Say Grace: A First Presbyterian Church Podcast
The content of this podcast originates from First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, an inclusive, urban church in the center of Uptown Charlotte. Visit us at firstpres-charlotte.org.
info_outline
The Thin Sound of Silence
09/14/2026
The Thin Sound of Silence
The Thin Sound of Silence | 1 Kings 19:1–18 & 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18 Where is God when you've given everything you have—and you have nothing left? After one of the great triumphs of his ministry, Elijah suddenly finds himself running for his life. Exhausted, frightened, and convinced that all his faithfulness has accomplished nothing, he enters the wilderness and tells God, “It is enough.” In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on the weariness that comes when faithful effort seems to lead nowhere. Parents, caregivers, teachers, volunteers, people working for justice—even the most committed among us can reach a point where our energy is gone and we wonder why we should keep going. But Elijah's emptiness becomes the place of encounter. God comes not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the “thin sound of silence”—meeting Elijah in precisely the ruined, burned-out place where he believes there is nothing left. And God does more than restore him. God calls him forward. Lewis reminds us that our work is never the whole of God's work. Our failures don't determine the future, and neither do our successes. Even when one season ends, God can create something new from the very soil of what has come before. When we become quiet enough to listen, perhaps we will hear the question God asks Elijah—and us: “What are you doing here?” And then, perhaps, a call toward what comes next. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on September 13, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42902095
info_outline
Not Just Any Time
09/09/2026
Not Just Any Time
Exodus 20:1–17 & Luke 6:1–11 What if rest isn't time wasted—but time made holy? We measure our lives in hours, days, years, deadlines, appointments, and accomplishments. But Scripture invites us into another experience of time: Sabbath. In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway explores Sabbath as far more than a day governed by religious rules. Rooted in both creation and liberation, Sabbath reminds us that there is more to life than what we produce and that our worth does not depend upon what we accomplish. We stop our labor to create “breathing room so that God may labor in us.” Sabbath also remembers freedom. Just as Israel was commanded to remember its liberation from slavery, Sabbath invites us to recognize the forms of bondage that still hold human lives—poverty, addiction, despair, anxiety, regret, obsession, and the relentless pressure to do more. Jesus reminds us that Sabbath isn't meant to diminish life, but to enhance it. It is time for worship, relationship, compassion, healing, joy, and renewal. And perhaps Sabbath isn't simply something we practice individually. Perhaps we can become a community that offers that same rest and freedom to others. Sacred time. Holy time. Sabbath time. A different way of living every moment within the grace of God's time. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on September 6, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42844360
info_outline
Ablaze but Not Consunmed
09/01/2026
Ablaze but Not Consunmed
Ablaze but Not Consumed | Exodus 3:1–12 What if the life that sets you on fire doesn't have to burn you out? By the time Moses encounters the burning bush, he knows what it feels like to be burned up and hollowed out. His attempt to fight injustice has ended in violence and failure, and he has spent decades in exile. Then, in the wilderness, he encounters a fire unlike any he has known before—a bush ablaze with heat and light, but somehow still alive. In this sermon, Rev. Lucy Baum explores the difference between the fires that consume us and the life God calls us toward. Violence, hatred, fear, competition, and the relentless pressure to prove our worth can leave us charred and hollow. God's fire is different: it burns without consuming. And when Moses doubts whether he is capable of what God is asking of him, God doesn't answer his question with reassurance about Moses's abilities. God simply promises, “I will be with you.” Through Moses's story and the reflections of Parker Palmer, Lucy invites us to consider where we might need to “turn aside”—to leave a path that is consuming us and risk stepping toward a life that makes us more fully alive. We may not receive assurance before we take that step. Sometimes we only recognize the path by looking backward. But God will be with us. Preached by Rev. Lucy Baum at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on August 30, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42649885
info_outline
Running from the Truth
08/24/2026
Running from the Truth
Jonah 4:1–11 & Mark 1:29–39 Sometimes the hardest truths aren't the ones we don't understand. They're the ones that demand something of us. Jonah knows exactly what God is like: gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. But when God extends that mercy to the people of Nineveh—Jonah's enemies—he is furious. He wants God's compassion for himself, but God's judgment for them. In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway explores our human tendency to draw boundaries around grace and contrasts Jonah's resistance with the ever-widening ministry of Jesus, whose healing love moves beyond the familiar toward people and places others might exclude. What happens when we encounter someone whose beliefs we reject, whose behavior we cannot understand, or whom we struggle to forgive? Through the Christian practices of empathy, curiosity, listening, and civility—and through Anne Lamott's deeply personal journey toward forgiving her mother—Lewis invites us to face the places within ourselves where we may still be running from the truth of God's boundless love. Maybe it's time for us, too, to stop running from God. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on August 23, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42541215
info_outline
Divine Currents in the Universal Stream
08/17/2026
Divine Currents in the Universal Stream
Divine Currents in the Universal Stream | Jonah 3:1–10 & Mark 1:21–28 What forces are shaping our lives—and how can we recognize where God is moving? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway explores what he calls the “divine currents in the universal stream of life”: the movement of God's healing, forgiving, and saving grace through the world. Jonah struggles against that current because he cannot accept God's mercy toward people he considers undeserving. Jesus, by contrast, embodies God's redemptive movement. In Mark's Gospel, his healing of a man with an unclean spirit becomes a visible sign of God's power pushing back against everything that diminishes and destroys life. Through Scripture, prayer, and the story of historian Timothy Tyson, Lewis asks us to look beneath the chaos and conflict we see around us and discern a deeper movement—the love of God drawing creation toward forgiveness, healing, justice, and restoration. And when we lose our way, we return to the source: to God, to worship, and to the stories that remind us that God's redemptive purposes are still flowing through the world. The question is whether we will fight the current—or learn to move with it. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on August 16, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42464495
info_outline
Standing at the Back of the Line
08/10/2026
Standing at the Back of the Line
No One Left Out | Matthew 20:1–16 & Genesis 12:1–3 What if God's grace isn't fair? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Chuck Williamson explores one of Jesus' most surprising parables, where workers hired at the very end of the day receive the same wage as those who labored from sunrise. Rather than teaching us about economics or fairness, Jesus invites us to see the world through the eyes of a generous God—a God who refuses to rank people according to worth, achievement, or status. Drawing on stories from a Civil Rights pilgrimage, reflections on Carl Sandburg's observation that "the ugliest word is exclusive," and the biblical promise that all the families of the earth will be blessed, Rev. Wood reminds us that the gospel is always moving toward inclusion, reconciliation, and grace. If none of us stand before God because of our own merit, then every one of us stands because of God's generosity. And that changes the way we see one another. Preached by Rev. Dr. Chuck Williamson at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42382555
info_outline
Defining Moments
08/10/2026
Defining Moments
Defining Moments | Jonah 1:1–17 & Mark 1:14–20 There are moments that change the direction of our lives—a door opens, another closes, and suddenly we're faced with a choice about where to go next. In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on the defining moments when God's call asks us to respond. Jonah hears God's call and runs. The disciples hear Jesus say, "Follow me," and leave behind what is familiar. Most of us probably find ourselves somewhere between the two. But calling isn't reserved for pastors or church leaders. Our vocation is the life we live in response to God, using our particular gifts, experiences, relationships, and work to serve Christ in the world. As Frederick Buechner famously described it, calling is found where our "deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." And what happens when we run? Through Jonah's story and the story of historian Tim Tyson, Lewis reminds us that God doesn't abandon us when we take the long way around. Sometimes we say no before we say yes. Sometimes we run before we find our way home. Wherever we are in listening for God's call—perhaps somewhere between "no" and "yes"—God continues to call us toward the lives we were created to live. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on August 9, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42382450
info_outline
Reaching Life's Goal
07/27/2026
Reaching Life's Goal
Reaching Life's Goal | Proverbs 3:1–8 & Philippians 3:4–14 The Christian life isn't a sprint—it's a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ. In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Paul's image of running a race and reminds us that while following Christ requires intention and discipline, it always begins with grace. Christ has already claimed us; our calling is to keep pressing forward, trusting that God is at work within us. Lewis explores three practices that have shaped Christians for generations: worship, prayer rooted in Scripture, and lives marked by generosity and service. These disciplines don't earn God's love—they create space for God's transforming work within us. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on July 26, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42233750
info_outline
Being in the Right Mind
07/20/2026
Being in the Right Mind
Being in the Right Mind | Psalm 1 & Philippians 2:1–11 In a world that often rewards pride, certainty, and self-interest, what would it look like to have the mind of Christ? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Paul's letter to the Philippians and the beautiful hymn describing Christ's humility. Rather than calling Christians to think alike, Paul invites us to share a common way of living—one marked by compassion, service, and self-giving love. Drawing on stories of ordinary people whose quiet acts of kindness transformed those around them, Lewis explores how the pattern of Christ's life becomes the pattern for our own. What if true strength looks like humility? What if real leadership begins with serving others? And what if the most beautiful thing we could create is a community shaped by the love of Christ? This message is an invitation to let go of pride, embrace humility, and discover the profound beauty that emerges when we learn to think, love, and live like Jesus. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on July 19, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42154330
info_outline
A Life Worth Living
07/13/2026
A Life Worth Living
A Life Worth Living | Jeremiah 15:15–21 & Philippians 1:1–11, 27–30 What keeps us grounded when life feels uncertain? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Paul's letter to the Philippians and the prophet Jeremiah, exploring what it means to live a life rooted in faith, strengthened by community, and worthy of the gospel. Along the way, Lewis introduces a striking idea: that we can suffer from a kind of spiritual amnesia—forgetting who we are, where we've come from, and the God who has remained faithful through every season. Drawing on stories from everyday life, the early church, and the power of Christian friendship, this message reminds us that faith is sustained not only by personal devotion but by a community that remembers, encourages, serves, and prays together. What happens when we remember God's faithfulness? How do shared stories, worship, and acts of love shape our lives? And what does it look like to live "a life worthy of the gospel" in an uncertain world? This sermon offers a hopeful invitation to stand firm in Christ, remain rooted in community, and move into the future with courage. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on July 12, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/42059545
info_outline
What Belongs to God
07/06/2026
What Belongs to God
What Belongs to God | Genesis 1:26–27 & Matthew 22:15–22 What if Jesus' famous words about Caesar and the coin are really about us? In this sermon, Rev. Anna Dickson explores one of Jesus' most well-known teachings through the lens of Genesis, where we learn that every person is created in the image of God. When Jesus asks whose image appears on a Roman coin, he invites his listeners to think beyond taxes and politics. If the coin bears Caesar's image and belongs to Caesar, what about those who bear God's image? This message is a reminder that our deepest identity is not found in what we own, what we accomplish, or what the world says about us. We belong to the God who created us, loves us, and calls us by name. As we learn to live from that identity, we begin to see ourselves and our neighbors differently. We discover that every person carries the image of God and is worthy of dignity, compassion, and love. What belongs to God? The answer is more personal—and more hopeful—than we often imagine. Preached by Rev. Anna Dickson at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on July 5, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41983305
info_outline
The Shape of Freedom
06/29/2026
The Shape of Freedom
The Shape of Freedom | Proverbs 3:3–8 & Galatians 5:1, 13–26 What does it really mean to be free? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Paul's letter to the Galatians and the surprising truth that Christian freedom is not the absence of responsibility but the freedom to become the people God created us to be. Through stories of everyday faithfulness, reflections on the Fruit of the Spirit, and the wisdom of Proverbs, Lewis explores the difference between a life driven by self-interest and a life shaped by God's Spirit. Too often, we think of freedom as the ability to do whatever we want. But Paul offers a different vision. In Christ, we are set free from fear, striving, and the need to earn God's love so that we can love others with joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Rather than focusing only on avoiding what is wrong, this message invites us to pursue what is good—to become people whose lives bear the fruit of the Spirit and reflect the love of Christ in our homes, our communities, and our world. Because the shape of Christian freedom is love. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on June 28, 2026, the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41886790
info_outline
God's Big Idea
06/22/2026
God's Big Idea
God's Big Idea | Genesis 12:1–4 & Galatians 3:19–4:7 What if God's vision for the world is bigger than we imagine? In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway explores the promise God made to Abraham and Sarah, the freedom Christ offers through grace, and the remarkable invitation to become part of God's family. From the very beginning, God's purpose was never limited to one people or one place. Through Abraham and Sarah, God promised a blessing that would extend to all the families of the earth. Generations later, Paul reminds us that in Christ we are no longer separated by status, background, or circumstance, but adopted as beloved children of God. Through stories of faith, hospitality, and transformation, this sermon reflects on the ways God's dream continues to challenge human boundaries and call us toward a more expansive vision of community. What happens when we make room for the people God is already welcoming? And what might the church become if it truly embraced God's big idea? At its heart, this message is a reminder that God's grace is always reaching wider, God's family is always growing, and God's dream for the world has room for all. Preached by Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on June 21, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41729410
info_outline
A Faith That Lives In You
06/15/2026
A Faith That Lives In You
A Faith That Lives in You | 2 Timothy 1:1–7 In this special installation service sermon, Rev. Dr. Millie Snyder reflects on Paul's words to Timothy and the faith that was nurtured in him through family, community, and the care of those who walked alongside him. Whether we inherit faith from those who came before us or discover it later in life, this message reminds us that faith is rarely formed alone. It grows through relationships, belonging, encouragement, mentorship, and the steady presence of people who help us recognize God's work in our lives. Drawing on memories of Sunday School classrooms, youth groups, mission trips, church choirs, and faithful role models, Rev. Snyder explores what it means to cultivate a faith that becomes woven into the fabric of who we are. In a rapidly changing world, how do we nurture faith in ourselves, our children, our communities, and future generations? This sermon offers a hopeful answer: faith is not simply taught—it is shared. It is nurtured in community. It is strengthened through hospitality, welcome, and relationships rooted in grace. As First Presbyterian Church celebrates the installation of Rev. Lucy Baum as Associate Pastor for Formation and Fellowship, this message serves as a reminder that faith formation belongs to all of us. Because faith is a team sport. And together, we are all on the team. Preached by Rev. Dr. Millie Snyder at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on June 14, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41653970
info_outline
Tax Collectors and Sinners
06/08/2026
Tax Collectors and Sinners
Tax Collectors and Sinners | Matthew 9:9–13 In this sermon, Rev. Lucy Baum reflects on one of the most surprising moments in Jesus’ ministry: the calling of Matthew the tax collector. When Jesus invites Matthew to become one of his disciples and then shares a meal with tax collectors and sinners, those around him are scandalized. Why would a teacher who speaks about the righteousness of God choose to spend time with people who seem so clearly in the wrong? As the story unfolds, we discover that Jesus is asking a deeper question than we might expect—not simply who belongs, but what mercy really means. Drawing on Matthew 9, the prophet Hosea, and stories of forgiveness and restoration, this sermon explores the relationship between mercy and justice. It challenges us to consider why God's mercy can sometimes feel uncomfortable, especially when it is extended to people we believe do not deserve it. What if justice is about more than punishment? What if mercy and justice are not opposites, but partners? And what if healing damaged relationships is more powerful than settling a score? Through a powerful reflection on restorative justice, Rev. Baum invites us to imagine a way of life that holds mercy and accountability together—a way that opens the door to transformation for everyone involved. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” It is a challenging invitation. And it is one that still has the power to change us today.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41575640
info_outline
What Do We Mean by “Apocalypse”?
06/02/2026
What Do We Mean by “Apocalypse”?
Why are we so fascinated by the end of the world? In this Moment with a Minister, Rev. Rob Spach reflects on apocalyptic thinking, the stories we tell about the future, and how faith can help us move from fear toward wonder, hope, and deeper trust. Here's Rev. Rob.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41508855
info_outline
The One and the Many
06/01/2026
The One and the Many
The One and the Many | Ephesians 4:1–7, 11–16 & John 17:1–11 In this Trinity Sunday sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on one of Jesus’ final prayers for the church: that his followers “may be one.” Drawing from Ephesians 4 and John 17, this message explores the mystery of Christian unity and the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing diverse people together as one body in Christ. Using images of Earth seen from space, stories from history, and reflections on contemporary culture, Rev. Galloway invites us to consider the difference between unity and uniformity. Christian unity does not require us to think alike, act alike, or share identical opinions. Rather, it is rooted in the presence of God among us and within us. From the mystery of the Trinity to the life of the church, this sermon reminds us that diversity is not a threat to unity—it is one of God's gifts. We each bring different experiences, perspectives, and talents, yet the Holy Spirit weaves them together into something larger than ourselves. In a culture that often prizes individuality over community, this message offers a compelling vision of belonging: a church where differences are not erased but embraced, where love is greater than division, and where unity becomes a witness to God's presence in the world. If the church is to offer hope to a fractured world, it must first learn to embody the unity for which Christ prayed. What would we see if we could step back and view the whole church as we see our blue planet from space? A fragmented body divided by conflict and fear? Or something beautiful—many people, many gifts, and many voices, united by the Holy Spirit in the love of Christ?
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41496230
info_outline
Heart Surgery
05/26/2026
Heart Surgery
Heart Surgery | Joel 2 & Acts 2 In this Pentecost sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on the story of Pentecost and the radical transformation that takes place when the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart. Drawing from Joel 2 and Acts 2, this message explores repentance not as guilt or shame, but as a turning — a reorientation of the heart toward God and toward one another. Through baptism, community, worship, and the power of the Spirit, ordinary people are invited into a new way of living together. From stories of literal heart surgery to young people inspired to change the world, this sermon reminds us that spiritual transformation does not happen simply by trying harder, but by learning to trust more deeply in the work of God within us. Again and again, Pentecost breaks open closed doors, dismantles fear, and builds bridges between strangers. The Holy Spirit creates a community where people from every language, nation, and background are welcomed together in Christ. Before Pentecost, the disciples gathered in fear behind closed doors. After Pentecost, the church became an open community filled with courage, joy, and hope. This is God’s theater of operation — where anyone and everyone can receive a new heart.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41426170
info_outline
The Stranger At The Table
05/18/2026
The Stranger At The Table
The Stranger at the Table | Genesis 18:1–15 & Philemon 1–25 In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on the deeply Christian practice of hospitality — not simply welcoming friends or familiar faces, but extending love to the stranger, the outsider, and the forgotten. Through the story of Abraham and Sarah welcoming mysterious visitors beneath the trees of Mamre and Paul’s appeal for Philemon to receive the runaway slave Onesimus “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother,” we are invited to see how the gospel reshapes human relationships and creates a new kind of community rooted in grace. Again and again, this message reminds us that hospitality is more than politeness or kindness. It is love in action. From stories of strangers becoming friends, to churches opening their doors during times of crisis, to moments of reconciliation across racial and social divides, this sermon explores how welcoming others transforms not only the guest, but the host as well. When we open our hearts and tables to others, Christ often meets us there in unexpected ways. And when Jesus sits at the table, we never know what grace might do next.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41338600
info_outline
Hidden Treasure
05/11/2026
Hidden Treasure
In this sermon, Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway reflects on Paul’s image of the gospel as a treasure carried in “clay jars.” Through scripture, storytelling, and deeply human examples, we are reminded that God has always chosen ordinary, imperfect people to bear extraordinary grace. Again and again, God works through those who feel unprepared, wounded, weak, or unsure—from Moses and Isaiah to the disciples and the early church. The power of the gospel does not come from polished appearances or human strength, but from the presence of Christ shining through fragile human lives. This message explores what it means to stop confusing the “clay pot” with the treasure inside it. Our wounds, weaknesses, griefs, and imperfections are not obstacles to God’s work—they can become places where healing, hope, and light are shared with others. At a time when fear and exhaustion tempt us to retreat or lose heart, this sermon offers a hopeful reminder: the treasure of the gospel is already within us, and God can use even ordinary lives to bring love, justice, peace, and healing into the world.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41253230
info_outline
Rooted in the Right Place and Space
05/04/2026
Rooted in the Right Place and Space
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 explores what it means to be rooted in God rather than in our own striving. When we are grounded in that love, something begins to grow within us—not by effort, but by grace. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Generosity. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. Not as expectations—but as signs of life. This sermon is a gentle but powerful invitation to release the pressure of “being enough,” and to trust that God is already at work within you—nourishing, tending, and bringing forth fruit in its own time. Because you don’t have to force what God is already growing.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41147040
info_outline
Tough Love
04/27/2026
Tough Love
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.”
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/41035185
info_outline
Reborn to the Ordinary
04/20/2026
Reborn to the Ordinary
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 don’t. And yet, this story reminds us that Christ is still with us—teaching, nourishing, and walking beside us, even when we are unaware. Through story, humor, and honest reflection, we are invited to see that faith is often sustained in community, in shared memory, and in the simple act of continuing forward together. This is Easter faith—not only in moments of celebration, but in ordinary time. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on April 19, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40945440
info_outline
Doubting Thomas
04/13/2026
Doubting Thomas
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 relationship between belief, doubt, and trust Why doubt can be a faithful and necessary response What Thomas was really asking when he said, “Show me the wounds” How the wounds of Christ reveal a God who fully enters human suffering What it means to trust a God who meets us in our deepest pain Rather than rebuking Thomas, Jesus meets him with gentleness and grace—offering not certainty, but presence. “Look at my hands… see my side… you are not alone.” This is the kind of God we are invited to trust. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on April 12, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40860830
info_outline
Life Before Us
04/07/2026
Life Before Us
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 do—can quietly shape the way we live. In this sermon, we explore: How assumptions can limit hope, faith, and imagination Why we often settle for cautious, diminished lives What it means for the resurrection to disrupt what we think is final How Jesus meets us not just in extraordinary moments, but in the ordinary places of our daily lives—our own “Galilee” Easter is not simply the end of the story. It is an invitation to see differently, to live differently, and to trust that God’s life is already at work in the world around us. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40762475
info_outline
Shaking the City
03/30/2026
Shaking the City
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 transformation The temptation to settle for comfortable or convenient faith What it means to live fully rather than “partly living” How following Jesus may disrupt our routines and assumptions Why Christ becomes the only unshakable foundation in our lives As we begin Holy Week, we are invited not just to observe the story—but to step into it. To follow Jesus in a way that may stretch us, challenge us, and ultimately reshape how we live. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on March 29, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40672770
info_outline
Lenten Devotional March 29
03/29/2026
Lenten Devotional March 29
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 fpc.tiny.us/news.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40242895
info_outline
Set Free for This?
03/24/2026
Set Free for This?
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 thirst. It’s about the deep human longing for something more than we can provide for ourselves. In this sermon, we reflect on: Why wilderness seasons are part of the life of faith The difference between surface complaints and deeper spiritual longing How Lent invites us into honesty rather than performance What it means to trust God when familiar signs of God’s presence disappear The good news that God meets us even in the wilderness In a culture of quick answers and easy spirituality, this message invites us to something deeper: to tell the truth about our lives, to acknowledge our thirst, and to trust that even in the most barren places, God is still at work—bringing living water from unexpected places. Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte on March 22, 2026.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40604060
info_outline
Lenten Devotional March 22
03/22/2026
Lenten Devotional March 22
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.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40242870
info_outline
Boundless
03/16/2026
Boundless
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, and division.
/episode/index/show/fpcclt/id/40498935