First Sermons

The 40-day season of Lenten “wilderness” is over and the 50-day season of Easter “wildness” has begun! The new life offered by Jesus was surprising, even to those who were his closest followers. He told them and showed them what he was all about many times, and yet they continued to be shocked by his grace-full presence and power. How can we embrace the joys and the challenges that come along with...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Over the past year many of us have used technology in ways we never anticipated in order to connect with each other safely. At First UMC we now offer an online livestreamed weekly worship experience and a brand new First UMC app is available to download on computer tablets and smartphones. The main purpose of an “app” or “application” is to help make life easier for the user. This Lenten season we...

Pastor Sam preaches on Mark 9:2-9 and how the Transfiguration can prepare us for the Lenten season and how each of us is called to be transfigured in our own way.

At this time last year, none of us could have imagined the challenges that were to come which would significantly change every aspect of our lives. As the COVID-19 vaccine brings new hope for healing and wholeness of our bodies, there’s still much work to do to bring healing and wholeness to our minds and spirits, both individually and communally. The enormity of this reality can be overwhelming,...

At this time last year, none of us could have imagined the challenges that were to come which would significantly change every aspect of our lives. As the COVID-19 vaccine brings new hope for healing and wholeness of our bodies, there’s still much work to do to bring healing and wholeness to our minds and spirits, both individually and communally. The enormity of this reality can be overwhelming,...

At this time last year, none of us could have imagined the challenges that were to come which would significantly change every aspect of our lives. As the COVID-19 vaccine brings new hope for healing and wholeness of our bodies, there’s still much work to do to bring healing and wholeness to our minds and spirits, both individually and communally. The enormity of this reality can be overwhelming,...

At this time last year, none of us could have imagined the challenges that were to come which would significantly change every aspect of our lives. As the COVID-19 vaccine brings new hope for healing and wholeness of our bodies, there’s still much work to do to bring healing and wholeness to our minds and spirits, both individually and communally. The enormity of this reality can be overwhelming,...

At this time last year, none of us could have imagined the challenges that were to come which would significantly change every aspect of our lives. As the COVID-19 vaccine brings new hope for healing and wholeness of our bodies, there’s still much work to do to bring healing and wholeness to our minds and spirits, both individually and communally. The enormity of this reality can be overwhelming,...

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, in flesh through the baby Jesus. The many challenges we’ve faced this year as a congregation, community, nation and world have tested our patience and perseverance in ways we couldn’t have imagined and the need for both continues. Although we will miss many of the holiday traditions that are dear to us, it’s lik...

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, in flesh through the baby Jesus. The many challenges we’ve faced this year as a congregation, community, nation and world have tested our patience and perseverance in ways we couldn’t have imagined and the need for both continues. Although we will miss many of the holiday traditions that are dear to us, it’s lik...

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, in flesh through the baby Jesus. The many challenges we’ve faced this year as a congregation, community, nation and world have tested our patience and perseverance in ways we couldn’t have imagined and the need for both continues. Although we will miss many of the holiday traditions that are dear to us, it’s lik...

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, in flesh through the baby Jesus. The many challenges we’ve faced this year as a congregation, community, nation and world have tested our patience and perseverance in ways we couldn’t have imagined and the need for both continues. Although we will miss many of the holiday traditions that are dear to us, it’s lik...

This week, Dr. Harold Henderson adds a P.S. to Pastor Beth's sermon series with his reflections based on a version of Psalm 23 from the United Methodist Hymnal.

This week's sermon is based on Matthew 25:14-30. Matthew 25:25 says “…so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”

This week's sermon is based on Matthew 23:1-12. Matthew 23:12 says “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This week's sermon is based on Matthew 22:34-40. Matthew 22:40 says “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

This week's sermon is based on Matthew 22:15-22. Matthew 22:21 says “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

This week's sermon is based on Matthew 22:1-14. Matthew 22:9,10 says “’Go therefore, into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went our into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was full of guests.”