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

2006 Sermons

2-17-06   "The Promise" a Christmas Cantata performed by our Chancel Choir.

12-10-06  "Point of View"   Matthew 1:1; 1:18; and Luke 1:1-4 The Script must be finalized as we prepare for the telling of the compelling story of the Nativity.   Should we use Luke's story or Matthew's?   What does each tell us about who this child is and for what purpose is he born?

12-03-06 "I Know Who I Want to Be"  Luke 2:1-5  The first in a series titled "Setting the Stage for the Nativty.  This week, Lance looks at the main characters to be cast in our story.

11-19-06  "My Five"  Psalm 126  1 Timothy 2:1-8   Lance shares a story from UM Preacher Bass Mitchell that is humbling.  Five kernels of corn--five things for which we might be deeply grateful. 

11-12-06  "What Counts?" Mark 12:38-44  Many of us know the story of the widow's offering of two small copper coins.  We might not know of her if Jesus hadn't been watching...

11-05-06 "Most Important"  Mark 12:24-34   Of all of God's commandments, which is number one?  Which is most important?

10-29-06  "This is the Day!"  Psalm 118:19-29  This is the Day the Lord has made.   Not just another day, but a very specific day.  What day is the Psalmist singing about?  

10-22-06  "Jesus the Legalist"   Mark 10:2-26    Dr. Jim Godbey preaches on a very hard text concerning Jesus' teaching on divorce. 

10-15-06  "God is Right Where it Hurts"  Job 38:1-6; 42:1-9   God steps onto the stage in this biblical drama, and has something to say--to Job, but also to his "friends." 

10-08-06 "Where is God When it Hurts?"  Job 23:1-9; 16-17   Job finally has his say, but cannot find God in the midst of his tragic circumstances.  Neither before or behind, to the left or to the right.   Job is alone in his suffering.   Where is God?

10-01-06  "World Communion Sunday"  Leading worship today will be members of the "World Witness Team" a student ambassador group from Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas made up of international students from around the world.

9-24-06  "Called to Ministry Sunday"  We welcome Rev. Mike Rose, who grew up in First UMC  to preach.  He will be talking about his own call into ministry and how that was shaped by this congregation.

9-17-06  "Christian Nonsense." 1 Corinthians 1:18-25     Paul recognized that the principles of the Christian faith make no sense to those who are outside the body of believers.  Our task is not to make the culture around us understand Christianity, but to invite any who wish to be a participant in it to come and begin to be formed and made new in the practices of the faith.

9-10-06   "Unlocking our Hearts, our Minds and our Doors."  Matthew 16:13-19   To be the church of "Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors," we must find the keys that will unlock and set us free to love, accept and welcome.

9-03-06 "Eat, Drink and Remember."   1 Corinthians 11: 23-26   Ever smell a fragrance or hear a song that immediately takes you back to a moment in your past?  When this happens, there is more going on that merely the recalling of a thought or idea.  To remember is to experience again a moment from the past that shapes and forms us even in our present.

8-27-06  Dr. Jim Godbey preaches for Christian Education Sunday.

8-20-06  "Jonah 'N the Whale"  Jonah 1:15-2:2; 2:10  Our "N" Series concludes with a big fish story.  We all remember learning about Jonah 'N the Whale...but as we revisit this great story, is there a purpose in the story?

8-13-06  "David 'N Goliath"  1 Samuel 17:48-50   Our "N" Series continues.  The story has three strong characters.  David, a shepherd boy, Goliath a giant Philistine warrior, and Saul, King of Israel.  With whom do you most identify? 

8-06-06   "Samson 'N Delilah"  Judges 15:9-11  The first the "N" Series--Bible stories from our childhood that are worth revisiting as adults.  Samson feared that he would be make "as weak as any man" if the secret of his strength were disclosed.  Little did he realize he had long ago succumbed to many of the same weaknesses that affect all humans.

7-23-06  &  7-30-06  Dr. Jim Godbey preaches. 

7-16-06  "No Fear, Only Love"  1 John 4:13-19  "Perfect Love casts out fear."  Fear and Love are very different.  One is about control, the other is about the free choice God as given us to respond to the love God offers.

7-09-06  "Planting Time!"  Mark 4:26-32  Jesus uses the metaphor of planting, of putting seed into soil to help his disciples understand their role in the Kingdom of God.  Looking around at our own community, there are some seeds God has put in our hands to plant.  Are we ready to do it?

7-2-06  Rev. Kendall Utt, our new Dodge City District Superintendent spends his first weekend on the district with us here at FUMC.  Rev. Utt will be preaching all services, and we will be introducing his family to the congregation.

6-25-06  "Time to Wake the Lord!"  Mark 4:35-41    When a storm warning is issued, it means that it's time to watch or prepare for the coming of a destructive storm.  The disciples are beyond preparation: they find themselves in the midst of a storm that threatens their very lives.  They turn to wake the Lord.  We are perishing! they call.  Notice the present tense?

6-18-06  Rev. Dr. Dennis Kuder preaches all services as we prepare to say goodbye to Dennis and Deanna.  Dennis will be going off as District Superintendent and will soon be pastor of Kinsley and Lewis United Methodist Churches.  We wish Dennis and Deanna the very best.  Thanks for six great years.

6-11-06  Rev. Todd Guinn preaches all services as a farewell.  Todd and Lisa will be leaving our congregation to move to Wichita, where Todd will be director for High School and College for First UMC, Wichita.

6-04-06  "The Main Thing"  Acts 2:1-21   Rev. Carrithers and Dr. Jim Godbey present a dialogue message to report on Annual Conference.

5-28-06 "Changed"  1 Corinthians 15:50-57   This Memorial Sunday we read the names of those in our congregation who have passed away in the past year, and remember our loved ones who have passed away, who have been "changed."

5-21-06  "Party"  Luke 15:20-24  We celebrate with our graduates today.  The young man in the Jesus' story goes off looking for a party.  All the while, the real celebration is back home, with his Father.   So it is with God.

5-14-06  "Purpose versus Form"   Luke 11:37-46  Happy Mother's Day!  We not only celebrate this day of honor for Mom's, but observe United Methodist Women's Sunday by asking the question, "which is more important, UMW's form or purpose?"

5-7-06  "To Be the Church"  Matthew 25:31-46    Today we celebrate "Cinco De Mayo" with our friends from the Western Kansas United Methodist Mexican American Ministries Care Center.  This is a familiar story of Jesus sorting the sheep from the goats.  Not much to think about or seek to understand here....the real trick is..."what are we going to DO about it?"

4-30-06  "Such As These" Luke 18:15-17   The nature and character of a child brings the kingdom closer.  What is it we have to learn?  This sermon is preached on "JOY!" Sunday, celebrating our Joy! Child Development Center.

4-23-06  CONFIRMATION SUNDAY Dr. Jim Godbey preaches.

4-16-06 "Easter Enough for All"  John 20:1-18    He Is Risen!  He Is Risen Indeed!    Easter Message, based on John's account of the Resurrection in.

4-09-06  VICTORY--An Easter Cantata presented by our Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Ms. Nancy Sapp.

4-02-06  Southwestern College's World Witness Team, a group of International Students who blessed us by sharing their music and testimony.

3-26-06 Lenten Series: Encountering the Christ #4--Lazarus (John 11:1-45)  Jesus is delayed in coming when Martha sends for him to heal her brother.  By the time he arrives, Lazarus is dead and buried.  The grief is much for even Jesus to bear.  But there is something new yet to be seen!

3-19-06 Lenten Series: Encountering the Christ #3--Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41) Touched by Jesus, the man never "sees" the one who heals him, until he is cast out of the synagogue by well-meaning religious authorities who cannot seem to see nor understand this new thing Jesus is doing.

3-12-06 Lenten Series: Encountering the Christ #2--Samaritan Woman  (John 4:5-42) In the mid-day sun, a woman comes to draw water hoping not to encounter anyone at all.  But a young Jewish teacher begins a conversation, a conversation that brings the woman new life!

3-05-06 Lenten Series: Encountering the Christ #1--Nicodemus  (John 3:1-17)  Under the cover of night, Nicodemus seeks out Jesus to learn more about him and his ministry.  Jesus has a whole new world view to offer him--a whole new light.

2-26-06  Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories #8  Resurrection and Return of Christ.  "The Final Promise"  In the span between the Ascension of Jesus and the promised return, is the church.  With the Holy Spirit's help, the church is charged with doing the ministry of Jesus.  And in the final glorious vision of the redemption of the world found in Revelation, we hear again that familiar promise. 

2-19-06  Dr. Jim Godbey preaches on the "Four Voices of the Gospel."

2-12-06  Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories #6 God Has a Plan:  "Enduring Love."  The people are in exile, the promise is in shambles. The people are no longer God's people.  Yet...God is still their God.  They must trust that even this "wilderness" of exile is full of God's grace.

2-05-06  Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories #5  Lost: "Message Spoken, Message Lived"   This message based on Hosea and the prophets' warnings in the Old Testament was not preached due to illness, but is included here.

1-29-06  Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories #4  Faithfulness: "Indistinguishable" (Samuel, Judges and Kings)  The people want to be like all the other nations in the transjordan.  They want a king.  God warns them that a king will not be in their best interest, but they insist, and God relents.  "Give them a king," he tells Samuel.  The people might be careful what they wish for...

1-22-06  Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories #3  God's Deliverance: "Liberty and Justice." (Exodus)  The story, THE formational story for God's people is the Exodus story.  God delivers, God provides.  Why?  Because of the promise.... 

1-15-06 Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories #2  God's Promise: "Creation and Relationship" (Genesis 12-50)  God chooses a people, and his agreement is a simple one, "I will be your God, and you will be God's people."  The surprising character throughout the story is...God!

01-08-06 Through the Bible: Eight Great Stories  #1 Creation and Sin: "Not How, but Why" (Genesis 1-3) We start at the beginning: Genesis.  Perhaps the Bible isn't designed to answer the "how" questions, such as "how did things come to be?"  Maybe the Bible answers a more important question, one science is not designed to answer.  Why?  And to whose purpose?

01-01-06  Dr. Jim Godbey preaches