First Baptist Church of Asheville

Conversing with Creation (Psalm 19) — Mack Dennis

October 4, 2026. Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (World Communion). Year A. Psalm 19 praises creation and describes it as “telling” and “proclaiming.” We learn the heavens and the earth are really quite eloquent, even if “their voice is not heard.” The poem quickly shifts to describe the life-giving eloquence of the law (Torah). The Psalm’s structure invites us to see God’s creation and God’s word in mutually illuminating conversation. Creation elicits our awe and wonder, while God’s word deepens our perception, care, and enjoyment of creation, allowing its inarticulate beauty to “speak” with even more power. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

A Communion of Courage (Matthew 21:23-32) — Mack Dennis

September 27, 2026. Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. The tax collectors and prostitutes are already going into the kingdom of God ahead of the chief priests? Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Jesus isn't describing a future occurrence, but a present reality. All the wrong kinds of people have received the good news and believed and begun making their way inside, while the religious veterans are still trying to check IDs at the door. No matter our station in life, though, Jesus places the emphasis on changing our minds and bending our lives to God's will, and he points us to all the wrong kinds of people for direction. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays for Bible study at 10:00 a.m.. and worship at 11:00 a.m. Learn more at fbca.net.

The Injustice of Grace (Matthew 20:1-16) — Mack Dennis

September 20, 2026. Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. All the laborers, even those arriving at day's end, get paid the same salary. What kind of twisted wage theft is this? Then the landowner places the late laborers in the front of the line so the early laborers witness his strange generosity. It's just not...just. Pair this with the lectionary's glimpse of Jonah's insolence about Nineveh, and we discover this Sunday's texts are designed to provoke a mutiny among those of us who've been doing most of the work. Or maybe they're designed instead to open our hearts to the glad news of God's unjust grace. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays for Bible study at 10:00 a.m.. and worship at 11:00 a.m. Learn more at fbca.net.

Creative Sabotage (Exodus 14:19-31) — Mack Dennis

September 13, 2026. Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Recipe for Salvation (Exodus 12:1-14) — Mack Dennis

September 6, 2026. Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. The core of the Passover story provides a detailed sequence of food preparation and mealtime. God not only commands the Israelites to prepare the lamb just so but also to eat it hurriedly. The meal upon which the Lord's Supper is founded is no casual affair, but fuel for a dangerous departure from domination, nourishment for a great escape from slavery, a communal meal to commemorate God's deliverance from the powers that be. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays for Bible study at 10:00 a.m.. and worship at 11:00 a.m. Learn more at fbca.net.

Turn Aside and See (Exodus 3:1-15) — Mack Dennis

August 30, 2026. Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Though the bush is aflame, the Lord doesn't speak to Moses until the curious shepherd "turns aside to see." The text's repetition of this benign phrase, "turn aside," makes it glow with more significance. The author directs our attention to God's appreciation for Moses' ability to discern the Lord's presence. As we ordain deacons today, we give thanks for those with the prophetic sensitivity to God's mysteries and revelations, while also recognizing that once those who do finally "turn aside to see" God are soon thereafter sent on a mission. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays for Bible study at 10:00 a.m.. and worship at 11:00 a.m. Learn more at fbca.net.

A Liturgy of Life (Romans 12:1-8) — Casey Callahan

August 23, 2026. Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Casey Callahan Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

What Was He Thinking? (Matthew 15:21-28) — Tambi Swiney

August 16, 2026. Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Tambi Swiney Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Out of the Cave (1 Kings 19:9-18) — Mae Craig

August 9, 2026. Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Mae Craig Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Apostles of Genuineness (Romans 12:9-21) — Craig Hines

July 26, 2026. Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Craig Hines Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

A Righteous Reconciliation of Rest (Matthew 11:28-30) — Craig Hines

July 19, 2026. Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Craig Hines Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Beyond Failure (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23) — Doug Murray

July 12, 2026. Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Doug Murray Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Remembering Toward Hope (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) — Mary Caldwell

July 5, 2026. Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Mary Caldwell Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Forming an Imagination to Remember (Genesis 3:22-24) — Craig Hines

June 28, 2026. Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Craig Hines Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Foreshadows From a Father (Genesis 22:1-14) — Craig Hines

June 21, 2026. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Craig Hines Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Sitting on the Promises of God (Genesis 18:1-15) — Casey Callahan

June 14, 2026. Third Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Casey Callahan Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Mercy, Not Sacrifice (Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26) — Kendra Plating

June 7, 2026. Second Sunday after Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Kendra Plating Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Be Restored (Matthew 28:16-20) — Mack Dennis

May 31, 2026. Trinity Sunday. Year A. On his last Sunday before sabbatical, Mack recalls Paul’s benediction to bless the church and offer words of instruction and encouragement. Focusing on the charge, “Be restored,” he invites everyone to look forward to the summer as a unique time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the anticipation of a new season of ministry together. Inherent in Paul’s instruction is not an admonition to try to be restored, but more simply to be who God has already enabled us to be “by the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.” Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

All In Awe (Acts 2:43-47) — Nancy Hastings Sehested

May 24, 2026. Day of Pentecost. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Nancy Hastings Sehested Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

A Grand Pause (Acts 1:1-11) — Mack Dennis

May 17, 2026. Ascension Sunday. Year A. In the time between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, he gathers the disciples to tell them, in essence, “Don’t lift a finger until the Spirit comes.” For even now they’re still not ready to go on mission without divine assistance (their lingering question about restoring the kingdom of Israel highlights their unreadiness). Like a symphony orchestra in a grand pause, all eyes are on the conductor, waiting for their cue. Jesus’ ascension commences a time of waiting, listening, prayer, and preparation, until the baton waves again and the Spirit descends. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

He Descended to the Dead (1 Peter 3:13-22) — Mack Dennis

May 10, 2026. Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A. What in the world does Peter mean Jesus “made a proclamation to the spirits in prison” (v. 19)? Interpretations of this verse range from strange and ridiculous to hopeful and wonderful. Today we will attempt to offer the latter by proclaiming the all-encompassing power of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Peter’s testimony not only discloses the depths of Jesus’ saving reach—across space and time and life and death—but also that through baptism we become members of the great congregation, both living and dead, who hear his message of grace. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

My Times Are In Your Hand (Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16) — Mack Dennis

May 3, 2026. Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year A. Though the Psalmist is in distress, she expresses complete trust in God. Even as she pleads for help, she’s also commending herself to God’s care. Verse 4 captures this dynamic of simultaneous plea and expression of trust: “Take me out of the net…you are my refuge.” Her prayer beautifully captures what faith looks like in times of trouble. With the deep conviction that her times are in God’s hand, she trusts that even if she can’t be “safe” from danger, she is nevertheless in God’s safekeeping. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Life to the Fullest (John 10:1-10) — Mack Dennis

April 26, 2026. Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A. Drawing on Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, and John 10:1-10, this sermon describes the gifts and joys of abundant life in Christ. The Acts text helps us see in practical terms what Jesus in John calls “abundant life.” The Psalm’s cup overflowing enriches the pairing of Acts and John, because the Greek for abundant conveys superabundance, excess, more than necessary. Jesus has come to bring us just this kind of overflowing life that really is life—life brimming with devotion, prayer, communion, sharing, generosity, and growth. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

What’s In a Name? (John 20:19-31) — Paula Garrett

April 12, 2026. Second Sunday of Easter. Year A. Preacher: Dr. Paula Garrett Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Premeditated Forgiveness (Matthew 26:26-35) — Mack Dennis

April 2, 2026. Maundy Thursday. Year A. Matthew chapter 26 is not a good look for the disciples. One of them betrays Jesus. The rest promise not to desert him. Several fall asleep repeatedly even as Jesus is clearly grieving and disturbed. And yet, throughout the narrative, Jesus forgives. Most prominently, he describes the cup of his blood poured out “for the forgiveness of sins” (we find this only in Matthew). Who is this that forgives sinners in advance? Tonight may we gather in awe and gratitude for this Jesus who invites sure and certain sinners to the table of forgiveness. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Security Breach (Matthew 28:1-10) — Mack Dennis

April 5, 2026. Easter Sunday. Year A. Putting Matthew’s resurrection account in the context of the preceding verses highlights Jesus’ triumphant victory over death. Though the religious authorities made a special mission of requesting from Pilate an extra security detail for the tomb, their efforts were no match for the power of God. The earthquake effortlessly snaps the seal. The grave could not hold him (Acts 2:24). The power of death? Jesus gives it the slip. Today we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, God’s subversive victory over death’s cold grip. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

The Gentle King (Matthew 21:1-11) — Mack Dennis

March 29, 2026. Palm Sunday. Year A. Scholars argue over whether Matthew misinterpreted Zechariah, leading him to place Jesus awkwardly upon two animals—a donkey and her colt. But perhaps Matthew offers this detail in order to emphasize the different kind of king Jesus is. Jesus will not wield a sword or rule by force. Neither will he separate a mother donkey from her child, for “a bruised reed he will not break.” This curious aspect of Jesus’ triumphal entry further manifests the depth of God’s gentleness, humility, and peaceableness. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

A Blast From Heaven (Ezekiel 37:1-14) — Mack Dennis

March 22, 2026. Fifth Sunday in Lent. Year A. The title comes from Abraham Heschel’s description of the prophet as one who feels “the blast from heaven” and can’t help but “scream in the night.” Enter Ezekiel, who, despite the horrors he’s witnessed in exile, still lifts his head in faith to speak to dry bones on God’s behalf. Today we stand in awe of God’s power to inspire new life in human remains, as well as Ezekiel’s searing refusal to despair. The combination of divine power and mortal obedience opens a blast from heaven against which the power of death is no match. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Lenten Vespers: Week V “Candles in the Rain”

Lenten Vespers: Week III “Dust That Holds Light”

Another Scandalous Sabbath (John 9:13-41) — Mack Dennis

March 15, 2026. Fourth Sunday in Lent. Year A. One gets to the end of the story of the man born blind and has to wonder, “Why did the authorities raise such a ruckus about his healing?” They interrogate him multiple times and even call his parents to testify. Why can’t they simply rejoice with him? But Jesus’ miracle has more than offended their religious sensibilities. Having done what only God can do, Jesus has upended the moral order. The beggar becomes the teacher, while the teachers become blind. This great reversal, Jesus says, is precisely why “I came into this world.” Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

A Live-Action Conversion (John 4:5-42) — Mack Dennis

March 8, 2026. Third Sunday in Lent. Year A. Like a play-by-play announcer, John relays the conversion of a Samaritan woman in real time. We get to observe up close a person’s faith being born, growing, and even spreading. What conditions make her conversion possible? First, Jesus sees past the social constructs that would otherwise prevent their ever speaking to each other. Jesus also accepts rather than condemns her rocky past. Even more, he offers the woman a fresh and compelling vision of God she’s never considered or imagined. Now let the church ask, “Who’s next?” Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Lenten Vespers: Week II “Dust That Holds Light”

Original Blessing (Genesis 12:1-4a) — Casey Callahan

March 1, 2026. Second Sunday in Lent. Year A. Preacher: Rev. Casey Callahan Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

Lenten Vespers: Week I “Dust That Holds Light”

The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) — Mack Dennis

February 22, 2026. First Sunday in Lent. Year A. Each temptation of Jesus bears a striking resemblance to the idols of empire (one scholar compares them, respectively, to the “bread, circuses, and political power” with which Roman citizens would have been familiar). Jesus rejects them all with his Scriptural wisdom and devotion to God. The grand gift of Jesus’ resistance to temptation is the establishment of a new kind of kingdom in contrast to the kingdoms of this world that are passing away—an eternal kingdom rooted in God’s word, trust, and holy reverence. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

The Shining (Matthew 17:1-9) — Mack Dennis

February 15, 2026. Transfiguration Sunday. Year A. “And his face shone like the sun…” In a moment of astonishing metamorphosis, Jesus becomes light—his face as bright as the sun, the fabric of his clothes made only of photons. Jesus’ shining recalls God’s fiery presence with Moses on Mt. Sinai and anticipates his stunning revelation as “one like the Son of Man” to John of Patmos. Here is Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Humanity, the Beloved, transfigured in glory. The voice from the cloud calls us all to listen to this One with whom God is well pleased. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

A Hidden Mystery (1 Corinthians 2:1-12) — Mack Dennis

February 8, 2026. Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. Year A. Paul takes pains to describe his peculiar mode of speech. He doesn’t arrive as a silver-tongued orator, doesn’t aim for persuasion, and only addresses a most relevant subject among the educated elite of Corinth—wisdom—in light of Jesus’ crucifixion. Rather, he speaks a new language, intelligible only to those who’ve received the Spirit. Recalling Anselm’s credo ut intelligam (“I believe so that I may understand”), today we gather to discern the gifts of baptized speech, delighting in its hidden mysteries and glimpses of “the depths of God.” Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

God Makes It Plain (Micah 6:1-8) — Mack Dennis

February 1, 2026. Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. Year A. Micah 6:8, a favorite verse for many, showcases a quarrel between God and God’s people that centers on the shape of religious devotion. Like frustrated lovers arguing in public, God wonders, “What more could I have done for you?” while God’s people wonder, “What more do you want us to sacrifice?” God resolves the tension by distilling the essence of the law and the prophets. Perhaps to Israel’s surprise, God asks only for justice, kindness, and humility—far less than they expected, but also far more than they imagined. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

The Immediacy of Ministry (Matthew 4:12-23) — Mack Dennis

January 25, 2026. Third Sunday after Epiphany. Year A. “Immediately they left their nets and followed him,” Matthew says (v. 20). The phrase appears again in verse 22, “Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.” Jesus’ call inspires prompt responses from the first disciples. On one hand, we can imagine the disciples being bored with their small town fishing villages and eager for adventure. On the other, commercial fishing ain’t that bad a way to spend a life. Maybe what’s really going on is that Jesus’ voice is so compelling, and the adventure to which he calls us is so fresh, new, and inspiring that when we truly hear his clarion call we can’t imagine responding any other way. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

The Servant Songs, Pt. 2 (Isaiah 49:1-7) — Mack Dennis

January 18, 2026. Second Sunday after Epiphany. Year A. In the second Servant Song, Isaiah discloses God’s intentions for post-exilic Israel to be “a light to the nations.” More specifically, God’s concern is for the returning exiles to focus their mission not merely on the recovery and reestablishment of their own tribes, but on being visible witnesses of God’s justice and freedom on behalf of a watching world. On this MLK, Jr. weekend, we recall how prophetic communities have embodied Isaiah’s vision. We’ll also recall the early Baptists’ dreams of a visible church and what that means for us today. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Home By Another Way (Matthew 2:1-12) — Paula Garrett

January 4, 2026. Second Sunday after Christmas. Year A. Preacher: Dr. Paula Garrett Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

The Subversiveness of Christmas (Matthew 2:13-23) — Mack Dennis

December 28, 2025. First Sunday after Christmas Day. Year A. After Mary treasures and ponders in Luke, Matthew introduces us to a Joseph who dreams. There are two dreams in this passage, and Joseph is warned by an angel in both of them. Here is a side of Christmas we often pass over for its intense dangers and communal laments. But the threats to Jesus and his family mirror the contemporary dangers immigrants and asylum seekers experience today. Nevertheless, the good news is that God works through both our waking and dreaming to undermine the plots of the wicked and make a way where once there was no way. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

We Belong to Christmas (Romans 1:1-7) — Mack Dennis

December 21, 2025. Fourth Sunday of Advent. Year A. Without knowing it (for he doesn’t focus on Christmas in the conventional sense), Paul’s salutation to the Romans is a distilled version of Christmas and the whole gospel story. This one sentence maps out all the high notes of our salvation history. A key phrase comes toward the end: “including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Like unsuspecting bystanders suddenly conscripted into the action, by God’s grace we, too, have become characters around the manger, “set apart for the gospel of God.” Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

How to Get Left Behind (Matthew 24:36-44) — Mack Dennis

November 30, 2025. First Sunday of Advent. Year A. Though the rapture-mongers have convinced their followers they don’t want to be left behind on Judgment Day, Advent begins with Jesus trying to convince us otherwise. “Keep awake,” he says, with a warning about the suddenness of salvation’s arrival. Our readiness will depend on how we spend our time in the daily affairs of our lives. Do we go through the motions, merely “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage”? Or do we live with a heightened sense that “whatever task you do, work as if your soul depends on it” (Col. 3:23)? Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

You, For Example (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13) — Mack Dennis

November 16, 2025. Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. Year C. Paul commends to the Thessalonians an ancient method of learning—imitation (mimesis). Learning a skill comes not from watching but from following the example of someone with the skill you wish to acquire, sitting with them, mimicking their moves until you begin to get them down yourself. What’s at stake is the passing on of traditions that make possible “the life that really is life.” As well, such imitation ensures that each person in the community is doing their part to enable the flourishing of the whole. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Blessed Are You Who Weep (Luke 6:20-31) — Mack Dennis

November 2, 2025. All Saints’. Year C. Where Matthew has Jesus staring off into the distance and saying, “Blessed are those who mourn,” Luke reveals how Jesus looks intently at us and declares, “Blessed are you who weep now.” Luke’s version of Jesus’ sermon is just right for this poignant day when we suffer to remember the saints who’ve gone before us. Without bypassing our pain or looking past our grief, Jesus looks straight into our teary eyes and proclaims a promising word: “You will laugh.” Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

At Home With God (Luke 18:9-14) — Casey Callahan

October 26, 2025. Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Year C. Preacher: Rev. Casey Callahan Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

God’s Word Lives (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5) — Mack Dennis

October 19, 2025. Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year C. “All scripture is inspired by God,” Paul writes. Notice, he doesn’t say “All scripture was inspired by God,” but all scripture is. The word of God is alive. It’s active. It moves. It darts to and fro. It springs forth. It pours down upon. It quickens and slows. It breathes. The Bible is not an old, outdated book but an exciting record of God’s works that never loses its power to touch our hearts. Today we enjoy the opportunity to teach our children to appreciate the lively and playful nature of scripture and all it has to teach us. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

The Faithful Stranger (Luke 17:11-19) — Mack Dennis

October 12, 2025. Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year C. And he was a Samaritan. Of all ten lepers cleansed, only one returns to give thanks to God—and he was a Samaritan, a foreigner, an interloper. But not only does this Samaritan leper find himself healed of his disease, upon returning and praising God, Jesus informs him that “your faith has made you well.” So he’s not only healed, but also made well. Which means, presumably, the other nine didn’t get that far. The Samaritan’s gratitude is a bracing demonstration of a foreigner being an exemplar of faith. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis