Kearney First UMC Podcasts

Unexpected Kindness

Welcome to our Monday Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt looks at the first part of Ruth asks, "How have you experienced an unexpected kindness or protection?"

How Do We Know: When the Messenger is Unexpected

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt invites us to think about how we know what God wants for us to do, say, or be?  Do we really believe that God cares about our decisions?  How do we test spirits to know if they come from God?  Do we take the time to be reflective and seek the Lord rather than to be quick to act?

Children and Donkeys

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen invites us to think of when we've had unexpected messengers tell us something that made us think.  In the book of Numbers, Balaam's donkey talked to him.  Pastor Jo Ellen shares ponderings she's heard from children.  Who or what have been unexpected messengers for you?

What Do We Think About?

Welcome to our Monday podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen invites us to ponder things in our lives that are just, true, honorable, pure, and pleasing?  How can we think about these things more?

How Do We Know: When the Truth Seems Unbelievable

Happy Easter!  In this sermon, Pastor Matt invites us to ponder how do we know what is true?  We know the Easter story, but how do we know it is true?  What does the resurrection free you from today?  What is Christ calling us to today?  The resurrection is less about an intellectual knowing, than it is about God creating in us the space to wonder for the sake of knowing.

What We Expect May Miss The Unexpected

Welcome to our Monday Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Matt challenges us to change our expectations.  We tend to see what we expect to see and miss what is unexpected.  If we have an idea of what we expect Jesus to be, we may miss Him when He shows up.

Life With The Shepherd: Surely

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen shares that it takes courage to go where Jesus calls us to go.  We have a calling to share the good news and to be in community outside of our church building walls.  Do you know your neighbors?  God desires goodness and love, not perfection.  God seeks us out wherever we are.  Are you willing to be a neighbor?

Pivotal Moments

Welcome to our Monday Morning podcast!  In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen reads part of Matthew 21 and asks us to listen for where Jesus' pivotal moments in life might be.  As we approach Holy Week, where have the pivotal moments in your life and faith life been?  How have we seen God change us in God's light?

Life with the Shepherd: Preparing a Table

Welcome to our Sunday Sermon Podcast!  In this sermon, Pastor Jo Ellen shares about a recent mission trip to Kansas City.  She shares how one pastor cares for his community, and how shepherds in ancient times care for their sheep.  They would go to a grassy "table," clear it of weeds and snakes, anoint sheep with oil to protect them from bugs, and let them eat peacefully.  How are we like sheep? How does God prepare our tables?  If feeding sheep that aren't exactly like us takes courage, are we willing to act on that courage or do we grumble when the shepherd goes after the lost one? 

The Lost Paper

Welcome to our Monday Morning Podcast! In this episode, Pastor Jo Ellen reflects on Psalm 23:5 and the passages leading up to Holy Week in Matthew.  She shares her ongoing struggle in losing the same piece of paper twice and how great her rejoicing will be when she finally finds it.  God searches relentlessly for us to bring us home.  God desires to set a table before us and to anoint us with oil and overflow our cups.