"Transformation in Christ--Changing lives inside and out." ~Romans 12:2 United Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA dedicated to spreading the gospel through invitation, sending, teaching, and prayer.
Dr. Imes has made Exodus the focus of her professional career in Biblical Scholarship. Her doctoral work presented an impactful thesis on the 3rd commandment, which led to the publication of "Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters." Among several other publications, she is now developing a robust commentary on the book of Exodus set to publish in 2027. CONNECT WITH DR. IMES+ Her bio+ Follow her on Substack, Facebook, Instagram, and X + Buy her book, "Bearing God's Name" GO DEEPER IN EXODUS + Exodus Study Devotional + Video Teachings + Exodus Adventure Journal + Family Companion Guide CONNECT WITH US+ Learn more about First Church Williamsport on our website+ Watch our services online every Sunday at 9 AM+ Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Aligning with God's perspective requires us to be obedient and faithful rather than successful.Exodus 5 - 7Rev. Dr. Ben Conrad and Mitch MarcelloSeptember 27, 2026
Dr. Roberts (PhD, Durham University) works as an adjunct Senior Fellow for the Theopolis Institute. He is a co-author of the book "Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption Through Scripture." He has a free chapter-by-chapter audio commentary on the entire Bible which can be found here.CONNECT WITH DR. ROBERTS+ Check out the Mere Fidelity and Theopolis podcasts + Follow him on Substack and YouTube + Buy his book, "Echoes of Exodus"GO DEEPER IN EXODUS + Exodus Study Devotional + Video Teachings + Exodus Adventure Journal + Family Companion Guide CONNECT WITH US+ Learn more about First Church Williamsport on our website + Watch our services online every Sunday at 9 AM+ Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Moses was called forth to live his life in light of the ultimate reality of God's holy name, “I AM.” We are called to do the same today.Exodus 3:1-14Rev. Dr. Matt LakeSeptember 20, 2026
Dr. Lapsley holds the position of President of Union Presbyterian Seminary and also serves on Faculty as Old Testament Professor. Among other publications, Dr. Lapsley has authored Whispering the Word: Hearing Women's Stories in the Old Testament. CONNECT WITH DR. LAPSLEY+ Her bio+ Buy her book, Whispering the Word GO DEEPER IN EXODUS + Exodus Study Devotional + Video Teachings + Exodus Adventure Journal + Family Companion Guide CONNECT WITH US+ Learn more about First Church Williamsport on our website + Watch our services online every Sunday at 9 AM + Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
The balcony story of Exodus reminds us that God both knows us and remembers us in our sin slavery, and ultimately delivers us from that slavery.Exodus 1:6-14; 2:23-25Rev. Dr. Matt LakeSeptember 13, 2026 (Fall Kickoff Sunday)
By remembering that we have citizenship here and in heaven we avoid making earthly politics an idol as we live as peculiar people in God's Kingdom.Philippians 3:15-21Rev. Dr. Matt LakeSeptember 6, 2026
True freedom is found when we live for Jesus under the restraints of His teaching and truth, rather than turning from His teaching and truth.John 8:31-36Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeAugust 30, 2026
When we seek the approval of others, we are caught in a web of insecurity trying to perfect ourselves. Paul urges us to find our confidence by knowing that in Christ we are declared saints.Galatians 1:1-10Caroline GlazierAugust 23, 2026
When we experience the love of the Risen Christ who gave His life for us in a real and intentional way, the idol of the self loses its grip on our lives and Jesus becomes our first priority.Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV) and Galatians 2:11-13, 19-21 (MSG)Rev. Dr. Matt LakeAugust 16, 2026
If we are not careful, we will be formed by the idol of technology that is ever more present in our lives as a first priority, rather than formation in the embodied practices of Christ.Exodus 32:1-8 and Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)Rev. Dr. Matt LakeAugust 9, 2026
Overcoming the idol of comfort in our lives is not a matter of trying harder or being driven by shame, but rather by knowing and embracing the surpassing love of Jesus in our lives.Luke 9:23-24 and Philippians 3:7-14Reverend Dr. Matt LakeAugust 2, 2026
The idol of control trusts the self rather than God. We can turn away from the idol of control by embracing godly agency.Exodus 20:1-6Rev. Janet DurrwachterJuly 26, 2026
Sharing in the deeper version of the Jesus story means we grow in depth from accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior to joining Jesus as Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 15:12-28Rev. Dr. Matt LakeJuly 19, 2026
When the scandalous grace of Jesus impacts us in our soul, it gets exemplified outwardly in our generosity in all ways towards others and with God.Luke 19:1-10Reverend Dr. Matt LakeJuly 12, 2026
Daniel models for us what it means to faithfully live in this world without being a part of this world.Daniel 6:10-12, 16-22Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeJuly 5, 2026
When we refuse to let the world define who we are and trust who God is forming us to be, we will find the courage to step in front of giants, and follow God wherever he is calling us.1 Samuel 17:38-40Mitch MarcelloJune 28, 2026 (VBS Sunday)
When we live into the strength of the Lord rather than our own strength, we live up to our full potential as Jesus followers. Judges 16:4-22Rev. Dr. Matt LakeJune 21, 2026 (Father's Day)
God loves all people and calls us to love all people, even our enemies.Jonah 1:1-17Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeJune 14, 2026
The church is called to follow the model of Joseph and stop the cycles of pain and hatred. (Genesis 37:1-10)Genesis 37:1-10Mitch MarcelloJune 7, 2026
The story of Noah's ark reminds us that we serve a God who grieves deeply enough to do something about the brokenness in our world, and who remembers us in such a way as to bring forth new life through that brokenness.Genesis 7:11-24 and Genesis 8:1Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeMay 31, 2026
All of us are commissioned as representatives of God, partnering in the New Creation: making all things new and restoring all things to right relationship with God.Exodus 19:1-8 and Acts 2:5-12Dr. Ben ConradMay 24, 2026 (Pentecost)
We model the love and transformation found in Jesus when we live into the humble power of Christ rather than the power dynamics of this world.Acts 3:1-16 and Ephesians 3:14-21Reverend Dr. Matt LakeMay 17, 2026
Our fuse youth examine the pillar of beautiful Diversity.Acts 2:5-11 and Galatians 3:26-29Marco BlasMay 10, 2026 (Mother's Day)
Our fuse youth examine the pillar of beautiful diversity.Acts 2:5-11 and Galatians 3:26-29Keigan McCoyMay 10, 2026 (Mother's Day)
God's church is called to reflect the perfect, third way tension of grace and truth modeled in the Way of Jesus in such a way that it defies easy defining found in constructed, human categories.Acts 8:26-40 and John 14:6Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeMay 3, 2026
We as rugged disciples seek to give up our lives to discover true life in Jesus Christ.Acts 14:19-22 and Matthew 10:38-39Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeApril 26, 2026 (Graduate Recognition)
Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 1:8Mitch MarcelloApril 19, 2026
With the renewing of our minds, we can better live into the transforming reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:1-2 and Acts 9:1-19Rev. Dr. Matthew LakeApril 12, 2026
Jesus models the power and hope of lament by entering into suffering itself, rather than seeking to ignore it.Lamentations 3:5, 28; Psalm 22:1-5; Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV)Rev. Dr. Matt LakeMarch 29, 2026 (Palm Sunday)**Note that the stream was interrupted partly through the sermon. The audio file has preserved most of the content.
Lament teaches us to trust God, even in our pain.Psalm 13 (NLT) and Lamentations 5 (NIV)Reverend Janet DurrwachterMarch 22, 2026
The subversive practice of lament fosters faithful discipleship by encouraging us to use our prophetic voice against injustice in this world.Psalm 10:1-7, 12-15Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeMarch 15, 2026
The practice of lament helps us live as faithful disciples by fostering personal resilience no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.Lamentations 2:1-3, 11-13 and Psalm 74:1-3, 10-12Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeMarch 8, 2026
Lament matters because when we are shaken to our core it gives us language and voice to live into a more resilient and faithful form of discipleship. Lamentations 2:1-2,11-13 and Psalm 74:1-3, 10-12Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeMarch 1, 2026
The subversive discipline of lament allows us to engage God faithfully, and discover hope, by naming our honest complaints and requests before God.Lamentations 1:1-2, 9-11 and Psalm 13Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeFebruary 22, 2026
Eternal Life is more than you think and better than you think.John 3:10-16Reverend Janet DurrwachterFebruary 15, 2026
The fruits of the spirit reflect the truth of God lived out in our lives.Galatians 5:16-26Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeFebruary 8, 2026
When the anchor of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is fully realized and embraced in our lives we live changed lives.1 Corinthians 15:12-26Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeFebruary 1, 2026
God's holiness helps us to embrace the truth that we are more flawed than we imagined, but also more loved than we ever dared to hope.Isaiah 6:1-7Reverend Dr. Matt LakeJanuary 25, 2026
The mission of the Holy Spirit is to bring us near to the life-giving presence of God.Ezekiel 37:1-10Dr. Benjamin ConradJanuary 18, 2025
Jesus did not come to manage our behavior. He came to reclaim our hearts. And when we are truly captivated by him, freedom follows.Exodus 6:6-9 and John 8:31-41 (NIV)Mitch Marcello (MS)January 11, 2026
All truth begins and ends with God. God the Father represents the Source of that truth.Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 103:1-18Reverend Dr. Matt LakeJanuary 4, 2026
The Good News sustains us, and no one should go hungry in the family of God.1 Peter 2:1-3; 9-10Michael GlazierDecember 28, 2025
At Christmas the birth of Jesus represented more than the happy emotions of a fulfilled pregnancy, it represented the inbreaking of a new reality worthy of rejoicing.Luke 2:1-20Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeDecember 24, 2025
Jesus loves us enough to enter into our world and to share this life with us.Luke 1:46-55Reverend Dr. Matthew LakeDecember 21, 2025 (Children's Christmas Service)
Jesus comes, past, present, and future, and that brings joy to all people. Using your voice helps you find joy in the present.Zephaniah 3:14-17Reverend Janet DurrwachterDecember 14, 2025
In Advent we are invited to have our feet guided in the path of peace where we experience God's courage, ability to interrupt evil, centering, and perspective.Luke 1:68-79Reverend Matthew LakeDecember 7, 2025
Because God has fulfilled His promises in the past, we can know and have hope that God will fulfill them today and into the future.Jeremiah 33:10-16 (NIV)Reverend Matthew LakeNovember 30, 2025
When we live into our identity as children of God, we live into God's desires for Jubilee.Leviticus 25:8-13 and Ephesians 5:1-2Reverend Matt LakeNovember 23, 2025
We receive the Kingdom of God as little children when we experience proximity, sameness, belonging, significance, love, and being fully known by God.Mark 10:13-16Reverend Matt LakeNovember 16, 2025
We can all disciple children by discipling ourselves and being there for the children in our lives.Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:4-9Brita King, Caroline Glazier, Reverend Janet DurrwachterNovember 9, 2025
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