FBCDC Sermons

A Canaanite woman refuses to stop shouting for her daughter's life, even after Jesus tries to wave her off. Pastor Julie preaches the message, "Crumbs and Categories," from Matthew 15:21-28. She persists past the silence, past the dismissal, past every category that says she doesn't belong.

The sermon watches her change Jesus' mind, and asks what that says about who gets a place at the table.

Readings: Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-36; Matthew 15:21-28.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/8/13/sunday-aug-16-2026-crumbs-and-categories

Sunday, August 16, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Pastor Julie preaches the message "Little Faith, Big Water" from Matthew 14:22-33.

The disciples are alone on the sea, straining against the wind in the dark hours before dawn. The wind is against them. The waves are climbing into the boat when a figure appears walking toward them across the water. And then there's Peter, who starts to sink before he starts to believe.

This story reminds us that faith isn't the absence of fear or doubt. Sometimes it's simply reaching for the hand that is already reaching for us.

Readings: Matthew 14:22-33.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/8/9/sunday-aug-9-2026-little-faith-big-water

Sunday, August 9, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

The story doesn't add up—five loaves and two fish shouldn't feed thousands, but when offered to God in trust and thanksgiving, they become part of an unlimited treasury of blessing. Abundance that outruns arithmetic.

The sermon explores Matthew 14:13-21. Pastor Julie preaches.

Readings: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/7/31/sunday-aug-2-2026-five-loaves-two-fish-no-math

Sunday, August 2, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Pastor Julie preaches on Matthew 13:31–33, 44–51.

A mustard seed. A pinch of yeast. A coin, a pearl, a net. The sermon turns to five small stories about the reign of God—and how it keeps showing up in the most ordinary places. In these brief parables, Jesus points to a kindom that grows quietly, hides in plain sight, and turns up where we least expect it. The sermon considers how the holy might be tucked into the ordinary corners of your own life.

Readings: Psalm 119:129-136; Romans 8:31-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-51.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/7/26/sunday-jul-26-2026-hidden-and-holy

Sunday, July 26, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Julie Pennington-Russell preaches “Weeds, Wheat, and a God Who Waits.”

Readings: Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/7/19/sunday-jul-19-2026-weeds-wheat-and-a-god-who-waits

Sunday, July 19, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Eric Mathis preaches “Ground Work.”

Readings: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/7/9/sunday-jul-12-2026-ground-work

Sunday, July 12, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Julie Pennington-Russell preaches “Two Parades.”

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-12.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/7/2/u014oibunxd8vutdmcykuuu9co3vv6

Sunday, July 5, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Brooke Holloway Blake preaches “Eyes Up.”

Readings: Philippians 3:4b-14.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/6/24/sunday-june-28-2026-eyes-up-guest-preacher-rev-brooke-holloway-blake

Sunday, June 28, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Honest, unvarnished, straight-from-the-gut prayer is everywhere in Scripture. Which raises a question worth sitting with: Why do so many of us think it's off-limits?

Moses didn't. In this text, he tells God he's done—overwhelmed, furious, ready to quit. It is not a polite prayer. And yet it's the prayer God answers.

Pastor Julie closes the Honest to God series with an invitation to stop editing yourself before you come to God. Bring the anger. Bring the exhaustion. Bring the prayer you've been too careful to say.

Sermon text: Numbers 11:1-15.

Readings: Numbers 11:1-15; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 27:32-46.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/6/18/sunday-jun-21-2026-what-if-im-mad-at-god

Sunday, June 21, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Julie Pennington-Russell preaches “What If I Can’t Forgive?”

Readings: Matthew 6:5-15.

Watch the full worship service: https://www.firstbaptistdc.org/listen-to-sermons/2026/6/11/sunday-jun-14-2026-what-if-i-cant-forgive

Sunday, June 14, 2026 · The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.