Central United Methodist Church (Arlington, Virginia) Sermon Podcast

Central United Methodist Church•cumcballston.org

An audio podcast of the weekly message preached at Central United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. You're invited to join us online for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Visit us on the web at cumcballston.org to learn how to join us for worship via zoom or facebook live. You're invited to join our congregation where we worship God, serve others, and embrace all.

Last refreshed: July 3rd, 2025 at 1:17 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Praying at the River

Praying at the River Scripture: Acts 16:13–15 In this week’s message, Pastor Sarah takes us to the riverside in Acts 16, where Paul meets Lydia—a bold and generous woman whose open heart and courageous faith helped birth the first church in Philippi. Drawing from personal stories of outdoor baptisms and the unexpected grace that flows in those holy moments, we explore how prayer, like music, often happens best in community and in rhythm. As part of our Singing Our Faith series, this sermon refle...

Jun 29, 2025•23 min

Improvising Prayers

Improvising Prayers Scripture: Romans 8:22–27 Sometimes prayer begins not with words, but with sighs too deep for words. In this week’s message, Pastor Sarah shares a powerful experience of communal prayer in South Korea and reflects on the Spirit’s ability to speak through our groans, our longing, and even our silence. Drawing from Romans 8 and Psalm 40, we explore the deep connection between lament and hope, silence and song, structure and improvisation. Just as jazz invites us to improvise on...

Jun 23, 2025•22 min

Singing Our Faith

Singing Our Faith Scripture: Colossians 3:12–16 What we sing shapes what we believe. As we begin our new worship series, Singing Our Faith , Pastor Sarah invites us to reflect on how music forms us—individually and as a church community. This week’s message explores the connection between worship and formation through the lens of Colossians 3, where Paul calls us to live in compassion, love, and unity—and to “teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs...

Jun 16, 2025•25 min•Season 72Ep. 80

Journey: The Places We Will Go

Journey: The Places We Will Go Scripture: Acts 10:34–36 Some transformations lead us far from where we started. When the Holy Spirit moves, we may find ourselves crossing borders, breaking assumptions, and joining in a love that is bigger than we imagined. In this week’s sermon, Pastor Sarah shares the story of Peter’s awakening to the expansive grace of God. What began as a personal revelation became a world-changing proclamation: God shows no partiality. Every person, in every place, is welcom...

Jun 09, 2025•18 min•Season 72Ep. 79

Fly: Daring New Heights

Fly: Daring New Heights Scripture: Mark 2:1–5 Some transformations only happen when we’re willing to take risks—when we dare to go higher, dig deeper, and break through the barriers in our way. In this week’s sermon, Pastor Sarah reflects on the bold faith of four friends who refused to let a crowded house keep them from bringing someone they loved to Jesus. They climbed the roof, tore it open, and made space for healing. Their story invites us to consider how faith, community, and courage work ...

Jun 02, 2025•23 min•Season 72Ep. 78

Let Go: Leaving Behind What We Don’t Need

"Let Go: Leaving Behind What We Don’t Need" Scripture: Exodus 16 On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember not just those we’ve lost, but the quiet grief that comes with change — even good change. In Exodus 16, the Israelites are no longer enslaved, but freedom brings uncertainty. They miss Egypt — not the cruelty, but the comfort and predictability of what they knew. This week’s message explores what it means to let go of what no longer serves us — the habits, assumptions, or comforts that can ...

May 26, 2025•29 min•Season 72Ep. 77

Unfold: Claiming New Possibilities

Sermon preached on 2025-05-18 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen Matthew 16:13–20 Common English Bible In this moving sermon, Pastor Sarah reflects on the moment Jesus renames Simon as Peter—the rock—showing how Christ sees who we are becoming, not just who we’ve been. Like a caterpillar transformed into a butterfly, we are invited to step into the fullness of our God-given identity. This message calls us to trust the Spirit’s work in us, embrace transformation, and live into the names and purposes ...

May 19, 2025•20 min•Season 71Ep. 76

Unwrap: Waking Up

Sermon preached on 2025-05-12 by Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen John 11:1–44 Common English Bible In this powerful message, Pastor Sarah explores the story of Lazarus—inviting us to confront what holds us back, embrace grace, and wake up to new life in community. Support the show

May 12, 2025•26 min•Season 70Ep. 75

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Central United Methodist Church (Arlington, Virginia) Sermon Podcast

Episodes

Praying at the River

Improvising Prayers

Singing Our Faith

Journey: The Places We Will Go

Fly: Daring New Heights

Let Go: Leaving Behind What We Don’t Need

Unfold: Claiming New Possibilities

Unwrap: Waking Up

Open: Into the Light

Coming Out: Leaving Comfortable Places

Tombs and Cocoons: Trusting The Dark

The Garden

The Last Supper

Anointing

The Image of God

The Temple

Victory Parade

The Gift of Unpredictable Jesus

The Gift Of Perfect Love

The Gift Of Outrageous Grace

The Gift Of Public Witness

The Gift Of Poetic Challenge

The Gift Of Bold Action

The Gift Of The Wilderness

The Gift of Committed Community

The Gift of Unexpected Gifts

The Work Of Christmas

A Promise of Love

A Promise To Rejoice In

A Promise Of Peace