First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon “Reforming from the Inside” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – June 22, 2025

Acts 6:1-7

Under the weight of its own growth, the early church begins to crack. There are vulnerable people being overlooked, and frustration begins to set in. Instead of ignoring the problem, the apostles respond with humility, inclusion, and Spirit-filled change. A moment of internal conflict becomes a turning point for deeper faithfulness. How might the church continue to adapt so that we can further become the body of Christ that we are called to be?

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon “Reforming from the Inside” –  Rev. Martha McLean– June 22, 2025

Acts 6:1-7

Under the weight of its own growth, the early church begins to crack. There are vulnerable people being overlooked, and frustration begins to set in. Instead of ignoring the problem, the apostles respond with humility, inclusion, and Spirit-filled change. A moment of internal conflict becomes a turning point for deeper faithfulness. How might the church continue to adapt so that we can further become the body of Christ that we are called to be?

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon “All or Nothing” –  Rev. Martha McLean – June 15, 2025

Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira hold back a piece of their offering—and end up losing everything. It’s a disturbing story, but one that reveals a deep truth: God desires our whole hearts, not half-measures. As we become the body, a church that is rooted in grace, integrity matters. On Trinity Sunday, we are invited to consider the legacy of faith that we leave behind, as we align all that we have and all that we are with God’s holy purpose.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon “All or Nothing” –  Rev. Anna Thornburg – June 15, 2025

Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira hold back a piece of their offering—and end up losing everything. It’s a disturbing story, but one that reveals a deep truth: God desires our whole hearts, not half-measures. As we become the body, a church that is rooted in grace, integrity matters. On Trinity Sunday, we are invited to consider the legacy of faith that we leave behind, as we align all that we have and all that we are with God’s holy purpose.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Spirit on Fire” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – June 8, 2025

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

When the Holy Spirit arrives, it does not arrive quietly. Instead, it shows up like wind and fire. As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday in worship, may we recognize the ways that the Spirit transforms a fearful group towards bold faith. This moment is not just about the birth of the church - but more so about its becoming. As we look at the identity of the church, we come to find that its diversity is divine as those gathered speak many languages and cross cultural boundaries. What does it mean to be a church with a Spirit such as this?

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Spirit on Fire” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – June 8, 2025

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

When the Holy Spirit arrives, it does not arrive quietly. Instead, it shows up like wind and fire. As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday in worship, may we recognize the ways that the Spirit transforms a fearful group towards bold faith. This moment is not just about the birth of the church - but more so about its becoming. As we look at the identity of the church, we come to find that its diversity is divine as those gathered speak many languages and cross cultural boundaries. What does it mean to be a church with a Spirit such as this?

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "The End is the Beginning” – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – June 1, 2025

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

When Jesus ascends, it looks like the end—but it’s actually the start of something far greater. The disciples are left staring at the sky, waiting and wondering what’s next. Jesus gives them a massive mission: to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth. But Jesus doesn’t send them empty-handed. Before they go, they must wait—to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. While it feels like the end, it is just the beginning of Becoming the Body.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "The End is the Beginning” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – June 1, 2025

Scripture: Acts 1:6-11

When Jesus ascends, it looks like the end—but it’s actually the start of something far greater. The disciples are left staring at the sky, waiting and wondering what’s next. Jesus gives them a massive mission: to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth. But Jesus doesn’t send them empty-handed. Before they go, they must wait—to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. While it feels like the end, it is just the beginning of Becoming the Body.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Love Never Ends” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – May 25, 2025

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

There is so much within this world that does not last. From prophecies, words, and knowledge, it will all come to an end. However, Paul reminds us in a letter to the Corinthians that faith, hope, and love will always remain, and the greatest of these is love. Even when we find that we feel distant from God’s presence, the love of God remains close to our lives. For regardless of the things that we encounter within the wilderness of this world, love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Love Never Ends” –  Rev. Martha McLean – May 25, 2025

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

There is so much within this world that does not last. From prophecies, words, and knowledge, it will all come to an end. However, Paul reminds us in a letter to the Corinthians that faith, hope, and love will always remain, and the greatest of these is love. Even when we find that we feel distant from God’s presence, the love of God remains close to our lives. For regardless of the things that we encounter within the wilderness of this world, love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.