Podcasts about First Church

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast, where we bring you messages and conversations on just how to walk your faith out in this world. I'm Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT, and in this episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to talk about what it takes to have a Spirit-fueled life Welcome Steve…In this episode, you'll discover:How would you define a Spirit-fueled life?What is the sevenfold Spirit of fullness?How do we actively allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide.Is it right to focus on what God is going to give us as an inheritance?A spirit-fueled life is protected by righteousness and truth in a world of chaos. No matter how the world gets, how dark, how crazy, how lost, you are protected by the Holy Spirit that abides in you. The Spirit is the One who gives us the wisdom we need to make decisions that reflect the will of God.We try to provide some very practical ways to step out in your faith, and we pray it is beneficial to you who are listening. If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode launches. Until the next episode launches, allow the Holy Spirit to lead you faith first.

One root of our existence is the resilience of our ancestors. How do we use resilience today for our next generations? (On Thursday, June 18 at 6 pm in Channing Social Hall, we will screen Wall-E*, whose vision of humanity raises questions about endurance, responsibility, and renewal.)

Message from David Wojnicki on June 21, 2026

Covenant- The First Church ( Revival in Samaria ) with Sis. Sharon Denney

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Hello and welcome! I'm Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. How do you fuel your life? Is is by your strength or the power of the Holy Spirit? In this episode, we'll listen in to this message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr on having a spirit-fueled life.In this episode, you'll discover:Why do so many of us walk around defeatedWhat is the Spirit's protectionWhere the Spirit guides us as Children of GodHow the Spirit instructs us in intimacy and identityMany of us walk around just getting by beaten at the end of the day. We find ourselves exhausted, not due to strenuous work, but by the burdens we carry in our hearts and our minds. But we can hand it all over to God. Jesus said, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. That is what it looks like to live a Spirit-Fueled life. If you've been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification when the next episode is launched. And until next time, ask God to empower you with His Spirit faith first.

Send us Fan MailSeason 5, Episode 3 - Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is There Is Power  (sermon preached at First Church, Seal Beach on June 7, 2026)

Today guest preacher Alex Shanks shares a sermon titled Full Access | No Password Required discussing God's grace. The scripture for today is Romans 5:1-11.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

What does it mean to be inspired? In this opening sermon of our summer series, Inspiration, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter reflects on creativity, soul growth, and the lifelong process of becoming. Through the stories of Kurt Vonnegut, ancient understandings of inspiration as breath, and a Unitarian Universalist vision of spiritual growth, this sermon invites us to pay attention to what gives our lives meaning and what calls us forward. What inspires you, and how might it help you become more fully yourself?

Message from David Wojnicki on June 14, 2026

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Today we have the pleasure of Reverend LeeAnn Inman preach referencing scripture 1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 31-33.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I'm Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT. Today, I am sitting down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr and talking about Truth and how God's truth seeks to uplift us while the world's deception seeks to mislead and deceive us. Hello Steve and welcome…In this episode, you'll discover:What can we believe in this time of confusion and deception?How do we avoid being deceived?Why is God's Word the go-to place for how we begin to fight the battle?How do we live as people of truth and light?We see vile things being celebrated— deception being rewarded— wickedness being normalized. But we are not without hope. God is still on the throne. His word is still true, and His people have a mission to declare His praise and live as people of light.If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode will launch. And until then, recognize the reality of deception faith first.

Through the Irish folktale "Teig O'Kane and the Corpse," we reflect on the weight of moral obligation, the consequences of our choices, and the enduring truth that responsibility cannot be avoided.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Dave talks about their youngest son Jaxon's first time going to church camp. 

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I'm Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. At this moment in time, there is a climate of confusion and deception hanging over us and many are wondering, “What can we believe?” “Who is telling the truth?” “How do we know what is real?” Well, in today's episode, we will discover the truth in the time of deception through a message given by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr. Let's listen in…In this episode, you'll discover:Why is the truth under attackWhat are the questions people are asking about the truthRecognizing the reality of deceptionHow are we to live as Children of God's love and lightFor believers like you, truth is found in God's Word and in the person of Jesus Christ, your Savior. The closer we are to the truth, the easier it is for us to discern whether we are being deceived. If you've been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. And until then, get close to God who is the truth  faith first.

Today is Trinity Sunday where Pastor BJ shares a message referencing scripture Isaiah 6:1-8.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

What does it mean to live in a world that is driven by greed? This popular Tawainese folktale helps us think about fairness and selflessness as life values.

Welcome to worship. Today we celebrate Pentecost, graduates, and commission a mission team. You will hear a message from Pastor Rushing referencing scripture John 14:15-31.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast where we bring you messages and conversations of just how to walk your faith out in this world. I'm Jonathan Gouthier your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington CT and in this episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to dive into the topic of Gospel urgency. Welcome Steve…In this episode, you'll discover:Why do we underestimate the power of our personal stories and testimonies of Jesus at work in our lives?Why is the Gospel urgent and not optional?How can we respond with boldness like Paul and Barnabas?Jesus asks us to open our eyes and look at the fields, why? What are we supposed to do?There is a holy urgency for the Gospel. We live in a world where people are searching— desperately searching for hope, meaning, truth, and peace. And we have the one message that holds the answer to all of those cries, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.We try to provide some very practical ways to step out in your faith and we pray it is beneficial to you who are listening. If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode will launch. And until then, know that someone is seeking to know Jesus faith first.

With many of our foundations in reason and Enlightenment-era thinking, Unitarian Universalists often struggle with mystery. We're often averse to things we might perceive as stories and beliefs that present as "supernatural." But what if "real" and "not real" is a false binary? Perhaps we're not asking the right questions when it comes to grappling with the unexplainable. About Cameron Young (they/them) Cameron is a lifelong Texan and Unitarian Universalist- prior to assuming the position as Lead for the UUA Southern Region Congregational Life staff, Cameron worked as field staff since 2019. Before joining the UUA, Cameron served as a lifespan religious educator in Fort Worth, Texas. Cameron has a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Divinity at Brite Divinity School where they graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Sexual and Gender Justice certificate and the prestigious Walker Preaching Scholarship- they are currently a candidate for UU Ministry. A professional musician and classically trained singer, Cameron has performed in numerous operas and musicals, is a member and co-founder of the singing group Uptown Carolers and recorded with Grammy award winner Leon Bridges on his debut album. In their spare time, Cameron is an avid traveler, diehard fan of DFW sports teams, and devoted coffee drinker.

When the first followers of Jesus gathered in his name, they formed the very first Christian church. In this sermon, we look at why the church exists, why we need it, and the miracle that makes any real church possible — including today. Key Verses: Acts 2:42-47

Hello and welcome! I'm Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. How seriously do you take the call to urgently share the Good News? In this episode, we'll discover that Gospel urgency is needed now more than ever. Let's listen in to this message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr…In this episode, you'll discover:How do we begin to understand Gospel urgencyWhat challenges us to become urgent with the GospelWhy is action a call to every believerHow do we obtain the boldness to speak about our testimoniesWe need to begin with understanding that the Gospel is urgent and not optional. The Good News of Jesus cannot wait. It must be shared. We must not keep it to ourselves. If you've been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. And until next time, ask God to bring someone into your life so you can share the Gospel with them faith first.

Today we have the pleasure of welcoming our Bishop, Tom Berlin, who shares a sermon "Seeing What Is Around You" referencing scripture Matthew 9:35-38.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

This sermon looks at the mission, vision, and values of First Church of Fort Pierce through the lens of Acts 1 and the ascension story

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Join us as we celebrate and bless our youth coming of age and graduating seniors bridging into young adulthood.

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I'm Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT. Today, I am sitting down with our Lead Pastor, Steve Darr, to talk about vows and how we are to keep them.In this episode, you'll discover:What is a vow?Why is God called the greatest promise-keeper?How do we know when it is a promise and when it is a vow?In what ways can we live out our promises and vows like Jesus?Jesus calls us to live truthfully from the inside out, not just with dramatic views but with daily consistency. One thing we can ask ourselves is whether we are living out our promises. May our lives reflect a heart anchored in the truth of God's promises.If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode launches. And until then, let your yes be yes and your no be no faith first.

Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Molly McEntire, our guest preacher for today, who shares a sermon "Who Is My Neighbor?" referencing scripture Luke 10:25-37.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

What do we owe to mothers on Mother's Day. Lets talk about it!

Today we have the pleasure of welcoming Rev. Dr. Jennifer Stiles Williams, our guest preacher for today, who shares a sermon "A New Us: A New You for a Purpose" referencing scripture John 21:1-17.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

In Acts 15, a pressing question precipitated the first church council: can Gentiles come God through faith in Jesus alone, or must they keep the Jewish law? Pastor Doug Horner preaches from Acts 15:1–35.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I'm Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. In this episode, we will be finding out how to keep our vows. So, get a cup of coffee and get comfortable to listen in on a message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr.In this episode, you'll discover:What it means to be a promise-keeperWhy vows hold a greater accountability than promisesWhen God promises, He will see it throughHow we ought to approach God when it seems His promise isn't happeningVows mirror the kind of promises God makes to us. Through covenants, the sending of Christ to earth, the Gospel, and the institution of the church. God deliberately and freely chooses commitment to us. If you've been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. Until then, remember that the Lord Your God has made a covenant with you faith first.

T. S. Eliot wrote about the experience of seeking and exploring, only to return to where you started and to know the place for the first time. Looking back on our church's theme year, what do we know now – about ourselves, our faith, our community, our world – that we didn't know when we started? Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast where we bring you messages and conversations of just how to walk your faith out in this world. I'm Jonathan Gouthier your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington CT and in this episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr and talk about the faithfulness of God and how we go about celebrating it.In this episode, you'll discover:You began your message with the idea of passing down to the next generation the wonders and faithfulness of God, how can we do that when we might not know the Bible through and through?What does 2 Timothy 2:13 mean for us today? How do we find encouragement when we read it?Why do you say that God's faithfulness is written in the pages of our lives? How do we respond to God's faithfulness?God doesn't need our time, talent or treasure. But He invites us to be part of something greater than ourselves. He invites us to invest in His mission. When we do, we're joining in the work of resurrection, we're planting seeds that will grow into eternity. God is faithful. He has never failed and He never will.We try to provide some very practical ways to step out in your faith and we pray it is beneficial to you who are listening. If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode will launch. And until then, remember that God is faithful faith first.

Today we continue our sermon series "A New You!" Pastor BJ shares a message of a "New Authenticity" referencing scripture John 20:24-31.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

The work of racial equity is foundational to the world we hope to build. We'll reflect on the commitment, honesty, and transformation required to bring that hope to life. Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

Today we continue our sermon series "A New You!" Pastor BJ shares a message of a "New Identity" referencing scripture John 20:19-23.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

Hello and welcome! I'm Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. Do you ever take the time to reflect upon the faithfulness of God? If you have, what has been your response to it? If you haven't, why not? In this episode, we'll be listening to a past message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr. Let's begin…In this episode, you'll discover:How do we reflect on the faithfulness of GodWhy is God's faithfulness necessaryWhat ways do we reflect the faithfulness of GodHow can we recognize God's faithfulness in our livesGod's faithfulness is not just written in the pages of Scripture; it's written in the pages of our lives. If you've been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. And until next time, think back to a time when you were uncertain, and God came through faith first.

Welcome to First Church! We're grateful you're here with us today! Pastor Bobby begins a new series - Is This For Real? - a study through the book of 2 Peter. Through our time in Peter's letter we'll be exploring some of the doubts and questions we as Christians face. BUT FIRST we have to understand who we are in Christ and that we've been given a gift. Join us in this message on 2 Peter 1:1-4.

On this Earth Day, we honor our deep interdependence with the living world and reflect on how we might care for our planet as a shared destiny. Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

Today we begin a short sermon series "A New You!" Pastor BJ shares a message of a "New Vision" referencing scripture Luke 24:13-35.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Today Pastor Vance shares an Easter message celebrating the risen Christ.While you worship online, we invite you to fill out a connection card. This card is not only a way for us to connect with you but also an opportunity for you to share any prayer requests you may have: firstchurchorlando.org/connection-cardGiving: firstchurchorlando.org/give-nowMissed a past service? Check out our YouTube Channel for past services or you can find our Podcast wherever you podcast from.Like and Subscribe for more First Church content.Want to know more about First Church? Visit our website at firstchurchorlando.org

Let's think outside the box together about what creativity and imagination is called for in this time. How far can our imagination take us? Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

This Unitarian Universalist Easter sermon, "Above the Fold" by Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, follows a reporter arriving in Jerusalem after Jesus' death, trying to gather the story for his readers. As he speaks with ordinary people, he hears how Jesus changed lives in simple but powerful ways. People became more generous, more compassionate, and more aware of one another. Through these encounters, the reporter begins to see that the true story lives in the way people carry forward what they learned. The sermon speaks about resurrection as something we experience in everyday life. It shows how love, kindness, and small acts of care can bring new life into the world. Rev. Kanter invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider who might need our attention, help, or compassion. The message is a call to live with an open heart and to take part in the ongoing work of bringing hope and love into the world.

More than a person; more than God. This Palm Sunday, we will reflect on how Unitarian Universalism might engage with this often-misunderstood theological idea.