FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast

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.

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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

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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

December 22nd, 2024 - "Thomas Rides the Polar Express" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Both Bentonville and Corinth get to draw strength from the incredible diversity and the energy of our towns. With such giftedness, there are no limits to what each church can do for Christ!

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

December 15th, 2024 - "The Elves and the Shoemaker/Elijah and the Widow" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Kings 17:8-1

We will look at the story of miracles of care. When we are at our most desperate, so often a miracle occurs that saves our very lives.

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

December 8th, 2024 - "The Poky Little Puppy, the Three Magi, and the First Christmas" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

Matthew 2:1-12

What gifts do we bring? We will look at how bringing something to the most vulnerable and the ones we love can make a small and a big difference – and both matter in God’s world.

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

December 1st, 2024 - "How the Grinch and Saul Stole Christmas" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

Acts 9:1-20

Both the Grinch and Saul started out breathing hate toward others. And both experienced a transformation that grew their hearts three sizes too big.

Due to technical issues, this week's reading was done in post by Matt Nelson.

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

November 24th, 2024 - "Christ the King Invites You!" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

1 Samuel 8:4-20 & John 18:33-37

     This is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of our Liturgical year. This Sunday reminds us that Christ is the King over all creation. The idea of a human king has negative implications. We see this in our Old Testament reading when Israel asks Samuel to appoint a King so they can be like other nations. The Lord tells Samuel to be clear to the people about what it means to serve under an earthly King. We contrast this with King Jesus before Pilate when Pilate interrogates Jesus about Christ being called the King of the Jews. We serve a heavenly King who invites us to serve and love him, rather than demands our unquestioning allegiance.

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

November 17th, 2024 - "Corinthville: State of the Church" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

We will reflect on the State of the Church, and in particular, we will look at how our work as a church where as to where "All Are Welcome" is going. If we are to be truly living into that reality, then we will have to face the fact that all of us will feel unwelcome sometimes. It is about having enough humility to love in the midst of difference.

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

November 10th, 2024 - "Corinthville: Incredibly Gifted" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Both Bentonville and Corinth get to draw strength from the incredible diversity and the energy of our towns. With such giftedness, there are no limits to what each church can do for Christ!

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

October 27th, 2024 - "Corinthville: Who Would Have Guessed?" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Corinth and Bentonville have become economic centers, and places of far greater influence than the world expects. Both are signs of the logic of God – to expect the unexpected.

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

November 3rd, 2024 - "Corinthville: Divided Body" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 11:17-26

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October 20th, 2024 - "To God's Churches in Corinth and Bentonville" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

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

October 13th, 2024 - "Tragedy and Grace: Finding God's Purpose in Life's Uncertainties" - Mr. Michael Burks

Luke 13:1-5; Romans 8:35-39; Matthew 7:24-25

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

October 13th, 2024 - "As You Love Yourself" - Mr. Wesley Wells

Matthew 22:34-40

We'll be exploring the greatest commandment through the eyes of the piece that's often forgotten.

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

October 6th, 2024 - "What a Wonderful World: Where Science Intersects Scripture" - Rev. Sara Bainbridge

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