First Houston United Methodist Church

The Israelites make a golden idol, and Moses responds on behalf of God - but he’s clearly acting on his own. Ken talks about the difficulty with history and finding the work of God within the story. Plus, an apology. Exodus 32:1-35; 33:1-6 fmhouston.com

Today’s text is about the bridge-building between God and humanity. When the Israelites forget God’s promises and seek out a replacement in the shape of a golden idol, God sends Moses to bring them back to repentance. But Moses fails the assignment. Exodus 32:1-35; 33:1-6 fmhouston.com

As the Israelites wait at the foot of the mountain to hear from God, Ken sees The Source in the same place - in the wilderness, but waiting in a place of purpose, listening for a calling. Exodus 19 & 20 fmhouston.com

Today, we come to the mountaintop with Moses. This is the fulcrum of the whole book of Exodus - there is a long wilderness on either side of this place. What God gives here is more than just a set of laws - it is a vocation, a call to be a holy priesthood. Exodus 19 & 20 fmhouston.com

Ken has learned that he is, medically speaking, hypervigilant. And now he is wrestling with a reality: vigilance is good, but it can get in the way of being present and trusting God. The world calls us to hypervigilance, but God calls us to rest. It’s funny that rest is the hardest thing we have to do, yet rest was was instilled in us from the very beginning. Exodus 17:1-7 fmhouston.com

It’s Lance’s “favorite” Sunday: Spring Forward Sunday. And ironically, today he’s talking about rest. He tells the story of the Israelites, alone in the desert, feeling thirsty and Godforsaken, and how they had forgotten how they were provided for. When we are in our wilderness places, that is an opportunity that God will use to point to Him. In the miracle of the water from the rock, God reminded...

Lance begins our series on the wilderness with the story of God taking the Israelites across the Red Sea. When God moves us from one place to another, it can feel like we haven’t made much progress. It takes time to break old habits. We need to be still and know that God is God. And God will lead us safely home. Exodus 13 & 14 (Selected Verses) fmhouston.com

Lance talks about the revival happening at Asbury, and the lessons we can draw from it. When we experience God’s presence and power, we need to speak, to share it, to bring revival to this land. God is calling you, and he is sending you. Romans 10:5-17 First Methodist Houston is the oldest Methodist church in Houston, Texas. We continue to evolve through the years and have been serving the communi...

How do we carry the love of God to the world in tangible ways? Lance tells some of the lessons he first started learning as a college student in Juarez, Mexico, helping to building homes with hand tools, and the way he started to see God’s love in action. Service is one of the hallmark practices of the Christian faith. So how do we carry the love of God to the world in tangible ways? Matthew 25:31...

Lance looks at the book of Ephesians to see what God asks of us about service. As Lance goes over what Paul wrote to the Ephesians about service, he reminds us that we use the gifts that God has given us to serve. But he wants to root service in something much deeper. Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-13, 15 fmhouston.com

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Serving your church doesn’t mean you have to do the same things you do all week. It’s important to find your passion, to see where it is that makes you excited to serve God. “What are the gifts that we are bring to build up not just this church, but the entire kingdom of God?” Today’s scripture reminds Amanda of her childhood being a latchkey kid - and the stern words she and her siblings sometime...

The worship service itself isn’t the chief goal of our life together. It’s not about preaching or music, it’s about all of us coming together and growing our relationship to God - together. Relationship changes us. We have to make time for it. And the church is a place to make that happen. As Lance points out, “wherever 2 or more Methodists are gathered together, there is a covered dish.” Acts 2:4...

This Sunday, Dr. Brant Wallace opens up our new sermon series "Be The Church" You may have noticed when Pastor Lance Richards gives a benediction, he always concludes it with "go and be the Church." But what does that mean? Brant dives into this series with tough questions about prayer. Get Connected! First Methodist Houston is the oldest Methodist church in Houston, Texas. We continue to evolve t...

Remembering the wise men as we bring the Christmas season to a close. fmhouston.com

Our choir loft was completly full for this service!

Luke 1: 39-56 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those w...

Luke 1: 26-38 The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. First Methodist Houston is the oldest Methodist church in Houston, Texas. We continue to evolve through the years and have been serving the communities of Downtown Houston, Texas and Westchase District. Please join us any Sunday for our wo...

The story of Zechariah is a story of patience rewarded, of stepping out of the shadows into the light. It is a story of deliverance. Luke 1:57-80 fmhouston.com

As Lance encourages us to prepare our hearts for this Advent season, his suggestions are practical, and therefore appropriately Methodist. But one theme runs through them all: that we should commit to grow in grace. Colossians 1:9-14, 21-23, 28 fmhouston.com

For Lance to explain justifying grace , he tells the story of the two Wesley brothers who founded Methodism, and how they came to learn the true depths of God's grace for us. Romans 5: 1-11 fmhouston.com

Lance begins our series on grace by exploring prevenient grace - the expression of grace that comes before we can even do anything to respond. “God always takes the first step.“ Description: Lance begins our series on grace by exploring prevenient grace - the expression of grace that comes before we can even do anything to respond. He starts with the book of Ephesians and what it means to say “by...

Duke professor and bishop candidate Laceye Warner visits and speaks to us on Jonah and refusing God’s call on your life. Jonah 4:1-11 fmhouston.com

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