Camden First United Methodist Church

Walking with Jesus

April 01, 2024 15:31 - 12 minutes - 18.9 MB

On this Easter Sunday, we take a look at the two disciples walking home to Emmaus. This story is a real story of discipleship. We walk together, we listen to the word, and we receive grace in the breaking of the bread together.

Steadfast

March 25, 2024 20:12 - 19 minutes - 26.8 MB

According to the gospel of Luke, Jesus spent his last week on earth teaching at the Temple in Jerusalem. He told his followers they might be persecuted but do not hire a lawyer to prepare a defense. Prepare your faith to be steadfast.

The Damage of Pride

March 18, 2024 18:01 - 22 minutes - 31.9 MB

Today we talk about excessive pride. We look at a short passage in the ninth chapter of Luke that contains three examples of the damage pride can cause.

Recovering Joy

March 11, 2024 20:57 - 27 minutes - 39.8 MB

Joy! The religious leaders complaining that Jesus was hanging out with the wrong people in the wrong places certainly did not have it. So Jesus told them three stories. We look at the first two today!

The Dirty Second Chance

March 04, 2024 18:04 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MB

Most of us wish there was a magic formula that could keep those we love away from harm. That secret wish reveals itself when we hear of a tragedy and want to believe it was not random. Jesus is tells his disciples that it is. Then he says, Repent or you will die. Yikes! Thank goodness a parable comes to explain.

The Deepest Lament

February 26, 2024 17:00 - 29 minutes - 42 MB

In the 13th chapter of Luke, Jesus is standing on the Mount of Olives, looking over the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount. There, he expresses a deep lament for the past, present, and future of Jerusalem. Today, we lament how our world has changed.

The Temptations of Believers

February 22, 2024 17:44 - 20 minutes - 26.5 MB

The first Sunday of Lent always includes a the story of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. Why? The temptations of Jesus mirrors the temptations that snag us all - appetite, status, and control.

You Won't Believe This One

February 12, 2024 20:58 - 21 minutes - 35.3 MB

Today, we look at the Transfiguration story. We usually emphasize the glory shone but maybe we need to listen to what god has to say.

Blessings & Woes

February 05, 2024 23:24 - 22 minutes - 34.4 MB

This week we explore Luke's Sermon on the Plain which is similar to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount but abbreviated and given to the disciples, not to thousands. If you choose to follow Jesus, you are expected to take a different direction in the way you live life. Discipleship is caring for your neighbor's well being as much as your own.

Let's Go Fishing

January 29, 2024 20:01 - 25 minutes - 41.3 MB

Today, in Luke 5:1-11, we find Peter, James, John, and Andrew returning from an all night fishing adventure having caught nothing. Jesus shows up and turns things around.

Blessing Others

January 22, 2024 17:28 - 23 minutes - 34.6 MB

Jesus went to his hometown and ended up being the preacher for the service. He chose to read from the prophet, Isaiah, chapter 61. He told the truth to his hometown crowd and they did not like it.

Remember Your Baptism - Called by Name

January 21, 2024 16:08 - 23 minutes - 31.9 MB

This week we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by remembering our own baptism.

We All Need Epiphany

January 13, 2024 15:37 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MB

An epiphany is defined as a manifestation of the Divine. In the turmoil of our world and the newness of this year, we all need an epiphany.

What If It Were Today?

January 13, 2024 15:32 - 14 minutes - 24.4 MB

This Christmas Eve we think about Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. He was born in oppression but today, he would have been born in the Bethlehem of the West Bank.

The Wisdom of Faithfulness

January 05, 2024 18:18 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MB

Discipleship starts at somepoint in our lives and continues for eternity unless we decide we know enough. If we stop striving and if we stop being curious, we do not become all god has called us to be. Simeon and Anna were old but God gave them what God promised.

Too Loud to Be Ignored

December 11, 2023 21:35 - 22 minutes - 36.2 MB

Ever notice how loud truth seems to be. when you hear it, you may not want to listen but it is there and you should. Artist are truth tellers. So was John the Baptist.

Angels Bring Good News

December 04, 2023 19:59 - 16 minutes - 24.6 MB

It has always baffled me how people of faith in the Bible are terrifed by angels. Today we look at Zechariah's reaction when Gabriel shows up in the Temple to tell him Good News!

The Feast of All Feasts

November 29, 2023 15:34 - 15 minutes - 22.8 MB

Revelations 19 describes the wedding feast of the Lamb, an event we all hope to attend!

Given for You

November 13, 2023 19:07 - 19 minutes - 31.6 MB

The Gospel of John tells the story of the Last Supper in a way that seems to emphasize foot washing over communion but maybe he is telling us something even more important. His first miracle is making wine at the wedding in Cana. In the sixth chapter of John he feeds the multitudes then goes into a long discussion of bread. Let's explore this today!

Ignoring Grace

November 06, 2023 22:33 - 17 minutes - 28.5 MB

In our sermon today, we will begin looking at feasts in the New Testament. Jesus does not just use food and banquets in his parables, we often finding him celebrating with those the church rejects.

Speak Up

October 30, 2023 17:04 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MB

My sermon schedule is typically set at least three months in advance. On occasion the text is exactly what needs to be explored given the events of the week, Today, the sermon is the story of Esther.

Offering our Best

October 23, 2023 16:27 - 25 minutes - 53.3 MB

Many of us look at the rules in Scripture but what if we look at the instructions for hospitality instead. The 18th Chapter of Genesis is hospitality well done and hospitality refused. It is an amazing constrast. You cannot have a feast without hospitality.

Limitless Hope

October 17, 2023 13:47 - 24 minutes - 36.5 MB

With the Hamas attack on October 7th, Israel and Palestine have been on our minds. It was another dire period of time when Isaiah spoke these words from the 55th chapter. What do they mean to us today?

A Year of Jubilee

October 11, 2023 18:21 - 21 minutes - 35.5 MB

God laid out a plan in Leviticus 25 to alleviate generational poverty. It was God's intent for people to thrive. That includes you!

Celebrate and Remember

October 02, 2023 20:56 - 22 minutes - 31 MB

In October we began a new sermon series called Always Room for One More. We began this week, World Communion Sunday in Leviticus 23 where God commanded the people to observe Sabbath but also seven festivals. Why? They were to celebrate and remember the redemption of God's people but you cannot celebrate redemption if you do not understand what it meant.

Sundays with Ellen - June 25, 2025

June 25, 2023 16:59 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MB

Why is Connectionalism important? We look at The Way United Methodist do church, chapter 9 of Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

Sundays with Ellen - June 18, 2023

June 17, 2023 23:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MB

United Methodist believe in doing -- lesson 6 in Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

Lessons of our Fathers

June 17, 2023 21:33 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MB

Today we look at Chapters 6 & 7 of Joshua. We talk about these stories of Jericho and Ai as stories of power and conquests but I believe they may be pointing to something else.

Sundays with Ellen - June 11, 2023

June 10, 2023 18:06 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

How does God impart grace to us? A look at ordinary means of grace with Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

Choosing Jesus

June 09, 2023 18:29 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MB

Robert Alter describes the first twelve chapters of Joshua as ruthless and the last twelve chapters at tedium. The first twelve chapters remind us of our current culture of completely fidelity to a leader no matter how harmful. We have another choice.

Sundays with Ellen - June 4, 2023

June 04, 2023 13:39 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

What do United Methodists believe about baptism? Our 4th lesson in Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

Dominion

June 03, 2023 18:33 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MB

Today we begin a new series on the books of Joshua and Judges. Joshua takes us from the wilderness into the Promised Land but you have to get across a river first.

Sundays with Ellen - May 28, 2023

May 27, 2023 23:00 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

Do United Methodist really believe in the Bible? Our 3rd lesson from Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

Fire Saga

May 27, 2023 22:08 - 16 minutes - 22.9 MB

It is Pentecost! The disciples are gathered together when the wind starts howling, the flames start dancing, and they start speaking in other languages. Do not be distracted by the side show. The real miracle is what happens to the disciples and what can happen to you!

Sundays with Ellen - May 21, 2023

May 20, 2023 23:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MB

Sin, grace, and church: lesson 2 in Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist"

Be My Witness

May 20, 2023 18:33 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MB

On this Ascension Sunday, we explore Luke's telling of Jesus rising into the clouds, the disciples' question, and Jesus' response. It is still relevant today!

Do All in Love

May 14, 2023 19:08 - 26 minutes - 36.6 MB

This is our last sunday in First Corinthians. What do we need to take away from this important letter?

Sundays with Ellen - May 14, 2023

May 14, 2023 14:54 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MB

Lesson One in a humorous book by F. Belton Joyner, Jr., "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

To Live

May 07, 2023 17:59 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MB

What is the abundant life Jesus claims in John 10:10. It is living fully in the present with joy and hope in mind, body, and spirit. Paul claims that abundant life and want it for the Corinthians...and you!

Sundays with Ellen - May 7, 2023

May 07, 2023 17:03 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MB

We believe in the Resurrection of the body, our last lesson on the Apostle's Creed

Sundays with Ellen - April 30, 2023

April 29, 2023 23:00 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MB

What do we mean when we say that we believe in the forgiveness of sin? Exploring the Apostle's Creed with Adam Hamilton's book.

To Embody

April 29, 2023 19:31 - 24 minutes - 33 MB

The bible does not support dualism. It was Greek philosophy that told us our bodies were bad and our spirits are good. What makes us human is not just our souls but our bodies.

Sundays with Ellen - April 23, 2023

April 23, 2023 18:02 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MB

What do we mean by "holy catholic" church? We continue Adam Hamilton's "Creed".

To Die

April 22, 2023 18:47 - 24 minutes - 33 MB

The only time I am invited to talk about death is when someone has died or someone is dying. Paul makes the claim that he is dying everyday. He was...so are we. Chapter 15 in I Corinthians, Paul tells us what he believes about death and what he believes about hope. We will be exploring this chapter over the next three weeks.

Camden First United Methodist Church

Episodes

Books