First Church Williamsport

As followers of Jesus, how do we live by faith in troubled times? Join us as we explore the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. We will seek to discover how our faith allows us to experience hope and life in the midst of difficulties.

The good news is that Jesus, the real light, enters our mess and darkness, shining in the darkest and ugliest places to give us hope, peace, joy, and love. Luke 2:1-20 Reverend Matt Lake December 24, 2017

"Transformation in Christ--Changing lives inside and out." ~Romans 12:2 United Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA dedicated to spreading the gospel through invitation, sending, teaching, and prayer.

Reflection Questions: Where in my life do I most live out God's wisdom? Where do I most struggle with God's wisdom over my own? Where in my life do I most recognize God's identity? Where do I most struggle with God's identity over my own? How can embracing God's wisdom and identity bring HOPE in my life? How can I learn to embrace the coming of Jesus as a baby boy more as the God-man event rather...

It is always a good time to remember, celebrate and live into the hope found in Jesus Christ, but perhaps there is no better time of the year to find hope than at Christmas.

It is always a good time to remember, celebrate and live into the hope found in Jesus Christ, but perhaps there is no better time of the year to find hope than at Christmas.

It's no surprise that life throws us many curve balls. Would it surprise you to know that there is a way to pray in pretty much any situation in which we find ourselves? Sometimes we think of prayer only as something we do in church or before we eat. In reality, prayer is meant for times of great joy to times of great sorrow and everything in between. For no matter what life throws at us, prayer i...

It's no surprise that life throws us many curve balls. Would it surprise you to know that there is a way to pray in pretty much any situation in which we find ourselves? Sometimes we think of prayer only as something we do in church or before we eat. In reality, prayer is meant for times of great joy to times of great sorrow and everything in between. For no matter what life throws at us, prayer i...

It's no surprise that life throws us many curve balls. Would it surprise you to know that there is a way to pray in pretty much any situation in which we find ourselves? Sometimes we think of prayer only as something we do in church or before we eat. In reality, prayer is meant for times of great joy to times of great sorrow and everything in between. For no matter what life throws at us, prayer i...

It's no surprise that life throws us many curve balls. Would it surprise you to know that there is a way to pray in pretty much any situation in which we find ourselves? Sometimes we think of prayer only as something we do in church or before we eat. In reality, prayer is meant for times of great joy to times of great sorrow and everytihing in between. For no matter what life throws at us, prayer...

How can we offer abundant, beautiful grace to the world while also adhering to God's holy law and justice in the world? Too much focus on grace makes God sound "wishy-washy" on God's truth. Too much focus on justice and law makes Christians sound judgmental. If we insist on all grace, are we forfeiting God's truth and law? If we insist on living fully into God's law, are we at the same time forfei...

We've come to realize that God is inherently lawful and graceful. Since we are created in His image, we are called to do the same. What does it mean to be holy? How can we act in such a way that properly reflects God's holiness? Deuteronomy 7:6-11 gives us some insight into that. How can we offer abundant, beautiful grace to the world while also adhering to God's holy law and justice in the world?...

Fire: unique in the sense it can be unbelievably destructive, and simultaneously, stir peace and comfort. These two attributes of fire reflect God's two apparently contradictory natures of law and grace. Through the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy, we go deeper in exploring what God's law means for us, and why we should obey Him. How can we offer abundant, beautiful grace to the world while also a...

In the book of Deuteronomy, we explore grace and law, specifically through the people's two responses to bad news: rejecting God, and being overly religious. Through Deuteronomy 1, we learn what is wrong with the human heart, and what God's solution is. How can we offer abundant, beautiful grace to the world while also adhering to God's holy law and justice in the world? Too much focus on grace ma...

How can we offer abundant, beautiful grace to the world while also adhering to God's holy law and justice in the world? Too much focus on grace makes God sound "wishy-washy" on God's truth. Too much focus on justice and law makes Christians sound judgmental. If we insist on all grace, are we forfeiting God's truth and law? If we insist on living fully into God's law, are we at the same time forfei...

It has been said that the most distinctive element of the Christian faith is the element of grace. And yet, we live in both a world, and a church, increasingly devoid of grace. What does it mean to live fully into God's beauty and life of grace as individuals? As a church? What does it mean today, in 2017, to be a church that offers grace? How can we respond in grace to the world? How far are we w...

Life Reflection: Where is my life most out of control right now?  What desire most rules my life?  How can I seek to not just force myself to follow the ways of Jesus, but fall more deeply in love with Jesus Himself as my top desire?  How much do I immerse my life in scripture?  What most reminds me of God’s faithfulness?  Do I truly realize that the more we practice self-discipline the more grace...

Life Reflection: Who is it in my life that I need to make space for?  Am I willing to make space for them? How can I extend a godly tolerance and compassion in every area of my life?  On Facebook?  In worship?  In my relationships? Am I willing to intentionally connect with folks different than myself?  Do I feel threatened if I am not perceived as “right?”  What would help me to receive others as...

Life Reflection: Is my happiness based on circumstances or the condition of my heart in Christ?  What can I do in my life to think more about Jesus, dig deeper in Jesus, and look more to Jesus?  Do I realize that Jesus made me a part of His great story?  What impact does that have on my life?  What impact could it have on my life?  Do I know the peace that passes all understanding?  What is holdin...

Life Reflection: In you, God sees someone so beautiful, so wonderful, that God-in kindness- says, “Give me your garbage and I will give you my love.”  What does this mean to me?     Do I realize the true amount of love, grace, and kindness that God has offered me through Jesus?  Do I seek to actively offer kindness to others on a regular basis?  How can I learn to live a life of kindness embodied...

Life Reflection: Referring to the Christians of Le Chambon: “They don't look upon effort as being something depleting. They look upon effort as something through which you live fully and you derive strength.” Pierre Sauvage, a child who survived the Holocaust because of the Christians of Le Chambon What effort does practical love and grace ask of me? What habits of love do I need to form?

Life Reflection Ready to take your next step?  Start the 7-Day Bible reading plan “Forgiveness Reading Plan” by Dr. John Townsend and Dr. Henry Cloud on The Bible App: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1048-forgiveness-reading-plan

Life Reflection: Do I know the grace found only in Jesus Christ?  If so how can I more fully embrace that grace?  If not, will I welcome Jesus into my life today?  When it comes to giving, do I ask: “How much do I HAVE to give?”  Or, “How much CAN I give?”  Will I pray and then intentionally, cheerfully, and grace-fully make a joyful financial commitment to the body of Christ at First Church for 2...

Life Reflection: What does it mean for me to say that Jesus is Lord of my life?  In what areas of my faith walk have I been making compromises?  How could I improve my prayer life?

Life Reflection: What does it look like for me to live into this prayer:  Lord, show me how to so take your kingdom into my life that my life becomes a true party—a feast of the real kingdom.  Let me become a person of such humble service and joyful love that the handwriting of your love will break the broken parties of insignificance we try to throw—and usher in a new, Kingdom-of-God party.  Let...