Richland Center Free Methodist Church

There are moments in life when we look back on great sorrow and wonder how we would have responded if we had been there. At the cross, the noise of the crowd, the weight of rejection, and the silence of suffering all press in with one question: where would we stand? In Isaiah 53, we see the suffering servant who was despised, pierced, and crushed, yet willingly carried the sin and grief of others....

As the crowd lined the streets with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna," a group of Greeks approached the disciples and asked: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” This simple request triggers a shift from the public spectacle of the Triumphal Entry to the personal necessity of beholding Christ for who He truly is. While the Pharisees watched in frustration, noting that "the whole world has gone a...

Waiting can feel long when the outcome is uncertain. A farmer plants the seed, works the soil, and then watches the sky, knowing the crop depends on rain that has not yet come. Seasons like that test our patience and reveal what we truly trust. In James 5:7–12, James points to the patience of the farmer and the endurance of the prophets as examples for believers. Instead of grumbling or giving in...

Most of us spend our lives trying to stay in the driver’s seat, carefully planning our "tomorrows" and managing our own outcomes, but this Sunday we explore a different way of living. Picking up in James 4:1-17, we’re looking at what happens when we finally stop fighting for control and start leaning into God’s grace. True submission isn't about losing your identity, but rather about finding your...

We’ve all heard the old advice: “If you can’t say something good about somebody, don’t say anything at all”. This Sunday at Richland Center Free Methodist Church, Pastor Tim explores the heart behind that sentiment in a message titled “Overcoming a Critical Spirit”. Drawing from James 4:1-12, we look at how the root of all sin is ultimately self. When we find ourselves in fights or quarrels, James...

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness." — James 3:9 This Sunday, Pastor Tim Ward explores one of the most practical and challenging passages in the New Testament: James 3:1-12. We’re looking at why such a small part of our body has such a massive impact on our lives and our relationships. Whether you’re looking to fi...

Faith can feel strong in the quiet moments—during prayer, in worship, or while reading Scripture. But when life demands action, when obedience costs something, or when someone needs help right in front of us, belief is tested. Words are easy. Action requires trust.  In James 2:14–26, we are confronted with a faith that moves. James points to Abraham and Rahab as examples of trust expressed through...

Walk into almost any gathering, and it doesn’t take long to notice how quickly we size people up. Who seems important, who feels comfortable, who gets noticed, and who fades into the background. These moments may feel small and even unintentional, but they shape the way communities function and who feels like they belong. In James 2:1–13, James speaks directly to favoritism in the church, calling...

Most of us have heard God’s Word many times. We know the verses, we recognize the language, and we’re familiar with what Scripture says. But hearing alone isn’t the goal. James reminds us that God’s Word is meant to shape how we live, not just what we know. In James 1:19–27, we’re challenged to move beyond listening and into obedience. This sermon follows James’ clear progression: hearing God’s Wo...

Not every struggle comes from pressure outside of us. Sometimes the danger is quieter and closer—desires that take shape in the heart long before they show up in our actions. What begins as a passing thought can slowly gain influence, shaping choices we never planned to make. In James 1:13–18, James shifts the focus from enduring hardship to examining where temptation truly comes from. He makes a...

Few things test our faith like seasons we didn’t choose. Trials have a way of showing up unannounced—through loss, pressure, uncertainty, or waiting longer than we expected. In those moments, joy often feels out of reach, and endurance can feel thin. In James 1:2–12, we’re invited to see trials differently—not as interruptions to faith, but as places where God is actively at work. How is persevera...

Worry has a way of creeping into everyday life. It shows up in unanswered questions, uncertain futures, and the quiet pressure to hold everything together. Even moments meant for joy can feel crowded out by anxiety and restlessness. In Philippians 4:4–9, Paul writes from prison yet calls believers to rejoice, pray, and guard their hearts and minds in Christ. Joy is not rooted in circumstances; pra...

We spend a lot of time chasing what we think we need—security, comfort, success, approval—only to discover that even when we get it, something still feels missing. The question beneath our striving is often simpler than we expect. Drawing from Philippians 4, Pastor Tim reflects on Paul’s surprising contentment in both need and abundance and explores how Paul’s perspective challenges our assumption...

As a new year begins, many people pause to think about what they want to change, improve, or commit to doing differently. Resolutions are made with good intentions, yet so often they fade as routines return and distractions creep back in. Still, the desire behind them reflects something deeper—a longing for purpose, direction, and faithfulness. In this message from Matthew 28:18–20, Pastor Tim inv...

Christmas Eve gathers us in a sacred moment; candles lit, familiar carols sung, hearts warmed by a story we know by heart. Yet even in the first Christmas, the glow of wonder was quickly followed by danger, disruption, and hard decisions. The Magi returned home by another way. Mary and Joseph fled into the night. Christmas did not pause life, it sent them back into it, changed.   Drawing from Matt...

The season is filled with lights, wrapping paper, and carefully chosen gifts. Attention is drawn to what is under the tree and how much effort goes into giving the right thing to the right person. Yet beneath all the activity, it’s easy to miss the deeper question of what truly matters at Christmas. In Matthew 2:1–11, the Magi travel far, bearing costly gifts for the child they recognize as King....

The weeks leading up to Christmas are often filled with noise; schedules packed tight, expectations running high, and traditions that sometimes feel more demanding than meaningful. In the midst of all the familiar songs and decorations, it’s easy for joy to fade into routine or get buried under stress and distraction.   Through Mary’s song of praise and the angelic announcement to the shepherds, t...

As the season of Advent begins, life often pulls people in a dozen directions at once. Families juggle expectations, work presses in, and even good traditions can crowd the heart. Yet in the middle of that pressure, Matthew tells a quiet story about a man named Joseph — a man suddenly facing shame, confusion, and a future he never planned. Instead of reacting out of fear or frustration, Joseph cho...

Pressure has a way of stirring strange thoughts in us. When home, work, or school becomes too heavy, escape can look strangely appealing. Jonah knew that feeling. God said, “Go to Nineveh,” and Jonah headed the other way, boarding a ship for Tarshish and trying to sleep his way through a storm he himself had caused. This Sunday looks a little different. With our service canceled due to weather, we...

There are moments when people reach the end of their own strength; times when routines continue, but the heart quietly wonders where help will come from. In those situations, even a simple cry for mercy can become the first step toward hope. In this week’s message, Pastor Boris Pena turns our attention to the ten men who cried out to Jesus from a distance. Their story reveals how mercy meets us in...

There are seasons when joy feels distant and peace seems hard to hold. Habakkuk knew that feeling well—facing loss, uncertainty, and grim forecasts for his people. Yet in the middle of that reality, he made a deliberate choice: “yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” His circumstances didn’t improve first; his trust in God did. Paul offers the same kind of steady invitation in his letters. Writing to th...

When a church cared for Paul in his time of need it was partnership in the gospel. Their giving was an act of worship that reached heaven itself. Behind every gift was a heart moved by gratitude, trust, and obedience. True Christian giving is driven by joy in God’s provision, rather than guilt or pressure. Philippians 4 reminds us that contentment and generosity grow together, revealing a life ful...

When life unravels, even the smallest things can feel impossible. The news weighs heavy, relationships strain, and our plans fall through, leaving us searching for something steady to hold on to.  From a prison cell, Paul wrote about joy and peace as daily realities, finding contentment in every situation when everything else is falling apart. This same peace is still available today to those who...

A gold medal represents the highest achievement — the reward for discipline, perseverance, and commitment to a goal. Yet for the believer, the true prize isn’t made of metal but of faith that endures and a life shaped by Christ. In Philippians 3:10—4:1, Paul points us toward that eternal reward — knowing Christ fully and living faithfully in His calling. Knowing Christ deeply, letting go of the pa...

A dark tunnel, a stolen kiss, and a stinging slap—one quick moment, two bold moves, and a grinning soldier who “seized the day.” It’s a funny story, but it hits close to home: life moves fast, and opportunities can pass in a blink. Between bills, deadlines, and distractions, it’s easy to forget what it means to truly live life to the fullest. In Philippians 3:7–16, the Apostle Paul shares how a fu...