Explore every episode of the podcast Warrenton United Methodist Church
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 11, 2026 - The Missing Piece: Finding Wisdom for Every Day Life | 11 Oct 2026 | 00:21:14 | |
Pastor Ashley started with optical illusions, including a moving box and thirteen animals hiding in one picture, and then made a confession: her phone had collected 24 notifications in the few minutes she’d been preaching. Her calendar looked like an optical illusion of its own. Her point is that most of us glance at life instead of really seeing it. Turning to Proverbs 4, she said we’re all new drivers when it comes to faith, and everything seems to demand our attention. Her advice is simple: give God the first ten minutes of the day before you pick up your phone, keep scripture where you’ll see it, and pray before you decide. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| October 4, 2026 - The Purpose of the Piece | 04 Oct 2026 | 00:19:56 | |
We have more information at our fingertips than any generation before us, yet information alone does not make us wise. As we begin our journey through Proverbs, Pastor Ashley reminds us that wisdom begins with recognizing that God sees the whole picture when we can see only a piece. Rather than simply following our instincts, relying on others, or turning immediately to Google or AI, we are invited to pause and ask, “God, what is your way?” Wisdom calls us to humility, prayer, Scripture, patience, and trust. When we allow God’s wisdom to guide our decisions, we discover a deeper and more faithful way to live. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| September 27, 2026 - When Faith Runs Dry | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:21:52 | |
What happens when life leads us into a wilderness we never expected? Pastor Ashley looks at the Israelites’ journey through the desert and the familiar pattern of need, fear, complaint, and God’s provision. Their story reminds us how easily difficult circumstances can make us forget God’s faithfulness. Yet wilderness seasons do not mean God has abandoned us. Even when we cannot see the way forward, God is still present and still working. Pastor Ashley encourages us to bring our fear, anger, questions, and uncertainty honestly to God, remember what God has already done, and keep walking in faith, trusting that God will provide. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| September 20, 2026 - Unfair, Undeserved, Unstoppable | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:25:40 | |
In Jonah, we see a God who is gracious, compassionate, and committed to changing hearts, including our own. Pastor Ashley reminds us that sometimes the people who frustrate us most are the very people God is calling us to see differently. Like Jonah and the missionary who learned to “put on love,” we are invited to pause, pray, and let God shape our response. God’s grace and mercy are not limited to the people we think deserve them. They are offered to everyone. When we identify our own “Ninevites,” we can ask God to help us respond with compassion, create spaces of safety, and show others that they matter. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| September 13, 2026 - Crossroads: Finding the Good Way | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:16:24 | |
We all come to crossroads in life. Sometimes they are big and difficult, and other times they are quieter moments when we simply wonder, “What’s next?” Drawing from Jeremiah 6:16, Lori Bakewell reminds us that we don’t have to rush into the next decision. Instead, we can pause, be still, pray, and ask God to show us the good way. Listening for God’s direction may take patience, reflection, Scripture, or the wisdom of someone we trust. The path may not always be easy, but we never walk it alone. When we trust God’s guidance, we can find peace and rest for our souls. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| September 6, 2026 - Reflect Reconciliation | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:20:50 | |
What does it mean to truly “speak life” to the people around us? As Pastor Ashley closes the series, she reminds us that following Jesus is about more than being right. It is about how we love, forgive, listen, and care for one another. Matthew 18 invites us to seek those who feel lost, care for those who are vulnerable, and have the courage to work toward reconciliation when relationships are broken. Sometimes that means having a difficult conversation. Sometimes it means taking a breath and examining our own hearts first. Above all, Jesus calls us to choose mercy, forgiveness, unity, and love. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| August 30, 2026 - When Church Becomes a Home | 30 Aug 2026 | 00:15:24 | |
Lindsay Bennington reflects on her journey from simply attending church to discovering what it truly means to feel at home in a church family. After growing up Catholic and later finding a welcoming Methodist congregation, Lindsay eventually realized that attending Warrenton United Methodist Church wasn’t enough. Through Bible study, volunteering, worship, service, and meaningful relationships, she found a deeper sense of connection and belonging. Lindsay also shares honestly about becoming disconnected when life grew busy and recognizing the need to make church a priority again. Her message is an invitation to take one small step: join, serve, connect, and discover that church becomes home when we become part of it. http://www.warrentonumc.org Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| August 23, 2026 - Speak Life; Grow Gratitude | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:26:02 | |
Pastor Ashley invites us to grow gratitude by surrendering our need for control and trusting God’s authority. Drawing from James 4, she reminds us that life is fragile and unpredictable, like a mist that quickly disappears. While planning is valuable, we must recognize that our time, abilities, opportunities, and future belong to God. Using the image of handing Jesus the keys to our car, Pastor Ashley challenges us to let Jesus direct our lives, including our words and actions. She encourages a daily gratitude practice and the simple act of smiling, helping us let go, align our hearts with God, and experience each day as a gift. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| August 16, 2026 - Speak Life; Bind Bitterness | 16 Aug 2026 | 00:25:44 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon calls us to confront bitterness before it shapes our words and relationships. Envy, wounded pride, and the desire to feel right can feed resentment, but God’s wisdom offers another way: humility, gentleness, mercy, and peace. Using Moses’ quiet response to criticism and Tim Brown’s choice to help someone who had hurt him, she shows that strength is not retaliation. It is self-control. We are invited to notice where bitterness lives in us, pray for the people or situations involved, and ask God for wisdom. Choosing peace over self-protection lets God’s love speak through our lives. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| August 9, 2026 - Speak Life; Harness Hearsay | 09 Aug 2026 | 00:24:19 | |
In week two of the “Speak Life” series, Pastor Ashley explores the power of our words, focusing on the harm caused by gossip, rumors, and hearsay. Drawing from Scripture and the story of “Mildred,” she reminds us that seemingly harmless observations can spread like wildfire, damaging relationships, reputations, families, and communities. Pastor Ashley identifies three motivations behind gossip: envy, ego, and a desire for ease or affirmation. She challenges us to pause before speaking, consider our purpose, reframe our responses, and release our responsibility to judge others. Above all, she encourages us to remember that sometimes, “silence is golden.” Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| August 2, 2026 - Speak Life; Corner Criticism | 02 Aug 2026 | 00:22:29 | |
In the first message of the Speak Life series, Pastor Ashley reminds us that our words carry far more power than we often realize. Drawing from James 3, she invites us to consider how the words we speak reveal the condition of our hearts. While criticism and careless speech can damage relationships and diminish others, words shaped by God’s wisdom can bring hope, encouragement, and healing. Pastor Ashley challenges us to pause before we speak, allowing our words to be guided by Christ’s grace, mercy, and love. As we intentionally choose to bless instead of criticize, we become people who speak life and reflect the heart of Christ in our everyday conversations. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| July 26, 2026 - Knowing God's Will | 26 Jul 2026 | 00:22:31 | |
Have you ever wondered, “How do I know if this is God’s voice or just my own thoughts?” In this powerful conclusion to the Experiencing God series, Pastor Ashley explores the challenge of recognizing God’s will and learning to trust God’s direction. Through stories, Scripture, and practical wisdom, she reveals how our thoughts can shape our actions and how God’s truth can become the filter that guides our choices. Discover why seeking God requires more than good intentions, and how creating space for prayer, reflection, and openness can help us see where God is leading. This message offers a meaningful invitation to let God’s light shine into our lives and transform the way we think, act, and follow. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| July 19, 2026 - Knowing God | 19 Jul 2026 | 00:20:35 | |
n week two of the Experiencing God series, Pastor Ashley reminds us that while Scripture reveals many attributes of God, the defining truth is that God is love. Drawing from 1 John 4, she encourages believers to evaluate every teaching, opinion, and even their own actions by one question: Is there love in it? If not, it does not reflect God’s character. She explains that although suffering exists in a broken world, God consistently enters our brokenness with redeeming love. The sermon concludes by challenging listeners to continue daily prayer—asking, seeking, listening, and acting while intentionally looking for God’s love at work each day. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| July 12, 2026 - Seeking God | 12 Jul 2026 | 00:24:42 | |
Pastor Ashley begins the Experiencing God series by inviting us to move beyond ideas about God into a genuine relationship with God. Drawing from Jesus’ invitation to “ask, seek, and knock” in Matthew’s Gospel, she reminds us that faith grows through persistent prayer, honest questions, and intentional time with God. Rather than relying on our own strength, we are called to humbly seek God’s guidance and ask for help. God is not distant or hidden but welcomes all who pursue Him with childlike faith. This week, we are challenged to intentionally ask, seek, knock, listen, and faithfully respond each day. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| July 5, 2026; B.L.E.S.S.; S - Storytelling | 05 Jul 2026 | 00:17:00 | |
Pastor Ashley concluded the B.L.E.S.S. series by focusing on the power of our personal story. Drawing from John 9, she reflected on the healing of the man born blind, whose simple testimony, “I was blind, but now I see,” became a witness to God’s work. She reminded us that sharing our faith is not about having all the answers or winning debates. It is about telling others how Jesus continues to change our lives. Every story matters, and God can use even ordinary experiences to bring hope, point people to Christ, and bless those around us. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| June 28, 2026; B.L.E.S.S.; S - Serve | 28 Jun 2026 | 00:22:19 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon centered on Jesus’ example of washing the disciples’ feet, reminding us that true greatness is found in humble service. Through personal stories of cleaning college bathrooms and the inspiring ministry of Oni Johns in Memphis, she illustrated how simple acts of service can create “world-changing shifts” in both ourselves and others. She challenged the congregation to reflect on where God is calling them to serve, beginning at home and extending into the community. By laying down pride, comfort, fear, or self-interest and following Christ’s example with prayer, listening, and action, believers can become instruments of God’s love and transformation. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| June 21, 2026; B.L.E.S.S.; E - Eat | 21 Jun 2026 | 00:21:18 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon, part of the B.L.E.S.S. series, focused on the transformative power of sharing meals as a way to love neighbors and reflect Christ’s ministry. Building on previous weeks’ themes of prayer and listening, she emphasized that Jesus often used meals to create belonging, build relationships, and reveal God’s love. Drawing from her own experience at Warrenton UMC’s church picnic, she described how sharing food helped her understand the heart of the congregation and feel connected to the community. The challenge for the week was simple: intentionally share one or two meals with others, trusting that hospitality, conversation, and friendship can become powerful expressions of God’s grace and instruments for changing lives. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| June 14, 2026 - B.L.E.S.S.; L - Listen | 14 Jun 2026 | 00:20:14 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon focused on the “L” in B.L.E.S.S.—Listen—as a practical way to follow Jesus and love others. She emphasized that while life and people are complicated, listening is a simple yet powerful act of faith. True listening means giving someone our full attention without interrupting, fixing, or preparing our response. Using examples from her own life, a missionary story, and Jesus’ ministry, she showed how listening builds trust, reveals people’s needs, and creates opportunities to bless them. She encouraged practicing the “4 H’s” of listening—History, Heart, Habits, and Hurts—and added a fifth: Hopes. Listening, she concluded, is one of the deepest expressions of love. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| June 7, 2026 - B.L.E.S.S.; B - Begin With Prayer | 07 Jun 2026 | 00:19:08 | |
Pastor Ashley launched the new sermon series Bless by encouraging the congregation to rethink evangelism. Drawing from the story of Zacchaeus and the book Bless, she emphasized that sharing faith is less about converting people and more about building genuine relationships and being a blessing to others. Jesus modeled this approach by befriending people, meeting their needs, and trusting God to work in their hearts. The first step in the BLESS practice is to Begin with Prayer, asking God to reveal who to bless and how to serve them. Through prayer, believers become attentive to God’s guidance and opportunities to share Christ’s love with others. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| May 31, 2026 - God Makes a Way | 31 May 2026 | 00:22:06 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon uses her poor sense of direction as a metaphor for the human tendency to become spiritually lost. Reflecting on Isaiah 43:16-19, she explains how the Israelites’ exile resulted from relying on themselves rather than God, yet God’s faithfulness remained unchanged. Through biblical examples and personal stories from church members, she illustrates how God continues to make a way forward during seasons of confusion, hardship, and uncertainty. The message emphasizes trusting God’s guidance, letting go of fear, comfort, and self-sufficiency, and praying specifically for direction. When we surrender control, God creates new paths where none seem possible. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| May 24, 2026 - One Spirit; Many Members. Guest Speaker: REV. David Lucey | 24 May 2026 | 00:18:00 | |
Rev. David Lucey’s Pentecost sermon focused on how the Holy Spirit works differently in each person and within each church community. Using readings from Acts, John, and Corinthians, he described both the dramatic coming of the Spirit at Pentecost and the quieter, personal experience of Jesus breathing the Spirit onto the disciples. He shared personal stories about faith, including how his wife naturally accepted God’s presence while he often wrestled with it. Rev. Lucey emphasized that Christians and churches are given different gifts, but all are meant to work together for the good of the whole body of Christ. He encouraged the congregation to continue serving their community as people filled and guided by God’s Spirit. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| May 17, 2026 - Who Is My Neighbor? Guest Speaker: David Dority | 17 May 2026 | 00:22:45 | |
David Dority’s sermon reflected on the growing epidemic of loneliness and Jesus’ challenge in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He explained that the lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbor?” was really an attempt to limit love, while Jesus redirected the focus toward becoming a neighbor through mercy and action. Dority urged listeners to move beyond division, tribalism, and isolation to see and care for the people around them. Sharing stories, he emphasized that compassion often requires sacrifice and presence. The sermon closed with a call to “go and do likewise,” choosing peace, kindness, and connection person at a time. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| May 10, 2026 - Stay In Love With GOD | 10 May 2026 | 00:26:21 | |
This sermon from Warrenton United Methodist Church focused on John Wesley’s third simple rule: “Stay in love with God.” Through a conversation between Pastor Ashley and youth participant Malachi, the message explored how relationships grow stronger when they are prioritized and weaken when neglected. Using scripture from Psalm 119 and John 15, they emphasized that prayer, worship, Bible study, and faith help believers stay connected to God and follow the right path. Malachi shared personal insights about friendship, family, and faith, encouraging listeners to trust God, remain hopeful during difficult seasons, and show God’s love through everyday actions and perseverance. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| May 3, 2026 - Do Good | 03 May 2026 | 00:16:24 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon focuses on John Wesley’s second rule: “do good.” Christians are called to imitate Christ by showing compassion to everyone, even in difficult or unjust situations. Doing good is not passive but intentional—choosing love, humility, and self-control over retaliation. Jesus modeled this by responding to suffering with grace and forgiveness. While believers seek justice and change, they are reminded to act in ways that reflect God’s character. Through ongoing self-assessment, Christians can align their actions with Christ’s example. Ultimately, the message emphasizes personal responsibility: we cannot control others, but we can always choose to do good, no matter what. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| April 26, 2026 - Do No Harm | 26 Apr 2026 | 00:19:01 | |
Pastor Ashley introduces John Wesley’s first “Simple Rule,” do no harm, focusing on the challenge of avoiding unintentional harm in a complex world. She explains that we often hurt others when we don’t know, think, or ask, even with good intentions. Through scripture and Wesley’s teaching, she encourages daily self-reflection, humility, and awareness of our actions. She offers three practical steps: consider the heart, don’t assume, and seek forgiveness when needed. While living in perfect peace is difficult, these practices help us grow in grace, strengthen relationships, and reflect Christ’s love, bringing healing, unity, and greater peace into our lives and communities. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| April 19, 2026 - Present in His Presence | 19 Apr 2026 | 00:22:40 | |
This sermon reflects on life after Easter, when celebration fades and quiet returns. In those ordinary, sometimes heavy moments, we often face buried fatigue, doubt, and disappointment. Drawing from the Emmaus story, the message reminds us that Jesus meets us not in perfection or mountaintop experiences, but in everyday life—walking beside us even when we don’t recognize Him. Through personal testimony and scripture, the sermon emphasizes healing, presence, and abiding with Christ through simple, intentional moments. Transformation comes not from changed circumstances, but from recognizing we are not alone. In that awareness, hope is renewed, courage rises, and faith deepens in the midst of daily life. http://www.warrentonumc.org Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| April 12, 2025 - Living Hope | 12 Apr 2026 | 00:11:04 | |
Pastor Ashley reflects on the emotional shift after Easter, when the joy of resurrection gives way to everyday life. Drawing from scripture, she reminds the congregation that trials will continue, even in seasons of light, but these challenges refine and strengthen faith. The hope and promise of Easter do not fade; they remain constant, offering assurance of God’s victory and eternal life. She encourages believers to hold onto visible and spiritual reminders of God’s presence, to love and trust despite not seeing Christ, and to carry resurrection hope forward. Communion serves as a weekly anchor, nourishing faith and uniting all in Christ’s enduring grace. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| April 5, 2026 - An Unlikely Outcome | 05 Apr 2026 | 00:12:41 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon reminds listeners that while we often believe we can predict life’s outcomes, God is continually writing a greater story. Using examples of predictable endings and surprising twists, she connects this truth to Easter. Like the women at the tomb and disciples on the road, we may assume loss is final. Yet the resurrection reveals God is already present and at work. What seems like an ending may be a beginning. Believers are invited to trust Jesus, look for unexpected hope, and live confident that God brings redemption and new life beyond every circumstance we face each day. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| March 29, 2026 - Unlikely Allies | 29 Mar 2026 | 00:19:08 | |
Pastor Ashley’s Palm Sunday message centers on the idea that things are not always as they seem. Drawing from her own experiences, she highlights how assumptions about people and situations can lead to disappointment or unexpected joy. She points to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea as unlikely disciples who, through curiosity and courage, stepped forward when others withdrew. Their example challenges us to move beyond surface-level judgments and remain open to God’s deeper work. This Palm Sunday invites us to stay curious, reconsider what we think we know, and embrace unexpected people and opportunities as part of God’s unfolding kingdom. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| March 22, 2026 - Unlikely Courage | 22 Mar 2026 | 00:15:30 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon, Unlikely Courage, focuses on the quiet bravery of those who stayed with Jesus at the cross when others ran. Figures like Mary Magdalene and the beloved disciple didn’t fully understand what was happening, but they showed up anyway, choosing love over fear. Their witness becomes a model for us. Through the story of Clarence Jordan, the message brings that same challenge into today—are we willing to follow Jesus when it costs us something? Often, we already know what we’re called to do; the real struggle is finding the courage to do it. Faith, she reminds us, means showing up, even when it’s hard. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| March 15, 2026 - Unlikely Companionship | 15 Mar 2026 | 00:17:26 | |
Pastor Ashley reflects on the story of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. Though he appears briefly in the Easter narrative, Simon becomes an example of unlikely companionship. What began as an unexpected interruption placed him beside Christ on the road to the cross. Through Simon’s experience, the sermon explores how suffering and life’s sudden disruptions can draw people closer to God and to one another. Rather than avoiding hardship, believers are invited to walk faithfully through it with Christ and supportive companions. True discipleship means carrying burdens together, discovering that even painful journeys can deepen faith and lead toward God. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| March 8, 2026 - Unlikely Freedom | 08 Mar 2026 | 00:19:07 | |
Pastor Ashley explores how shame and blame are deeply rooted in human nature, tracing the impulse to scapegoat others from biblical stories through to today. Drawing on her own personal experiences with perfectionism and unworthiness, she explains how Jesus, by willingly becoming the ultimate scapegoat, frees us from shame's power. His sacrifice gives us three gifts: freedom from scapegoating, freedom from self-preservation, and the freedom to openly admit our mistakes. When our identity is rooted in Christ rather than in our own perfection, we are liberated to pursue reconciliation, live humbly, and break the endless cycle of blame. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| March 1, 2026 - Unlikely Opposition | 01 Mar 2026 | 00:18:40 | |
In her sermon “Unlikely Opposition,” Pastor Ashley reflects on how God can use opposing voices for our growth. Sharing stories from her own life, she recalls moments when disappointment and hard feedback became unexpected gifts of wisdom and redirection. Drawing on Peter’s denial of Jesus in the Gospel account, she highlights the servant girl as a surprising messenger who exposed Peter’s fear and called him back to truth. Opposition, she explains, is not always meant to harm; sometimes it lovingly challenges, corrects, and refines us. The question is not whether we’ll face opposition, but how we will respond when truth confronts us. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| February 22, 2026 - An Unlikely Offering | 22 Feb 2026 | 00:19:58 | |
In this Lenten message, Pastor Ashley reflects on Lent as a sacred reset, a season of repentance, sacrifice, and renewed perspective. Preaching on Mary anointing Jesus, she contrasts familiar roles such as Martha serving and Judas criticizing with Mary’s extravagant and unexpected devotion. Mary’s costly offering models surrendered love that catches the world off guard. Lent invites believers to break routines, release barriers, and offer their own “unlikely offering” to Christ. Through generosity, forgiveness, hospitality, and deeper commitment of time, talent, and treasure, disciples are called to pour themselves out in bold and authentic devotion. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| February 15, 2026 - What Love Does | 15 Feb 2026 | 00:17:10 | |
In this post–Valentine’s Day sermon, Pastor Ashley reminds the church that love is more than a feeling—it is obedience to Christ. While we grow tired of talking about love, living it is harder. Jesus defines love as keeping his commands and remaining in him. True love is faithful, steady, and often costly, requiring us to die to self in everyday moments—apologizing first, telling the truth, serving when tired. Like the Good Samaritan, love crosses the road. Love is not one item on the Christian list; it is the list. When we abide in Christ, love becomes sufficient and transformative. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| February 8, 2026 - Launch Pad | 08 Feb 2026 | 00:19:18 | |
In the final week of the Defying Gravity series, Pastor Ashley invites us to move beyond reflection and into action. After weeks of examining what holds our attention, how we use our time, and what we cling to, this message centers on generosity as the way God’s kingdom breaks into our lives. Through Scripture, story, and vivid illustrations, we are reminded that holding too tightly to what doesn’t last steals joy, while letting go creates freedom and life. As Lent approaches, we are called to live with open hands, open hearts, and renewed commitment to God’s kingdom that endures forever. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| February 1, 2026 - Sheaves in the Snow | 01 Feb 2026 | 00:19:03 | |
Pastor Ashley explores Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds, reminding listeners that the kingdom of heaven is both a future hope and a present reality. Jesus teaches in parables to awaken receptive hearts and invite transformation, not judgment. While good and harmful forces coexist in the world, followers of Christ are not called to uproot others, but to tend the wheat by living faithfully. Pastor Ashley offers five practices for discerning without becoming cruel, including guarding our hearts, seeking clarity through prayer, and leaving room for transformation. Through compassionate action, generosity, and faithful witness, the church reflects Christ and participates in God’s kingdom breaking into the world today. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| January 25, 2026 - Defying Gravity | 25 Jan 2026 | 00:19:50 | |
Pastor Ashley continued the Defying Gravity series by challenging listeners to break free from the culture of “more” and make God the priority through intentional living and generosity. Using the story of early transatlantic flight, she contrasted failed attempts driven by excess and ego with Charles Lindbergh’s success, rooted in simplicity, focus, preparation, and intentionality. These same principles, she explained, shape faithful discipleship and stewardship. Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the rich fool, she urged mindful living oriented toward eternity rather than self. When our lives are designed around God’s priorities, generosity becomes reflexive, joyful, and life-giving. Printable version of the Budget Worksheet Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| January 18, 2026 - Defying Gravity | 18 Jan 2026 | 00:17:19 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon explores the tension between the “kingdom of self” and the “kingdom of God.” She explains how the gravitational pull of our own desires, priorities, and even well-intentioned habits can draw us away from God and ultimately enslave us. Using the parable of the prodigal son, she shows that both self-indulgence and self-righteousness can trap us. True freedom is found when God’s kingdom takes priority, marked by humility, trust, grace, and love. The sermon challenges listeners to examine how they use their time, reorient their lives toward God, and remember that God’s freedom is not earned but received each time we choose to return home. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| January 11, 2026 - Defying Gravity | 11 Jan 2026 | 00:22:05 | |
Pastor Ashley introduces the Defying Gravity sermon series, exploring the unseen forces that shape our lives. Using gravity as a metaphor, she describes how cultural pressures, media, possessions, and misplaced desires can pull us away from God when God is not our primary grounding force. Drawing from the story of the rich young man, she highlights how confusion between wants and needs creates spiritual imbalance and incompleteness. Jesus’ call to surrender exposes what stands between us and true freedom. The sermon invites listeners to simplify their lives, reorder priorities, and make room for God’s work, choosing completeness, freedom, and stewardship over fear, excess, and distraction. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| January 4, 2026 - What if... The Wise Men Hadn't Trusted? | 04 Jan 2026 | 00:22:31 | |
Pastor Ashley reflects on the story of the Magi, emphasizing that their wisdom came not only from knowledge, but from discernment and obedience. Though the Magi understood prophecy and signs, their defining moment was trusting God’s warning in a dream and choosing a different path home, quietly resisting Herod’s power. Their decision protected Jesus and allowed God’s plan to unfold. The sermon invites listeners to consider how God often speaks through whispers rather than dramatic signs, calling believers to position themselves to listen, trust those nudges, and be willing to change course in faithful obedience, even when it feels costly or unclear. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| December 28, 2025 - Christmas Music Sing Along | 28 Dec 2025 | 00:19:02 | |
Pastor Ashley reflects on Christmas wisdom through familiar Christmas movies, especially The Grinch, to explore the power of belief. She explains how deeply held beliefs shape behavior, relationships, and identity, using Cindy Lou and the Grinch as examples of hope and self protection. The sermon highlights how past pain can distort belief, but loving community and truth can renew it. When beliefs shift toward God’s perspective, lives are transformed. Drawing from Romans 12:2, Pastor Ashley encourages intentional reflection so that Christmas endures beyond the season, renewing minds, restoring worth, and grounding believers in love, belonging, and hope. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| December 14, 2025 - What if... Mary Said No? | 14 Dec 2025 | 00:18:54 | |
Pastor Ashley invites the congregation to reflect on the power of “what if” questions and how they open space for deeper faith, especially during Advent. She centers the message on Mary’s story and asks, “What if Mary said no?” While Mary’s role in salvation is unique, her experience reflects something we all share: free will, uncertainty, and the need for trust in God. Mary responds with curiosity and a desire to understand before offering her yes. Her willingness and praise show that God often asks us to step into things that do not fully make sense. Advent challenges us to consider how we will respond when God calls us to the same depth of faith and surrender. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| December 7, 2025 - What if... Zechariah Believed? | 07 Dec 2025 | 00:20:14 | |
Pastor Ashley reflects on the theme of preparations during Advent, linking our Christmas preparations with Zechariah’s sacred duty in the temple. Chosen by lot to offer prayers for Israel’s redemption, Zechariah also brings his long-held personal prayer for a child. When the angel Gabriel appears and announces that both prayers will be answered through the birth of John, Zechariah struggles to believe. His imposed silence becomes both consequence and gift, creating space for hope to take root. The sermon invites us to consider how God prepares us, how we wait with “just enough” faith, and how hope transforms us. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| November 30, 2025 - Joy is an Action Word, Guest Speaker Lori Bakewell | 30 Nov 2025 | 00:15:36 | |
Lori Bakewell shares her personal journey of losing and rediscovering joy after a season of profound loss, family responsibilities, and emotional exhaustion. Though she continued “showing up” in life, she realized she had mistaken being “happy enough” for true joy. A difficult Christmas Eve became a turning point, leading her to seek God’s answer and reflect on joy as something deeper and foundational. Lori learned that joy requires intention—recognizing the difference between happiness and joy, practicing gratitude in small everyday moments, and sharing joy with others. Rediscovering joy transformed her life and strengthened her faith through future hardships. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| November 23, 2025 - The Pause Before the Promise, The Power of the Pause | 23 Nov 2025 | 00:17:12 | |
Pastor Ashley teaches that God is always speaking, just as God spoke to Samuel throughout his life. Samuel’s story shows the power of listening—not just hearing—with attention, obedience, and trust. Though Samuel never saw the fulfillment of God’s long-term plan, his faithfulness helped set the stage for Jesus’ arrival. Waiting becomes meaningful when we listen, obey, and stay faithful in the in-between. Pastor Ashley encourages us to keep going when God feels silent, focus on blessing others, and practice obedience even when the path is unclear. When we listen with purpose, waiting becomes partnership with God, shaping us and future generations. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| November 16, 2025 - The Pause Before the Promise, The Power of the Pause | 16 Nov 2025 | 00:18:34 | |
Pastor Ashley teaches that “trusting in the waiting” is essential to spiritual growth. In a world used to instant answers and constant updates, waiting feels uncomfortable, even anxiety-inducing—but God uses waiting to shape our character, deepen our dependence, and align us with divine timing. Drawing from Romans 8 and the image of an apple tree that stores energy after a harsh frost, she explains that seasons that seem dormant are actually preparing us for abundance. Scripture shows God’s promises unfolding slowly across generations. Likewise, in our own waiting—painful or uncertain—God is already at work beneath the surface, preparing a harvest of hope. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| November 9, 2025 - The Pause Before the Promise, The Power of the Pause | 09 Nov 2025 | 00:21:56 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon reflected on Elijah’s story as a reminder of the power and purpose of pausing. She began by noting the simple wisdom of rest—sometimes all we need is “a nap and a snack.” Through Elijah’s exhaustion and despair, God met him not with judgment but with care, providing food, rest, and renewal before speaking in a gentle whisper. Pastor Ashley reminded us that God often works most deeply when we stop striving—when we rest, listen, and allow space for His presence. Pauses, whether chosen or forced, can be sacred interruptions where God restores, redirects, and renews our strength and purpose. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| November 2, 2025 - A Time to Heal, We Have Hope | 02 Nov 2025 | 00:20:18 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon reflected on Jesus raising Lazarus and the deep lessons it offers about grief, faith, and hope. She reminded us that even Jesus experienced profound sorrow, showing the depth of His love and His reliance on prayer. Through His example, we learn to grieve honestly, pray expectantly, and trust that God is always working for redemption. Pastor Ashley emphasized that “Sozo Jesus” — the rescuer, healer, and restorer — continues God’s redemptive work in our lives. Though pain may not fully end, it softens as we cling to faith and community, trusting that God will redeem and restore all things. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||
| October 26, 2025 - A Time to Heal, Wounded Healers | 26 Oct 2025 | 00:22:35 | |
Pastor Ashley’s sermon, “Wounded Healer,” reminds us that while pain and grief are unavoidable parts of life, God’s faithfulness sustains us through them. Using examples from scripture and personal stories, she emphasizes that God comforts us not just to ease our pain, but to equip us to comfort others. True healing comes through partnership—with God and with one another—as we journey through life’s deserts together. Like Jesus, who wept with Mary and Martha, we are called to sit with others in their grief, offering presence, compassion, and faith that healing and hope still lie ahead. We are comforted to be comforters. Warrenton United Methodist Church | |||