Shows
FirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Science of FaithHow do you explain dinosaurs or the theory of evolution? Is astrology Anti-Christ? How can we hold creation and science in tension – can we believe in both? Hopefully, thoughts like this keep us curious enough to keep asking questions, and to find peace in the fact that God alone knows all things. In this week’s Message of the week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler who shares from Acts 17. She will tackle the topic of science vs. faith and dive into how they don't conflict as much as you might think.
2024-01-2921 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekWhy Does God Let Bad Things Happen?Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good people experience bad things? Why is there suffering in the world at all – can’t God just take care of it? In this week’s Message of the week, we continue our worship series titled, "Living Our Questions." We've all asked the question, "Why does God let bad things happen?" This week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler who shares from the 13th Psalm. This scripture gives us a foundation of faith even when we ask questions like this.
2024-01-1719 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekSimple CelebrationIt is the simple people who are the first to get to see this newborn king: Shepherds. Most people, even in town there in Bethlehem, had no idea the world was being changed by the birth of this child. We honor the glory and humility of the incarnation when our celebrations are easy, simple, and include the “least of these” and outcasts. In this week’s Message of the week, we continue our worship series titled "A Simple Christmas" with a message from Pastor Jen Tyler. She shares from Luke 2 and highlights the simple celebration that took place a...
2023-12-1821 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekSimply TogetherBeing together with beloved people we can trust and find rest in is THE most important thing when we have good news (or difficult news, for that matter). That was certainly true here, where Elizabeth and Mary spent 3 months together before the birth of their sons – 3 months of GREAT JOY in being together.As we prepare for Christmas, might we too get “wrapped up” in the joy of being together to support and encourage one another – and might that joy be not of this world, but based in the love and joy we share in the Good News of...
2023-12-0821 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekSimple PreparationIn this season of preparing for the coming of the Christ Child, we are reminded of the importance of generations of preparation before us. In this story we are reminded of the ways others – not just Mary and Joseph and their family – also prepared in ways they perhaps didn’t fully understand. What might we need to do – or stop doing as we make time to listen – in order to prepare and make space for the miracles of this season of our lives?This weekend we begin our advent series titled "A Simple Christmas." Today we hear from Pasto...
2023-11-2723 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekWhere the Last Are FirstHow do we use, let alone recognize the abundant gifts God has given us? All that we acquire comes from God. Our management of these gifts is an important part of stewardship. It matters what we do with our time, talents, and finances. In this weeks Message of the Week, we encounter the question; how do we give of ourselves fully? We hear from Pastor Jen Tyler who shares from Mark 10, and highlights that the first will become last, and the last will become first.
2023-11-1321 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Priority of PresenceHow important is church, really? Is it that necessary to connect with others believers? Old Testament and New Testament authors would stress that it is. In our church culture today, how do we connect with God AND each other? Is there more than one way to be present in our church community? In this weeks Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler. She shares from Ecclesiastes 4 and reminds us that together is better than apart; unified is better than divided. What does it look like to prioritize our presence in the body of Christ?
2023-10-3019 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekOutgoing CallPrayer seems like it should be so simple. Yet when it comes to actually praying it often feels awkward and complicated. What should you actually pray about? What do you say? Is there anything you shouldn’t say? Do you have to speak out loud? Where do you even start? Who even has time to pray? The truth is, prayer is simple. It’s like talking with a good friend. And here’s the best part: No matter where we are in life, God can’t wait to talk with us. In this weeks Message of the Week, we co...
2023-10-0221 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekKnown By Our LoveThroughout history, God has called people to follow Him. They followed as He led them out of captivity into a new land. That call continues today with a commandment to love others as Jesus loved. This call to service is not a solo mission. It is a call to band together and change the world. In this weeks Message of the Week, our Lost worship series continues with a sermon from Pastor Jen Tyler. She shares from Hebrews 13 and highlights the call for all people to outwardly show the love of God to all.
2023-08-2820 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekUnshakenWe make decisions every day. What to eat. How to dress. How many hours we spend scrolling social media. We make millions of tiny decisions every day. Many of them are acceptable, but how many are truly beneficial to our faith journey. You might ask, “how do I identify the essentials of life? How do I separate the temporary from the eternal? In this weeks Message of the Week, we continue our Lost worship series with a message from Pastor Jen Tyler. She shares from Hebrews 12, and challenges us to discern which things in life are worth pur...
2023-08-2120 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekUnited in LoveJesus has finished his ministry and what he set out to do. He recognizes that his work is not of his own doing but of God’s. How can we offer ourselves and our work to the glory of God? In this week’s Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler who shares from John 17 and gives us a challenge to unite with others in the glory and the joy of the Lord!
2023-05-2221 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekPut Our Whole Selves InAs we reflect on Thomas and the way his “doubts” reflect our own questions and desires, we are reminded of the gift of believing, without seeing. Today, we celebrate God’s unending invitation to offer our whole selves to God as we live into hope in the Risen One – who offers us assurance of a life and faith in him that can overcome all things – even death. In this week’s Message of the Week, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from John chapter 20 and challenges us to "Put Our Whole Selves In."
2023-05-0123 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekOur Kangaroo PouchFor several weeks leading up to this day, we’ve been talking about how important it is to let go of the busy-ness of our lives, and to find ways to connect with our Unhurried God. As good as slowing down is, there are other times that we should run! Just as Jesus returned to Mary and offered her comfort and Good News before sending her back out to share his Good News, so too, is Jesus calling us to go.In this week’s Message of the Week, we celebrate the Risen King! We hear from Past...
2023-04-1020 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekLiving LightNo one, at the end of their life, would say, "I should have spent more time at the office." And yet many of us live with the tyranny of measuring-up that keeps us weighed down. Lightening the load of expectations and "shoulds" is one way to lighten up as well as to literally lighten the clutter that crowds out our serenity. How do we create space to flourish in the ways God intends? In this week’s Message of the Week, Pastor Jen Tyler shares, from Luke 12, a message about removing the junk in our lives; the ext...
2023-03-2023 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekPreparing a TableThe Twenty-third Psalm is a great comfort to us as we imagine the green pastures and still waters. It also recalls the dark valleys and calls us into the not-so-easy practice of sitting down at the table with our enemies. An unhurried God is present with us in the good times and in the difficult time and invites us to be radically present to each other in the same way. Have we been too busy to be really present to one another? In this week’s Message of the Week, we relax as Pastor Jen Tyler shares the...
2023-03-0623 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Right TempoJesus never promised that the yoke would literally be "easy." This is a mistranslation. In this context of yoking oxen, the translation means "well fitting." As we begin our "Busy" series, we discover that each of us has a tempo that fits well, that energizes us. What tempo gives you life and energy? In this week’s Message of the Week, we begin our "Busy" sermon series with a message from Pastor Jen Tyler who reads from Matthew 11 and challenges us to s l o w d o w n, be still, and let God lead us at H...
2023-02-2721 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Mystery of JesusScripture is full of mysterious and strange things that have taken multiple generations to try to understand. How much harder was this for the disciples and other followers to understand. After all, they didn’t have the gift of knowing how each story would end to influence their understanding. Yet Jesus challenges what seem like perfectly reasonable reactions. What perfectly reasonable things are we doing – and have we perhaps always done? – that we need to challenge, or throw some unpredictability into? In this week’s Message of the Week, Pastor Bryce Blank challenges us to experience the mystery o...
2023-02-2024 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekFollow MeSometimes we become so focused on moving forward and “getting it done,” that we completely miss opportunities to love, serve, and lead. We miss chances to help those in need, to spur on meaningful change, and protect those who can’t protect themselves. Do our neighbors really experience love from us in all circumstances? In this week’s Message of the Week, we worship a God who calls us to follow HIM. Pastor Bryce Blank highlights Matthew 4, shares some statistics gathered from the world around us, and challenges us to follow Jesus closely enough that we radiate His love...
2023-02-1319 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Gift of Poetic ChallengeThe beatitudes say a great deal, in very few words. How are we leading, teaching, and faithfully following God not just with our own words, but with all that we do or are, as well? The depth of what God wants us to hear in this passage comes in just a few words, with profound challenge. Perhaps there is a blessedness in there for all of us as we try to take in this radical message that doesn’t seem to get easier, the more we hear it. In this week’s Message of the Week, we hear...
2023-02-0617 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Gift of Bold ActionThere comes a time in everyone’s life when bold choices need to be made. From deeply personal actions to communal ones, there are times when we need to lead and invite others to follow… and times when we need to be willing followers. In today’s Gospel reading, we are invited to consider how the bold actions the disciples took might teach us about following God’s lead in our lives today. In this week’s Message of the Week, we hear a message from Pastor Jen Tyler who shares from Matthew 4 and challenges us to take bold a...
2023-01-3019 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Gift of Outrageous GraceSometimes we encounter rules that often feel like rules… for the sake of rules. Yet when we look closer, it is not difficult to see that they are designed to help us better care for one another as a part of community. That’s exactly what today’s “rules” found in Matthew 5 are about: they invite us to live into the gifts of forgiveness and grace as we care for one another, and remember that God calls us to live in community. In this week’s Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from t...
2023-01-2324 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Gift of Unbridled CuriosityThe faithful curiosity of the disciples left them wanting to know more about Jesus: who he was, what he was doing, how they might learn from him. We are all curious about different things in our life – and that curiosity changes us and the world around us. What we do with that curiosity, and how we learn from it, is up to us. The example of the disciples invites us to use our curiosity as a tool to help us learn more about, and diver deeper into, our faith. In this week’s Message of the Week, we fi...
2023-01-1623 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Gift of Unexpected GiftsWhat does it mean for us to see and accept unexpected gifts? Is there even such a thing as freely given gifts, in which we don’t feel some kind of obligation to return a gift, or fulfill other (related or unrelated) expectations? Today we will explore the gifts brought by the magi who give not within any expectations or even hopes, but so faithfully, freely, and generously that today it might leave us asking: is it too good to be true? In this week’s Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler as we be...
2023-01-0921 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekExpect the Presence of GodAs we enter this new year, we are invited to reflect on what has been… and how we can build on that in our future. As we build on our Christmas themes of expectations… what does it look like to expect, hope for, and commit to seeing and experiencing the presence of God in our lives?This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from Isaiah 63, highlights the faithfulness of God, and challenges us to slow down to get a better glimpse of the presence of God.
2023-01-0321 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA Child is Inconveniently BornWhen we think of our savior coming, and the whole world depending on this savior… we don’t think of a child. Yet the gift here, is that this is the opposite of what our culture tells us to expect. It isn’t the champion, the biggest and strongest, the most combative or articulate, or wealthiest. On the contrary, scripture tells us that in our weakness, we find God: so let us look in other unexpected places and know that God will be with us there, too. This Christmas Eve, we hear from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares...
2022-12-2617 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekExpect A SaviorIn Mary’s song, she explores what it means to recognize that a Savior coming… The savior fills the hungry, and sends the rich away empty. What does this mean for us in 2022 (2,000 years later) to have a Savior who stands for the very things our world and culture teaches against? In this weeks Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler who challenges us to "Expect A Savior" with a scripture reading from Luke 1.
2022-12-1921 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekExpect MercyToo often, our world is not merciful yet Christmas is the opposite of this. It is a time for those who live in the shadows. It is a time for the unexpected. If mercy is about God’s welcoming and caring and walking with us when we’re down on our luck or even just having an off day/season… then what does it look like to have that be a centering point/gift in our lives? It looks like casting light in the darkness and knowing that our redeemer lives – and has come again this Christmas for all of us, w...
2022-12-1217 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekExpect Good NewsToo often in our lives, we don’t expect kindness, let alone Good News. Yet here we are, invited to not only know there is Good News around us – but invited to claim it for ourselves. What does this Good news mean for us, and what are we to do with it?In this weeks Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Jen Tyler who teaches from Luke chapter 3. This scripture not only challenges us to Expect Good News, but share that good news with others.
2022-12-0520 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekExpect a MiracleThis is a season of expectation in which the whole world joins in observing. But it isn’t the kind of expectation the world has set before us of a sweet, innocent little baby coming into the world. Rather, it is an invitation of Good news that is greater than that, and more complicated than that. It is an invitation to expect more – and to expect a miracle. It is an expectation that God is doing – and will do – great things. In this weeks Message of the Week, we hear from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from Jeremiah...
2022-11-2822 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekActions Have ConsequencesIn times of fear or annoyance, we often find ourselves taking actions that distance us from others. Is it possible that God calls us to take a different course of action? Paul and Silas offer us a Christ-like example of this opposite course of action. Acts 16:16-34 guides us to welcome people into our family, not turn them away. Could our actions mimic these early followers of Christ to make our communities a more vibrant, loving place?In this weeks Message of the Week, guest speaker, Pastor Dayne Zachrison shares what families look like when our actions...
2022-11-2216 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekChildren of GodIn a time of trials and being tested, Jesus stands firm in one the greatest, most important truths we know: that we are beloved children of God who are loved, cared for, and invited… not just into the kingdom of God that is yet to come after this life, but here today, as well: for our God, is a God of the living (and the dead).In this weeks Message of the Week, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from Luke chapter 20, and reminds us that we are God's beloved children.
2022-11-1422 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekAn Inheritance of HopeAs we remember the “saints” that have gone before us, we give thanks for all they have blessed us with today, and for the parts of them that live on within each of us. Though much has changed, much has also stayed the same. How are we living into the fullness of this inheritance and hope they have passed on to us? In this weeks Message of the Week, we recognize All Saints Day with a message from Pastor Jen Tyler that highlights an inheritance of faith that leads to hope for the future.
2022-11-0718 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA Future of JoyAs we have reflected on ways God has been and is with us over the past weeks, we give thanks for the assurance that God is not only leading us into the future – but equipping us to set up future generations for success, as well.As we come together, we celebrate the invitation and opportunity to share our treasures and invest in our present and future mission as a church. Now perhaps more than ever, your generosity can make an enormous difference as we sing new songs and come together as God’s church for God’s world...
2022-10-3119 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekPresent for JoyToday, we focus on the ‘songs’ of the natural world, as we celebrate the ways all the little things around us come together, in the present, to create a big picture of joy. We will take a moment to celebrate particular individuals, callings, or ministries in our church and celebrate the many expressions of God’s grace.We continue our “Together for Joy” sermon series with a message from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from Psalm 98 and challenges us to be “Present for Joy.”
2022-10-2420 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA History of JoyNow that we have officially launched into fall (with our prior sermon series, “Ready to Launch”), we’re going to spend some time thinking about and celebrating the goodness of God that is in our midst. We’re going to do this by celebrating the ways God has been, is, and always will be with us on this journey, and how here today, God has brought us “Together for Joy!”Today we begin our annual Stewardship sermon series centered around whole-life giving. This series is titled "Together for Joy" as we can give of ourselves for the glory of God...
2022-10-1718 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGrace upon GraceDiscourse and conversation were a common theme in the time of Jesus. The same thing was very common during the time of John Wesley, Methodism’s founder. In that discourse, grace became a vital part of conversational life. Despite differences and a plethora of thoughts, grace upon grace was given. What does grace mean? What does it look like? How do we give grace to those we disagree with today?This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from John Chapter 1. He reminds us that the absence of grace divides, and with th...
2022-10-1123 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekReady to Launch: Reset DirectionWhether we’ve been in the church for a long time or are exploring the faith, Jesus sometimes calls us to move in a new direction, even when we think we are already heading in the right direction. Building on our conversation about values last week, what does that mean for our lives, our church, and our world as we refocus on that which God is calling us to? This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from Acts 9, the story of Saul's blindness, and what a redirect in our lives could loo...
2022-10-0429 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekReady to Launch: Reset ValuesWhat does it mean to live by God’s Spirit and not our own, to live according to God’s values and not those of the world? Together we’ll explore these questions, utilizing our FirstChurch values to define how we might more fully live into them and truly trust in the Holy Spirit. This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Jen Tyler who shares from Galatians 5, and challenges us to live by The Spirit.
2022-09-2628 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekReady to Launch: Reset PurposeOur world, the final frontier. This is the witness of Watertown First United Methodist Church. Its daily mission; to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world; to connect, grow, and serve; to boldly shine the light of Jesus, in ways it has never been felt before.This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who continues our "Ready to Launch" sermon series. He shares from the Gospel of Mark and challenges us with a "Prime Directive" straight from the Gospel.
2022-09-1927 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekReady to Launch: ResetSometimes a “launch” feels like the end goal; the culmination of hard work and perseverance. But the launch is just the beginning of the journey. Something fresh, something new. A reset. Resetting our lives and preparing for a new season begins with remembering who we are… and whose we are. God is faithful while we prepare for our journeys, embark on them, and remember what brought us to this place, in the here and now. A reset can be a refreshing reminder that as God’s beloved, God is never far from us. All we have to do, is call on...
2022-09-1222 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekReturning HomeThere is no place like home. Whether we are sad our travels are ending or excited to get back into a routine, there is often comfort in returning to a place we call home. After stretching our spirits and love to include more of the people and places around us God loved first, our hope is that we would also return with new convictions, able to be more active and loving members of our community/world. How do these new experiences and encounters help us to follow the invitation of Jesus to better love one another?This...
2022-09-0623 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe ReflectionGod is present with us in all times and places – within and beyond our comfort zones. How, then, are we taking time to reflect on how God is at work in the world around us, when we take risks and broaden our experiences beyond our usual perspective? How can pausing for reflection help us think about our own hesitations or reservations, in order to better connect to the world around us… in turn helping to create a better world?This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares from Isaiah, chapter 65, and challenges us t...
2022-08-2922 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe EncounterWhile out on his travels, Jesus often encountered people from other faiths, traditions, and cultures. More often than not, it even seemed like Jesus sought these encounters. What does that have to teach us about how we can redefine “strangers” as “friends we have not met yet” – and how can that help us grow closer to God? This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares a story from his own life about an encounter that was out of the norm, and the story of the woman at the well from John Chapter 4. Pastor Bryc...
2022-08-2228 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekLeaving HomeWhen the people of Israel left Egypt, it wasn’t a fun adventure or some exciting trip they were embarking on. They were leaving that which they knew and which they had become comfortable with, no matter how difficult, for a pilgrimage with countless unknowns. As we place ourselves in that story, it invites us to wonder: how might God be calling us to leave “home” – that which is comfortable? What must we do to embark into the unknown in ways that help us expand our spiritual capacity? This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Jen Tyler...
2022-08-1526 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekTestament of TrustProverbs 3 begins with a challenge; to trust. We don’t easily trust what we can’t see or don’t know. When we know God and seek him daily, that trust comes a bit easier. Life comes fast, and we make claims like, “I’ve got this,” or “I’ll do it myself.” Imagine when our efforts come alongside Gods call in our lives. When trust overcomes our self-righteous efforts it may not seem easy, but God will lead us to light and his kingdom.This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares his journey...
2022-08-0828 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekYahweh: Love & TrustJesus was a pure example of acting in love at all times. The Apostle Paul knew this and noticed a detour in this regard from the church in Corinth. The people there were using their gifts for self-glory. In our time, do we do the same thing? What does true servanthood actually look like? Our intentions matter as we seek to minister to and love those around us.This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Bryce Blank who shares a fishing story from his childhood and reminds us, as 1 Corinthians 13 does, that God's love is...
2022-08-0123 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekLet Your Light ShineJesus invites us to let our lights shine – but what does that mean? What does your light look for, and how are you being called to let it shine brightly, for all the world to see and know?This weeks message of the week comes from the book of Matthew, Chapter 5. Pastor Jen Tyler highlights what it means to add “flavor” to the world, reminds us to be the light in the darkest of places, and challenges us to step out into the world and use our gifts!
2022-07-2523 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekNeighboring On PurposeWe are all called to be better neighbors and to better care for those around us. There are a lot of ways to do this… and Martha and Mary show us some of the wrong ways here in this familiar passage from Luke. Today we’ll talk about the importance of honoring God by honoring those around us not by over-busying ourselves, but by taking time to serve, in the midst of the pause. Can we pause long enough to truly honor those around us? This weeks message of the week comes from the 10th chapter of the b...
2022-07-1823 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekSurprise!The Holy Spirit loves to show up and surprise us in ways we don’t expect. More often than not, this comes in the form of a gift as God reminds us that while we all have hard times or suffering at various times in our own lives, God can use all for good. That does not mean God wants us to encounter difficult times… but it does mean we can always have hope – which “does not disappoint.” This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Jen Tyler who challenges us to notice people in need and to give...
2022-07-1122 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDip Your Toe in the WaterThis weekend, as we look forward to celebrating Independence Day, one may wonder what the founders of our country would think of where we are today – with all our social, economic, and political pressures. They had a vision to “form a more perfect union, establish justice…and establish this Constitution of the United States” and we may also wonder, are we there yet, or do we have a long way to go? This weeks message of the week comes from Rev. Sandee Prouty Cole. She shares the story of Naaman and how he was healed by God in a way...
2022-07-0420 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekMighty Winds & Gentle WhispersMost of us have a mental picture of Jesus, and we probably have a general concept of God in our minds, but what about the Holy Spirit? Too often we neglect the Holy Spirit in our lives and don’t even recognize when the Holy Spirit moves in us or around us. This weeks message of the week comes from guest speaker, Dr. Bruce Blumer, who challenges us to become aware of the Holy Spirit as a person of the Trinity, prepare ourselves to be open to the Holy Spirit, ask the Holy Spirit to be part of...
2022-06-2720 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekWhat Do You Have to Do with Me, Jesus?We often ask ourselves, “What might God be asking me to do? What will it cost me? How much time will it take? How much money? Will it cost me my reputation? Will people think I am crazy because of my actions?” Sometimes it feels like we don’t get an answer. More often, we succumb to “selective listening” where we choose to ignore or disregard an answer that God places before us. We think we have all the answers and don’t need to rely on God. But, God continues to journey with us even when we tell God to leave...
2022-06-2028 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekHoly WisdomThe Woman Wisdom stands at the crossroads, calling all to listen and learn. Her teachings are an invitation to wonder at creation and to approach life with a spirit of discovery. How can we become wiser by seeing creation through the eyes of wonder? What is God’s Wisdom trying to teach us?This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Abigail Ozanne who highlights the feminine attributes of the Trinity and shares her own story of learning and wisdom.
2022-06-1321 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekCalled TogetherWith Pentecost we celebrate the birth of the church, giving thanks for the ways we are different and the same. So it was at the first Pentecost, when all would hear the same message in their own language. How are we called to live similarly? Not just to get out of our comfortable boxes to see and understand one another despite our differences, but also to lean in to that – uniting together in Christ to love God and one another more fully, wholly, and completely? This weeks message of the week comes from Pastor Abigail Ozanne who sha...
2022-06-0629 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA God of New BeginningsThe last couple of chapters of the book of Revelation use a lot of imagery, which is consistent with the previous chapters. And just as usual: there is deeper meaning in these words that invite us to proclaim triumph in our lives here and now. We do so through the lens of words we close with, that mirror words the book opened with: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” These words remind us that Jesus has been, is, and always will be: thanks be to God! In our M...
2022-05-3121 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA Vision of the ChurchIn this vision of a great multitude, we are invited to capture a glimpse of what the true church can look like. What makes up a faithful community that is called the “great multitude” – and what does this have to say to our church here today? Through gifts of community and diversity, we are called to be on a journey that grows more Christlike every day.In our Message of the Week, we continue our Revelation sermon series featuring a message from Pastor Jen Tyler about John’s Vision of the Church found in Revelation 6 & 7.
2022-05-2326 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA Vision of WorshipAt the center of this text is a throne – but whose or what is it? What does that represent? Eventually, John (writer of Revelation) tells us that in the center of all that is… is a Lamb who sits on the throne: an unmistakable reference to Jesus. How do we live a life that reflects this scene, with all that we do and all that we are circling around, honoring the one – the only One – who sits on the throne of God?In our Message of the Week, Pastor Jen Tyler continues our sermon series titled “The End of the...
2022-05-1621 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekBeginning With The EndRevelation calls us to hope and endurance for today – and always. Today we will have an introduction to the book of Revelation, reminding one another that while Revelation is most popularly interpreted to be a literal prediction of the future and the events that will unfold at the end of time… we are called to read and understand it in a similar way to how we do other scriptures: with context in mind. In that light, we are invited to read and know that Revelation is less a book about the end of time – and more a word of encour...
2022-05-0923 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekCourageous FaithThe beginning of the book of Joshua challenges us to “Be Strong and Courageous” – Verse 9 was chosen by the youth, and said together each week throughout the year as a closing prayer and benediction. It reminds us that no matter what may come, we are all called to be strong and courageous, and to remember always that we can do this because “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – with no exceptions! The beginning of the book of Joshua challenges us to In our Message of the Week, Pastor Jen Tyler shares, from Joshua 1, the verse tha...
2022-05-0224 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekRefreshed By WaterWater is a significant theme throughout scripture; from God separating the waters to create the sky, the flood, Moses parting the Red Sea, as well as Jesus baptism with water by the Holy Spirit. So when Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar that He can provide an eternal, living water, we can know that this statement is significant as well. Although it is significant, it can also be confusing, just as it was to the woman at the well. In our Message of the Week, guest speaker and Wesley Acres Camp Director, Paul L...
2022-04-2523 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA Good Enough FaithEaster can be tricky when it comes to faith. We come for the happy ending–the “and then they lived happily ever after.” The resurrection story proclaims hope over despair and life over death! Yet… we know that life continued, and continues for us, as a story of spiking heartbreak moments that are not forever fixed. The nature of being created for love is that we will always hunger for more, that there is never enough life and love to satisfy. And endings are often too soon. But perhaps a good enough faith is one that moves through the chronic...
2022-04-1922 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekWorthy EnoughJesus orchestrated a low-budget parade into a city where he knew his days were numbered. “Get me a colt,” he said. Not a steed. Not a float. A young, green donkey. When he did, folks gathered, and his friends started some liturgical shouting that made the local priests mad. Life is hard and we all need friends… and sometimes big, loud, praying that will not be messed with. We are created for interdependence… which means all our hiding and pretending that we are “perfectly fine” all on our own just won’t work. Get on the donkey when you need to, and l...
2022-04-1124 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekJoyful EnoughJesus speaks the words no one wanted to admit: he was not always going to be around. “Oh, don’t say that,” so many of us have said to a loved one who speaks the truth about the fragility of life. Perhaps we get uncomfortable because it reveals the precious nature of the present moment, laying bare the beauty and horror of it all. The indescribable pain we know we will one day face invades our senses like a pervasive perfume, inescapable. What if we stopped denying the limited nature of our lives and breathed in deeply the fragrance of vul...
2022-04-0421 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGrace EnoughWe can be pretty hard on ourselves when things don’t go as planned. Guilt, shame, and fear of being seen as a failure can leave us wallowing in the pig pen, so to speak. Our delusions of a perfectible life keep us disappointed in ourselves. The truth is, life is a big risk every single day and facing whatever each day holds is not only good enough, but worthy of love and grace.In our message of the week, Pastor Jen Tyler shares the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 and how he had grand th...
2022-03-2823 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekProductive EnoughThere is so much shame for the unproductive fig tree. Cut it down! Make room for a more dedicated and hard-working fig tree! Yet… who among us is living up to our fullest potential? The productivity experts these days can diagnose the “what’s” … but the gardener offers an alternative medicine–nurture it slowly, and let it soak in the manure all around until it can get the good stuff out of it. Lying fallow and getting fertilized with laughter and tears at the crappy stuff of life can help heal what ails us and that is sometimes productive enough.
2022-03-2116 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekUncontrolled EnoughAs we continue reflecting on how we, who are created in God’s image, are in fact “Good Enough,” today we are reminded that Jesus is not only God, but also fully human. That means he shared our human experiences including our pains, grief, and frustrations. One thing Jesus wasn’t, though – was afraid. Instead, Jesus knew that God was always with him, and always in control. Jesus trusted in that so much, that he lived with a kind of peace and calm that we’ve never seen matched. In our message of the week from Mark 4:35-41, Pastor J...
2022-03-1421 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekHoly EnoughWe find ourselves hungry for many things that we believe will bring us satisfaction. The devil lays a bet that Jesus will jump at the chance for glory, fame, and the quick fix. Who wouldn’t? But Jesus keeps up the pithy one-liners long enough that the Tempter just has to slink away. What are the temptations that catch your ear, singing out promises that your life should be more special than it is? What if ordinary life is already holy–as is? In this message of the week from March 6th, we begin our “Good Enough” series wi...
2022-03-0724 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGet Up!As we prepare for the coming season of Lent (that starts with Ash Wednesday), we pause to reflect on ways that Jesus prepared himself for his journey to the cross. In the moments of Jesus’s transfiguration we not only heard affirmations of the importance of following Jesus, but also Jesus’ invitation in the moments that follow for the disciples to “Get up: and do not be afraid.” May we enter this coming season without fear, but with confidence that God comes with us, providing us the strength, courage, and hope we need for that which we know is coming…...
2022-02-2822 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDrawn In... to RestWe are closing out our “Drawn In” sermon series where we have been diving into how our Creating God calls us to live creative lives with him.Something too often overlooked in the creative process is the need to turn away from productivity, and toward effortlessness and play. In the story of creation, God rested. And this was “good” as well! Then in the commandments, we are reminded of our requirement – not recommendation – to rest as well. More specifically: to rest in God. True Sabbath draws us closer to God as we take time to reflect, observe, celebrate, a...
2022-02-2122 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDrawn In... to Re-integrateEverything that is created is in relationship with all other things; nothing exists in isolation, including our relationships. Are we willing to re-integrate, re-vise, re-vision our lives as we come in contact with others who are not like us? New possibilities await if we are willing to offer ourselves fully and be willing to be changed by our interactions.In this message of the week from February 13th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from 1 Corinthians 12, the importance of a faith community and how we are called to work together despite our differences.
2022-02-1419 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDrawn In... to RiskTo create is to assert ourselves into that which is risky, as God invites us to step into the unknown. Jesus tells this story about people who did different things with the “talents” given to them… what might you be willing or able to risk to use what God has given you to expand God’s love, grace, and message to the world?In this message of the week from February 6th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares the parable of the three servants, what was bestowed upon them, and how we are called to take risks when God calls us...
2022-02-0721 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDrawn In... to ListenWe are currently in the midst of our “Drawn In” sermon series where we are diving into how our Creating God calls us to live creative lives with Him.“Listening” as part of creativity is about perceiving; we open our senses to see what is emerging. Perhaps what we start doesn’t end up looking like what we thought it would. Instead, once the act of creating begins, we listen to how the Spirit is guiding our next steps and unfolding possibilities we were previously unaware of. Without paying attention in this way, we act as if we have al...
2022-01-3126 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDrawn In... to DreamAs we move from Hovering/trying to see the big picture, into action… we are invited to remember that all of creation began with God dreaming and creating abundantly. To put that another way in our present tense: “God’s dreams love the future into existence.” Thus we know that with God, “the sky is the limit,” and we are invited to live – and dream – big. How are you dreaming?In this message from January 23rd, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from Luke 4, and our calling to connect the dots of our lives to look more like Jesus.
2022-01-2526 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDrawn In - HoverIn Genesis we are told that God created the heavens and the earth, and called it good. How are we called to create, and to celebrate creation? The truth is, lots of us spend more time and energy being “driven” toward specific goals, and not enough time being “drawn in” to God’s goodness. We focus on what we “should” do – rather than what we are called to do – and what we might feel excited or compelled to do. Throughout this series, we are going to connect with our inner creativity, nurturing this fundamental aspect of being human. Creative outlet tends to gi...
2022-01-2526 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGod's BelovedJesus baptism is a gift that we can claim as our own. It is an open invitation to be a part of the body of Christ. All are welcome; all are invited. This every day gift of water reminds us that we are all God’s beloved.Today, Pastor Jen Tyler shares the story of the baptism of Jesus from Mark 1, and the life, love, grace, and forgiveness that comes from the waters of baptism.
2022-01-1021 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekEpiphany 2022Happy New Year from FirstChurch!What gifts did the Wise Men bring to Jesus? How many Wise Men are described in the Bible as visiting Jesus? What is the history of this Epiphany holiday, and where do our traditions come from?In this first message of the new year, Pastor Abigail Ozanne shares from Matthew 2 and the story of the journey of the Wise Men, their origin, and what this passage can tell us about following the “guiding lights” that lead us to Jesus.
2022-01-0322 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Blessing of HomeMerry Christmas from us at FirstChurch!At the time of Jesus birth, Bethlehem wasn’t the largest or most well known city in Israel. It was a city with a great past, like being known as the home of King David, but had its best years behind it.Today, we hear from guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Pete Grassow. He challenges us to remember that no matter where we come from, or the reputation of our neighborhood, God is present; on your side of the fence AND on the other.
2021-12-2720 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDeck The Halls... With Christ - Christmas EveAs we get out the Christmas lights, ornaments and tinsel to decorate our homes this year, many of us are relieved that Christmas will feel a bit more “normal” this year. As we prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us prepare in mind, body, spirit, and space: by Decking the Halls (and our lives) with what matters most: the hope, peace, joy, and love of God.Emmanuel has come. God turned the world on its head that first Christmas night and continues to turn the world today. In th...
2021-12-2617 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDeck The Halls... With LoveAs we get out the Christmas lights, ornaments and tinsel to decorate our homes this year, many of us are relieved that Christmas will feel a bit more “normal” this year. As we prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us prepare in mind, body, spirit, and space: by Decking the Halls (and our lives) with what matters most: the hope, peace, joy, and love of God.God gives us the gift of love, the opportunity to accept that love, and the call to share that love with others.In...
2021-12-2021 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDeck The Halls... With JoyAs we get out the Christmas lights, ornaments and tinsel to decorate our homes this year, many of us are relieved that Christmas will feel a bit more “normal” this year. As we prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us prepare in mind, body, spirit, and space: by Decking the Halls (and our lives) with what matters most: the hope, peace, joy, and love of God.God provides joy in unexpected ways through unexpected means, people, and places.In this message of the week from December 12th, Past...
2021-12-1320 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDeck The Halls... With PeaceAs we get out the Christmas lights, ornaments and tinsel to decorate our homes this year, many of us are relieved that Christmas will feel a bit more “normal” this year. As we prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us prepare in mind, body, spirit, and space: by Decking the Halls (and our lives) with what matters most: the hope, peace, joy, and love of God.In a season of stress and distractions, God offers us the roadmap to peace.In this message of the week from Dece...
2021-12-0621 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekDeck The Halls... With HopeAs we get out the Christmas lights, ornaments and tinsel to decorate our homes, many of us are relieved that Christmas will feel a bit more “normal” this year. As we prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us prepare in mind, body, spirit, and space: by Decking the Halls (and our lives) with what matters most: the hope, peace, joy, and love of God.In the midst of doubt, fear, and uncertainty, God provides hope. In this message of the week from November 28th, Pastor Jen Tyler share...
2021-11-2929 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGrateful... TogetherIn our current sermon series titled “Grateful,” we will talk about ways to live in gratitude, reflecting on our past, present, and lives that are yet to come as we celebrate all that God has given us, all that he provides for us, and all the opportunities he leads us to.Gratitude often moves us beyond ourselves from “me” – to “we.” As we live into our gratitude in this way, it becomes impossible not to share it – as research has even shown that gratitude is contagious. How, then, are we living into and sharing our gratitude in community? Toget...
2021-11-2222 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGrateful... on PurposeStudies have shown that gratitude is not only good for our relationships, but it’s also good for our health – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Thus to practice gratitude is to live into more than a feeling: it is to make a choice to be grateful by practicing it. To do that well, we need to first step back to see – and appreciate – all that we already have (and are).In this message of the week from November 14th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from 1 Thessalonians, reflecting on what it means to be grateful in all circumstances.
2021-11-1722 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGrateful... with the SaintsIn our current sermon series titled “Grateful,” we will talk about ways to live in gratitude, reflecting on our past, present, and lives that are yet to come as we celebrate all that God has given us, all that He provides for us, and all the opportunities He leads us to.As we remember and celebrate the saints who have gone before us today, we give thanks for the gift that keeps giving: Gratitude. There are different kinds of gratitude, and it rarely looks identical twice. How, then, do we recognize it, in order to embrace it? ...
2021-11-0823 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekSpooky FaithAre zombies in the Bible?! In what may be a familiar story from John 11, we hear the story of Lazarus dying, and being resurrected by Jesus. Yet… with the lens of Halloween in front of us, is this story what we think it is? What are the risks associated with bringing him back to life? What does resurrection look like for us today, in the here and now? In this message of the week from October 31st, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from John Chapter 11, and the story of Lazarus, resurrection, and new life.
2021-11-0123 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekWhen Waters Spring ForthRevelation paints a portrait of the diverse crowd around the throne, singing God’s praise, whom Christ will guide to the springs of the waters of life. Our faith promises us that there will come a time when we will no longer have to do the backbreaking work of well-digging to taste Christ’s goodness. We give to the church as a way of creating a glimpse of that kind of world, where all have comfort, grace, and truth. In this message of the week from October 24th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from Revelation 7, and challenges us to pl...
2021-10-2521 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekLove of the OrdinaryIn scripture, love stories, like Rachel and Jacob’s, often happen around a well. Church is also the site of love stories–not romantically, but the place where we fall in love with ordinary, sainted sinners. In this message of the week from October 17th, Pastor Abigail Ozanne shares from Genesis 29, and the story of Rachel and Jacob. This story highlights what it means to serve others in ordinary circumstances.
2021-10-1826 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Well That Runs DeepWhat we offer God sometimes requires us to dig deep with immense trust and sacrifice. The widow of Zarephath digs deep and sacrifices much to trust Elijah’s promise of abundance. How can digging deep to give meaningfully to the church help connect us with our trust in God?In this message of the week from October 10th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from 1 Kings 17 and the story of Elijah and the widow. This story gives us a glimpse into what it means to trust God with every aspect of our lives.
2021-10-1125 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekApproaching the WellThis week begins our stewardship series titled A Deeper Well. This series will focus on how we can live into lives of abundance; not scarcity. What Christ offers us is deeper than what the world offers us. The church is like a well. We need it to survive, but it can also be exhausting. It is dug by our hands, and the water we draw from is hefted by our own tired arms. Yet the water is Christ’s, and it is life-giving. Commit this year to sacrificing with us to dig this well, but also to dra...
2021-10-0422 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekCommunity As TeacherScripture invites us to be “imitators of God” – to practice and give witness to our faith, by first imitating the faithful examples of those around us. In today’s scripture reading from Hebrews 12, Pastor Jen talks about the gift of being a part of the cloud of witnesses past, present, and future. There is no better time or place or way to live out our faith, than by starting with small things, here today. How might we let the lives of others around us teach us how to live into our faith… and how are we also letting our lives – an...
2021-09-2722 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekScripture As TeacherHave you ever wondered what you can learn from books that are thousands of years old? What does scripture have to say that matters to us today?In this message of the week from September 19th, Pastor Abigail Ozanne shares from Psalm 119, and explores what scripture can teach us still today.
2021-09-2030 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekJesus As TeacherJesus not only has a lot to teach us about life and faith, but also, teaches us how to live into and embrace it through the gift of questions – and assuring us it is ok to not have all the answers. In this message of the week from September 12th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from John Chapter 3, and the story of Nicodemus. This is an example of Jesus as teacher in our lives, no matter our age or experience.
2021-09-1322 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekFaith Without Works...Being a Christian is more than claiming Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Our faith needs to be lived out. It should affect every part of our lives and what we do each day.In this message of the week from September 5th, Pastor Abigail Ozanne shares from James, Chapter 2, and how God calls us to be people of Faith-In-Action.
2021-09-0620 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekA Holy ArmorWhen we think of the armor of God, we often thing of tangible kinds of armor like a night in shining armor. But really, God is inviting us to pray at all times, to know that God is with us, and to trust in the “armor” of the gifts of faith, truth, and love. When we trust in these, we are assured not that life will be easier, or even that troubles will stay away from us, but that God will walk alongside and uphold us through it all,In this message of the week from August 29th...
2021-08-3024 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Spirit of GodGod fills us with the Spirit, bringing joy and thankfulness to our ordinary days.In this message of the week from August 22nd, Pastor Abigail Ozanne shares from the book of Ephesians, chapter 5, and how the Holy Spirit can lead us to be members of a faith community and guide us in wise living. She highlights the importance of seeking joy in the Lord and giving thanks at all times and for all things.
2021-08-2321 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekBound TogetherGod calls us to unity, requiring humility and acceptance of one another.In this message of the week from August 15th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from the fourth chapter of Ephesians and how our individual gifts and callings are different but equally important in the body of Christ. When we remember that we have different callings but THE SAME goal, unity arises and the body of Christ is built up.
2021-08-1626 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekGod's Powerful LoveIn this message of the week from August 8th, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from the third chapter of Ephesians and Paul’s prayer for all believers, that they would be grounded in love and that God can do things through us we cannot imagine.
2021-08-0922 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekThe Miracle of Being IncludedGod reconciles divided people, breaking down barriers and uniting us as we are reminded of the wideness of God’s mercy that is never ceasing.In this message of the week from August 1st, Pastor Jen Tyler shares from the second chapter of Ephesians that we are all united and no matter where we come from, Jesus has broken down the walls that divide us in order to unify us.
2021-08-0322 minFirstChurch Message of the WeekSharing Our StoryWho are we, as individuals, and where have we been that makes us who we are? Who are we as a people of God, and how has God stretched us, prepared us, and made us into who we are as a Church? What happens when we listen to God, and… what happens when we share the seeds of the Good News on fertile soil?In this message of the week from July 18th, Pastor Abigail Ozanne shares from the book of Mark chapter 4 as well as a bit of the history of the faithful at Watertown First Un...
2021-07-2232 min