Kearney First UMC Podcasts

Words for the Beginning: Do the Good That Is Yours To Do

Welcome to the third Sunday of Advent!  Our Advent series focuses on words for new beginnings and blessings that we may need reminders of.  In this sermon, Pastor Matt reminds us that God calls and equips us to work in His new kingdom.  Even when conflict and strife abound in the news, we all have good to do in the world.  Whether it is big or small, let us do the good that is ours to do.

Poking the Bear: Is Church Community Important?

Welcome to our midweek podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt expands on points from his Sunday sermon and challenges us to think beyond the individuality mindset we often have.  In a culture that focuses on individuality, we may need to take a step back and remember that we are called to community.  Our Sunday morning thoughts and actions shouldn't be limited to Sunday mornings, but rather should be our everyday life.  

Words for the Beginning: We Can't Go Alone

Welcome to the second Sunday of Advent!  Our Advent series focuses on words for new beginnings and blessings that we may need reminders of.  In this sermon, Pastor Matt uses the stories of The Christmas Carol and Ruth and Naomi to remind us that salvation and transformation come through relationship.  Salvation is about being transformed by the grace of God when we can't do it ourselves.  Change happens in the midst of relationship.  Through Jesus we find God in the midst of humanity and our relationships reflect that love.

Covenant Group Conversations: Matt Sipe

Welcome to the final Covenant Group Conversation!  In this podcast, Pastor Matt Sipe, one of Pastor Matt's Covenant Group friends, shares the importance of having friends who think, believe, and view thing differently from us.  He shares about the Law of Group Polarization and how it can lead to extreme actions when differing views are not heard in a group.

Words for the Beginning: You Are A Blessing

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent!  Our Advent series focuses on words for new beginnings and blessings that we may need reminders of.  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen reminds you that you are a blessing.  The season of Advent invites us to prepare our hearts to be wrapped in the love of God.  Each of us has the potential to carry God's love into a weary world.

Covenant Group Conversations: Dale Adams

Welcome to the third of four Covenant Group Conversations!  In this podcast, Dale Adams, one of Pastor Matt's Covenant Group friends, shares insight on how to deal with flighty friends and unpredictable friendships.  Through his unique choice of language, Dale reminds us to exercise patience, grace, and forgiveness with our friends as we may not always know what they are going through.  Sometimes our friends need us to be understanding while other times, our friends may need a gentle reminder of how their actions make us feel disconnected from them.

You've Got a Friend in Me: When Friends Blow It

Welcome to the final sermon of our "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship" sermon series!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt acknowledges that we don't always get everything right in our friendships.  Sometimes we blow it.  Matt looks at the relationship between Jesus and Peter as an example.  We see moments when Peter gets things right and also times when he sticks his foot in his mouth. We see God pour out forgiveness and grace through Jesus not giving up on Peter.  How can we be a people, through our friendships creating ripples like a rock tossed in water, show the kingdom of God to the world?

Covenant Group Conversations: Brian Marcoulier

Welcome to the second of four Covenant Group Conversations!  In this podcast, Pastor Brian Marcoulier, one of Pastor Matt's Covenant Group friends, reflects on the importance of having friends who ask you the hard questions in life. He challenges us to lean into or find a friend or group of friends who will spend time with us, hold space with us, ask us the hard questions, and hold the space for us to find the answers to those hard questions.

You've Got a Friend in Me: When Friends Betray Us

Welcome to the seventh sermon of our "You've Got a Friend in Me: What the Bible Shows Us About Friendship" sermon series!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt addresses the hurt and frustration we feel when a friend betrays us.  Using Jesus, Judas, and Peter as examples, Matt gives a list of three things to remember if a friend betrays you.  First, acknowledge the pain and know it's ok to not be ok.  Second, resist instinctual retaliation and the urge to blame yourself for another person's actions. Finally, endure trusting that God works beyond the betrayal.  Sometimes there is no closure after a betrayal (Judas dying before Jesus), but sometimes there is growth, hope, and joy beyond the betrayal (Peter's redemption after his denial).

Covenant Group Conversations: Rob Hamilton

Welcome to the first of four Covenant Group Conversations!  In this podcast, Pastor Rob Hamilton, one of Pastor Matt's Covenant Group friends, shares his thoughts on friendship with 1 Corinthians 13 as a guide.  He challenges us to think about the relationships we hold dear and if our words and actions align with Paul's words in 1 Corinthians.  Let love be the greatest thing among us and our foundation.