FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

April 27th, 2025 - "Planting Seeds" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

John 12:23-28

On the other side of Easter, we will look at how things that look like death actually give rise to new life. This sermon will also include an update on the State of the Church, as we are in a season of tremendous growth and loss at the same time, and we will explore what it means to be Resurrection people in just such a season.

April 20th (Easter Sunday), 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster!" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 24:36-53

God took our worst disaster and turned it into our greatest hope. Not only did the disaster have no power; the mitigation of the resurrection transformed our world into something so much better – a life where we are saved by and can follow Jesus Christ!

April 13th, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Disaster Is Here!" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 23:13-25, 44-46

On this Palm Sunday, we often kick off our service with the celebration of the people shouting Hosanna. But shortly after that, many of those same people will be shouting “Crucify him! Crucify him!” That thunderous crowd calling down judgment on Jesus is the true storm of disaster. The crucifixion that follows is the destruction it unleashes. Everything is disrupted now.

April 6th, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Recovery" - Johnna Kosnoff

Luke 13:10-17; 18:1-8

Recovery can be very long. It can take years or decades in some cases. Often, the most vulnerable among us suffer the longest. In the story of the bent over woman, we see a woman finally recovered after 18 years. In the story of the persistent widow, she keeps screaming at injustice until she sees an end. Recovery requires persistence and constant and inclusive attention.

March 30th, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Response" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 10:25-37

When disaster hits, it is time to ignore those divisions among us and help our neighbors, beyond barriers and whatever the cost. The Good Samaritan models for us how to do that beautifully.

March 23rd, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Preparation" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 6:27-38

Some disasters are difficult to avert, but we can take away some of the destruction by practicing and learning how to recover in advance of that disaster. For a life of faith, practicing love of all (including our enemies), generosity, all the things recounted in this description of the children of God helps us navigate life when things do get tough, much like a tornado preparedness kit or chainsaw training does.

March 16th, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Mitigation" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Luke 6:46-49

Some disasters never happen because we do the work in advance to stop them. Build your house on solid ground and watch it withstand the coming flood. Faith helps us reframe what could have been a disaster into a moment of strength and endurance.

March 9th, 2025 - "Mitigated Disaster: Disaster Is Coming!" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 4:1-13

The temptation in Luke involves the Devil trying to mislead Jesus into different (ultimately disastrous) possibilities. Jesus is prepared to keep the Devil at bay. But the passage also ends with these ominous words: “After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.” Disaster may have been averted for now, but it is coming.

March 2nd, 2025 - "When 2x5 = 5000 +" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Exodus 1:15-20

The story of Shiphrah and Puah show two women who were willing to do what God wants instead of what Pharaoh wants. As a result, the Israelites multiply and become stronger. What does God ask of us? To bring 10% of what we have to him. Imagine if we all actually did that? We would not have any issues of funding in our church. None. But while we work to that point, imagine if just 2 of us who are not giving do start tithing? What happens then? And what happens when we start tithing to our relationship with money? We get a peace we haven’t had before. The conference is sure learning that.

February 23rd, 2025 - "Obeying God and Not Pharaoh" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Exodus 1:15-20

The story of Shiphrah and Puah shows two women who were willing to do what God wants instead of what Pharaoh wants. As a result, the Israelites multiply and become stronger. What does God ask of us? To bring 10% of what we have to him. Imagine if we all actually did that? We would not have any issues of funding in our church. None.

But while we work to that point, imagine if just 2 of us who are not giving do start tithing? What happens then? And what happens when we start tithing to our relationship with money? We get a peace we haven’t had before. The conference is sure learning that.

February 16th, 2025 - "Just a Mite More" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Luke 21: 1-4

This passage, where the widow woman gives such a small amount but catches the attention of Jesus for her generosity, will allow us to explore the potential small increases when collected together. What if we gave $2 more a week? $20 more a week? $200 more a month?

February 9th, 2025 - "2x2: The Miracle of Multiplication" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 6:17-22; Genesis 8:14-22

This sermon will introduce the stewardship emphasis in 2025, and how the pairs of animals will multiply and fill all the earth. But with such precious and limited cargo, why does Noah sacrifice animals first thing off the boat? Perhaps there is a lesson in trusting God.

February 2nd, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: When We See Trees Walking" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Mark 8:22-26

This story really puzzled me as a teenager when I stumbled onto it. Why did it take a repeated touch by Jesus for the blind man to see clearly? Did Jesus just not quite get it done the first time? Was it lack of faith on the part of the blind man? Or is there a deeper meaning we can glean from this strange “trees walking” tale of a double touch healing?

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 26th, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: Love Changes Everything - Even Scripture" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Leviticus 14:1-9

Sharing a story of raising a child with a skin disease, Pastor Michelle shares how Leviticus turned from a book of harsh laws to a handbook for inclusive communal life.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 19th, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: Decisions That Change Everything" - Ms. Angie Barrington

Mark 5:25-34

We make thousands of decisions each and every day. This Sunday, Angela Barrington shares how an encounter with the bleeding woman in Mark led to a decision that changed everything.

 

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 19th, 2025 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: Rations" - Ms. Brooke Tilley

Matthew 15:29-37

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 12th, 2025 - "Hit the Easy Button: Do We Make Discipleship Too Complicated?" - Mr. Bill Fernandez

Romans 15:1-7

Do we make discipleship too complicated? This Sunday, Bill Fernandez shares how an encounter with Scripture in Paul’s letter to the Romans revealed to him the simplicity of what it takes to be a disciple.

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

January 5th, 2025 - "Epiphany: Scripture Surprises" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Genesis 2:15-25

Sometimes we come across a story in the Bible that we are sure we know. When we actually read it though, it is full of surprises. And the more we learn, the more the story becomes. This week Pastor Michelle will take us through the Adam and Eve Creation story in a way that is probably new to you. Come and be surprised!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 30th, 2024 - "Epiphany Scripture Surprises: A Visit From God" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Genesis 18: 1-15

We will unpack this surprising story in which Abraham gets a visit from three “men.” There is some dramatic ambiguity about the identity of these visitors. Scripture calls them three men, but Abraham addresses these three as “My Lord,” when he rushes to invite them to stop at his humble camp and be refreshed. Then Abraham “puts on the dog” as they say where I am from. He offers a feast and the Covenant promise is reiterated with a specific timeline. Sarah finds this promise laughable. What can we learn from these founding paragons of faith and their struggles with the promise of God, even when the Almighty is eating at your kitchen table!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville

December 24th, 2024 - Christmas Eve: " 'Twas the Night" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 2:1-20

We finish with the best story - the birth of Christ! This is good news - news that would make us tear open the shutters and throw up the sash!

See our worship broadcasts at: https://www.youtube.com/@FUMCBentonville