We are located at the corner of First Street and Soule, just one block east of Central in northeast Dodge City

                                   ...Grow in God's Word

2005 Sermons

12-25-05  "Something to Sing About" (Psalm 98) and (Isaiah 52)  The hills sing for joy!  What do they have to sing about?  What do we have to sing about?

12-24-05  "Putting Yourself into the Story"  (Luke 2:1-20)   The scene at the manger includes shepherds, animals, angels, Mary, Joseph and the baby.  But who else?

12-18-05  Christmas Cantata presented by the Sanctuary Choir

12-11-05 "Mary's Joy" (Luke 1 46-55) A young teenaged girl from Nazareth finds herself "in the family way."  There were many reasons to despair.  But Mary chose joy. 

12-04-05 "Peace Prince" (Isaiah 9:2-7) Our human attempts at peace are fragile.  We wait for a peace that is more than, better than anything we can hope to attain in this world.  We look to the One who promises, "I do not give as the world gives..."

11-27-05  "Waiting in Hope" (Mark 1:1-8) Wild, strange John out in the wilderness begins our story.  We are to wait, and watch.  As we wait, we hope.  It is that way, always.  Whenever we wait, wherever we wait, we hope.

11-20-05  "Investors"  (Colossians 1:3-6; 9-12)  There are three types of people when it comes to giving.  There are "takers," "traders," and "investors."  Which are you?

11-13-05  "Congratulations!"  (Matthew 5:1-12)  "Blessed are they who...."  When I was a child, I memorized these beautiful sayings, and somehow, intuitively knew they were describing a wonderful relationship with God.  I got into trouble when I grew up and tried to analyze them.

11-06-05  "Before You Promise"  (Joshua 24:14-24)   Joshua asks the tribes of Israel if they will follow the Lord.  They quickly promise to follow only the Lord God.  But before they promise, Joshua wants them to be sure.  It would be better not to promise than to do so and then forget.  What if we were as concerned as Joshua was about the promises Christians make when they profess their faith in Christ?

10-30-05  "IMAGINE"  (1 Peter 2:9-10)  The writer of First Peter inspires the Christian Community to unlock their holy imagination.  "You are," the writer says, "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."  "Once you were not a people, now you are the people of God."  Can we imagine how the world would be different if we believed those words to be true for us?

10-23-05  "Satisfied" (Deuteronomy 34:1-12)  Was Moses sad or angry that he didn't get to personally cross over into the promised land?  I think he might have been satisfied--knowing the promise was securely in God's hands.  Our own promise is as well...

10-16-05  "Whose Gold?"   (Exodus 32:1-14)  The Israelites melt down their gold earrings and Aaron fashions a golden calf to which they bow down and worship.  Where did this rag-tag bunch of former slaves get enough gold to do that?

10-09-05  "On Trial"  (Micah 6:1-8)  The key to understanding this passage of Scripture is to recognize that it contains several speakers who are participating in a court proceeding.  God is bringing charges against the people.  We hear God's testimony, the people's response and finally, a settlement offer.

10-02-05  Rev. Jim Godbey preaches for World Communion Sunday.  Lance will worship with the VIM work camp at Camp Lakeside this morning.

9-25-05  Rev. Keith Fink, Sublette UMC  preaches in observance of "Called into Ministry" Sunday.  Keith answered the call into ministry as a member of the First UMC Dodge City congregation.

9-18-05  "Well Paid"  (Matthew 20:1-16)   The familiar parable of the landowner hiring workers throughout the day is a parable of the kingdom, Jesus says.  The last ones hired get a generous gift.  The first ones hired grumble.  But in fact, they are very well paid.

9-11-05  "God is For Us" (Romans 8:13; 31-39)  Paul says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?  On this 4th anniversary of the 911 attacks, and in light of the recent devastation from Hurricane Katrina, we are prone to ask, "why?"  Why do terrible things happen, and why do innocent people suffer and die? 

9-04-05  Dr. Jim Godbey, preaches.  Labor Day Sunday.

8-28-05  "A Job to Do"  (Exodus 3:1-15)  Moses sees a burning bush.  God calls Moses to deliver God's people from slavery.  Well...sure.  After all, it's MOSES!  But that morning when Moses got up, he was just an ordinary, average fellah with other things on his mind...

8-21-05 "Christian Transformation Sunday"  (Romans 12:1-3)  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds."  Christian Education Sunday really is "Christian Transformation Sunday" renewing the minds of children, youth and adults. 

8-14-05  "Did You Hear What He Said?"  (Matthew 15: 10-28)  I struggle with this story Matthew tells us, about Jesus' encounter with a Canaanite woman.  What did he call her?  How could he have said such awful things to her?

8-07-05  "Take Heart"  (Matthew 14:22-33)  After feeding the large crowd, Jesus dismisses the crowd, and send the disciples away in a boat.  They find themselves in a storm in the middle of the night, and Jesus comes to them walking on the water.  Peter climbs out of the boat and does a little water-walking himself, and then becomes frightened.  Jesus has to catch him before he drowns.  And then, Jesus looks at Peter and says those words, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"   Looks like its time to gang up on poor ol' Peter again....

7-31-05  "But All We Have Is..." (Matthew 14:13-21)  The disciples counted the crowd.  Then they counted what their resources.  Five loaves and two fish--it wouldn't be near enough.  They protest the Lord's request that they feed the enormous crowd. "But all we have is..."  They counted it all up, but...had they counted correctly?

7-24-05  "Discovering What is Valuable"  (Matthew 13:31-33; 44-46)  I love the "Antiques Road Show" on PBS, where people discover things they own have great worth.  Others learn that things they THINK are valuable are worthless, or worse, fakes.  Reading Jesus' parables, there are some striking similarities with the Kingdom of God and the "Antiques Road Show."

7-17-05  "Only God is Good"  (Mark 10:17-27)  A rich young man asks Jesus, "What must I DO to inherit eternal life?  Truthfully, is there anything any of us can DO to gain our inheritance?  An inheritance is a gift, and depends upon the goodness of the giver...

7-10-05  "Over the Line"  (Romans 5: 1-8)  Christ died for us WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS.  Have we truly considered the implications of this message?  Even more, are we ready to embrace the idea that "Christ died for the ungodly?"  All the ungodly?

Lance on vacation 6-26-05 and 7-03-05   Rev. Todd Guinn and Dr. Jim Godbey preach.

6-19-05  "We Are Family" (1 John 3: 1-3)  This Father's Day, Rev. Lance compares First UMC's worship service to a family reunion.   The writer of First John tells the church they are the "children of God," which of course, makes us all family.  We know there are some family members we have not seen in a long time, as well as perhaps some who have not yet "found" their home in our church family. 

6-12-05  "Hitting the Nail on the Head"  (Matthew 25:34-45)   In 1976, Millard Fuller and his wife Linda founded Habitat for Humanity, a Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  The three Christian principles of Habitat for Humanity continue to guide their work today, here in Dodge City.

6-05-05  "Opportunities"  (Matthew 9:9-12; 18-26)  Matthew paints three portraits for us, three people who are renewed through encounters with Jesus.  Opportunity came their way, and the outcomes were amazing!  What opportunities are we providing for people to encounter Christ in ways that bring about renewal and change?

5-29-05 "I Am Not Ashamed"  (Romans 1:16-17 and 3: 22-28)  The gospel, Paul says, is nothing to be ashamed of.  Unfortunately, there are some practices in the name of Christianity that may be shameful. 

5-22-05  "Turning Signals"  (Acts 16:9-15)  Sometimes we plan our lives all out to the last detail.  But do we leave room for God's interruptions?  For "turning signals" whereby we lay aside our own plans and follow God's plan for us?  On this graduation Sunday, we offer some advice to those who "commence" their journey into the future.

5-15-05  "Something in Red" (Acts 2:1-21)  Wonder why red is the color of Pentecost?  Maybe the early church leaders were trying to send a message when they chose red as the color to mark Pentecost, and the birth of the church.  We will be celebrating the confirmation of 12 new members of our church who have just completed confirmation class today.

5-08-05 " Loving, Giving"  (John 13:33-35 and 1 Corinthians 4-8a; 15)  Mother's Day is treacherous ground for a preacher.  One one hand, eager to honor the noble role of motherhood, there is the risk of turning worship into nothing more than a sentimental greeting card, leaving little for the presence of God and the mystery of the HOLY to intersect with our mortal lives.  On the other hand, if the preacher neglects Mother's Day and treats it as you would any other Sunday, the preacher is viewed as a joyless chump who ruined the day!  (And rightfully so!)

5-01-05  Penny Schwab, Executive Director of Western Kansas United Methodist Mexican American Ministries is our guest speaker.  UMW Sunday.  WKUMMAM special offering.

4-24-05  Dr. Jim Godbey preaches.  Counseling and Mediation Center Sunday

4-17-05  "Made New"  (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)  Our church exists for a primary purpose--that people will be made new in Jesus Christ.  To this end, we have an important mission: "To provide opportunities for  people to encounter Jesus Christ that they might believe and be made new." 

4-10-05  "The Scary Part"  (Selections from Gospel of John)   Following a terrible tragedy, our congregations wrestles with how our faith can sustain us and those that we love through unimaginable loss. 

4-03-05  "Something Familiar"  (Luke 24:13-35)  Two of Jesus' Disiciples are returning home to Emmaus, when a stranger walks alongside them.  Later, in their home, in the familiar breaking of the bread, their eyes are opened.  It is Jesus!   It is the same for us...

3-27-05  EASTER SUNDAY--"Ta Da!" (Matthew 28:1-10)  We are an Easter people!  We are people who celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord EVERY Sunday morning.  We are changed, because of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.  Ta Da!

3-20-05  Whispering the Lyrics--Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11)  The crowds are shouting "Hosanna," which means, "we are saved."  They wave palm branches in the air, symbols of victory over their enemies.  They are elated,  for their savior, thier deliverer, their king comes riding into their midst!  But what in the world is he riding?  And why?

3-13-05  Whispering the Lyrics--Be Still My Soul  (Psalm 46)  This wonderful hymn comes to us as the product of three different people spanning 150 years from three different countries.  It echoes the familiar phrase from the 46th Psalm, "Be still and know that I am God."  In the midst of the chaotic churn of our lives, to quiet ourselves to hear the still small voice of God will lead us into his presence and fill us with courage for the days ahead

2-20-05  Whispering the Lyrics--O God Our Help in Ages Past   (Psalm 121)  "The Lord will keep you,"  the 121st Psalm tells us, six times!  When we are fearful, we long to know that the same God that has watched over us will continue to watch over us, never slumbering.  Isaac Watt's great hymn of faith, "O God Our Help in Ages Past" fortifies our courage in the face of change and loss.

2-13-05  Whispering the Lyrics--Amazing Grace  (Psalm 32)  Today begins a Lenten Series called "Whispering the Lyrics," the follow up to our Advent theme of "Singing the Songs."  Using the Psalms, the ancient songs of the people of God, and the great hymns of the church today, we will be discussing texts that give us strength and hope.  Today, we examine the 32nd Psalm, and John Newton's "Amazing Grace."

2-6-05  Transfiguration of Christ  (Matthew 17:1-9)  Jesus "shines" on the mountaintop and then tells his disciples to tell no one--not until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.   Why must they keep silent?  What went on up there anyway?

1-30-05  Overload Syndrome 4: So Broke I Can't Even Pay Attention (Matthew 6:24-33)  We live in a culture that seeks to increase our desires, and cause us to want more, more, more.  We cannot finance all we want, so we charge it.  Enter debt and possession overload.  It's a spiritual matter, one that we can address with the words of our Lord.  "Don't worry, God provides all we need."  Okay, sure.  But who is gonna provide all we want?  Today's prescriptions are the last in our series on "Overload Syndrome." 

1-23-05  Overload Syndrome 3: Places to Go and People to See (Luke 10:38-42)   We are all busy--too busy.  We've got places to go, people to see and things to do.  But we are finding ourselves with too little time or energy to do it all.  We are overloaded.  Today we offer some prescriptions for work and activity overload.

1-16-05  Overload Syndrome 2: Twenty Four/ Seven  (Matthew 13:24-30)  This week, we examine accessibility overload.  Our culture is a "24/7" culture, and pushes us to make ourselves available 24/7, not only to people we love, but to complete strangers via cell phones, Email and other technology.  It's time to rediscover margin in our overloaded life.  Here are some prescriptions...

1-9-05  Overload Syndrome 1: Too Much Information  (Luke 5:12-16)  Dr. Richard Swenson says our culture is suffering from "Overload Syndrome"  Today and for the next four weeks we will be addressing "Overload" and how to rediscover margin in our lives.  We begin with media and information overload and offer prescriptions for relieving the burden.