Rooted in the Right Place and Space
Faith Unfiltered
What if faith isn’t something you have to manage… but something that grows? In this week’s sermon, Rev. Lucy Crain reflects on the familiar words about the fruit of the Spirit and invites us to hear them not as a checklist to achieve, but as a gift to receive. Through a personal story about stepping into something that felt overwhelming, we are reminded how easy it is to believe we have to get everything right—to keep everything thriving on our own. But fruit isn’t forced. It’s grown. Drawing on Galatians 5 and Psalm 1, and the image of a tree planted by living water, this message...
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Tough Love
Faith Unfiltered
Tough Love | Youth Sunday Sermon | Matthew 5:43–48 On Youth Sunday, the youth of First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte lead us in a powerful reflection on what it means to practice “tough love.”
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Reborn to the Ordinary
Faith Unfiltered
Reborn to the Ordinary | Sermon | Luke 24:13–35 In this Easter season, we turn to the story of the road to Emmaus, where two disciples walk alongside the risen Jesus without recognizing him. In Reborn to the Ordinary, Rev. Anna Dickson reflects on this familiar and mysterious story, inviting us to consider how Christ meets us not only in moments of clarity and joy, but in the ordinary rhythms of our lives—on the road, at the table, and in the midst of confusion and uncertainty. Faith is not always constant or easy to see. Sometimes we recognize God’s presence clearly, and sometimes we...
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Doubting Thomas
Faith Unfiltered
Doubting Thomas | Sermon | John 20:19–31 What if doubt isn’t the opposite of faith—but part of the journey toward it? In this sermon on the story of Thomas in John 20:19–31, we look again at a disciple often remembered only for his doubt. But Thomas isn’t asking for anything the others didn’t receive—he’s asking a deeper question about trust. We are often taught to think of belief and doubt as opposites. But in reality, both are shaped by uncertainty, and both require something more: trust. And trust, by its very nature, makes us vulnerable. In this message, we explore: The...
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Life Before Us
Faith Unfiltered
Life Before Us | Easter Sermon | Matthew 28:1–10 What if the resurrection is not only about what happens after we die—but about the life set before us right now? In this Easter sermon, Life Before Us, Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on the story of the women at the empty tomb, who arrive expecting death but are met with something entirely different. Their assumptions are shattered as they hear the words: “He is not here… he has been raised.” This message invites us to consider how our own assumptions—about what is possible, about how life turns out, and about what God will or won’t...
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Shaking the City
Faith Unfiltered
Shaking the City | Palm Sunday Sermon | Matthew 21:1–10 What happens when Jesus enters a city—and everything begins to shift? In this Palm Sunday sermon, Shaking the City, Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where celebration and expectation quickly give way to something deeper. The crowds shout “Hosanna!”, but beneath the surface, the whole city is stirred—unsettled, even shaken. This message invites us to consider what it means for Jesus to enter not just a city, but our lives. In this sermon, we explore: The difference between celebration and true...
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Lenten Devotional March 29
Faith Unfiltered
In today’s video devotional, Rev. Anna Dickson reflects on the quiet, surprising ending to Jesus’ triumphal entry: after the fanfare and palm branches, he simply returns to Bethany for the night. Rather than claiming power, Jesus chooses presence — resting, sharing meals, and tending to his companions before facing what lies ahead. Today’s devotional invites us to do the same, remembering that before we confront difficult work, we, too, must be grounded in grace, relationship, and the steady care of God. Subscribe to daily devotionals sent to your inbox every morning in Lent at...
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Set Free for This?
Faith Unfiltered
Set Free for This? | A Sermon on Wilderness, Thirst, and Honest Faith What do you do when faith doesn’t feel like it’s working anymore? In this sermon, Set Free for This?, Rev. Anna Dickson reflects on Exodus 17:1–7, where the Israelites, newly freed from Egypt, find themselves in the wilderness—thirsty, frustrated, and wondering, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Rather than dismissing their complaints, this message invites us to see them for what they are: not shallow grumbling, but honest cries from people in real need. Because this isn’t about small inconveniences—it’s about...
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Lenten Devotional March 22
Faith Unfiltered
In today’s video devotional, Rev. Lucy Crain reflects on the story from John’s Gospel as a Lenten invitation to self-examination — urging us to resist judgment, acknowledge our need for mercy, and receive grace as a gift that transforms. The focus shifts away from the woman’s sin and toward our own hearts, inviting us to live with deeper humility, compassion, and trust in God’s grace. Subscribe to daily devotionals sent to your inbox every morning in Lent at fpc.tiny.us/news.
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Boundless
Faith Unfiltered
Boundless | Fifth Sunday in Lent What happens when we discover that God’s compassion extends far beyond the people we expect? In this sermon, we explore the often-overlooked story of Hagar and Ishmael, a story of abandonment in the wilderness and the God who hears the cry of the forgotten. Again and again throughout Scripture, God’s mercy reaches beyond the boundaries humans create. Through the story of Hagar and Jesus’ welcome of children, this message invites us to consider what it means for the church to embody the boundless compassion of God in a world marked by suffering, injustice,...
info_outlineNurturing Jesus | Mary, Discipleship, and Faithful Presence
In this sermon, we reflect on Nurturing Jesus and what it means to care for, protect, and grow the presence of Christ in our lives and in the world—drawing especially from the faithful witness of Mary, who nurtured Jesus with courage, trust, and love.
This sermon was preached by Audrey Webb-Kahrs on December 28, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, on the First Sunday of Christmas. The scripture readings for this message are Isaiah 11:1–6 and Luke 2:22–41.
Drawing from these texts, the sermon invites us to reflect on Mary’s role in nurturing Jesus—from presenting him in the temple to pondering his life in her heart—and how her attentiveness, faith, and perseverance model a way of discipleship grounded in care and trust. The message reminds us that Jesus is formed not only through miracles and proclamation, but through ordinary acts of love, presence, and devotion.
In this message, we explore:
Mary’s role in nurturing and forming the life of Jesus
Faithfulness through care, patience, and trust
The sacredness of ordinary moments in spiritual growth
How we are called to nurture Christ’s presence in the world today
Whether you are joining us from Charlotte or beyond, this sermon offers a gentle and hope-filled reflection on how the promise of Christmas continues through the quiet, faithful work of nurturing love. Subscribe for sermons, reflections, and stories from First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte.
Topics: Mary in the Gospel of Luke, Christmas sermon, nurturing faith, Luke 2 sermon, discipleship, spiritual growth, First Sunday of Christmas, Christian reflection