First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – December 21, 2025

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel interrupts Mary’s life with unexpected news of a coming baby. At first Mary is perplexed. Then, in faith, she asks questions. Then she arrives at an open willingness, submitting to God’s marvelous plan. How might Mary’s process remind us of the process of Advent? To be unhurried is to keep ourselves out of the center and to let God’s plan unfold on God’s schedule. 

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer  – December 14, 2025

Scripture: Exodus 16:13-21

Not long after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt, their stomachs began to rumble and they began to grumble for food. God graces them with Manna, a provision that is only good on the day it is collected. To be unhurried is to recognize the grace before us and to stifle our propensity to try to control God’s future.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – December 14, 2025

Scripture: Exodus 16:13-21

Not long after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt, their stomachs began to rumble and they began to grumble for food. God graces them with Manna, a provision that is only good on the day it is collected. To be unhurried is to recognize the grace before us and to stifle our propensity to try to control God’s future.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kristyl Kepley – December 7, 2025

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. While Martha is busy with preparations, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Frustrated, Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus gently corrects her and us all, encouraging us to sit in his presence and choose him over our presumption that we can make everything turn out perfectly. To be unhurried is to choose the better part as we prepare for Christmas.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – December 7, 2025

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. While Martha is busy with preparations, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Frustrated, Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus gently corrects her and us all, encouraging us to sit in his presence and choose him over our presumption that we can make everything turn out perfectly. To be unhurried is to choose the better part as we prepare for Christmas.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer– November 30, 2025

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

The Prophet Isaiah saw an inspiring vision of a Savior and shared it with the Israelites. And then they waited….for centuries. We have always been a people who wait on the Lord to make good on God’s promises. To be unhurried is to slow down and joyfully await the One who fulfills our deepest hopes.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – November 30, 2025

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

The Prophet Isaiah saw an inspiring vision of a Savior and shared it with the Israelites. And then they waited….for centuries. We have always been a people who wait on the Lord to make good on God’s promises. To be unhurried is to slow down and joyfully await the One who fulfills our deepest hopes.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer– November 23, 2025

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus tells a story that turns our world upside down. An unnamed man of status ignores a downtrodden man named Lazarus in this world.  But in the afterlife, it is Lazarus who finds comfort and the unnamed man faces agony. Jesus uses this story to call us to a life on earth that is not about our own comfort, but about striving to see and bless those on the margins. 

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – November 23, 2025

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus tells a story that turns our world upside down. An unnamed man of status ignores a downtrodden man named Lazarus in this world.  But in the afterlife, it is Lazarus who finds comfort and the unnamed man faces agony. Jesus uses this story to call us to a life on earth that is not about our own comfort, but about striving to see and bless those on the margins. 

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer– November 16, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

A phrase we often hear in postmodern life is that we are living in the age of anxiety. As human beings, we worry, we stress, we fret. Are we working enough? Do we have enough? Are we enough? According to Jesus, this is an ancient challenge. In Matthew 6, Jesus invites us to let go of our worries and trust in God’s provision, reminding us that if he cares for the birds and the flowers, he surely cares for us.