First Houston United Methodist Church

Our own Brant Wallace steps to the lectern again to look at Matthew 16, where Christ asks his disciples "who do you say that I am?" The verse leads into a question of discipleship, putting Christ at the center of our lives, and struggling through change to become the rock upon which Christ builds his church. fmhouston.com

Andy makes the case for the importance and necessity of the Church, and the way that changes the world around us. When the Holy Spirit moves in us, things change. fmhouston.com

On the day of the Super Bowl, Andy talks about being able to talk about what does matter as well as we talk about things that don't matter. As we lay out communion, Andy challenges us to accept the table that God has laid out for us "in the presence of our enemies." fmhouston.com

Ann shows us how the twenty-third Psalm is everywhere, from the windows of our sanctuary to the deepest parts of our faith. How do we pass down our faith from one generation to another? fmhouston.com

As we look at Hebrews 12 (the race that has set before us), we get a glance back at Andy as a high schooler, plus a look forward into some of the new things the church is launching in the coming weeks - including a promise to bail members out of jail if things go south. Finally, an offer for 40 cups of coffee over 40 days of Lent, to reach out into the congregation and the community. If you're interested, you can email Brenda Kenney at [email protected]. fmhouston.com

In a Sunday focused on the "then" from "Then/Now," Ann goes all over the place in history, including two different arctic adventures, Derek Redmond's heroic Olympic race, and the story of one of our own members, 88-year-old Mary Lewis, who was the oldest runner in the Houston Marathon last week. fmhouston.com

Post-sermon, Andy looks deeper into "The Second Mile." That means an look into Hammurabi's Code and the limits of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Then, he asks the question, "do I want a God who gives me what I deserve?" fmhouston.com

Even after admitting that there's nothing in this verse he much likes, Andy puts a positive spin on the possibility of two of everything. Then he takes us into some difficult places to see what it looks in regular life when people are asked to give their coat, and give their cloak as well. fmhouston.com

To try to explain Jesus' lesson about the second mile, Ann talks about the firm taskmaster who is taking her through recovery from her knee surgery. Plus, historical context! fmhouston.com

Ann talks about her journey to a crumbling 4th-century church in Spain, and how she saw a church operating in both the Then and the Now. Then, she looks at the story of Jesus calming the sea, and also her memories of Hurricane Harvey - and how God calls us to be stormchasers. fmhouston.com

Andy breaks down the early, uncertain history of Jesus' early life, and makes a daring guess that perhaps Jesus wasn't a carpenter after all. Then, it's the story of Jesus calming the storm - or, as Andy refers to it, "the Story of Two Rebukes." Ultimately, it's a sermon about how the Gospel calls us as Christians to be stormchasers - to come into the storms ourselves, and to calm them. fmhouston.com

In a sermon simulcast to every other service at our church, Andy talks about the history of the church, having a lack of vision, and looks ahead to the big things God is calling us to in the coming year. fmhouston.com

Andy comes back from Bamff with a warning about the decision-making process relating to the purchase of ski jackets, which leads into a quick parable about extension ladders, and then quite naturally into the story of Simeon, and the way to live a well-cultivated life. Plus, a quick encouragement going into the new year, and a story in which Andy lets us know which dumpster in Houston is "his" dumpster. http://fmhouston.com

On Christmas Eve, Andy talks about the ways that we hear God's voice calling to us, and promises that this next year, he's going to learn a lot more Nigerian. FMHouston.com fmhouston.com

Why just preach Christmas Eve morning when you can preach Christmas Eve morning in candy-caned striped pants? It's the second year in a row, so it's tradition now. We better get used to it. Despite the ridiculous trousers, Andy looks forward and looks deep, at the divine gift that is the Christ, and what it means to deliver, and to be delivered. fmhouston.com

Andy indulges in some brief conspiracy theory talk before making his case you can learn a lot more about how to pastor a city from the SWAT team than you can from a lot of church conferences. And somehow, it all ties in with Mary's Song - The Magnificat. Luke 1:46-55 fmhouston.com

Ann gets so inspired by Mary's song – The Magnificat – that she called Terry at 10:30 the night before her sermon to see if she could get the choir to sing during her sermon (they obliged). Then she talks about the reversals that happen in life, wanted and unwanted, and the ways that those can change everything. Luke 1: 46-55

NOTE: This sermon has had a testimony video concerning adopting refugee families for Christmas that needed to be cut out for clarity, since part of the video was in Arabic. The full video is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NsZNWEa8fb4 Before breaking down the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist, and what it meant to an elderly couple to suddenly become the people charged with raising such a important child, Andy starts by explaining by why he started the first service by running frantically out to the parking lot. Then he talks about "Lone Ranger" Christianity, our call to be a rescuer to the refugees - and the tenuous and fraught connection Christians and Muslims have in the modern age. Luke 1: 8-17 http://fmhouston.com

NOTE: This sermon has had a testimony video concerning adopting refugee families for Christmas that needed to be cut out for clarit, since part of the video was in Arabic. The full video is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NsZNWEa8fb4 Ann talks about the stories embedded on the tapestries at the Vatican Museum, and (not to give away the metaphor) compares them to the interwoven nature of our lives. Then, she talks about why staying connected matters - and also reveals her maiden name, which was a real shock to the people in the control room this morning. http://fmhouston.com

Ann is so excited for Advent she gets the Wise Men out for the Nativity early. The story of the Magi becomes one of a number of stories of people in Ann's life who seemed like they didn't belong - and the ways it turned out they actually did. Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Andy couldn't wait an extra week, so we started our Advent series a week early. He's immediately off to the races about what Advent actually is, and how badly we as a people miss the mark. Plus, an exploration of the gluttony of Thanksgiving, and what it's like to attend a truly terrible Cowboys game. Joel 2:28-32 Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

This week, Bill wraps up the Equation series with a look at what Paul told us about gifts, takes us through some of the things he learned as a young and inexperienced doctor, and relates his frustration from a time a church consultant told his church it wouldn't be wise to hold a prayer service. Romans 12: 1-8 Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Andy wraps up the Equation series by talking about Paul's encouragement for people to accept their roles. Along the way, Andy tells the story of his police ridealong this week, sleeping out with the homeless on Thursday night, and makes a bunch of harp jokes (we shouldn't put props on the stage, it only encourages him). Romans 12: 1-8 Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Andy talks about some of the ways we respond to the powerful experiences that come with being a follower of Christ, including testimony from a member of our church currently in prison. Then, when a congregant tells him that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has asked everyone to stop for a moment of silence (15:20), Andy leads the congregation in that prayer - then talks about his own emotional experience being a pastor in the aftermath of a school shooting (18:26), and how he saw God at work there. Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

Ann breaks down the importance of personal experience by considering the life of Paul (8:00), and a personal look at her own dramatic sign that led her into ministry (20:50). Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com

This week, Andy tells some family stories to try to explain the "reason" part of the Wesleyan tradition. He also pitches part of the grand vision of the future of the church, envisioning a new pathway for both contemporary and traditional worship in our church. Plus, he pretends he talks to the Pope, and gives the downtown campus a new nickname. Galatians 6:1-6 For more info, check out our website at: http://fmhouston.com

This week, Bill delves into his history as a scientist to talk about people's trouble with reason and logic. He ends up deep in space, exploring the mysteries of the cosmos. It starts with the story of the man who left his servants talents: Matthew 25:14-19 For more info, check out our website at: http://fmhouston.com

Andy asks for answers from the congregation about what one word describes the church, then announces a surprising choice for his own. Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3

To explain Methodist tradition, Bill breaks down the story of the Wesley brothers, tracking them back and forth across continents, and explores the choices that brought us the modern Methodist church. Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3

Andy follows up yesterday's sermon with a more in-depth discussion of the Sadducees story, and explains who this group was, and some of what they believed.

Andy explores the most important part of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, scripture, by telling the story of the Sadducees and their attempts to trap Jesus with a riddle. And, of course, a story about the Astros finding their way to the World Stories. Scripture: Luke 20: 27-38

Brandi looks into the most important leg of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, scripture, and outs herself as part of the “Harry Potter Generation.” Scripture: Luke 20: 27-38

Andy begins with the Astros playoff win from the day before, and moves into an introduction of the Methodist Quadrilateral - the subject of this sermon series. Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Ann talks about the story of "Dear Abby," then launches into a "Dear Ann" segment to explain the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

On a Sunday dedicated to rest and recovery from the difficult events of the past two months, Ann takes us back to the story of Elijah, and his journey to hide in the wilderness. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9

Life On Missions: Values Andy takes us through to the conclusion of the series, where passion and action and habits become our values - and tells the story of how the church is reaching out inside our Refugee Community. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Life On Mission: Values As the series concludes, Bill takes to the pulpit to share his heart for reaching out and helping those who need it most. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Message: Life on Mission: Habit Andy expounds on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, which he announced earlier in the services as his favorite scripture in all of the New Testament. Plus, we get to hear about his experiences trying CrossFit. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Message: Life on Mission: Action Scripture: James 2:14-17 Ann returns home from a trip abroad to talk about missions and orchestration, and what it means to be in sync with God.

Message: Life on Mission: Action Scripture: James 2:14-17 Andy talks about the book of James, and what actions and missions really look like together. Then, Bill Allen takes us on an in-depth look at our Lifeline ministry to the homeless.

Message: Life on Mission: Belief Scripture: Matthew 25: 34-40

Message: Foodie Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Message: Foodie Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Message: Foodie Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10

Message: Foodie Scripture: Acts 2: 46-47

Message: Everybody Scripture: John 13:31-35

Message: Everybody Scripture: John 13:31-35

Message: Everybody Scripture: John 4:7-14

Message: Everybody Scripture: John 4:7-14

Message: Everybody Scripture: Luke 2:41-49