First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – October 5, 2025 Scripture: John 3:22–30 John the Baptist was a renowned prophet with a huge following. Yet after he realized that Jesus was the Christ, he humbly recognized that he needed to make room for Jesus, saying “he must increase, but I must decrease.” How does John’s willingness to decrease reflect our calling in the li...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – October 5, 2025 Scripture: John 3:22–30 John the Baptist was a renowned prophet with a huge following. Yet after he realized that Jesus was the Christ, he humbly recognized that he needed to make room for Jesus, saying “he must increase, but I must decrease.” How does John’s willingness to decrease reflect our calling in the light of J...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – September 28, 2025 Scripture: Hebrews 11-12 (selected verses) It is inspiring when we see the faith and commitment and generosity of others!  It is also inspiring when we live as a people who make choices and sacrifices to carry the faith forward, producing good fruit and making a lasting impact. After all, it is not just about...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – September 28, 2025 Scripture: Hebrews 11-12 (selected verses) It is inspiring when we see the faith and commitment and generosity of others!  It is also inspiring when we live as a people who make choices and sacrifices to carry the faith forward, producing good fruit and making a lasting impact. After all, it is not just about us bein...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander   – September 21, 2025 Scripture: Psalm 8 It is inspiring when we see the magnificence of God’s creation, and realize that God invites us to participate and join in this work! It may make us ask, “Who are we that God is mindful of us, and trusts us with continuing this work?” Yet this is God’s plan: for us to care for one another – our...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – September 21, 2025 Scripture: Psalm 8 It is inspiring when we see the magnificence of God’s creation, and realize that God invites us to participate and join in this work! It may make us ask, “Who are we that God is mindful of us, and trusts us with continuing this work?” Yet this is God’s plan: for us to care for one another –...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – September 14, 2025 Scripture: Acts 2:37-47 It is inspiring when we are doing life together, bound together in God’s eternal love! Like the early church, we come  together in Christ, crossing perceived boundaries and conventions. Like the early church we come together for worship and study, for mutual learning and accountability...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – September 14, 2025 Scripture: Acts 2:37-47 It is inspiring when we are doing life together, bound together in God’s eternal love! Like the early church, we come  together in Christ, crossing perceived boundaries and conventions. Like the early church we come together for worship and study, for mutual learning and accountability. We com...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – September 7, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 2:4b-8 It is inspiring when we think that God, who has everything, (who lacks nothing!) still desires relationship with us! With this in mind, God speaks and breathes creation into being. God forms us in his image and breathes into us the breath of life just as he does Adam in Genesis 2. It...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – September 7, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 2:4b-8 It is inspiring when we think that God, who has everything, (who lacks nothing!) still desires relationship with us! With this in mind, God speaks and breathes creation into being. God forms us in his image and breathes into us the breath of life just as he does Adam in Genesis 2. It is amazi...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Brittany Absher-Baer   – August 31, 2025 Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16 On Labor Day weekend, Matthew 20:1-16 reminds us that in God’s kingdom, our worth is not measured by our work, but by God’s grace and generosity. Just as the landowner gives every worker the same wage, God offers his love freely, not based on merit but on his goodness. Instead of com...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – August 24, 2025 Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10 As a baby, Moses was placed in a basket, often called an “ark,” in the waters of the Nile. Despite the dangerous reputation of this river, God uses this very water to lead Moses to salvation.  Sometimes the things we fear most become the path to our purpose.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – August 24, 2025 Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10 As a baby, Moses was placed in a basket, often called an “ark,” in the waters of the Nile. Despite the dangerous reputation of this river, God uses this very water to lead Moses to salvation. Sometimes the things we fear most become the path to our purpose.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – August 17, 2025 Scripture: Luke 8:22-25 In Luke 8:22-25, a violet storm breaks out, pushing the disciples and Jesus toward capsizing. In the boat, the disciples spiral while Jesus sleeps. Upon waking him, Jesus calms the waters with a simple word. In the midst of life’s chaos, how might we respond to the question of Christ: where...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon   –  Rev. Ben Alexander   – August 17, 2025 Scripture: Luke 8:22-25 In Luke 8:22-25, a violet storm breaks out, pushing the disciples and Jesus toward capsizing. In the boat, the disciples spiral while Jesus sleeps. Upon waking him, Jesus calms the waters with a simple word. In the midst of life’s chaos, how might we respond to the question of Christ: where...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kristyl Kepley   – August 10, 2025 Scripture: Acts 27 (selected verses) In Acts 27, Paul faces a violent storm and finds strength in God’s presence and promise. Like an anchor in a storm, God’s faithfulness holds us steady when life feels out of control. Just as Paul trusts God’s guidance, we are called to anchor our hope in God, knowing that no matt...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon   –  Rev. Ben Alexander   – August 10, 2025 Scripture: Acts 27 (selected verses) In Acts 27, Paul faces a violent storm and finds strength in God’s presence and promise. Like an anchor in a storm, God’s faithfulness holds us steady when life feels out of control. Just as Paul trusts God’s guidance, we are called to anchor our hope in God, knowing that no mat...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon –  Rev. Kristyl Kepley   – August 3, 2025 Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7 In Isaiah 43:1-7, God assures the Israelites of his unshakable love, promising to be with them through the deep waters of exile. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” God doesn’t always remove the waters of life, but he does carry us through them.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon   –  Rev. Martha McLean   – August 3, 2025 Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7 In Isaiah 43:1-7, God assures the Israelites of his unshakable love, promising to be with them through the deep waters of exile. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” God doesn’t always remove the waters of life, but he does carry us through them.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – July 27, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph’s reunion with his brothers is not a clean or comfortable moment—it’s a collision of past wounds and present mercy. He doesn’t ignore the pain they caused, but he also doesn’t let that pain have the final word. Reconciliation, in this story, is raw and sacred, built not on forget...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon   –  Rev. Ben Alexander   – July 27, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph’s reunion with his brothers is not a clean or comfortable moment—it’s a collision of past wounds and present mercy. He doesn’t ignore the pain they caused, but he also doesn’t let that pain have the final word. Reconciliation, in this story, is raw and sacred, built not on forgetting...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – July 20, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 41:14-41 Joseph’s rise from prison to power isn’t a triumph—it’s a testimony. His past isn’t erased; it's carried into his leadership, where forgiveness becomes an act of quiet courage. Justice never came, but Joseph chooses healing over bitterness, offering wisdom where he could have sought re...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon   –  Rev. Ben Alexander   – July 20, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 41:14-41 Joseph’s rise from prison to power isn’t a triumph—it’s a testimony. His past isn’t erased; it's carried into his leadership, where forgiveness becomes an act of quiet courage. Justice never came, but Joseph chooses healing over bitterness, offering wisdom where he could have sought reveng...

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon   –  Rev. Ben Alexander   – July 13, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 37:12-34 After a plot to end his life, Joseph is thrown into an empty pit with no water by his brothers - and the story doesn’t get easier from there. A story that includes betrayal and pain, how does Joseph learn to tell the truth without losing hope? As we lean into Joseph’s Journey, might we wo...

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer   – July 13, 2025 Scripture: Genesis 37:12-34 After a plot to end his life, Joseph is thrown into an empty pit with no water by his brothers - and the story doesn’t get easier from there. A story that includes betrayal and pain, how does Joseph learn to tell the truth without losing hope? As we lean into Joseph’s Journey, might we...