch Marcello June 28, 2026 (VBS Sunday)