First Cary UMC

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Here for God's Purpose" – Preacher: Rev. Ben Alexander – 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?

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon "Here for God's Promise" – Preacher: Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – Sunday, February 2, 2025

God is present alongside God's people, generation after generation. Whether they are wandering in the wilderness or setting into cities, God provides a promise of presence and guidance along the way. Within the scripture of Exodus, God’s presence comes forth through the person of Moses as he carries two tablets of the covenant law back to God’s people. With a radiant glow, we can come to recognize the divinity of God’s presence among the humanity of God’s people. May we come to see and experience the presence of God, here for us, even now.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon "Here for God's Promise" – Preacher: Rev. Ben Alexander – Sunday, February 2, 2025

God is present alongside God's people, generation after generation. Whether they are wandering in the wilderness or setting into cities, God provides a promise of presence and guidance along the way. Within the scripture of Exodus, God’s presence comes forth through the person of Moses as he carries two tablets of the covenant law back to God’s people. With a radiant glow, we can come to recognize the divinity of God’s presence among the humanity of God’s people. May we come to see and experience the presence of God, here for us, even now.

Have you ever felt like you had no clue what was happening around you? Maybe the world seemed to have flipped upside down recently and you weren’t sure what to do next? 

Don’t worry: the disciples were in a similar boat. Scripture says the disciples “were gazing up towards heaven” (Acts 1:10), and you can imagine similar questions racing through their minds as they stared into the clouds. Where’d He go? What was that all about? What next?

Join Pastor Ben and Adam for an honest conversation with the Book of Acts as we retrace the steps of the early church, consider the work of the Holy Spirit, and navigate similar questions of “what next?” Check out the outline of the study here.