Podcasts about advent rev

Fourth Sunday of Advent | Rev. Danny Bryant | Isaiah 7:10-16 | Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 | Romans 1:1-7 |  Matthew 1:18-25 | December 21st, 2025 | St. Mary of Bethany Parish (Nashville, TN) 

Third Sunday of Advent | Rev. Robin Lovett-Owen | Isaiah 35:1-10 | Luke 1:46b-55 | James 5:7-10 |  Matthew 11:2-11 | December 14th, 2025 | St. Mary of Bethany Parish (Nashville, TN) 

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sermon for December 14, 2025 | Preaching text: Matthew 11:2-11

In this Unitarian Universalist Advent sermon, Rev. Beth Dana invites us into the quiet and often uncomfortable space of waiting. As we light candles and prepare for Christmas, we explore how Advent is less about rushing to joy and more about holding hope in the dark. Through story, tradition, and reflection, this message reminds us that waiting can open our hearts to something new. In a world marked by fear, division, and uncertainty, Advent calls us to break open closed doors and welcome light, peace, and love. This sermon connects the Christmas story to our lives today and encourages us to trust that even when we cannot see it yet, hope is already breaking through.

Support the show

First Sunday of Advent | Rev. Flo Oakes | Isaiah 2:1-5 | Psalm 122 | Romans 13:11-14 |  Matthew 24:36-44 | November 30th, 2025 | St. Mary of Bethany Parish (Nashville, TN) 

Second Sunday of Advent | Rev. Danny Bryant | Isaiah 11:1-10 | Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 | Romans 15:4-13 |  Matthew 3:1-12 | December 7th, 2025 | St. Mary of Bethany Parish (Nashville, TN) 

The season of Advent calls us to repentance, humility, and spiritual readiness and directs us to align our lives with God's purposes even in these times of uncertainty and conflict. Biblical hope enables us to trust and remain faithful while looking forward to the fulfilment of God's redemptive work in Jesus the Messiah.

For the 1st Sunday of Advent Rev. Eric Phillips looks at some common misunderstandings regarding Christ's return and what it really means for us to be prepared for the second advent of Jesus.

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Service Bulletin and Copyright information is available for download at https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/bulletin/

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Service Bulletin and Copyright information is available for download at https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/bulletin/

IntroductionChrist's presence in our midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the God in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with a winnowing fork in hand, is good news—and cause for exultation—for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the thiScripture Reading: Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

Zechariah 3:14-20 December 15, 2022

Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given December 8, 2024 Prayer by David Whitford, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 On the second Sunday in Advent Rev. Marta Flanagan, Lead Minister, will consider what we might learn for ourselves today from Mary's response to the Angel Gabriel. In preparation for Sunday you are welcome to read Luke 1.26-38 and to view the painting “Annunciation,” painted by Raphael Soyer in 1980: https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/annunciation-22746. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Resource Organizing Project. Resource Organizing Project builds stronger movements for justice and liberation in New England with racial, economic, environmental, and gender justice partners. They offer affordable and high quality services, practices, spaces, and pathways that support both interdependence and self-reliance for community self-determination. ROP is endorsed by Episcopal Dioceses and by the Reparations Interfaith Coalition.  The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Service Bulletin and Copyright information is available for download at https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/bulletin/

Service Bulletin and Copyright information is available for download at https://www.emmanuelrockford.org/bulletin/

For the first Sunday of Advent Rev. Brent Russett begins a new series “Finding Jesus”. Scripture is Matthew 25:31-40.

Third Sunday In Advent | Rev. David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

In this third Sunday of Advent Rev. Eric Phillips looks at the ultimate hope we are waiting for and how that impacts our hope and life here and now.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

In this sermon on the 2nd Sunday of Advent Rev. Eric Phillips looks at the importance of how we understand God and its impact on our hope and lives.

December 10th, 2023 | Advent | Rev. James Dickson

Rev. Brent Russett begins a series on the different roles of Jesus revealed in scripture. For this first Sunday of Advent Rev. Russett looks at what it means to give Jesus the prophet access to our life.

January 1st, 2023 | Advent | Rev. Michael Davis

Sunday, December 18, 2022 | 4th Sunday of Advent | Rev. Michelle Matthews preaches the fourth sermon in our Advent series Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on Mary's Magnificat in Luke 2, entitled "Mary's Peace: A Lullaby to Her Son."

For the fourth Sunday of Advent Rev. Kerry Smith explored the love of Advent through the story of Joseph in Matthew 1:18-25.

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Sunday, December 11, 2022 | 3rd Sunday of Advent | Rev. Michelle Matthews writes the third sermon in our Have Yourself a Mary Little Christmas sermon series for the season of Advent, entitled "Mary's Joy Seeing Her Son Grow Up," and Rev. Dirk Wooten preaches it for her while she's at home with the flu.

11th November 2022 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Rev. Carl Smith - Matthew 11:2-11

For the third Sunday of Advent Rev. Brent Russett looks at the Shepherd's fear. Scripture is Luke 2:8-20.

Saturday, December 10, 2022 - Join Global Gospel as we share in the study of God's word.  How many of us know that true believers of Jesus Christ have advantages in life.  If you want to know what they are stay tuned and be blessed!

For week two of Advent Rev. Kerry Smith preached from Matthew 3:1-12. You won't always hear people referred to as "brood of vipers" or "children of snakes," but you will in this week's text! How does that play into a week focused on peace? Check out the sermon and let us know what you think.

For the second Sunday of Advent Rev. Brent Russett looks at Mary's story found in Luke 1:26-38

Sunday, November 27, 2022

For the first Sunday of Advent Rev. Brent Russett will examine Luke 1:5-25 the story of Zechariah. The theme for the Advent series is fear.

27th November 2022 - First Sunday of Advent - Rev. Peter Irwin-Clark - Matthew 24:36-44

During this fourth week of Advent Rev. Victoria Bethel explores the Magnificat of Mary and the implications it still has on today.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler teaches from Matthew 1:18-25

Today's Reading: John 1:19-28Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"  He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." (John 1: 19-20)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I love Advent. I love preaching about John the Baptizer preparing the way of the Lord and preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John knew who he was. He knew his purpose was to point to the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He did not try to ride on Christ's coat tails. He did not try to carve out a higher place for himself. John was confident about two things. He said, "I am not the Christ" and he knew he was not worthy to untie the strap of Jesus' sandals. A very wise pastor once told me there are really only two things one needs to know to be a faithful pastor. The first is that there is one God who forgave your sins through His Son Jesus on the Cross. The second, and most important is, that you are not Him! When we keep that in mind things are easier. Pride often gets us into trouble. Taking pride in your work or your family is a good thing. But pride takes a dangerous turn when we elevate or trust in ourselves. Check out the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. Jesus said of John, "I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John" (Luke 7:28). That is high praise! And yet John did not let that accolade go to his head. John preached repentance, and he preached the Law, so people would see Jesus as their only hope and Savior. John, being the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New, knew who Jesus was. Savior, Redeemer, the perfect and complete sacrifice for your pride and arrogance. He also knew his own sin. He was not worthy to untie Jesus' Converse. John's boldness in preaching and pointing was not to elevate himself. It was to open blind eyes to the reality of sin and death. His preaching pointed to a long hoped-for promise of a Messiah. His preaching brought comfort, comfort to all like us who know our sin and cling confidently to our Savior, His Cross, and our forgiveness. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent)-Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher is pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Black Hawk, SD. He is also the vice president of Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Wesley Church Traditional Sermon (Fourth Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Lindsey Solomon (12/19/2021)

Modern Worship Sermon (Fourth Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Lindsey Solomon (12/19/2021)

On the third Sunday of Advent Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler teaches from Matthew 11:2-10.

Today's Reading: Matthew 11:2-11Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 29:1-14; Jude 1-25Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them."  (Matthew 11:2-6)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Why did John send his disciples to Jesus? Some say he did what any great teacher would do, he sent his students to find the truth. He sent them to be catechized by Jesus. Others say that John was struggling himself. He had been in jail for a year. He was almost certain his life would end there in prison. He had questions, questions for Jesus. A lot of ink has been spilled trying to answer the question of why John sent his disciples. The answer is probably a combination of both. The important thing is not why John did what he did, but what did Jesus do in response? Jesus directed John's disciples, and John and us to look at the evidence. "The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them." Jesus did not direct them to look into their hearts, or at their own emotions. He directed them to see Jesus' authority over disease, dysfunction, doubt, and death. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we vacillate, daily, between a sure and certain hope in Jesus' atoning death on the Cross and saying, "Are you the one to come, or shall we look for another?" Daily we find our hope in what Jesus has done. Our blind eyes read His "Good News" and see His Cross and empty grave. That gives us His peace. Daily our old deaf Adam is drowned when we make the sign of the cross. Through our Baptism our ears are opened by His Spirit to hear His life-giving words of forgiveness for all our sins, including sins of doubt, worry, and fear. Daily our future death would try to rob us of our sure and certain hope. Jesus was in the grave first. It could not hold Him. It cannot hold you.   Your hope is not in "why." It is in what Jesus has done for you! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent)-Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher is pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Black Hawk, SD. He is also the vice president of Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Matthew 1:18-25

Modern Worship Sermon (Third Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Scott Harris (12/12/2021)

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Support the show (http://www.firstpresjax.org)

5th December 2021 - 2nd Sunday of Advent - Rev. Carl Smith - Luke 3:1-6

For the second Sunday of Advent Rev. Brent Russett studies Isaiah 9:2-7. Rev. Russett looks at some of the prophecies about Jesus and their fulfillment.

Modern Worship Sermon (Second Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Scott Harris (12/5/2021)

Wesley Church Traditional Sermon (Second Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Greg Porterfield (12/5/2021)

In this episode, we kick off our advent devotional series with Rev. Brian Gilmer, senior minister at Buncombe Street, to talk about how the "Lights of Advent" series came about. Join us each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through advent for this special devotional series.

First Sunday of Advent (Rev. Barrett Payne)

Modern Worship Sermon (First Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Lindsey Solomon (11/28/2021)

Wesley Church Traditional Sermon (First Sunday of Advent) - Rev. Lindsey Solomon (11/28/2021)

In the final episode about what it means to enter the Advent season at such a time as this, Rachael Clinton Chen invites her husband, the Rev. Michael S. Chen, to engage this question together on the podcast. What follows is a tender, vulnerable conversation about what it means that God came to be present with us in an embodied, vulnerable way, how we can enter into a season of expectant waiting, and how “God with us” meets us in our shame.

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Sunday, December 1, 2019 – First Sunday in Advent – Rev. David Buchs by Concordia Lutheran Church – Fairhaven, MN

Sunday, December 1, 2019 – First Sunday in Advent – Rev. David Buchs by Concordia Lutheran Church – Fairhaven, MN

In this podcast, Rev. James F. Quigley, O.P. '60 offers a homily reflecting on the First Sunday of Advent liturgy. Father Quigley is one of Providence College's two alumni chaplains (along with Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P. '61. Advent and Lenten homilies, provided as a gift to the College community, form a significant part of their substantial outreach efforts. You can learn more by visiting alumni.providence.edu/alumni-chaplaincy.

2016-12-18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Rev. Canon Elizabeth Geitz by Calvary Episcopal Church

2016-12-11 - The Third Sunday of Advent - Rev. Canon Matthew T.L. Corkern by Calvary Episcopal Church

2016-12-04 - The Second Sunday of Advent - Rev. Canon Matthew T.L. Corkern by Calvary Episcopal Church

2016-11-27 - The First Sunday of Advent - Rev. Nate Huddleston by Calvary Episcopal Church