Atlanta First United Methodist Church Sermon Podcast

The sermon from the Sunday, June 22, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Shame & the Shadows We Hide” in the worship series “Inside Faith: Growing in God.” Scripture lesson: John 4:1-29 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, June 15, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Min. Katie Wax White, Director of Finance and Administration. “Fear Is Not the Final Word” in the worship series “Inside Faith: Growing in God.” Scripture lesson: Matthew 14:22–33 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Fire & Feelings” in the worship series “Inside Faith: Growing in God.” Scripture lesson: Acts 2:1-21 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Ascension Sunday, June 1, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Joy & the Journey” in the worship series “Inside Faith: Growing in God.” Scripture lesson: Philippians 4:4–9 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, May 25, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Mind the Gap: Bridging the Gap” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: Acts 8:26-40 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, May 18, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Mind the Gap: Courage for the Calling” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: Acts 4:1-13 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Download the worship guide at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/25/AFUMC-Worship-25-05-18.pdfDownload the children's handout at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/25/AFUMC-Children-25-05-18.pdfSupport the show

The sermon from the Mother's Day Sunday, May 11, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Mind the Gap: Faith in Action” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: Acts 2:42-47 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, May 4, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Mind the Gap: Power in the Gap” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: Acts 2:1–24,32-42 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, April 27, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Mind the Gap: Between the Cross and the Call” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: Acts 1:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Download the worship guide at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/25/AFUMC-Worship-25-04-27.pdfDownload the children's handout at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/25/AFUMC-Children-25-04-27.pdfSupport the show

The sermon from the Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “While It Was Still Dark” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: Luke 19:35-40 and John 20:1 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the outdoor Easter Sunrise, April 20, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko, called “With a Great Voice.” Scripture lesson: John 20:1-18 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Good Friday, April 18, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Mind the Gap” in the Easter worship series “Mind the Gap.” Scripture lesson: John 19:14-42 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Bishop Robin Dease, resident bishop of the Georgia Episcopal Area of the UMC. “If We Won't, They Will!” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Scripture lesson: Luke 19:35-40 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, April 6, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Practice Makes Perfect: Confession” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Scripture lesson: 1 John 1:8-10 (Common English Bible).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, March 30, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Practice Makes Perfect: Service as a Discipline” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Gospel lesson: Matthew 20:20-28 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Download the worship guide at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/25/AFUMC-Worship-25-03-30.pdfSupport the show

The sermon from the Sunday, March 23, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by guest preacher Rev. Keya Hillman, who is the Regional Developer of the South West District of the NGUMC. “The Freedom in Simplicity: Seeking First the Kingdom” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Scripture lesson: Matthew 6:25-33 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, March 16, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Practice Makes Perfect: Study” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Scripture lesson: John 8:25-32 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Download the worship guide at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/25/AFUMC-Worship-25-03-16.pdfSupport the show

The sermon from the Sunday, March 9, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by guest preacher Rev. Dr. Byron Thomas. “Woe Is Me!” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Scripture lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “A Communal Lent” in the worship series “Practice Makes Perfect.” Scripture lesson: Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Transfiguration Sunday, March 2, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Another Kind of Exodus” in the worship series “A Different Rhythm: Stepping Out of the World's Beat.” Scripture lessons: Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 9:28-36 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, February 23, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by guest preacher Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz. “Let's Behave Like God's Children” in the worship series “A Different Rhythm: Stepping Out of the World's Beat.” Scripture lesson: Luke 6:27-38 (Common English Bible).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, February 16, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by guest pastor Bishop Robin Dease. “How to Make Enemies!” in the worship series “A Different Rhythm: Stepping Out of the World's Beat.” Scripture lesson: Luke 6:17-26 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, February 9, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “A Different Rhythm: A Renewed Sense of Trust” in the worship series “A Different Rhythm: Stepping Out of the World's Beat.” Scripture lesson: Luke 5:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, February 2, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Counter-Rhythm” in the worship series “A Different Rhythm: Stepping Out of the World's Beat.” Scripture lesson: Luke 4:21-30 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, January 26, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “New Season, New Song: An Overcoming Anointing” in the worship series “New Season, New Song: How to Overcome.” Scripture lesson: Luke 4:14-21 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, January 19, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “New Season, New Song: An Overcoming Praise” in the worship series “New Season, New Song: How to Overcome.” Scripture lesson: Psalm 96 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Wednesday, January 15, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “New Season, New Song: An Overcoming Presence” in the worship series “New Season, New Song: How to Overcome.” Scripture lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Epiphany Sunday, January 5, 2025, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “New Season, New Song: An Overcoming Light” in the worship series “New Season, New Song: How to Overcome.” Scripture lesson: John 1:1-18 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, December 29, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Home Alone 12(A.D.): Lost in Jerusalem” in the worship series “Unwrapping the Gift of Joy.” Scripture lesson: Luke 2:41-52 (Common English Bible).Happy New Year! In this week's midweek service we continue to celebrate Christmas as we are in the Twelve Days of Christmas, also called the Season of Christmastide, which are the days between December 25 and Epiphany on January 6. Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko's sermon is called “Home Alone 12(A.D.): Lost in Jerusalem” and the scripture lesson is Luke 2:41-52 (Common English Bible).Download the worship guide at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/24/AFUMC-Worship-24-12-29.pdfDownload the children's handout at:http://www.atlantafirstumc.org/pdf/24/AFUMC-Children-24-12-29.pdfSupport the show

The sermon from the Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “O Come Let Us Adore Him” in the worship series “Unwrapping the Gift of Joy.” Scripture lessons: Isaiah 9:2-7 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition) and Luke 2:1-20 (King James Version).*Notice: due to a technical malfunction during recording, there is a portion of audio missing during the reading of the Gospel lesson. We apologize for the error.Support the show

The sermon from the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Anticipating Joy” in the worship series “Unwrapping the Gift of Joy.” Scripture lesson: Luke 1:30-56 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Third Sunday of Advent, November 15, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Joy For the Remnant” in the worship series “Unwrapping the Gift of Joy.” Scripture lesson: Zephaniah 3:14-20 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Second Sunday of Advent, November 8, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Joy: The Antidote for an Anticipating People” in the worship series “Unwrapping the Gift of Joy.” Scripture lesson: Nehemiah 7:73b-8:12 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the First Sunday of Advent, November 1, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “This Joy That We Have” in the worship series “Unwrapping the Gift of Joy.” Scripture lesson: Philippians 4:4-7 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Christ the King Sunday, November 24, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “United in Gratitude of the King” in the worship series “United at the Table: Gratitude Beyond Differences.” Scripture lesson: Revelation 1:4b-8 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, November 17, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “True Kindness: Beyond Niceness” in the worship series “United at the Table: Gratitude Beyond Differences.” Scripture lesson: Hebrews 10:11-25 (The Message and New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, November 10, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Unity When Uniformity Fails” in the worship series “United at the Table: Gratitude Beyond Differences.” Scripture lessons: 1 Samuel 8 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition) and Colossians 3:5a,8-15 (New Living Translation).Support the show

The sermon from the All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Living Into the Will of God” in the worship series “United at the Table: Gratitude Beyond Differences.” Scripture lessons: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Mark 12:28-34 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “An Invitation to Generosity: How to Engage” in the worship series “An Invitation to Generosity,” and scripture lesson: Mark 10:46-52 (Common English Bible).Support the show

The sermon from the Laity Sunday, October 20, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Melanie Long, Laity Sunday Preacher. “An Invitation to Generosity: Grow Together” in the worship series “An Invitation to Generosity,” and scripture lesson: Romans 12:4-8 and Hebrews 10:24-5 (Common English Bible).Support the show

The sermon from the Pride Sunday, October 13, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “An Invitation to Generosity: Serve People” in the worship series “An Invitation to Generosity,” and scripture lesson: Amos 5:6-7,10-15 (New International Version).Support the show

The sermon from the World Communion Sunday, October 6, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “An Invitation to Generosity: Worship God” in the worship series “An Invitation to Generosity,” and scripture lesson: Psalm 8 (New International Version).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, September 29, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “That's Not in the Bible!?: Everything Happens for a Reason” in the worship series “That's Not in the Bible!?,” and scripture lesson: Deuteronomy 30:19-20b (New International Version).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, September 22, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “That's Not in the Bible!?: Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin” in the worship series “That's Not in the Bible!?,” and scripture lesson: Matthew 7:1-5 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, September 15, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “That's Not in the Bible!?: God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It” in the worship series “That's Not in the Bible!?,” and scripture lesson: 1 John 5:13-15 (The Message).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, September 8, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “That's Not in the Bible!?: God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle” in the worship series “That's Not in the Bible!?,” and scripture lessons: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 and Psalm 46 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the show

The sermon from the Sunday, September 1, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “That's Not in the Bible!?: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves” in the worship series “That's Not in the Bible!?,” and scripture lessons: Ephesians 2:4-10 and Leviticus 23:22 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition).Support the Show.

The sermon from the Sunday, August 25, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Holiness When It's Not Easy” in the worship series “Back 2 Basics,” and scripture lesson: Ephesians 6:10-20 (Common English Bible).Support the Show.

The sermon from the Sunday, August 18, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers. “Life in the Spirit” in the worship series “Back 2 Basics,” and scripture lesson: Ephesians 5:15-20 (New International Version).Support the Show.

The sermon from the Sunday, August 11, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “Created for Community” in the worship series “Back 2 Basics,” and scripture lesson: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (Common English Bible).Support the Show.

The sermon from the Sunday, August 4, 2024, worship service of Atlanta First United Methodist Church by Associate Pastor Rev. Chris Rapko. “One Job!” in the worship series “Back 2 Basics,” and scripture lesson: Ephesians 4:1-16 (The Message).Support the Show.