FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

August 31st, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway - Hamilton: History Has Eyes" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

2 Samuel 7:1-29; 11:1-27

How tempting is leadership and power, especially when forming a new national identity? Hamilton and David will be in conversation with each other here.

August 31st, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway - Hamilton: This Kid Is Insane!" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

2 Samuel 7:1-29; 11:1-27

How tempting is leadership and power, especially when forming a new national identity? Hamilton and David will be in conversation with each other here.

August 24th, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway: Rent" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Luke 15:1-32
Rent is a series of stories strung together, teaching us about love. We will focus on the Lost Parables in Luke, and reclaim them as Parables of Love – parables of inclusion rather than exclusion, of abundance rather than scarcity.

August 17th, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway - Les Misérables: Unlimited Grace" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Philippians 3:1-16

We will look at the tension of grace and the law, mercy and justice. This biblical theme is played out beautifully in the Javert’s hunt for Valjean, and it is exhibited in the life and spiritual journey of the Apostle Paul.

August 17th, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway - Les Misérables: The Limits of the Law" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Philippians 3:1-16

We will look at the tension of grace and the law, mercy and justice. This biblical theme is played out beautifully in the Javert’s hunt for Valjean, and it is exhibited in the life and spiritual journey of the Apostle Paul.

August 10th, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway - Wicked: The Power of the Prophet" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Ezekiel 12:1-20 We are going to look at what it means to be a prophet. Elphaba will be compared to prophetic figures like Ezekiel. Difference gets attention for justice.

August 10th, 2025 - "Bible on Broadway - Wicked: Live Your Weird" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Ezekiel 12:1-20 We are going to look at what it means to be a prophet. Elphaba will be compared to prophetic figures like Ezekiel. Difference gets attention for justice.

July 27th, 2025 - "More Than a Party Trick" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

John 2:1-12

Jesus turns water into wine, but it is more than just making sure everyone is having a good time. In this first miracle that Jesus performs, we see the heart of what the reign of God looks like.

July 20th, 2025 - "Getting Started" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 3:16-17
Jesus begins his public ministry with baptism in the Jordan. What does Jesus’ start to his ministry tell us about our faith beginnings?

July 13th, 2025 - "Celebrating Jesus" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 2:25-35

Jesus’ family presents him at the Temple. Simeon responds in celebration! How do we celebrate Jesus showing up in our lives today?

July 6th, 2025 - "Food for Thought" - Kristin Wells

Mark 6:31-44 (CEB) and Mark 8:1-9 (CEB)

This Sunday, we’ll take a fresh look at two familiar stories: the feedings of the 5,000 and the 4,000 in Mark’s Gospel. While often seen as similar miracles, these two accounts—placed side by side—reveal something deeper about who Jesus is and who the Gospel is for. What if the leftovers weren’t just about abundance but about belonging? Come hear how Jesus feeds both Jews and Gentiles, and what that means for how we widen our circles today. There is enough. For all.

June 29th, 2025 - "Poetic Exploration: The Woman Caught in Adultery" - Rev. Chase Green

John 8: 2-11

As part of his participation in the Compelling Preaching Initiative, Pastor Ray needs to swap pulpits with another pastor, so while he heads to Goddard United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, their Senior Pastor, Rev. Chase Green joins us. 

June 22nd, 2025 - "Surprise Party" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Luke 24:28-32 and Genesis 14:1-8

These stories both have surprise guests who make an appearance. Luckily, both the people walking to Emmaus and Abraham were all ready for just such an event. Are we?

June 15th, 2025 - "Worldwide BBQ" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Acts 10:9-35

On this Fathers’ Day weekend, what better way to celebrate than looking at this passage that is arguably the foundation for the best BBQ ever! Especially because neighbors can now truly eat beside one another.

June 8th, 2025 (Pentecost Sunday) - "Let Everyone Praise the Lord!" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Acts 2:1-11

Pentecost empowers everyone to hear the Good News. How well do we do at making space for all of those voices to praise God together? As we open the doors to another service, let’s recommit ourselves to affirming that All Are Welcome.

June 1st, 2025 - "Hold Fast and Shine!" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Philippians 2: 1-16
Philippians is a letter about joy! Writing from prison, Paul describes the joys of following Christ and persevering for the gospel, and the secret to being content in any situation. We know from the letter that the Philippians were facing a lot of hardship (and Paul wasn’t exactly living the high life himself). Paul is telling the Philippians to “hold fast and shine,” no matter how bleak and troubling things look!

May 25th, 2025 - "The Persistence of Memory" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Exodus 2:23-25; Genesis 35:1-8

This Sunday marks one year from the tornado, but it is also Memorial Day weekend. Both invite us to reflection on what it means to remember and honor the past, and move forward at the same time.

May 18th, 2025 - The Message - Bishop Laura Merrill

Ephesians 6:10-18

May 11th, 2025 - "The Place for Women" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Psalm 1: 1-3

Think of a woman in your life who has been strong for you - a woman who has been your strong tower when you were weak. A woman who has cared for you physically or spiritually. Susanna Wesley was that for Charles and John Wesley. She was a spiritual leader and confidant for John late into his ministry. In many ways, Susanna was not only the mother of Charles and John but the mother of Methodism. Who has been the woman of wisdom and strength for you in your life? Let’s celebrate those women today!

May 4th, 2025 - "God Opens and Closes Doors" - Mr. Philip Mills

Proverbs 3:1-12

Sometimes we think we know where our life is headed. Sometimes life has other ideas. God has a vision for us in the midst of all that we are going through. Philip Mills shares his story of that experience.