PODCAST

Warrenton United Methodist Church

Louis McDonald

Weekly sermons from the pastor at Warrenton United Methodist Church, Warrenton VA

religion & spirituality religion

All Episodes

17:19

January 18, 2026 - Defying Gravity

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2026/01/18

Send us a text 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 c...

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22:05

January 11, 2026 - Defying Gravity

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2026/01/11

Send us a text 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 ...

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22:31

January 4, 2026 - What if... The Wise Men Hadn't...

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2026/01/04

Send us a text 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 drama...

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19:02

December 28, 2025 - Christmas Music Sing Along

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/12/28

Send us a text 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, ...

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18:54

December 14, 2025 - What if... Mary Said No?

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/12/14

Send us a text 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 s...

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20:14

December 7, 2025 - What if... Zechariah Believed?

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/12/07

Send us a text 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 ho...

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15:36

November 30, 2025 - Joy is an Action Word, Guest...

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/11/30

Send us a text 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 ...

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17:12

November 23, 2025 - The Pause Before the Promise, The...

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/11/23

Send us a text 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 o...

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18:34

November 16, 2025 - The Pause Before the Promise, The...

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/11/16

Send us a text 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. Scriptur...

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21:56

November 9, 2025 - The Pause Before the Promise, The...

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/11/09

Send us a text 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 pres...

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20:18

November 2, 2025 - A Time to Heal, We Have Hope

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/11/02

Send us a text 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 liv...

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22:35

October 26, 2025 - A Time to Heal, Wounded Healers

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/10/26

Send us a text 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 s...

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24:08

October 19, 2025 - A Time to Heal, Joining Jesus

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/10/19

Send us a text This sermon opens a new series, “A Time to Heal,” focusing on grief as both a personal and communal experience. Pastor Ashley invites prayer that God be glorified through reflection and healing. Grief, they note, takes many forms—loss of loved ones, relationships, dreams, or stability—and affects everyone. Drawing from the story of Jesus weeping for Lazarus, the message shows that grief is not weakness but a shared human and divine experience. Jesus’ deep emotion reveals that o...

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19:35

October 12, 2025 - Returning to the Place From Which...

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/10/12

Send us a text Father David Lucey reflects on faith, hope, and God’s enduring presence amid loss and exile. Drawing from Jeremiah’s letter to the exiled Jews, Father David emphasizes that God’s plans are for restoration and hope, even when life feels disoriented or uncertain. Using humor about Methodist and Episcopal traditions, Father David connects ancient exile to modern experiences of displacement and hardship. The message underscores that God is not bound to one place or people—He is wit...

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19:04

October 5, 2025 - Counting to Ten; Honoring You

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/10/05

Send us a text Pastor Ashley explores the meaning and purpose of the Sabbath as a divine invitation to rest, resist busyness, and restore balance. Rooted in obedience, which C.S. Lewis called “the key to all doors,” Sabbath opens the way to God’s intended goodness. Pastor Ashley reminds us that neglecting rest harms God’s creation within us and that true Sabbath is intentional, restorative, and peaceful. Drawing from Scripture and Jesus’ example of retreat and renewal, the message emphasizes ...

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23:55

September 28, 2025 - Counting to Ten; Honoring God

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/09/28

Send us a text Pastor Ashley’s sermon continues exploring the Ten Commandments, highlighting their depth beyond a list of “don’ts.” Last week focused on honoring God; this week turns to six commandments guiding relationships with others. These rules—honoring parents, not murdering, stealing, lying, committing adultery, or coveting—emphasize respect, integrity, and valuing life. Pastor Ashley reframes them as life-giving invitations: to act with integrity, prioritize relationships, and value c...

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21:13

September 21, 2025 - Counting to Ten; Honoring God

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/09/21

Send us a text Pastor Ashley began a new sermon series on the Ten Commandments, focusing this week on the first three that call us to honor God. She reminded us that these commandments, given to Moses during Israel’s uncertain journey, were not rules to restrict but a covenant to guide God’s people into right relationship. The first three—no other gods, no idols, and not misusing God’s name—teach us to place God first, trust His greatness, and speak of Him with reverence. Grace always precede...

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14:46

September 14, 2025 - What Are You Worth?

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/09/14

Send us a text Peri Bever’s sermon focused on the theme of worth—not as defined by money, status, appearance, or the opinions of others, but by God’s love and design. Using examples like a Tiffany lamp at a yard sale, a violin in an auctioneer’s hands, and even a crumpled dollar bill, she illustrated that true value is not situational but constant. Our worth doesn’t depend on shifting measures such as jobs, relationships, or numbers on a scale. Instead, it is declared by God, who prizes...

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17:21

September 7, 2025 - Breathing God's Presence

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/09/07

Send us a text Reverend Doctor Michelle Holmes Chaney reflects on Psalm 139 and the assurance that God is always present with us—past, present, and future. Using both scripture and personal stories, Dr. Holmes Chaney reminds us that although we often let distractions and obstacles block our awareness, God has never moved away from us. Just as a parent senses the presence of their child, we are invited to recognize God’s closeness, even as near as our own breath. By uncluttering our lives and ...

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21:16

August 31, 2025 - Your Story, Amen

Warrenton United Methodist Church ·

2025/08/31

Send us a text Pastor Ashley reflects on the meaning of “Amen,” reminding us it is not just a word of agreement or punctuation in worship, but a way of life. Rooted in the Hebrew for “truly” and “let it be,” Amen is both affirmation and action. Hebrews 13 calls us to live out our Amen through love, hospitality, compassion, and solidarity with those in need. Following Christ’s example, we embody Amen by serving, caring, and building community together. Amen is lived in how we love one another,...

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Warrenton United Methodist Church

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