First Church Williamsport
by First Church Williamsport
We seek transformation in Christ. We hope, plan, and pray for the transformation of as many lives as possible by the love of Jesus Christ through the people of First Church. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)
Episodes
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: God With Us
We can be comforted and transformed by the truth that God is determined to be with us, no matter what. Exodus 40:34-38 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake November 1, 2026 (All Saints Sunday)
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: Power in Weakness | Interview with Tim Gombis
Dr. Gombis earned his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of St. Andrews; his work focuses analyzing Paul’s letters in the New Testament. He also contributes to his blog, “Faith Improvised,” and hosts a podcast show by the same name. Currently, he serves as a professor of New Testament…
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: The Commandments
In the ten commandments, we find ten words of life that remind us God is a grace-filled God who moves towards us before we move towards God. This reminder serves as a catalyst towards a life of re-creation and flourishing. Exodus 20:1-17 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake October 25, 2026
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: Reading Exodus with Egyptian Eyes | Interview with Dr. Safwat Marzouk
Dr. Marzouk was ordained as a pastor in 2002 by the Delta Presbytery of the Synod of the Nile (the governing body of the Presbyterian Church in Egypt), and in May 2021 he joined the Wabash Valley Presbytery of PC(USA). As a Christian Egyptian and migrant to the U.S., he interprets the Bible in…
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: Lessons in the Wilderness
God has not simply delivered us from the wilderness; God is still at work forming us into something greater. Exodus 15:22-27; 16:2-5, 13-18; 17:1-13 Mitch Marcello October 18, 2026
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: The Image of God | Interview with Dr. J Richard Middleton
Dr. Middleton is an accomplished scholar and the author of Abraham’s Silence: The Binding of Isaac, the Suffering of Job, and How to Talk Back to God (Baker Academic, 2021); A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology (Baker Academic, 2014); and The Liberating Image: The Imago…
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: Stand Firm and Be Still
When we learn to be still and realize the Lord will fight for us, we are empowered to stand firm and not be afraid, no matter what circumstances we are facing. Exodus 14:5-14 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake October 11, 2026
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: Defining The Wilderness | Interview with Dr. Noel Forlini Burt
Dr. Burt has thoughtfully engaged a great deal with the theme of “Wilderness,” which is central to the story of Exodus. She has published an insightful book titled God in the Desert: A Spiritual Theology of Wilderness in the Old Testament. CONNECT WITH DR. FORLINI BURT + Her bio + Buy her book,...
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: Knowing God
God reveals God’s power in a way that invites all people to come to know God. Exodus 8:1-15 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake October 4, 2026 (World Communion Sunday)
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: Bearing God's Name as His Treasured Possessions | Interview with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes
Dr. Imes has made Exodus the focus of her professional career in Biblical Scholarship. Her doctoral work presented an impactful thesis on the 3rd commandment, which led to the publication of "Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters." Among several other publications, she is now developing a...
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: Divine Perspective
Aligning with God's perspective requires us to be obedient and faithful rather than successful. Exodus 5 - 7 Rev. Dr. Ben Conrad and Mitch Marcello September 27, 2026
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: The Shape of Things to Come & The Narrative Pattern of Exodus | Interview with Dr. Alistair Roberts
Dr. Roberts (PhD, Durham University) works as an adjunct Senior Fellow for the Theopolis Institute. He is a co-author of the book "Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption Through Scripture." He has a free chapter-by-chapter audio commentary on the entire Bible which can be found here....
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: The Name
Moses was called forth to live his life in light of the ultimate reality of God’s holy name, “I AM.” We are called to do the same today. Exodus 3:1-14 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake September 20, 2026
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Entering the Kingdom, Going Deeper: The Big Picture of Exodus & The Role of Women | Interview with Dr. Jacqueline Lapsley
Dr. Lapsley holds the position of President of Union Presbyterian Seminary and also serves on Faculty as Old Testament Professor. Among other publications, Dr. Lapsley has authored Whispering the Word: Hearing Women’s Stories in the Old Testament. CONNECT WITH DR. LAPSLEY + Her bio + Buy her…
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Entering the Kingdom, Journey Through Exodus: Known and Remembered
The balcony story of Exodus reminds us that God both knows us and remembers us in our sin slavery, and ultimately delivers us from that slavery. Exodus 1:6-14; 2:23-25 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake September 13, 2026 (Fall Kickoff Sunday)
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Idolatry: Politics
By remembering that we have citizenship here and in heaven we avoid making earthly politics an idol as we live as peculiar people in God’s Kingdom. Philippians 3:15-21 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake September 6, 2026
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Idolatry: Freedom
True freedom is found when we live for Jesus under the restraints of His teaching and truth, rather than turning from His teaching and truth. John 8:31-36 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake August 30, 2026
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Idolatry: The Idol of Approval
When we seek the approval of others, we are caught in a web of insecurity trying to perfect ourselves. Paul urges us to find our confidence by knowing that in Christ we are declared saints. Galatians 1:1-10 Caroline Glazier August 23, 2026
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Idolatry: The Idol of Self
When we experience the love of the Risen Christ who gave His life for us in a real and intentional way, the idol of the self loses its grip on our lives and Jesus becomes our first priority. Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV) and Galatians 2:11-13, 19-21 (MSG) Rev. Dr. Matt Lake August 16, 2026
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Idolatry: Technology
If we are not careful, we will be formed by the idol of technology that is ever more present in our lives as a first priority, rather than formation in the embodied practices of Christ. Exodus 32:1-8 and Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV) Rev. Dr. Matt Lake August 9, 2026
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Idolatry: Comfort
Overcoming the idol of comfort in our lives is not a matter of trying harder or being driven by shame, but rather by knowing and embracing the surpassing love of Jesus in our lives. Luke 9:23-24 and Philippians 3:7-14 Reverend Dr. Matt Lake August 2, 2026
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Idolatry: The Idol of Control
The idol of control trusts the self rather than God. We can turn away from the idol of control by embracing godly agency. Exodus 20:1-6 Rev. Janet Durrwachter July 26, 2026
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Stories: Jesus
Sharing in the deeper version of the Jesus story means we grow in depth from accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior to joining Jesus as Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake July 19, 2026
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Stories: Zacchaeus
When the scandalous grace of Jesus impacts us in our soul, it gets exemplified outwardly in our generosity in all ways towards others and with God. Luke 19:1-10 Reverend Dr. Matt Lake July 12, 2026
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Stories: Daniel in the Lions' Den
Daniel models for us what it means to faithfully live in this world without being a part of this world. Daniel 6:10-12, 16-22 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake July 5, 2026
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Stories: David and Goliath
When we refuse to let the world define who we are and trust who God is forming us to be, we will find the courage to step in front of giants, and follow God wherever he is calling us. 1 Samuel 17:38-40 Mitch Marcello June 28, 2026 (VBS Sunday)
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Stories: Samson
When we live into the strength of the Lord rather than our own strength, we live up to our full potential as Jesus followers. Judges 16:4-22 Rev. Dr. Matt Lake June 21, 2026 (Father's Day)
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Stories: Jonah
God loves all people and calls us to love all people, even our enemies. Jonah 1:1-17 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake June 14, 2026
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Stories: Joseph
The church is called to follow the model of Joseph and stop the cycles of pain and hatred. (Genesis 37:1-10) Genesis 37:1-10 Mitch Marcello June 7, 2026
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Stories: Noah
The story of Noah’s ark reminds us that we serve a God who grieves deeply enough to do something about the brokenness in our world, and who remembers us in such a way as to bring forth new life through that brokenness. Genesis 7:11-24 and Genesis 8:1 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake May 31, 2026
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Transformed: Church for the Next Generation
All of us are commissioned as representatives of God, partnering in the New Creation: making all things new and restoring all things to right relationship with God. Exodus 19:1-8 and Acts 2:5-12 Dr. Ben Conrad May 24, 2026 (Pentecost)
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Transformed: Humble Power
We model the love and transformation found in Jesus when we live into the humble power of Christ rather than the power dynamics of this world. Acts 3:1-16 and Ephesians 3:14-21 Reverend Dr. Matt Lake May 17, 2026
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Transformed: Beautiful Diversity (Part 2)
Our fuse youth examine the pillar of beautiful Diversity. Acts 2:5-11 and Galatians 3:26-29 Marco Blas May 10, 2026 (Mother's Day)
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Transformed: Beautiful Diversity (Part 1)
Our fuse youth examine the pillar of beautiful diversity. Acts 2:5-11 and Galatians 3:26-29 Keigan McCoy May 10, 2026 (Mother's Day)
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Transformed: A Third Way
God’s church is called to reflect the perfect, third way tension of grace and truth modeled in the Way of Jesus in such a way that it defies easy defining found in constructed, human categories. Acts 8:26-40 and John 14:6 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake May 3, 2026
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Transformed: Rugged Disciples
We as rugged disciples seek to give up our lives to discover true life in Jesus Christ. Acts 14:19-22 and Matthew 10:38-39 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake April 26, 2026 (Graduate Recognition)
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Transformed: Gathered and Sent
Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 1:8 Mitch Marcello April 19, 2026
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Transformed: Transformation
With the renewing of our minds, we can better live into the transforming reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:1-2 and Acts 9:1-19 Rev. Dr. Matthew Lake April 12, 2026
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Lamentations: Entering Suffering
Jesus models the power and hope of lament by entering into suffering itself, rather than seeking to ignore it. Lamentations 3:5, 28; Psalm 22:1-5; Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV) Rev. Dr. Matt Lake March 29, 2026 (Palm Sunday) **Note that the stream was interrupted partly through the sermon. The audio file...
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Lamentations: Trust
Lament teaches us to trust God, even in our pain. Psalm 13 (NLT) and Lamentations 5 (NIV) Reverend Janet Durrwachter March 22, 2026
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Lamentations: The Prophetic Voice
The subversive practice of lament fosters faithful discipleship by encouraging us to use our prophetic voice against injustice in this world. Psalm 10:1-7, 12-15 Reverend Dr. Matthew Lake March 15, 2026
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Lamentations: Fostering Discipleship
The practice of lament helps us live as faithful disciples by fostering personal resilience no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. Lamentations 2:1-3, 11-13 and Psalm 74:1-3, 10-12 Reverend Dr. Matthew Lake March 8, 2026
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Lamentations: Intense Overwhelm
Lament matters because when we are shaken to our core it gives us language and voice to live into a more resilient and faithful form of discipleship. Lamentations 2:1-2,11-13 and Psalm 74:1-3, 10-12 Reverend Dr. Matthew Lake March 1, 2026
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Lamentations: Resisting Despair
The subversive discipline of lament allows us to engage God faithfully, and discover hope, by naming our honest complaints and requests before God. Lamentations 1:1-2, 9-11 and Psalm 13 Reverend Dr. Matthew Lake February 22, 2026
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Anchored: In Eternity
Eternal Life is more than you think and better than you think. John 3:10-16 Reverend Janet Durrwachter February 15, 2026
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Anchored: The Fruit of the Spirit
The fruits of the spirit reflect the truth of God lived out in our lives. Galatians 5:16-26 Reverend Dr. Matthew Lake February 8, 2026
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Anchored: The Resurrection
When the anchor of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is fully realized and embraced in our lives we live changed lives. 1 Corinthians 15:12-26 Reverend Dr. Matthew Lake February 1, 2026
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Anchored: Holiness
God’s holiness helps us to embrace the truth that we are more flawed than we imagined, but also more loved than we ever dared to hope. Isaiah 6:1-7 Reverend Dr. Matt Lake January 25, 2026
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Anchored: The Holy Spirit
The mission of the Holy Spirit is to bring us near to the life-giving presence of God. Ezekiel 37:1-10 Dr. Benjamin Conrad January 18, 2025
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Anchored: Jesus the Son
Jesus did not come to manage our behavior. He came to reclaim our hearts. And when we are truly captivated by him, freedom follows. Exodus 6:6-9 and John 8:31-41 (NIV) Mitch Marcello (MS) January 11, 2026
About this show
We seek transformation in Christ. We hope, plan, and pray for the transformation of as many lives as possible by the love of Jesus Christ through the people of First Church. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)
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