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"Who preached the first Methodist sermon in America?" - by Rev. Weldon Bares

  • Jun 5, 2025
  • 1 min read

Have you ever heard of Philip Embury? He was born in Ireland and became a Christian when he was a young person. Shortly afterwards, he started preaching about Christ in the villages near his home. Several years later, he immigrated to America, arriving in New York on August 10, 1760.

Philip was a Methodist, but very few Methodists were in America at the time. In fact, none could be found in New York. He started working as a teacher and a carpenter. In the process, he neglected doing the Lord’s work.

But then one day an elderly woman by the name of Barbara Heck spoke to him. She told Philip that he needed to preach to those around him, because their eternal destiny depended upon it. He later said that her words fell on him like “the sound of the archangel’s trumpet.”

He responded to her that he had no place to preach. Barbara told him to use his own house. He decided to do that very thing.

Five people showed up on the first Sunday and Philip preached to them. Some people claim that this was the first Methodist sermon in America.

The story of Philip Embury reminds me that believers are called to share the good news of Christ with those around us, whatever the circumstances, wherever we might find ourselves.

The Apostle Paul encouraged us to “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.” (II Timothy 4:2)

Philip Embury and Barbara Heck have shown us the way!

 
 
 

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9 Comments


toootaa1210
5 days ago

Mình có lần lướt đọc mấy trao đổi trên mạng شيخ روحاني thì thấy nhắc nên cũng tò mò mở ra xem thử cho biết. Mình không tìm hiểu sâu جلب الحبيب chỉ xem qua trong thời gian ngắn để quan sát bố cục جلب الحبيب cách sắp xếp شيخ روحاني các mục và trình bày nội شيخ روحاني dung tổng thể. Cảm giác là các phần được trình bày khá gọn, các Berlinintim mục rõ ràng nên đọc lướt cũng không bị rối Berlinintim với mình như شيخ روحاني vậy là đủ để nắm tin cơ bản rồi. جلب الحبيب

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Rayyan.Pierce
Jul 17

Overall, the article offers a clear snapshot of the early Methodist movement in America. I appreciated how it highlighted primary sources, which reminded me of a plaque in a local church that talks about early sermons. I'd been reading up more on https://de.trustpilot.com/review/deutschelizenzcasino.com and it lined up with what's said here. The historical angle really echoes the quiet feel of those early gatherings.

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Sam Carter
Sam Carter
Jun 17

I found the historical focus of this article really engaging, especially the discussion about who may have delivered the first Methodist sermon in America and the context surrounding those early gatherings. It’s fascinating how events that seemed relatively small at the time can end up playing such an important role in shaping a larger religious movement over generations. I also wondered how much of this history has been preserved through written records versus local traditions that were passed down over time. Looking back at the development of communities, institutions, and social networks from these early beginnings raises questions that extend far beyond religion and sometimes even touch on topics connected to Economics Dissertation Ideas, where the long-term influence of historical…

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Miller Jack
Miller Jack
May 29

I found this article quite engaging, especially the discussion about Robert Strawbridge preaching one of the earliest Methodist sermons in America from his home in Maryland. That detail made the history feel more personal and grassroots. While reading, I was also juggling some research and came across resources like Assignment Help Australia, including New Assignment Help Australia, which oddly connected to how people today still seek guidance in different forms. It makes me wonder how early religious gatherings shaped community learning compared to how we approach knowledge-sharing now.

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Dec 27, 2025

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