First Cary UMC’s First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – April 26, 2026

In Elisha’s final moments, we see a prophet who has spent his life pointing people back to God, even as the nation around him falters. He speaks a word of promise to King Joash about God’s victory, and then, even in his death, God’s Spirit brings resurrection life when a man is raised from the grave by touching Elisha’s bones. God’s power is not limited by human frailty or even by the grave. Where kings and nations fail, God’s Spirit continues to move, bringing life in the most unexpected places. For us today, it means no situation, no season, and no part of our story is beyond God’s ability to bring new life.

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:20-21

First Cary UMC’s First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander– April 26, 2026

In Elisha’s final moments, we see a prophet who has spent his life pointing people back to God, even as the nation around him falters. He speaks a word of promise to King Joash about God’s victory, and then, even in his death, God’s Spirit brings resurrection life when a man is raised from the grave by touching Elisha’s bones. God’s power is not limited by human frailty or even by the grave. Where kings and nations fail, God’s Spirit continues to move, bringing life in the most unexpected places. For us today, it means no situation, no season, and no part of our story is beyond God’s ability to bring new life./

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:20-21

First Cary UMC’s First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – April 19, 2026

Faith in God doesn’t exempt us from hardship, heartbreak, or seasons of emptiness. Like the Shunammite woman who clung to God’s promises even when her son died, we are called to trust that God’s Spirit is still at work. This story teaches us that resurrection hope doesn’t ignore pain—it transforms it. God takes what feels barren or broken and brings about new possibilities we could never have imagined on our own.

Scripture:  2 Kings 4:18–37

First Cary UMC’s First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander– April 19, 2026

Faith in God doesn’t exempt us from hardship, heartbreak, or seasons of emptiness. Like the Shunammite woman who clung to God’s promises even when her son died, we are called to trust that God’s Spirit is still at work. This story teaches us that resurrection hope doesn’t ignore pain—it transforms it. God takes what feels barren or broken and brings about new possibilities we could never have imagined on our own.

Scripture:  2 Kings 4:18–37

First Cary UMC’s First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – April 12, 2026

In the face of deep grief and losses that feel like they take the very breath out of us, God is not absent. Just as God heard the cries of the widow and worked through Elijah to restore life to her son, God meets us in our despair. This story reminds us that even in our lowest valleys, God’s Spirit is already present, listening, and bringing hope where we thought there was only silence.

Scripture:  1 Kings 17:17–24

First Cary UMC’s First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Martha McLean – April 12, 2026

In the face of deep grief and losses that feel like they take the very breath out of us, God is not absent. Just as God heard the cries of the widow and worked through Elijah to restore life to her son, God meets us in our despair. This story reminds us that even in our lowest valleys, God’s Spirit is already present, listening, and bringing hope where we thought there was only silence.

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17–24

First Cary UMC’s First on Chatham Sermon – Kollin Absher-Baer – April 5, 2026

Scripture: Psalm 150 and Matthew 28:1-10

First Cary UMC’s First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – April 5, 2026

Scripture: Psalm 150 and Matthew 28:1-10

First Cary UMC’s First on Chatham Sermon – Kollin Absher-Baer – March 29, 2026

When we pray the Psalms, they help us see how God’s grace works its purposes over centuries.

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone…This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it…Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

First Cary UMC’s First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – March 29, 2026

When we pray the Psalms, they help us see how God’s grace works its purposes over centuries.

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone…This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it…Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29