The following article written by Rev. Duane Carlisle is an excerpt from the Fall 2026 Prevue. Dear First Church Family, Throughout the summer, we have worshiped together in one unified Sunday service. What began as a seasonal schedule has given us an opportunity to experience something more: the energy, joy, Read more…
The following article written by Rev. Duane Carlisle is an excerpt from the Summer 2026 Prevue. As we settle into the heart of summer, I’ve found myself paying attention to the rhythms of our life together as a church. I wanted to share a few observations—just musing aloud about what Read more…
By Pastor Duane Carlisle I told this story in my sermon recently, but I really wanted to share it again here. It’s one of those stories that quietly reminds me why community and relationships matter so much—what sociologist Robert Putnam called social capital in his book Bowling Alone. Social capital Read more…
By Pastor Duane Carlisle John 1:35–42 (NRSVUE) The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and Read more…
Dear Beloved Community, Easter morning has come and gone, but the good news still echoes: Christ is risen—risen indeed! What a joy it was to gather in worship on Easter Sunday, surrounded by blooming lilies, bright hallelujahs, and the warmth of your presence. Together, we stood in that sacred space Read more…
By Rev. Duane Carlisle, Board Member From March 16-19, the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) gathered in Los Angeles, CA, for our spring board meeting. As we engaged in our work of advancing peace, justice, and human rights, we were welcomed with deep hospitality by Faith United Methodist Read more…
Dear Friends, As we enter this sacred season of Lent, I invite you to journey with us through Everything [in] Between—our worship series that acknowledges the middle spaces of life, the places between what was and what will be. Lent itself is an in-between time, a season of 40 days Read more…
Dear First Church Family, There is so much going on in the life of this church that I am so excited about. We have been sharing news of new leadership in our family ministries, more learning and connection opportunities for all ages, and exciting ways our First Church family is Read more…
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NRSV PASTOR Read more…
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their Read more…