If you had to define Methodist Christianity by one word, this would be it: Grace. Grace is so much bigger than forgiveness – it is the empowering force in the lives of those who follow Jesus. Throughout these three weeks, we will explore the unique and foundational beliefs we hold about Grace as Methodist Christians and the way those beliefs impact our daily lives.

In this sermon, Pastor Cheryl explores “prevenient grace” - the grace that goes before. The idea that God’s grace meets us in our struggles and propels us towards growth illustrates its transformative power in our lives. And God asks us to extend grace to others, reflecting God’s love, which can create a ripple effect of kindness in our communities.

Grace Unleashed | Rev. Cheryl Bishop | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

On this special recap episode, our host Rohini Drake is joined by Pastors Clayton Oliphint and Allison Jean to break down our most recent worship series, Who(se) We Are. They discuss themes and stories that emerged during the series, as well as some ideas that ended up on the cutting room floor. Don’t miss this deeper dive into the core values we hold as a church!

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this sermon, Pastor Clayton uses the passage from 1 Corinthians underscore the theological basis for teamwork within the church. By identifying the church as the body of Christ, the scripture establishes that each member is essential, promoting a culture where individuals are celebrated for their unique contributions. This perspective encourages us to recognize our value and the importance of collaboration. Being part of a team leads to spiritual growth and fulfillment. When we come together with a shared purpose, we not only enhance our own spiritual journeys but also uplift our neighbors. This encourages a culture of mutual support within the church, fostering deeper connections and a stronger community for us all.

Who(se) We Are | Dr. Clayton Oliphint | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this sermon, Pastor Allison uses the passage from 1 Corinthians underscore the theological basis for teamwork within the church. By identifying the church as the body of Christ, the scripture establishes that each member is essential, promoting a culture where individuals are celebrated for their unique contributions. This perspective encourages us to recognize our value and the importance of collaboration. Being part of a team leads to spiritual growth and fulfillment. When we come together with a shared purpose, we not only enhance our own spiritual journeys but also uplift our neighbors. This encourages a culture of mutual support within the church, fostering deeper connections and a stronger community for us all.

Who(se) We Are | Rev. Allison Jean | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this service, Pastor Sarah reflects on how a small act of service for our neighbor can be life-changing.

Who(se) We Are | Rev. Sarah Marsalis-Luginbill | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this service, Pastor Allison reflects on how a small act of service for our neighbor can be life-changing.

Who(se) We Are | Rev. Allison Jean | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this service, Pastor Clayton’s sermon explores the tension between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, which is a recurring theme in Scripture. He emphasizes the need to focus on love and grace rather than strict adherence to rules, suggesting that living out faith involves understanding the deeper meaning of God’s commandments.

The call to reflect on one’s personal faith journey and willingness to extend love and grace to others encourages us to actively examine our own attitudes towards inclusion and acceptance. At FUMCR, we adhere to an “open arms” philosophy, where we challenge our members to embrace diversity and welcome those who may feel excluded. This approach is not only about physical inclusion but also about fostering a spirit of acceptance in thoughts, beliefs, and practices.

Who(se) We Are | Dr. Clayton Oliphint | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this service, Pastor Allison's sermon explores the tension between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, which is a recurring theme in Scripture. He emphasizes the need to focus on love and grace rather than strict adherence to rules, suggesting that living out faith involves understanding the deeper meaning of God’s commandments.

The call to reflect on one’s personal faith journey and willingness to extend love and grace to others encourages us to actively examine our own attitudes towards inclusion and acceptance. At FUMCR, we adhere to an “open arms” philosophy, where we challenge our members to embrace diversity and welcome those who may feel excluded. This approach is not only about physical inclusion but also about fostering a spirit of acceptance in thoughts, beliefs, and practices.

Who(se) We Are | Rev. Allison Jean | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this service, Pastor Clayton highlights how Jesus modeled respect through his interactions with various people, including those considered outcasts. Respecting others, especially those who are different or marginalized, is a powerful testimony to the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

And extending hospitality, particularly to strangers, is a practical application of respect. The emphasis on welcoming those outside the community reflects an understanding of the transformative power of inclusion. Our call to hospitality serves as a reminder that how individuals treat others—especially those they do not know—can significantly impact the witness of the church.

Who(se) We Are | Dr. Clayton Oliphint | First United Methodist Church of Richardson

At the new year, we often want to reset and ask important questions: Who are we? What are our values? What are our goals? As Christians, we don’t come up with these ideas out of thin air. Who we are and what matters to us comes from who we know we belong to. To kick off 2025, we are going to dive into who we are, which is based in whose we are: We belong to Christ. Join us as we dive into our FUMCR values and discover the way Christ shows us how to live them out.

In this service, Pastor Allison highlights how Jesus modeled respect through his interactions with various people, including those considered outcasts. Respecting others, especially those who are different or marginalized, is a powerful testimony to the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

And extending hospitality, particularly to strangers, is a practical application of respect. The emphasis on welcoming those outside the community reflects an understanding of the transformative power of inclusion. Our call to hospitality serves as a reminder that how individuals treat others—especially those they do not know—can significantly impact the witness of the church.

Who(se) We Are | Rev. Allison Jean | First United Methodist Church of Richardson