FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

June 14th, 2026 - "For Such a Time as This" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 13:6-9 and Psalm 85

The Founders of our nation built a government that anticipates human failure. Our civic life includes ways to pause, evaluate, change course, and begin again. That does not make our nation perfect, but it does reveal something hopeful: we are not trapped forever by every mistake we make. As we begin this series reflecting on our nation, we will explore how this imperfect experiment can remind us of the deeper grace of God — a grace that tells the truth about failure, tends what is wounded, and makes redemption possible for all God’s people.

June 7th, 2026 - "Blessed to Be a Blessing" - Bishop Max Whitfield

Gen. 12: 1-9 (NRSVue)

We are Blessed. Called to respond in Faith. Called to Serve Others.

May 31st, 2026 - "Methodist Refresh: Ministry in a Whirlwind - John Wesley and the People Called Methodists" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

1 John 5:1-5

John Wesley believed in the radical love and acceptance of all humans. He believed in the Imago Dei. Every person was created in the image of God. This moved him to go to the poor working class in Bristol, England and preach outdoors to large numbers. John also brought recrimination on his ministry in Bristol by being an outspoken opponent to slavery. Bristol was a central market for slaves, and there were many wealthy people who would stand to lose if slavery was abolished. The eighteenth-century world was a challenge for young John Wesley. His spiritual life and his public holiness can serve as an example for us as we interact as followers of Christ in our current world.

May 24th, 2026 - Pentecost Sunday - "Methodist Refresh: Hearts on Fire" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Acts 2:1-4; Numbers 11:24-30

On this Pentecost and Aldersgate Sunday, it seems appropriate to revisit our wild, Pentecostal tent meeting roots – remembering when we were accused of being too enthusiastic!

May 17th, 2026 - "Methodist Refresh: Submitting to Be More Vile" - Kristin Wells

Mark 2:13-17

As we begin a new series exploring significant moments in Methodist history, we’ll look at how founder John Wesley challenged religious and social norms in pursuit of the Gospel. United Methodists are proud of our Wesleyan heritage, but some of us still wrestle with an important question: did Wesley’s witness truly resemble the way of Jesus? What does it mean to faithfully follow in Christ’s steps — and if we find the answer, will it change anything about the way we live?

May 10th, 2026 - "Double Vision: Sharing Grace" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Isaiah 58:6-8

Mama’s got your back… and so does God!

May 3rd, 2026 - "Double Vision: Loving People" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

In this sermon, we are going to address the new trend of AI relationships. A chatbot can fulfill 1 Corinthans 13 easily. But are we creating unrealistic expectations of IRL relationships?

April 26th, 2026 - "Double Vision: Following Jesus" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 9:23-24

Jesus challenges his followers to take up their cross and follow him. But what does that actually mean? Pastor Michelle will dig into this important aspect of discipleship for us today.

April 19th, 2026 - "Double Vision: Serve Joyfully" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

1 Peter 4:8-11
We should all serve God, but in purposeful ways. If we serve the way we are gifted, then we can't help but feel joy!

April 12th, 2026 - "Double Vision: Love Boldly" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Ruth 1:11-18

Love is a choice. Not even God coerces us into love. So what happens when we make that choice? God's will breaks out in astounding ways.

April 5th, 2026 - Easter Sunday - "Double Vision: Lead Courageously" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Mark 16:1-8

The women hear the news of Jesus’ resurrection… and then they run away and tell no one out of fear. But we do know the story. So at some point they must have overcome their fear. Courage is not the absence of fear – it is facing it and refusing to let it stop us.

April 3rd, 2026 - "Good Friday?" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 23:1-25

Why do we call it "Good Friday?" Rev. Dr. Michelle discusses some of the existing atonement theories and the mystery of what happened both on the cross and in the tomb.

April 2nd, 2026 - Maundy Thursday - "Cleanup Crew" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

John 13:1-9, 12-17

Rev. Dr. Michelle reflects on the humble ritual of foot washing and its parallels in modern society.

March 29th, 2026 - "Wilderness Survival Guide: Silence" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Psalm 46:1-11 (NRSVUE)

This Psalm talks about the rage of the world, of kingdoms tearing each other apart. Yet within that we find refuge in God, and particularly in the silence, in the stillness, in the opposition to the madness. A good reminder as we head into the madness of Holy Week.

March 22nd, 2026 - "Wilderness Survival Guide: Sabbath" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Psalm 23

There are no Psalms that mention the Sabbath, but this Psalm definitely describes the rest and restoration that Sabbath provides us.

March 15th, 2026 - "Wilderness Survival Guide: Movement in Nature" - Bill Fernandez

Psalm 19:1-4

This sermon will reflect on how spending intentional time in nature is a spiritual practice. Bill Fernandez will bring the word this week, specifically reflecting on the spirituality of fly fishing.

March 1st, 2026 - "Wilderness Survival Guide: Ignatian Imagination" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Psalm 63: 1-8

We will listen over and over to this scripture, with the goal of imagining the space it describes and the relationship with God that it describes.

March 8th, 2026 - "Wilderness Survival Guide: Musica Divina" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris and the Music Staff

Psalm 63: 1-8 

Rev. Michelle has a panel discussion with FUMC's music staff about music, worship, and their creative processes.

Ken Weatherford (Contemporary Music and Director of Worship Arts)

Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler,  (Associate Pastor/Director of Traditional Music)

Matt Nelson (Assistant to Music and Worship Arts, aka. pianist, keyboardist, organist, arranger, podcast creator, etc)

February 22nd, 2026 - "Wilderness Survival Guide: The Examen" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Psalm 139:23-24

We will learn about the practice of The Examen, which is an intentional reflection at the end of every day that invites us to reflect on how we have seen God at work in our lives in the day, as well as how we have served God well or not so well. Then we close with an intentional gratefulness and hope for the next day.

February 18th, 2026: Ash Wednesday - "Wilderness Survival Guide - Fasting" - Johnna Kosnoff

Psalm 69:6-13

We will open this series with a discussion on the purpose of fasting. We will remember that it is related to the Lenten season because through it we honor Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness when he was tempted by the devil. But we will also look at it as a discipline of clearing away the things between God and us. This psalm in particular makes a good case for a technology fast, as technology has become a tool for people to deride us and divide us into enemies.