FUMC Bentonville Sermon Podcast
by First United Methodist Church | Downtown Bentonville
Welcome to the FUMC | Downtown Bentonville podcast! Each week, listen to sermons and stay up to date with what‘s going on in the life of our community.https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/a323e932-fb2c-4b10-bad4-a5ad64d462a6
Episodes
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September 6, 2026 | Tradition | Bible on Broadway (Fiddler on the Roof) | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
John 3: 1-21 In "Fiddler on the Roof," Tevye embodies the tension between being open to change in our faith and holding fast to what defines us as such a people. We see the same tension in the journey of Nicodemus across the Gospel of John.
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September 6, 2026 | On the Other Hand | Bible on Broadway (Fiddler on the Roof) | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
John 3: 1-21 In "Fiddler on the Roof," Tevye embodies the tension between being open to change in our faith and holding fast to what defines us as such a people. We see the same tension in the journey of Nicodemus across the Gospel of John.
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August 30th, 2026 | Bible on Broadway (The Phantom of the Opera) | Breaking Chains | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Mark 5:1-20 "The Phantom of the Opera" allows us to explore the condition of being cast out of society and then confront the tension between breaking those chains or enslaving others as we are.
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August 30th, 2026 | Bible on Broadway (The Phantom of the Opera) | Hidden Face | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Mark 5:1-20 The Phantom of the Opera allows us to explore the condition of being cast out of society and then confront the tension between breaking those chains or enslaving others as we are.
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August 23rd, 2026 | Bible on Broadway (Mamma Mia!) | Found Family | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Ruth 4:13-17 As we look at the musical "Mamma Mia!," we will reflect on what it means to stand by each other in all times and spaces, and find family in all those around us.
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August 23rd, 2026 | Bible on Broadway (Mamma Mia!) | Wherever You Go | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Ruth 1:6-22 As we look at the musical, "Mamma Mia!," we will reflect on what it means to stand by each other in all times and spaces, and find family in all those around us.
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August 16th, 2026 | The Lost Is Found | Get a Clue | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 15:1-7 This series ties into this year’s Vacation Bible School. This week will be trying to unravel the mystery in the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
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August 9th, 2026 | The Map of Care | Get a Clue | Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Luke 10:25-37 This series ties into this year’s Vacation Bible School. This week will be trying to unravel the mystery in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
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August 2nd, 2026 | Treasure Hunt | Get a Clue | Brett Morrison
Matthew 25:14-29 This series ties into this year’s Vacation Bible School. This week we will be trying to unravel the mystery in the Parable of the Talents.
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July 26th, 2026 | Digging Deep | Get a Clue | Angela Barrington
Luke 8:4-15 This series ties into this year’s Vacation Bible School. This week will be trying to unravel the mystery in the Parable of the Sower.
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July 19th, 2026 | The Hell That Is Real | Go to Hell | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 16:19-31 And now we will look at the Hell we build around us all the time – flowing from the way we treat each other in this life here.
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July 12th, 2026 | The Hells We Imagined | Go to Hell | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Revelation 20:1-15 We will take apart the ideas we have of Hell that misunderstand biblical imagery or that come from cultural representations like Dante’s Inferno.
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July 5th, 2026 | Life, Liberty, and Pursuit | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Galatians 5:22-23 In spite of all of our divisions, the truth is, we want to be good people. We just need to remember our shared values and agree to practice them.
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June 28th, 2026 | For All: Finding Blessings in America | Michael Burks
Galatians 5:1, 13-15; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; Isaiah 40:28-31 We get a lot of despair and bad news however much that bad news has always been around. We as Christians are called to look forward into the future with hope not fear. In all of these passages, the blessings are not in wealth power and...
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June 21st, 2026 | For All: A Faithful Experiment | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 13:6-9, Psalm 85 The Founders of our nation built a government that anticipates human failure. Our civic life includes ways to pause, evaluate, change course, and begin again. That does not make our nation perfect, but it does reveal something hopeful: we are not trapped forever by every...
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June 14th, 2026 | Land Learning Lunch | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Esther 4:10-17 On this Sunday, Pastor Michelle will give us an update on this fiscal year’s budget, the budget for the year ahead beginning July, and discuss with us the plans for how we will determine what we do with the land to the west of the church building. We find ourselves in extraordinary...
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June 14th, 2026 | For Such a Time as This | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 13:6-9 and Psalm 85 The Founders of our nation built a government that anticipates human failure. Our civic life includes ways to pause, evaluate, change course, and begin again. That does not make our nation perfect, but it does reveal something hopeful: we are not trapped forever by every...
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June 7th, 2026 | Blessed to Be a Blessing | Bishop Max Whitfield
Gen. 12: 1-9 (NRSVue) We are Blessed. Called to respond in Faith. Called to Serve Others.
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May 31st, 2026 | Ministry in a Whirlwind: John Wesley and the People Called Methodists | Methodist Refresh | Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
1 John 5:1-5 John Wesley believed in the radical love and acceptance of all humans. He believed in the Imago Dei. Every person was created in the image of God. This moved him to go to the poor working class in Bristol, England and preach outdoors to large numbers. John also brought recrimination…
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May 24th, 2026 - Pentecost Sunday | Hearts on Fire | Methodist Refresh | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Acts 2:1-4; Numbers 11:24-30 On this Pentecost and Aldersgate Sunday, it seems appropriate to revisit our wild, Pentecostal tent meeting roots – remembering when we were accused of being too enthusiastic!
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May 17th, 2026 | Submitting to Be More Vile | Methodist Refresh | Kristin Wells
Mark 2:13-17 As we begin a new series exploring significant moments in Methodist history, we’ll look at how founder John Wesley challenged religious and social norms in pursuit of the Gospel. United Methodists are proud of our Wesleyan heritage, but some of us still wrestle with an important...
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May 10th, 2026 | Sharing Grace | Double Vision | Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Isaiah 58:6-8 Mama’s got your back… and so does God!
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May 3rd, 2026 | Loving People | Double Vision | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 In this sermon, we are going to address the new trend of AI relationships. A chatbot can fulfill 1 Corinthans 13 easily. But are we creating unrealistic expectations of IRL relationships?
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April 26th, 2026 | Following Jesus | Double Vision | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 9:23-24 Jesus challenges his followers to take up their cross and follow him. But what does that actually mean? Pastor Michelle will dig into this important aspect of discipleship for us today.
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April 19th, 2026 | Serve Joyfully | Double Vision | Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
1 Peter 4:8-11 We should all serve God, but in purposeful ways. If we serve the way we are gifted, then we can't help but feel joy!
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April 12th, 2026 | Love Boldly | Double Vision | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Ruth 1:11-18 Love is a choice. Not even God coerces us into love. So what happens when we make that choice? God's will breaks out in astounding ways.
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April 5th, 2026 - Easter Sunday | Lead Courageously | Double Vision | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Mark 16:1-8 The women hear the news of Jesus’ resurrection… and then they run away and tell no one out of fear. But we do know the story. So at some point they must have overcome their fear. Courage is not the absence of fear – it is facing it and refusing to let it stop us.
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April 3rd, 2026 | Good Friday? | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 23:1-25 Why do we call it "Good Friday?" Rev. Dr. Michelle discusses some of the existing atonement theories and the mystery of what happened both on the cross and in the tomb.
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April 2nd, 2026 - Maundy Thursday | Cleanup Crew | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
John 13:1-9, 12-17 Rev. Dr. Michelle reflects on the humble ritual of foot washing and its parallels in modern society.
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March 29th, 2026 | Silence | Wilderness Survival Guide | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Psalm 46:1-11 (NRSVUE) This Psalm talks about the rage of the world, of kingdoms tearing each other apart. Yet within that we find refuge in God, and particularly in the silence, in the stillness, in the opposition to the madness. A good reminder as we head into the madness of Holy Week.
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March 22nd, 2026 | Sabbath | Wilderness Survival Guide | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Psalm 23 There are no Psalms that mention the Sabbath, but this Psalm definitely describes the rest and restoration that Sabbath provides us.
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March 15th, 2026 | Movement in Nature | Wilderness Survival Guide | Bill Fernandez
Psalm 19:1-4 This sermon will reflect on how spending intentional time in nature is a spiritual practice. Bill Fernandez will bring the word this week, specifically reflecting on the spirituality of fly fishing.
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March 1st, 2026 | Ignatian Imagination | Wilderness Survival Guide | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Psalm 63: 1-8 We will listen over and over to this scripture, with the goal of imagining the space it describes and the relationship with God that it describes.
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March 8th, 2026 | Musica Divina | Wilderness Survival Guide | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris and the Music Staff
Psalm 63: 1-8 Rev. Michelle has a panel discussion with FUMC's music staff about music, worship, and their creative processes. Ken Weatherford (Contemporary Music and Director of Worship Arts) Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler, (Associate Pastor/Director of Traditional Music) Matt Nelson (Assistant to…
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February 22nd, 2026 | The Examen | Wilderness Survival Guide | Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Psalm 139:23-24 We will learn about the practice of The Examen, which is an intentional reflection at the end of every day that invites us to reflect on how we have seen God at work in our lives in the day, as well as how we have served God well or not so well. Then we close with an intentional...
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February 18th, 2026 | Fasting | Wilderness Survival Guide | Johnna Kosnoff
Psalm 69:6-13 We will open this series with a discussion on the purpose of fasting. We will remember that it is related to the Lenten season because through it we honor Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness when he was tempted by the devil. But we will also look at it as a discipline of...
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February 15th, 2026 - "4C: Contribution"_Traditional Service (Various Speakers)
Genesis 12:1-3; John 21:15-17 We were created to be a blessing to the whole world. As the family of God, we are called to bless and serve each other. And each other means we serve everyone. To do so takes all the gifts at the table. Speakers at this service: Brett Morrison, Marjie Lewis, Frank...
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February 15th, 2026 - "4C: Contribution" _Unplugged (Various Speakers)
Genesis 12:1-3; John 21:15-17 We were created to be a blessing to the whole world. As the family of God, we are called to bless and serve each other. And each other means we serve everyone. To do so takes all the gifts at the table. Speakers at this service: Brett Morrison, Hays Plunkett, Lindsay...
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February 15th, 2026 - "4C: Contribution" _The Gathering (Various Speakers)
Genesis 12:1-3; John 21:15-17 We were created to be a blessing to the whole world. As the family of God, we are called to bless and serve each other. And each other means we serve everyone. To do so takes all the gifts at the table. Speakers at this service: Brett Morrison, Emily Long, Brian...
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February 8th, 2026 - "4C: Conviction" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Genesis 3:1-7; John 8:1-11 Some think that conviction is about sticking to beliefs no matter what. True Christian conviction, however, is understanding the purpose of those beliefs, and weighing with wisdom what is right and what is wrong in any given moment. This week we see when we fail and…
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February 1st, 2026 - "4C: Connection" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Genesis 2:18-25; John 15:1-13 It is not good for humans to be alone. It is central to the human condition to be in relationship with God and with each other. We will affirm that we need connection like we need the air we breathe. Without it, we literally die on the vine.
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January 25th, 2026 - "4C: Creation" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Genesis 1:1-5, 24-31; John 1:1-14 This sermon will be a celebration of God as Creator, but also the God who shared that aspect of who God is – creation – with us. And then, God gave us the responsibility to care for the creation that we co-create with God. We are created to be creators and…
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January 18th, 2026 - "The Use and Misuse of Romans: Responsible Citizens" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Romans 13:1-7 We will deal with this passage that says we are all under the authority of whatever government is controlling us. Funny how when a person’s candidate is in power, they are happy to quote this verse, and when their candidate is not, this verse is conveniently forgotten. Yet in truth,...
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January 11th, 2026 - "The Use and Misuse of Romans: Embroidered Pillow Theology" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Romans 8:28 This is one of those verses that gets quoted a great deal, and shows up on kitschy signs and pretty embroidered pillows. But to make it stand alone like that runs the danger of implying that “Everything happens for a reason.” We will deal with the tension between Calvinism and...
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January 4th, 2026 - "The Use and Misuse of Romans: We Are Family" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Romans 4:1-13 Paul has set up a double straw man (accusations that the Jews have against the Gentiles and vice versa) in the chapters preceding this one. In this chapter, he argues that we are all made family through our faith in Christ. So quit dividing the family over things that don’t matter!...
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December 28th, 2025 - "The Use and Misuse of Romans: I Am Not Ashamed" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Romans 1:15-17 This sermon sets up the series where we examine how the letter to the Romans often gets misused, by quoting the passage that kicked off the Protestant Reformation and is often is cited as justification for biblical literalism. There are problems with both understandings that we…
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December 24th, 2025 - Christmas Eve - "Am I the Scrooge?" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Isaiah 11:1-9 I hate Charles Dickens. Actually, it is more accurate to say I hate the writing of Charles Dickens. Yet I will not let an Advent season go by without watching at least one version of A Christmas Carol. The story of Christmas, the Dickens one and the biblical one, invite us to learn...
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December 21st, 2025 - "Unredeemable?" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Matthew 1:18-25 In "Spirited", we learn that Ebenezer Scrooge has regrets still in the afterlife. He still feels like he has to earn God’s love. We will look at that soul crisis up against Joseph having to change his understanding of God’s righteousness.
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December 14th, 2025 - "Spiritual Change" - Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Luke 2:8-20 The heart of "A Christmas Carol" is a man experiencing change after an encounter with four spirits. Probably the most dramatic moment in the birth of Christ is the appearance of the angels, spiritual beings who reorient the lives and faith of the shepherds on the field. Are we open to...
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December 7th, 2025 - "Real Humanity" - Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Luke 2:1-7 The full reality of humanity is on display in the birth of Christ, including our struggles and strains and conflicts, our willingness to love and our tendency to reject. Funnily enough, one of the best displays of the reality of humanity is found in A Muppet Christmas Carol, where over...
About this show
Welcome to the FUMC | Downtown Bentonville podcast! Each week, listen to sermons and stay up to date with what‘s going on in the life of our community.https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/a323e932-fb2c-4b10-bad4-a5ad64d462a6
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First United Methodist Church | Downtown Bentonville
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