
Advent at Kearney First UMC
A letter from the pastors, schedule of events, and daily scripture readings
In the season of Advent, we seek to orient our lives around two holy mysteries: that Christ has come and that Christ will come again. That Christ has come, in the person of Jesus, gives us hope and courage to live each day as followers of Jesus, who is our way, truth, and life. That Christ will come again to make all things new gives us motivation and urgency to prepare the way of the Lord today and each day.
Our Advent worship series, “Some Assembly Required,” will explore various texts from Luke 1-3. Each week, we’ll consider the ways these texts ground our Wesleyan understanding of God’s saving grace that goes before us, leads us to confession, and uplifts us throughout our lives. Like so many Christmas presents we spend late nights assembling, we’ll see the way God’s grace is a gift to be received, responded to, and played with long into the future.
In addition to the preaching series, Pastor Matt will lead a small group on Wednesday nights at 7 pm studying All the Good: A Wesleyan Way of Christmas by Laceye Warner, Amy Valdez Barker, Jun Choi, and Sangwoo Kim (2021). Some other groups may be studying the book separately, so please check with the group you’re connected with. This book’s content will dive deeper into the messages of the sermons.
Below, you will find a list of scriptures (a daily lectionary), through which we can seek to listen to God together or alone.
Finally, we get the joy and pleasure of worshipping in some special ways during Advent and Christmas. These special events are also listed below.
We look forward to growing as disciples of Jesus Christ who love God, love our neighbors, and make disciples of Jesus during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
Peace be with you.
​
Matt Fowler, Senior Pastor Seungli You, Associate Pastor

Advent Events
November 28 – First Lord’s Day of Advent
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“God’s Grace is Ready” – Luke 3:1-18
December 5 – Second Lord’s Day of Advent
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“Praying with Zechariah in Advent” – Luke 1:68-79
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4 PM – Blue Christmas Worship Service in the Chapel
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7 PM – Community Bell Choir Concert at the Merryman Theater
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First Lutheran, First Presbyterian, First UMC, and Holy Cross Lutheran Churches
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December 12 – Third Lord’s Day of Advent
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“Responding with Mary’s Heart” – Luke 1:46-55
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4 PM – Children’s Christmas Program
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Soup Supper provided by the Youth Groups after the program in Fellowship Hall
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December 19 – Fourth Lord’s Day of Advent
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"The Shepherds and God’s Perfecting Grace" – Luke 2:8-15
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8:15 and 11 AM – Chancel Choir Cantata
December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship
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All worship services will include communion and candle lighting.
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3 PM – Traditional
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5 PM – Praise Band-led
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7 PM – Traditional
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December 26 – Regular Service Times
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8:15 AM - Traditional Service
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9 AM - Contemporary Service
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11 AM - Blended Service

Advent & Christmas
Scripture Readings
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Sunday, November 28, 2021: First Sunday of Advent – Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25:1-1-; 1Thes 3:9-13; Lu 21:25-36
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Monday, November 29, 2021: Psalm 90; Numbers 17:1-11; 2 Peter 3:1-18
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Tuesday, November 30, 2021: Psalm 90; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Revelation 22:12-16
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Wednesday, December 1, 2021: Psalm 90; Isaiah 1:24-31; Luke 11:29-32
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Thursday, December 2, 2021: Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:5-12; Philippians 1:12-18a
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Friday, December 3, 2021: Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 3:13-18; Philippians 1:18b-26
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Saturday, December 4, 2021: Luke 1:68-79; Malachi 4:1-6; Luke 9:1-6
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Sunday, December 5, 2021: Second Sunday of Advent – Mal 3:1-4; Lu 1:68-79; Phil 1:3-11; Lu 3:1-6
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Monday, December 6, 2021: Psalm 126; Isaiah 40:1-11; Romans 8:22-25
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Tuesday, December 7, 2021: Psalm 126; Isaiah 19:18-25; 2 Peter 1:2-15
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Wednesday, December 8, 2021: Psalm 126; Isaiah 35:3-7; Luke 7:18-30
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Thursday, December 9, 2021: Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 6:1-8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
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Friday, December 10, 2021: Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 8:4-12; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
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Saturday, December 11, 2021: Isaiah 12:2-6; Amos 9:8-15; Luke 1:57-66
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Sunday, December 12, 2021: Third Sunday of Advent – Zeph 3:14-20; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lu 3:7-18
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Monday, December 13, 2021: Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:1-19; Hebrews 13:7-17
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Tuesday, December 14, 2021: Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:20-35; Acts 28:23-31
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Wednesday, December 15, 2021: Isaiah 11:1-9; Micah 4:8-13; Luke 7:31-35
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Thursday, December 16, 2021: Psalm 80:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:10-18
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Friday, December 17, 2021: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 42:10-18; Hebrews 10:32-39
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Saturday, December 18, 2021: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 66:7-11; Luke 13:31-35
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Sunday, December 19, 2021: Fourth Sunday of Advent – Mic 5:2-5a; Lu 1:46b-55; Heb 10:5-10; Lu 1:39-45
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Monday, December 20, 2021: Psalm 113; Genesis 25:19-28; Colossians 1:15-20
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Tuesday, December 21, 2021: Psalm 113; Genesis 30:1-24; Romans 8:18-30
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:11-22
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Thursday, December 23, 2021: Luke 1:46b-55; Micah 4:6-8; 2 Peter 1:16-21
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Friday, December 24 & 25, 2021: Nativity of the Lord - Proper I
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Friday, December 24 & 25, 2021: Nativity of the Lord - Proper II
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Friday, December 24 & 25, 2021: Nativity of the Lord - Proper III
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Sunday, December 26, 2021: First Sunday after Christmas Day – 1 Sam 2:18-20, 26; Ps 148; Col 3:12-17; Lu 2:41-52
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Monday, December 27, 2021: Psalm 148; Proverbs 8:32-36; John 21:19b-24
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Tuesday, December 28, 2021: Psalm 148; Isaiah 54:1-13; Revelation 21:1-7
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Wednesday, December 29, 2021: Psalm 147:12-20; 1 Chronicles 28:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-17
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Thursday, December 30, 2021: Psalm 147:12-20; 2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Mark 13:32-37
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Friday, December 31, 2021: Psalm 147:12-20; 1 Kings 3:5-14; John 8:12-19
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Saturday, January 1, 2022: Holy Name of Jesus
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Saturday, January 1, 2022: New Year's Day
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Sunday, January 2, 2022: Second Sunday after Christmas Day
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Monday, January 3, 2022: Psalm 72; Job 42:10-17; Luke 8:16-21
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Tuesday, January 4, 2022: Psalm 72; Isaiah 6:1-5; Acts 7:44-53
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Wednesday, January 5, 2022: Psalm 72; Jeremiah 31:7-14; John 1:10-18
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Thursday, January 6, 2022: Epiphany of the Lord