Kearney First UMC Podcasts

Psalm 23 and Lent

Welcome to our Monday Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen invites us to read Psalm 23.  She invites us to put ourselves in the scripture and reflect on where we have had valleys in our lives.  During this season of lent, Jo Ellen challenges us to read through Psalm 23 each day.

Transfiguration

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at the transfiguration of Jesus.  There is something about being a the mountain top and looking out over the world that gives us a new perspective.  What perspective does seeing Jesus transfigured and raised give us?  How do we follow Jesus from the peak down the mountain?  How can we live in a way that lets Jesus' light shine in us?  How can we live in a way that meet others where they are and walk with them?

Reflecting or Veiling?

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt takes a look at a passage from 2 Corinthians and Exodus 34.  Both mention Moses veiling his face but for different reasons.  In Exodus, it is to cover his radiance after meeting with God.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul says it is to cover a fading glory.  Jesus' life and calling removes the veil of the old ways.  The movement of the Spirit through the church eclipses the old ways.  In life, when do we cover our faces or hearts before Jesus and His teaching as a way of hiding ourselves from His glory, beauty, and challenging way?  When do we turn back to the Lord and remove our veils? With whom do we reflect the face of Christ?

Basics Anew...Some Things Must Change

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at the story of the rich young man and Jesus.  When told that he must give all he has away, the rich young man walks away from Jesus feeling sad.  What was he protecting or withholding from Jesus, or using as an excuse not to follow Jesus?  What things must change?  What things do we protect or hold back from Jesus?  Pastor Matt reminds us that God's grace is with us and we are to love the Lord our God with all that we have.  How often to we forget what "all" really means?    Jesus gives us the courage to stop protecting and holding back things of ourselves from him, so that we can follow him wholeheartedly.

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?