First Word from First Church

First Congregational Church of Sutton

Welcome to First Word from First Church!

At the very beginning of the Gospel according to John, we hear “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”

The Word that we proclaim at the First Congregational Church of Sutton, Massachusetts, is that of the First Word, Jesus Christ. Join us for reading of pertinent Scripture, and heartfelt preaching and storytelling by our own Pastor Dave Buchanan.

Listen to our trailer to learn a bit more about Pastor Dave and First Church.

Subscribe to First Word to keep up with weekly updates.

Go to https://www.suttonfirstchurch.net/give to be a supporting part of the mission and ministry of First Church.

To visit our worship via videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/@firstchurchsutton

Thank you, and may God bless you!

© First Congregational Church of Sutton, Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved, except with express permission of Pastor Dave Buchanan of First Congregational Church.

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Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

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Justice or Mercy?

Justice or Mercy?

What was Nineveh, and why was Jonah sent there by God? Are we at risk of becoming Nineveh? The Church must stand for morality, as God defines it for us.

Episodes

Justice or Mercy?

Justice or Mercy?

What was Nineveh, and why was Jonah sent there by God? Are we at risk of becoming Nineveh? The Church must stand for morality, as God defines it for us.

Gifts with Meaning

Gifts with Meaning

What gifts do you like to receive? What kind of gifts do you attempt to give? The gifts of the Magi were not random, nor were they meant as the roots of a good song. The gifts didn’t seem useful to a baby, but they certainly fit Jesus.

Christmas Surprise

Christmas Surprise

Hear Pastor Dave talk about the greatest, and most wonderful, surprise that the world ever knew… or needed!

Visitor from Bethlehem

Visitor from Bethlehem

First Church entertains a Visitor from Bethlehem…

Hear Pastor Dave talk about the fourth candle of Advent… Love, and the very embodiment of love at Christmas.

If you are grieving during this holiday season, you are not as alone as you might feel. The loss of a loved one, a friend, a relationship, or a job may have altered the sense of the season for you. Join Pastor Dave, then, as he talks around the Advent candles, seeking to rekindle our sense of the Light of the World.

Hear from Pastor Dave about predicting the End Times. Hear, too, what the mottos of the Boy Scouts, the Coast Guard, and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment all have in common with Jesus’ advice to the faithful.

Enthroned in Heart

Enthroned in Heart

Hear about our only true King of kings! The King will come, in the fulfillment of his kingdom, to judge us on what are really the simplest of standards – application of the Great Commandments.

Hear Pastor Dave talk about gratitude to God, and the mission for the Church that comes of the story of the thankful Samaritan leper.

From Joshua’s challenge and the people’s response, to the faith of a Roman centurion, hear inspiration to obedience and trust.

The Lamb Will Be Our Shepherd

The Lamb Will Be Our Shepherd

Hear Pastor Dave talk about why the Lamb will be our Shepherd, when we sing with the saints in glory. This is our readings and message for All Saints/All Souls Sunday.

The Five Only's

The Five Only's

For this Reformation Sunday, hear Pastor Dave talk about the “5 Onlys” of the Reformation, and how they are still landmarks for the Church.

Reconcile, Rejoice, Reflect

Reconcile, Rejoice, Reflect

Hear the story of two women, leaders in the Philippian church, whose names we know because of a disagreement. Be reconciled, rejoice in the Lord, and reflect upon the best things in life.

Which of the Ten Commandments are for God’s sake? How many are for us? Which one is for both? Hear Pastor Dave talk of why a few “thou shalt nots” are better than too many “to-do” commandments.

Jesus’ adversaries asked Him, “By what authority do you teach these things?” Jesus wouldn’t give them a direct answer, but He certainly shows us. By virtue of not only Who He is, but by What He is, Jesus has ultimate authority. Learn about Jesus as the Author, and as the Substance. Hear a story about an experienced computer programmer, and another about a special set of dreams.

What did Jonah do after the “whale episode?” What did the residents of Nineveh have with a bunch of agriculture day workers? What does it mean that God doesn’t pay part-time wages? Hear about the story of the Ninevites, and Jesus’ parable of the day laborers, from Pastor Dave. Hear about a steak under a tent in the woods.

Listen, as Pastor Dave shares his favorite of the Book of Psalms, number 103. Pastor Dave reads the Psalm, and then talks about the meanings of the different sections and verses. Tune in, relax, and enjoy.

Folly or Wisdom

Folly or Wisdom

Hear Pastor Dave talk about the history of the Caduceus and the EMS symbol… all the way back to Moses! Hear how the John the Evangelist compared that symbol with the Cross. Finally, hear how the “folly” of God’s love and the life of the Son overcome the “wisdom” of this world.

This week, hear Pastor Dave talk about Jesus’ instructions (Matthew 18:15-17) on restoring relationship, and how that can even apply to protecting the Church. Enjoy!