First Houston United Methodist Church

NOTE: This sermon has had a testimony video concerning adopting refugee families for Christmas that needed to be cut out for clarity, since part of the video was in Arabic. The full video is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NsZNWEa8fb4 Before breaking down the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist, and what it meant to an elderly couple to suddenly beco...

NOTE: This sermon has had a testimony video concerning adopting refugee families for Christmas that needed to be cut out for clarit, since part of the video was in Arabic. The full video is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NsZNWEa8fb4 Ann talks about the stories embedded on the tapestries at the Vatican Museum, and (not to give away the metaphor) compares them to the interwoven n...

Ann is so excited for Advent she gets the Wise Men out for the Nativity early. The story of the Magi becomes one of a number of stories of people in Ann's life who seemed like they didn't belong - and the ways it turned out they actually did. Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Andy couldn't wait an extra week, so we started our Advent series a week early. He's immediately off to the races about what Advent actually is, and how badly we as a people miss the mark. Plus, an exploration of the gluttony of Thanksgiving, and what it's like to attend a truly terrible Cowboys game. Joel 2:28-32 Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

This week, Bill wraps up the Equation series with a look at what Paul told us about gifts, takes us through some of the things he learned as a young and inexperienced doctor, and relates his frustration from a time a church consultant told his church it wouldn't be wise to hold a prayer service. Romans 12: 1-8 Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Andy wraps up the Equation series by talking about Paul's encouragement for people to accept their roles. Along the way, Andy tells the story of his police ridealong this week, sleeping out with the homeless on Thursday night, and makes a bunch of harp jokes (we shouldn't put props on the stage, it only encourages him). Romans 12: 1-8 Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Andy talks about some of the ways we respond to the powerful experiences that come with being a follower of Christ, including testimony from a member of our church currently in prison. Then, when a congregant tells him that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has asked everyone to stop for a moment of silence (15:20), Andy leads the congregation in that prayer - then talks about his own emotional experienc...

Ann breaks down the importance of personal experience by considering the life of Paul (8:00), and a personal look at her own dramatic sign that led her into ministry (20:50). Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

This week, Andy tells some family stories to try to explain the "reason" part of the Wesleyan tradition. He also pitches part of the grand vision of the future of the church, envisioning a new pathway for both contemporary and traditional worship in our church. Plus, he pretends he talks to the Pope, and gives the downtown campus a new nickname. Galatians 6:1-6 For more info, check out our website...

This week, Bill delves into his history as a scientist to talk about people's trouble with reason and logic. He ends up deep in space, exploring the mysteries of the cosmos. It starts with the story of the man who left his servants talents: Matthew 25:14-19 For more info, check out our website at: http://fmhouston.com

Andy asks for answers from the congregation about what one word describes the church, then announces a surprising choice for his own. Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3

To explain Methodist tradition, Bill breaks down the story of the Wesley brothers, tracking them back and forth across continents, and explores the choices that brought us the modern Methodist church. Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3

Andy follows up yesterday's sermon with a more in-depth discussion of the Sadducees story, and explains who this group was, and some of what they believed.

Andy explores the most important part of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, scripture, by telling the story of the Sadducees and their attempts to trap Jesus with a riddle. And, of course, a story about the Astros finding their way to the World Stories. Scripture: Luke 20: 27-38

Brandi looks into the most important leg of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, scripture, and outs herself as part of the “Harry Potter Generation.” Scripture: Luke 20: 27-38

Andy begins with the Astros playoff win from the day before, and moves into an introduction of the Methodist Quadrilateral - the subject of this sermon series. Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Ann talks about the story of "Dear Abby," then launches into a "Dear Ann" segment to explain the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

On a Sunday dedicated to rest and recovery from the difficult events of the past two months, Ann takes us back to the story of Elijah, and his journey to hide in the wilderness. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9

Life On Mission: Values As the series concludes, Bill takes to the pulpit to share his heart for reaching out and helping those who need it most. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Life On Missions: Values Andy takes us through to the conclusion of the series, where passion and action and habits become our values - and tells the story of how the church is reaching out inside our Refugee Community. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Message: Life on Mission: Habit Andy expounds on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, which he announced earlier in the services as his favorite scripture in all of the New Testament. Plus, we get to hear about his experiences trying CrossFit. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Message: Life on Mission: Action Scripture: James 2:14-17 Ann returns home from a trip abroad to talk about missions and orchestration, and what it means to be in sync with God.

Message: Life on Mission: Action Scripture: James 2:14-17 Andy talks about the book of James, and what actions and missions really look like together. Then, Bill Allen takes us on an in-depth look at our Lifeline ministry to the homeless.

Message: Life on Mission: Belief Scripture: Matthew 25: 34-40

Message: Foodie Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33