First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "In the Wilderness” – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, March 9, 2025

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit from his Baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness where he was tempted for forty days. Over and over again, the devil encouraged Jesus to turn towards worldly desires, power, and pride. However, Jesus experienced the wilderness as both a place of temptation, but also, of transformation. Turning towards God’s call upon his life. As you journey in the wilderness of the season of Lent, or in this season of life, may you too find that God’s presence will turn you from temptation towards transformation.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "In the Wilderness” – Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, March 9, 2025

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit from his Baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness where he was tempted for forty days. Over and over again, the devil encouraged Jesus to turn towards worldly desires, power, and pride. However, Jesus experienced the wilderness as both a place of temptation, but also, of transformation. Turning towards God’s call upon his life. As you journey in the wilderness of the season of Lent, or in this season of life, may you too find that God’s presence will turn you from temptation towards transformation.

Throughout the season of Lent, the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, we are invited to journey alongside Jesus’ own experience in the wilderness. May we wander and wonder together what it means to turn away from the temptations of this world towards the transformation that is offered through our faith.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Here for the Transfiguration” – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, March 2, 2025

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

In both the fullness of divinity and humanity, the presence of God is with us. In Luke 9, we encounter God through the presence of Jesus amidst the transfiguration. On a mountaintop, humanity and divinity clearly meet. Glimmering. During this encounter with the radiant Jesus, his disciples, Peter, James, and John recognize the importance of their own presence saying, “It is good for us to be here.” What does it mean for us to be in the presence of Christ, in both the fullness of divinity and humanity? May we find ourselves answering this question, ready to be here for it knowing that God is here for us too.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Here for the Transfiguration” – Preacher: Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, March 2, 2025

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

In both the fullness of divinity and humanity, the presence of God is with us. In Luke 9, we encounter God through the presence of Jesus amidst the transfiguration. On a mountaintop, humanity and divinity clearly meet. Glimmering. During this encounter with the radiant Jesus, his disciples, Peter, James, and John recognize the importance of their own presence saying, “It is good for us to be here.” What does it mean for us to be in the presence of Christ, in both the fullness of divinity and humanity? May we find ourselves answering this question, ready to be here for it knowing that God is here for us too.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Here for God's Call” – Preacher: Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, February 23, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

The disciples found themselves battered by the sea while Jesus retreated to the mountainside to pray. After hours of struggling against the storm, Jesus made his way to the drifting disciples. They found him walking on water. Scared of his presence, Peter demanded, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus called him forward, and Peter experienced a moment of both faith and doubt. As Christ calls us to come forward, may we find ourselves truly present to God’s call. Stepping out into the storm, comforted in Christ’s courage.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Here for God's Call” – Preacher: Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, February 23, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

The disciples found themselves battered by the sea while Jesus retreated to the mountainside to pray. After hours of struggling against the storm, Jesus made his way to the drifting disciples. They found him walking on water. Scared of his presence, Peter demanded, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus called him forward, and Peter experienced a moment of both faith and doubt. As Christ calls us to come forward, may we find ourselves truly present to God’s call. Stepping out into the storm, comforted in Christ’s courage.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Here for God's Presence” – Preacher: Rev. Anna Thornburg – Sunday, February 16, 2025

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

“What are you doing here?” While in a cave on the edge of a mountain, Elijah experiences his own downfall slipping deeper into disbelief. He finds himself walking an ancient path in the footsteps of the saints. When he shouts to the Lord that he is the only one of faith, God calls him to the edge of the cave. After an earthquake, wind, and fire, God’s still small voice breaks through, saying, “What are you doing here?” When we find ourselves feeling like Elijah, not sure why we are here, may we find God calling to us in a still, small voice. Affirming our presence, place, and purpose.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Here for God's Presence" – Preacher: Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, February 16, 2025

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

“What are you doing here?” While in a cave on the edge of a mountain, Elijah experiences his own downfall slipping deeper into disbelief. He finds himself walking an ancient path in the footsteps of the saints. When he shouts to the Lord that he is the only one of faith, God calls him to the edge of the cave. After an earthquake, wind, and fire, God’s still small voice breaks through, saying, “What are you doing here?” When we find ourselves feeling like Elijah, not sure why we are here, may we find God calling to us in a still, small voice. Affirming our presence, place, and purpose.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Here for God's Purpose” – Preacher: Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, February 9, 2025

So often, Jesus calls the unlikely towards holy purpose. This is the story of Simon and Andrew, James and John, as Jesus tells them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” They all put down their nets, and prepare for the purpose Christ has in store for them. But we see that they must leave something behind. James and John leave their father Zebedee with the hired men, and follow Christ. What is Christ calling you to leave behind so that you can be fully present to your holy purpose?