Podcasts about First Church

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Today we continue our sermon series "Ordinary." Pastor Vance shares a sermon "Something We All Have in Common" referencing scripture Proverbs 20:29.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

How do we relate to other churches, a wider faith movement, and the rest of our society? We discuss our faithful relationships with one another and the world. Our Questioning sermon series is built around the questions you submitted. Asking questions is at the heart of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and together we'll explore your questions about worship, our faith, our congregation, and living our values in the world.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Episode Description In this episode of Hardcore Christianity, host Brother Mike from the Arizona Deliverance Center examines biblical standards for church leadership and addresses recent high-profile scandals involving pastoral misconduct. Drawing from 1 Timothy 3, Brother Mike outlines the qualifications required for church overseers and discusses recent incidents at Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He uses these examples to emphasize the necessity of personal accountability, moral integrity, and spiritual discipline within Christian ministry. Key Takeaways Biblical Leadership Qualifications: Apostle Paul's criteria in 1 Timothy 3 emphasize blamelessness, self-control, sound reputation, and freedom from greed for anyone in church leadership. Addressing Church Scandals: The broadcast reviews public allegations and disciplinary actions involving staff at Crossroads Church, highlighting the consequences of unaddressed personal misconduct. The Danger of Spiritual Pitfalls: Pride and hidden compromise make ministry leaders vulnerable to moral failure, public reproach, and damaged reputations. Call to Deliverance & Accountability: Brother Mike stresses the importance of active spiritual counseling, self-examination, and ministry oversight to prevent leadership failures. Featured Bible Passages 1 Timothy 3:1–7 – The qualifications for church leadership (bishops/overseers), warning against pride, greed, and falling into reproach. Support the show: https://hardcorechristianity.com/donations/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Petitt returns to First Church where he grew up, got baptized, and preached his very first sermon — and shares a message working through Matthew 1:21-23 where he unpacks the announcement of Jesus' birth and points to one central truth: God's goal was never just to give us answers, but to give us Himself — Emmanuel, God with us.

Hello and welcome! You're listening to the Faith First Podcast brought to you by the First Church in Torrington, CT. I'm Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church and in this episode, I am joined by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr as we discuss what it means to live free in Christ.In this episode, you'll discover:It's summer and we are in celebration mode for the freedoms we hold self evident! When we say Freedom, what do we mean?What is meant that the law is good, but is not meant to save— to truly free us?Why is our freedom in Christ a carte blanche to do whatever we want?How do we live freely in ChristYou are not a prisoner of your past. You are not a slave to fear. You are not defined by your failures. You are free.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, do not return to the yoke of slavery and sin, but walk in the victory of Christ faith first.

Today we continue our sermon series "Ordinary." Pastor Vance shares a sermon "When Life Hurts" referencing 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.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 some of the things we take for granted on Sunday in worship really mean and what do the differences in our worship and other types of worship mean? Questioning – Summer Sermon Series, Sundays, August 2 – 16. Our Questioning sermon series is built around the questions you submitted. Asking questions is at the heart of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and together we'll explore your questions about worship, our faith, our congregation, and living our values in the world.

Today we continue our sermon series "Ordinary." Pastor Vance shares a sermon "The Words We Say" referencing Proverbs 16:21-24.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, Connecticut. In this episode, we will be finding out what it means to live free in Christ. 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 are the freedoms that we haveWhy we ought to rejoice knowing Christ is victorHow do we live by faith and freedomWhy our freedom in Christ is not legalismWe need to ask ourselves, is our freedom being used for selfish or service? Are we walking in the light or in pride and judgment? When we understand we are already free, we can stop trying to protect ourselves or promote ourselves and start living free in Christ. 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.

First Church invests in the lives of the next generation. Our Summer Life events are designed to help our kids and students grow relationships with Jesus, one another, and leaders. "Summer Life Sunday" celebrates the many ways God worked in the lives of our kids and students this summer!

Inspired by The Railway Man, the true story of British Army officer Eric Lomax and his journey through trauma toward reconciliation, we'll explore forgiveness as a courageous path toward wholeness.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Today we being a new sermon series "Ordinary." Pastor Vance is back from his renewal leave and shares a sermon "Work and Rest" referencing Deuteronomy 5:12-14.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

Today we continue our sermon series "Ordinary." Pastor Vance shares a sermon "Growing In Knowledge & Wisdom" referencing Proverbs 2:1-15.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

Brian opens reflecting on an upcoming family vacation and the bittersweet reality that change is the only constant, then turns to a Christianity Today piece on First Church in Charlestown — a 400-year-old congregation now down to two members — as a warning about what happens when a church drifts from the gospel. He talks candidly about feeling overwhelmed by life's decisions, leaning on 49ers linebacker Fred Warner's return from a gruesome injury to make the case for living fully in the present since nothing is guaranteed but Christ. Brian also touches on Gen Z's budget-friendly approach to dating, a bizarre AI deepfake video of former NYC mayor Eric Adams, and pushes back on podcaster Jennifer Welch's viral criticism of Christian homeschooling, encouraging listeners to choose what's best for their own family without shame. He closes with a rich double feature: John Stonestreet on how churches can unintentionally shrink the gospel into something private and small, and a Gospel Coalition piece on how God's best work is "cross-shaped" — using unlikely, ordinary people (fishermen, tax collectors, a table-busser named Stephen) to change the world, and using suffering as the soil for resurrection life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast! Did you expect to be here? In each episode, we bring you messages and conversations of 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 am joined by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to talk about how God operates in the unexpected. We have a lot of why questions today for you,In this episode, you'll discover:Why do we get disappointed with God?Why do we have a hard time admitting to God that we are struggling?Why does God show up in unexpected ways?Why might closed doors be God redirecting us somewhere else?When God doesn't do what we expect we must continue to be honest with Him, Listen for His whisper, Be open for His redirection and Trust His bigger picture. God's plan always include more than just we see.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. Until the next episode launches, expect God to do the unexpected faith first.

It is said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If that's so, beauty is all around us! Let's explore how our spiritual lives are nurtured and inspired by beauty.

The First Church | Richard Hilton | Calvary Church

Hello and welcome! I'm Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. There's a lot we expect from life. And, maybe there's a lot we expect from God. But what happens when our expectations aren't met? Well, I'm glad you tuned in because today we are listening to a message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr on Not what You expected…In this episode, you'll discover:How God wants to speak into the moments of disappointmentWhy God meets us where we areWhat to expect in the unexpectedWhen the unexpected happens, God is thereWhen we struggle with unfulfilled expectations of God we are tempted to give up throw our hands in the air and say I give up God, I don't understand. Being honest with God and asking for wisdom can in fact encourage our hearts. 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, trust God and offer Him your expectations faith first.

Building is an act of creativity and courage. How do you know when is the time to tear down and when is the time to build, and what moves you to be a builder?

Acts 15:1-12 - The First Church Council - Pastor Dan PlourdeMESSAGE NOTES:http://www.calvaryword.com/Acts2026/a1465.pdf

What happens when the very people who wrote our Bible couldn't agree on something? That's what Joe Lake explores on Sunday, July 5th, 2026. Acts 15 reveals a stunning truth: even the most Spirit-filled, miracle-working apostles had to sit down and work through conflict. This isn't a story about perfection—it's a story about unity through disagreement. The early church faced a critical question: Do Gentile believers need to follow Jewish law to be saved? The answer would shape Christianity forever. What's remarkable is how they resolved it—not through power plays or division, but through listening, citing Scripture, watching where the Spirit was moving, and submitting to recognized leadership. Peter pointed to the undeniable evidence: Gentiles were receiving the Holy Ghost just like the Jews did on Pentecost, without circumcision. James then connected this to Old Testament prophecy, showing God's plan had always included the nations. The resolution? Four simple instructions rooted in Leviticus—abstain from idol worship, sexual immorality, strangled things, and blood. These weren't arbitrary rules but boundaries that honored both God's holiness and the conscience of Jewish believers. The lesson for us is profound: we will have conflicts in the body of Christ because we're human, but we can remain family through it all. Our churches aren't meant to be perfect—they're meant to be real places where imperfect people work things out together under the Lordship of Jesus.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

Today is Pastor BJ's last Sunday at First Church and she shares a sermon titled "Changing Lightbulbs" referencing Acts 11:1-10.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! You're listening to the Faith First Podcast brought to you by the First Church in Torrington, CT. I'm Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church and in this episode, I am joined by our Lead Pastor Steve Dar as we discuss how each one of us are separated out for the glory of God. In this episode, you'll discover:Why is it so important that fathers take time with God? How does it impact their children?How does the Bible offer hope and redemption for those who may not see the true heart of a Father in their lives?What does it mean to be shaped by grace?How are each one of us separated for glory?God not only shapes us by grace, but He also calls us to holiness. God doesn't call us to isolation from the world, but to separation in purpose and identity.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, know you are shaped by grace and separated for glory faith first.

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

First Church of New Knoxville, Ohio

As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, what does America inspire in us? Pride and hope? Concern and challenge? Perhaps all of these at once. Through the voices of musicians such as Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen, we'll reflect on the ongoing promise and unfinished work of the American story.

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Lessons from the Early Church.The church described in the New Testament remains our God-given standard. What was it like? What was its secret?Support the show

Today is Pastor Rushing's last Sunday at First Church. He shares a sermon titled "The Parable of the Trees" referencing Judges 9:7-15 while discussing how will First Church bear fruit.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

Lessons from the Early Church.The church described in the New Testament remains our God-given standard. What was it like? What was its secret?Support the show

Lessons from the Early Church.The church described in the New Testament remains our God-given standard. What was it like? What was its secret?Support the show

Hello and welcome! I'm Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. It's June and it's Father's Day soon, so why not share this message by our Lead Pastor Steven Darr on how Dads and the rest of us are shaped and separated by God, let's listen in…In this episode, you'll discover:What are the qualities of an ideal FatherHow children emulate their DadsWhat it means to have God as the Potter of your lifeWhat it means to be in the world but not of the worldSo, as we give thanks to God for Fathers of all kinds, let us too renew our identity as sons and daughters of the God who is shaping us still, calling us deeper, and setting us apart for His glory and grace. We hope you've gained some biblical insight with today's episode and if you did, 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, continue to ask God to shape your life and separate you out for His will and ways that are faith first.

Lessons from the Early Church.The church described in the New Testament remains our God-given standard. What was it like? What was its secret?Support the show

Lessons from the Early Church.The church described in the New Testament remains our God-given standard. What was it like? What was its secret?Support the show

Life rarely follows the script we expect. Improvisation invites us to listen deeply, trust ourselves and one another, and create something meaningful in the moment. Drawing inspiration from the joyful spontaneity and musical genius of Bobby McFerrin, we'll explore what it means to embrace uncertainty with curiosity and discover unexpected possibilities along the way.

This powerful exploration of Acts chapter 9 by Assistant Pastor Dillon Meadway from Sunday, June 28th 2026 takes us on a journey through one of the most dramatic transformations in biblical history - the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. We're reminded that the same God who created the heavens and earth still works miracles today, and that no weapon formed against us shall prosper when we stand on the name of Jesus. The message challenges us to move beyond merely talking about surrender to actually living it out. Paul's encounter on the Damascus road wasn't just about believing - it was about complete transformation through baptism in Jesus' name and being filled with the Holy Ghost. We see that Ananias didn't offer Paul a simple prayer of salvation, but instead proclaimed the full gospel experience as demonstrated on the day of Pentecost. The critical insight here is that the power of the Holy Ghost is only as effective as the state of our surrender. We cannot hold onto our traditions, our comfort zones, or our own understanding if we truly want to experience the transformative power of God. This message calls us to examine whether our lives match our confessions, whether our actions align with our proclamations of faith, and whether we're willing to pay the price of true discipleship.

Today Paster BJ shares a sermon titled Are You Running Your Race? The scripture for today is 1 Corinthians 9:19-27While 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 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

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)

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?

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.