First Church Cast

Where do you find yourself this Advent season? How are you weathering the storm that is the year 2020? No matter where you find yourself…in a hospital bed, at a graveside, at home, at work, at school…God’s gift always finds it way to you.

"For TO YOU a child is born..." To you. God's greatest gift was addressed to YOU. In Pastor Kyle's sermon, he discusses this most precious gift and what it means for our lives in the Advent season and EVERY season!

In her sermon “Fall on Your Knees,” Pastor Cindy explains the origin of Christ the King Sunday and examines how we can center Christ in our lives in the present day.

In her sermon "Finding Ourselves" Pastor Cindy encourages us to commit to the Lord, even in the difficult seasons of life.

In his sermon, "Thinking of You with Gratitude" Pastor Kyle recounts his extreme worry at the beginning of the pandemic. How could we be the hands and feet of Christ when our doors must remain closed? How can we meet the needs of God's children? On this stewardship Sunday, hear testimonies of those in our family of faith who have been forever changed by the love of Christ and the outreach of First UMC, even in the midst of the darkness that has encroached upon us this year.

In Pastor Kyle's sermon "Beloved Children of God" he honors those who have passed in the past year and reminds us that each of us has a place at Christ's long table.

In his sermon "The Holy Ghost" Pastor Kyle addresses how many times "ghost" is mentioned in the Bible. What does it mean to "give up the ghost?" How does the Holy Ghost work in our lives today?

In his sermon “Seasons Change; God Remains,” Pastor Kyle addresses Psalm 136 and Gods steadfast love despite chaotic, ever-changing days.

In her sermon, "A Better Blend" Pastor Cindy relates our relationship with Christ to a coffee cup. Are we the coffee? Or the cup? Of course, the scripture that accompanies this sermon is from HeBREWs!

In Pastor Kyle's second sermon in the series "Faith and the Political Divide" he addressed how we can build relationships with those who disagree with us during this heated election year. How would Christ want us to treat each other this year?

In Pastor Kyle’s sermon “Faith and the Political Divide,” he addresses how we should approach politics from a faith standpoint, regardless of party affiliation. How do we have respectful political disagreements with others? Should we disengage from political participation? How should we respond to divisive posts on social media? This sermon is a can’t miss, especially in the 2020 political climate!

In his message “A Gentler Pentecost,” Pastor Kyle addresses the breath of God that breathes the Holy Spirit into the disciples on the day of Pentecost.

In today's service, we celebrate our 2020 seniors!

In her sermon “Living Stones,” Pastor Cindy discusses how we can be living cornerstones for Christ.

In his sermon, "One Flock, One Shepherd" Pastor Kyle addresses one of Jesus's "I am" statements from John 10:1-18 in which Jesus uses the metaphor of the sheep and the shepherd. How is Jesus like a shepherd? How are we like His sheep?

In Pastor Cindy's sermon "A Living Hope," she addresses 1 Peter 1:3-9. When we say, “yes,” to becoming followers of Christ, we are birthed in to:    (1) a living hope, and (2) an inheritance.  What is a “Living Hope?”  It is not a “dead Hope.”  Hope that doesn’t “live,” is not Hope at all.  “Living” in the Greek, means it is alive today, it will be living tomorrow, and on in to the future.  We have this Hope because of the Resurrection.

In his sermon "The Tomb is Empty...Now What?" Pastor Kyle asks "What are God's Easter people to do with the knowledge of Christ's resurrection?"

Hear Pastor Kyle's sermon "Fear and Great Joy" given on this Easter Sunday!

Pastor Kyle in his sermon “If These Were Silent” addresses Jesus’s journey into Jerusalem, being met by cheers from the crowd and palms being laid in His path. Despite the praise, Jesus mourns, knowing that the sounds of praise will turn to shouts of condemnation. On this Palm Sunday, we look around our empty sanctuary. Where once you could hear sounds of worship, you now hear silence. Despite our current circumstances due to COVID-19, we are called to speak up. We are called to worship. We are called to fellowship. We hope this message and our service brings you hope and a renewed conviction this day!

In her sermon, "Becoming Whole Again," Pastor Cindy addresses Ezekiel 37:1-14 in which God breathes life into a valley filled with bones. Ezekiel and his vision of the Valley of Dry Bones represents that, in spite of the hopelessness felt by the Jews who had been living in captivity in Babylon for so long, God is able to restore their lives.  The resurrection of the dead is completely dependent upon God so that there can be no doubt that it lies outside of our powers.  Dry bones…forgotten names…forgotten lives.  Many things may be thought about dry bones; but, the possibility of them coming back to life is not one of them.  God does not merely resurrect the bones; God breathes the Spirit into them.  Maybe God’s question to us this Lent is, “What can your spiritual dry bones teach you?”  What can you learn about yourself and your relationship with the world from the painful and difficult times in your life?   What would we find out about our spiritual maturity if we examined our spiritual bones?"

In Pastor Cindy's sermon "Visually Impaired", she tells the story of Jesus restoring sight to the man who was born blind.  How are we made blind by the world around us? What can we do to open our eyes? How do we allow our sight to prejudice us against others? How can we turn our eyes to God?

As we examine ourselves throughout the season of Lent, we often realize that it’s difficult, it’s uncomfortable, and we might feel as though we’ve lost our worth. However, the Psalmist proclaims to us that God chooses to keep us. Part of our examination is that who we are is defined not just by what we do but by whose we are.

In his sermon "Called to Something More" Pastor Kyle delves in to the third and fourth chapter of the book of John. These chapters contain Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus and his subsequent encounter with the woman at the well. In both of these, we see people who are going through life not sure what it is that they are living for or devoted to: Nicodemus following a band of Pharisees that seem to have lost the real intent of their faith, the Samaritan Woman who seems to be alone and tossed about by one man to the next. Each finds in Jesus an opportunity to be “born again” and to drink of the water that springs up into everlasting life. As we look at their stories, let us examine ourselves. Is it possible that we’ve been called to live for something more than what we’re focused upon in our lives now?

Pastor Kyle's sermon "You Could Have It All" focuses on the story of Adam and Eve’s and Jesus’ temptation. In these two iconic scriptures, the Devil seeks to point out everything that could be possible, if we only focus upon ourselves. Here in this scripture Jesus’ focus is not upon advancing any wants or desires that he has but on honoring the Lord alone. As we begin the season of Lent, do we seek to serve the Lord or do we more attempt to benefit ourselves no matter the cost?

In his sermon "The Moment it Clicked" Pastor Kyle examines the story of the transfiguration. When was the moment that you realized Jesus is more than just a great teacher? When was the moment that you realized Jesus was more than just a man? Has it yet, or are you just following Jesus because he was a good man?

Pastor Cindy's sermon "The Tell-Tale Heart" is based on Matthew 5:21-37, known as the "sermon on the mount" and Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story. What do we try to hide under our floorboards, brush under the rug? How does Jesus say we should deal with guilt?

In his sermon "Fulfillment of the Law," Pastor Kyle asks the questions, "What does Jesus mean when he said he came to 'fulfill' the law? Why were there so many laws in the Old Testament and why do we not abide by them today?"

Pastor Cindy concludes our sermon series "Let's Talk Worship" with her sermon "Let's Talk Worship: When God Meets Us Here." How do we recognize Christ in our midst?

In the second installation of the sermon series "Let's Talk Worship" Pastor Kyle asks the question, "What do we do in worship?" Does the way we worship matter to God? Is it okay to worship in different ways?

Pastor Kyle is kicks off the "Let's Talk Worship" sermon series with a focus on Psalm 150. What does the Bible say about praising the Lord? How are we to praise the Lord?

In her sermon "Baptismatus Sum!" Pastor Cindy tells the story of Christ's baptism by John the Baptist. Why does God call us to be baptized? What does baptism mean? How can we remember our baptism daily or look forward to that day?

The three wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the typical gifts you buy for baby showers. Why were these gifts significant to the Christ child? What gifts do you bring to God's kingdom? In Pastor Kyle's sermon "What Gifts Will You Bring?" he addresses the wise men's gifts and the gifts we can bring to God's table.

In her sermon, "What Happens After the Gifts Are Opened?" Pastor Cindy addresses the aftermath of Christmas and how we as a people of Christ can carry the story of Christmas beyond December 25th.

Pastor Kyle delivers a special Christmas Eve message as we come to adore the Christ who was born to save us.

In her sermon "The Gift of Peace," Pastor Cindy calls us to find Christ's peace amidst this busy Advent season.

Hear the good news of our Christ who heals and saves in Pastor Kyle's sermon "Observed Joy!"

He could have humiliated Mary. He could have cast her away to be stoned to death, but he chose to trust in God's plan instead. Hear the story of Joseph once more in Pastor Kyle's sermon "Love Given Shape."

Pastor Kyle kicks off this season of Advent in his sermon "Eyes Toward God." As we begin our Advent journey this day, we join with those throughout history who have found themselves walking in darkness and longing for a great light. We know that we are not a people without hope, for through the Christ Child, we have confidence that we will experience God in our midst once more this Christmas season.

On this Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Cindy addresses Christ's desires for us as our king, the example He set, and how we should honor him as our sovereign in her sermon "What Kind of King?"

In Pastor Kyle's sermon "The Uncontradicted Word," he addresses how each of us is able to do God's kingdom work, without regard to age, ability, and self-perception.

In today's sermon "Reflecting the Light," Pastor Kyle talks about what it means to be a disciple of Christ, letting your light shine for others.

In today's sermon, Pastor Kyle focuses on Luke 16:1-13, discussing how we can be faithful with what God has entrusted to us. What has God entrusted to you? Are you serving God or money?

In today's sermon, Pastor Kyle expresses God's desire that we pour our lives into His kingdom work. When you look back at the span of your life, for what and whom will you have poured your life out?

Today's sermon "When I Grow Up: Becoming Gentle and Self-Controlled" is the last in our sermon series "When I Grow Up" focused on Galatians 5:22-23 and the "fruit of the spirit." In this sermon, Pastor Cindy, an M&M enthusiast, talks about how to control your impulses to be a better child of God.

When I Grow Up: Becoming Generous And Faithful by First United Methodist Church Stillwater

In his sermon "When I Grow Up: Becoming Patient," Pastor Kyle reminds us to be slow to anger and patient in all things.

In the second sermon in the new sermon series "When I Grow Up", Pastor Cindy will talk about what it means to become joyous even in the midst of strife.

We are beginning a new sermon series during worship today! With Galatians 5:22-23 as the focal point, Pastors Kyle and Cindy will be examining the fruits of the spirit, beginning with Pastor Kyle's sermon "When I Grow Up: Becoming Loving."

Today is United Methodist Women's Sunday! Our UMW is extremely active with many opportunities to get involved! Women of all ages are invited to attend the monthly luncheon, brunch, book club, and circle meetings! Looking for ways to serve in and beyond the walls of our church? These amazing, mission-minded women would love to welcome you in Christian fellowship! For more information, check out the Stillwater UMW Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stillwaterumc/

Pastor Kyle's sermon "The Giver of Good Gifts" focuses on Luke 11: 9-13. What gifts await you if you have the courage to ask, seek, and knock?

In her sermon "Light Them Up!" Pastor Cindy stresses the importance of keeping your lamps lit and ready. How are you refueling your lamp on a daily basis?