Kearney First UMC Podcasts

What Jumps Out?

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt reflects on the story of Zacchaeus using a read, see what jumps out, discuss or reflect, and read again method.  Do the same things stand out? What do we conclude from them?  Does something else stand out? Can we imagine what it was like at that point in history?  Can we feel the emotion of the crowds or individuals involved?  Why did the writer phrase it like that?

Basics Anew: Being Christian Is...

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen invites us to think about what it is to be a "Christian."  We were never meant to experience the Christian life alone.  It is meant to be spent together from times of grief to times of celebration.  The "Church" is a people, not a building.  We learn more about each other and God in community.  Our community and culture have a hand in shaping who we are and what we believe.  What do you surround yourself with?  How do we engage better as Church people in our community and culture?

Reflective Practices

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt invites us to think about our reflective practices.  When or where have we intentionally or accidentally discovered the created world declaring God's glory?  What was our response?  Do we cultivate time to reflect or do we keep busy with other things?  Do we act on our reflections and discoveries or do we keep them to ourselves?

Basics Anew...The Bible Is

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen shares some statistics about the Bible and what it means to Christians.  Did you know it is one of the most purchased books yet one of the least read?  The Bible is a workbook.  It is something that you use, study, take notes on, and read over and over again.  It guides our beliefs and should shape our actions.  If what we focus on shapes us, what are you focused on?

Inspiration of Character

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen invites us to think of people who have demonstrated characteristics of graciousness, holiness, caring, and equipping in our lives.

Jesus Calls Us A People of Character

Welcome to the Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at the ways we are called and marked by God.  Salvation includes living out Jesus' instructions.  That is why there is so much time dedicated to instruction on how to live in the gospels.  Being complete in love must include giving of ourselves.  To act on our values is an active choice we make.  The thing people need from the Church and from Christians is to see Jesus.  Do you live in a way that shows Christ?

What Is the Good News?

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt asks, what is the good news we proclaim as church and followers of Jesus?  Is this good news to us and to others?  Do we all need to be doing the exact same thing to be living into the "good news?"  Is the "good news" we claim reflected in how we live our lives?

Being a People of Practice

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen shares we are a people of practice.  We are called to new life in Christ that is shared with others. the effect of our faith should be evident ot others.  If you are on a sports team or play an instrument and you never practice, do you get better?  We need to practice our faith and being like Jesus.
Please note, Jo Ellen's mic cuts out around the 23:11 mark.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

Being a People of Practice in the New Year

Welcome to our Monday podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen encourages to think about how we will live out our practices of faith in the new year.  Jesus calls us to live into our faith that is real, vital and growing.  Discipleship takes work and preparation, it's not a passive thing.

The Main Things

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt asks, "How are you growing like Jesus or closer to Jesus?  How are you 'growing up' in your salvation?"  Salvation is not a one and done event.  It is a lifelong journey that Jesus calls us to.