Warrenton United Methodist Church

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This skit, performed by four members of the congregation, follows a delightfully chaotic women’s auxiliary meeting where tradition, committee delays, and comic misunderstandings threaten to bury every good idea. Newcomer Cynthia keeps asking the questions no one wants to answer: Why do plans endlessly go to committee, and when will the group serve its community? The laughter opens into a challenge. As the women turn to Proverbs, they discover that godly wisdom means listening, remaining teachable, welcoming fresh insight, and seeking counsel. This spirited skit reminds us that faithfulness is more than preserving familiar routines; it is letting Scripture shape us into people ready to learn, act, and love well.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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What if the small choices we make every day are shaping a life far more meaningful than we realize? In this message, Pastor Ashley explores the wisdom of Proverbs 22 and challenges us to look beyond wealth, accomplishments, and status to what truly matters. Through the everyday investments of our time, energy, relationships, and faith, we shape not only who we become but also the lives of those watching us. How can we make our faith visible and awaken a thirst for God in others? Discover how even the smallest acts of faithfulness can make a lasting difference.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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Words have the power to hurt, to heal, and to shape how we see ourselves and others. In this message, Pastor Ashley explores how even well-intentioned comments can leave lasting wounds, often touching places of pain we know nothing about. Through Scripture and personal experience, she reminds us that we are all loved, worthy, and enough in God’s eyes. We may not be able to change the past or take back every word, but we can choose what we say today. What if we approached one another with greater kindness, grace, and understanding, using our words to build up rather than tear down?

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.”

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org

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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.

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Warrenton United Methodist Church
341 Church St.
Warrenton VA 20186

office@warrentonumc.org