Sing Spiritually - Pastor's Pick - First UMC

Sing Spiritually - Pastor's Pick

October 27, 2024 • Dr. Harold Henderson • Colossians 3:12–17

Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor. This series explores and challenges us to embrace six practices that will deepen our personal discipleship and expand the positive impact of our Christ-centered congregation. This sermon is based on one of Pastor Harold's favorite hymns.

Serve Impactfully

October 6, 2024 • Pastor Beth Snarr • Matthew 25:35–40

Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor. This series will explore and challenge us to embrace six practices that will deepen our personal discipleship and expand the positive impact of our Christ-centered congregation. Verse 40 of Matthew 25 says “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” God invites us to partner in God’s mission of love. As Wesleyan Christians, therefore, we assume the Christlike posture of a servant. We keep our eyes open to God’s activity around us and join in the practice of shalom—acts of compassion and justice in the peaceable reign of Christ.

Embrace Widely

September 29, 2024 • Pastor Beth Snarr • Luke 15:20–24

Life in Christ, from a Wesleyan perspective, involves growth in grace and love. Our lives are rooted in God’s unbounded love and transformed by God’s universal grace. The Christian journey entails the restoration of God’s image in our lives and growth into deeper levels of love for God and neighbor. This series will explore and challenge us to embrace six practices that will deepen our personal discipleship and expand the positive impact of our Christ-centered congregation. Verse 20 of Luke 15 says "So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him." We are called to be a people of wide embrace. Our love of the “other” is rooted in God’s love for us. We seek, as Wesleyans, to love others as we have been loved in Christ. We acknowledge that not all people think alike but believe all can love alike.

First UMC - Gainesville, FL