First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Clothe Yourself With Love” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – May 18, 2025

“Above all, clothe yourself with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Each and every morning, we prepare for the day ahead. The Apostle Paul encourages us in the letter to the Colossians to put on the wardrobe that God has picked out for us, including compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline. Each time that we do this, we prepare our hearts to encounter God’s goodness and grace throughout our everyday, ordinary lives. So much so, that the love God begins to bind everything together in perfect harmony. 

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Clothe Yourself With Love” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – May 18, 2025

“Above all, clothe yourself with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Each and every morning, we prepare for the day ahead. The Apostle Paul encourages us in the letter to the Colossians to put on the wardrobe that God has picked out for us, including compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline. Each time that we do this, we prepare our hearts to encounter God’s goodness and grace throughout our everyday, ordinary lives. So much so, that the love God begins to bind everything together in perfect harmony.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Nothing Will Separate Us from the Love of God” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – May 11, 2025

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

On any given day in any given season, we are pulled in so many different directions. It is easy to feel far from God. And yet, the Apostle Paul reminds us that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. He writes to the Romans, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in accretion will separate us from the love of God. Even as we face the hardships of this life, might we come to find the goodness of God in our midst.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Nothing Will Separate Us from the Love of God” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – May 11, 2025

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

On any given day in any given season, we are pulled in so many different directions. It is easy to feel far from God. And yet, the Apostle Paul reminds us that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. He writes to the Romans, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in accretion will separate us from the love of God. Even as we face the hardships of this life, might we come to find the goodness of God in our midst.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Rejoice Always, Pray Without Ceasing, Give Thanks In All Circumstances” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – May 4, 2025

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Like the disciples, we may feel that there are seasons when God feels far away or absent all together. Even so, we are invited to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in the midst of all of it. As the Apostle Paul writes this to the people of Thessalonica, he is encouraging them to trust in the goodness of God’s promise and presence all of the days of our lives. As we celebrate Confirmation Sunday in the life of our church, may we look to the example of our Youth who have done this very task. Over the last year they have rejoiced, prayed, and given thanks - and have answered God’s call to faithfully join the church. We certainly give thanks for all that is to come!

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Rejoice Always, Pray Without Ceasing, Give Thanks In All Circumstances” –  Rev. Anna Thornburg – May 4, 2025

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Like the disciples, we may feel that there are seasons when God feels far away or absent all together. Even so, we are invited to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in the midst of all of it. As the Apostle Paul writes this to the people of Thessalonica, he is encouraging them to trust in the goodness of God’s promise and presence all of the days of our lives. As we celebrate Confirmation Sunday in the life of our church, may we look to the example of our Youth who have done this very task. Over the last year they have rejoiced, prayed, and given thanks - and have answered God’s call to faithfully join the church. We certainly give thanks for all that is to come!

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Rejoice in the Lord Always” –  Rev. Anna Thornburg – April 27, 2025

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” Philippians 4:4

The disciples have encountered so much over the past days. They have watched their friend Jesus encounter persecution, death, and now, resurrection! However, it takes a little while to encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus. In the meantime, it may seem as though Jesus is far away. However, he is right there, walking alongside the disciples. Even in the ordinary of our everyday lives, we are invited to rejoice in the Lord - for he is always with us. 

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Rejoice in the Lord Always” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – April 27, 2025

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” Philippians 4:4

The disciples have encountered so much over the past days. They have watched their friend Jesus encounter persecution, death, and now, resurrection! However, it takes a little while to encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus. In the meantime, it may seem as though Jesus is far away. However, he is right there, walking alongside the disciples. Even in the ordinary of our everyday lives, we are invited to rejoice in the Lord - for he is always with us.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Remembering Resurrection” –  Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! As the women approach the tomb of Jesus, they are met with the unexpected - an empty grave and bewildering message of an angel: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” In this moment, the wilderness of temptation no longer holds the final word. Instead, it becomes a place of transformation as we turn towards God’s promise for eternal life. For even the darkest places and longest journeys can be transformed by God’s power. May we come to find this Easter morning, that there is joy in the resurrection of the Lord!

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "What Are You Doing For Easter?” –  Rev. Ben Alexander – Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! As the women approach the tomb of Jesus, they are met with the unexpected - an empty grave and bewildering message of an angel: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” In this moment, the wilderness of temptation no longer holds the final word. Instead, it becomes a place of transformation as we turn towards God’s promise for eternal life. For even the darkest places and longest journeys can be transformed by God’s power. May we come to find this Easter morning, that there is joy in the resurrection of the Lord!