First Sanctuary

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer – December 21, 2025 Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel interrupts Mary’s life with unexpected news of a coming baby. At first Mary is perplexed. Then, in faith, she asks questions. Then she arrives at an open willingness, submitting to God’s marvelous plan. How might Mary’s process remind us of the process of Advent? To be unhurried is to keep ourselves out of the center and to let God’s plan unfold on God’s schedule. 

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – December 21, 2025 Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel interrupts Mary’s life with unexpected news of a coming baby. At first Mary is perplexed. Then, in faith, she asks questions. Then she arrives at an open willingness, submitting to God’s marvelous plan. How might Mary’s process remind us of the process of Advent? To be unhurried is to keep ourselves out of the center and to let God’s plan unfold on God’s schedule. 

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kollin Absher-Baer  – December 14, 2025 Scripture: Exodus 16:13-21 Not long after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt, their stomachs began to rumble and they began to grumble for food. God graces them with Manna, a provision that is only good on the day it is collected. To be unhurried is to recognize the grace before us and to stifle our propensity to try to control God’s future.

First Cary UMC's First Sanctuary Sermon – Rev. Ben Alexander – December 14, 2025 Scripture: Exodus 16:13-21 Not long after the Israelites had been delivered from slavery in Egypt, their stomachs began to rumble and they began to grumble for food. God graces them with Manna, a provision that is only good on the day it is collected. To be unhurried is to recognize the grace before us and to stifle our propensity to try to control God’s future.

First Cary UMC's First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Kristyl Kepley – December 7, 2025 Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. While Martha is busy with preparations, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Frustrated, Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus gently corrects her and us all, encouraging us to sit in his presence and choose him over our presumption that we can make everything turn out perfectly. To be unhurried is to choose the better part as we prepare for Christmas.