First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Martha McLean – October 12, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

It is very easy to look around and see what everyone else is doing wrong. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus powerfully reminds us of our need to recognize our need to grow before we try to fix the world. How can we develop the practices of self-reflection required to see our own shortcomings? How can we be open to criticism and growth by letting others give us input?

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer  – October 5, 2025

Scripture: John 3:22–30

John the Baptist was a renowned prophet with a huge following. Yet after he realized that Jesus was the Christ, he humbly recognized that he needed to make room for Jesus, saying “he must increase, but I must decrease.” How does John’s willingness to decrease reflect our calling in the light of Jesus? Where do we need to step back so that Christ might come forward?

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – October 5, 2025

Scripture: John 3:22–30

John the Baptist was a renowned prophet with a huge following. Yet after he realized that Jesus was the Christ, he humbly recognized that he needed to make room for Jesus, saying “he must increase, but I must decrease.” How does John’s willingness to decrease reflect our calling in the light of Jesus? Where do we need to step back so that Christ might come forward?

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer  – September 28, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 11-12 (selected verses)

It is inspiring when we see the faith and commitment and generosity of others!  It is also inspiring when we live as a people who make choices and sacrifices to carry the faith forward, producing good fruit and making a lasting impact. After all, it is not just about us being inspired, but rather, allowing this inspiration to flow through, bringing glory to God. Consider the great cloud of witnesses…they are still having impact today as we look to them as examples. 

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – September 28, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 11-12 (selected verses)

It is inspiring when we see the faith and commitment and generosity of others!  It is also inspiring when we live as a people who make choices and sacrifices to carry the faith forward, producing good fruit and making a lasting impact. After all, it is not just about us being inspired, but rather, allowing this inspiration to flow through, bringing glory to God. Consider the great cloud of witnesses…they are still having impact today as we look to them as examples. 

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander  – September 21, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 8

It is inspiring when we see the magnificence of God’s creation, and realize that God invites us to participate and join in this work! It may make us ask, “Who are we that God is mindful of us, and trusts us with continuing this work?” Yet this is God’s plan: for us to care for one another – our families and friends and neighbors – and also to care for the world we live in. It is inspiring when we see the value that God places in us to carry on the redemptive work of creation.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer  – September 21, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 8

It is inspiring when we see the magnificence of God’s creation, and realize that God invites us to participate and join in this work! It may make us ask, “Who are we that God is mindful of us, and trusts us with continuing this work?” Yet this is God’s plan: for us to care for one another – our families and friends and neighbors – and also to care for the world we live in. It is inspiring when we see the value that God places in us to carry on the redemptive work of creation.

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

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

It is inspiring when we are doing life together, bound together in God’s eternal love! Like the early church, we come  together in Christ, crossing perceived boundaries and conventions. Like the early church we come together for worship and study, for mutual learning and accountability. We come together in faith to encourage and welcome, to connect and care and serve, making a positive impact in our congregation and greater communities. In community God inspires us and calls us to inspire others!

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

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

It is inspiring when we are doing life together, bound together in God’s eternal love! Like the early church, we come  together in Christ, crossing perceived boundaries and conventions. Like the early church we come together for worship and study, for mutual learning and accountability. We come together in faith to encourage and welcome, to connect and care and serve, making a positive impact in our congregation and greater communities. In community God inspires us and calls us to inspire others!

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer  – September 7, 2025

Scripture: Genesis 2:4b-8

It is inspiring when we think that God, who has everything, (who lacks nothing!) still desires relationship with us! With this in mind, God speaks and breathes creation into being. God forms us in his image and breathes into us the breath of life just as he does Adam in Genesis 2. It is amazing that God chooses  to do this – to share God’s own life with us – even though this relationship and desire to be with us will come at a cost.