Kent United Methodist Church
We joyfully embrace God's acceptance and love of all people.
Kent United Methodist Church
We joyfully embrace God's acceptance and love of all people.
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Outside of Holy Week, Advent and Christmas are my favorite times of the year. Advent marks the arrival of winter steelhead throughout the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. This alone gives me joy! Yet there’s a more powerful pull to winter’s magic in my life. My childhood wasn’t always easy but I was raised with the wonder of this season of light in the darkness and the stories about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and magi, Gabriel and choirs of angels, and the star that shows the way. The stories around the birth of Jesus lit my imagination. Add in decorations, Santa, and presents and you have a powerful mix for childhood nostalgia.
The first advent and the birth of Jesus have always been about God coming into a world of woe. Jesus’ parents and his people were struggling under the burdens and the brutality of the Roman Empire. Beneath the surface of the stories about my favorite Bible characters was a level of trauma and hurt I hadn’t seen before. They hunger and hope for something just out of reach, something seemingly impossible. Their hope sprang from an ancient promise God had made to their ancestors – a promise of freedom, of self-determination, of shared prosperity and communal care for the vulnerable – something Jesus later called the kingdom of God on earth.
Concerns about enough to eat, crushing debt, no room at the inn, eviction, and a shrinking social safety net sound familiar and recognizable to us today. When we discover the harsh economic realities of first century Palestine, the brutality of Roman rule, the violence on the streets of Jerusalem driven by Herod’s fear and his desperate grip on power then the stories of Advent and the Christmas pageant sound more relevant and real for our 21st century lives.
This isn’t an alarm I’m sounding but an honest reminder that our Bible stories of Advent and Christmas are more real than we sometimes dare to believe. So is Jesus’ teaching about mercy and justice, about generosity and forgiveness, about reconciliation and salvation. I think he might have been serious about the Godly revolution that he called the kingdom of God.
Once again, the sanctuary is decorated. Beginning this week, we will light the candles and read the stories once more. If you let your eyes dilate and heart open wide enough you will still feel the magic of Christmas. Whatever joy and wonder you may remember from your childhood is still within reach. Just beyond that, this year I pray that we will all prepare ourselves for the truly life- and world-changing nature of the gift of God born in a stable, whose parents flee as refugees to a foreign land.
I am once again honored to walk the road with you to Bethlehem!
Pastor Jim
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Advent is traditionally a season of waiting for God to come into our lives, but we can’t wait any longer. The world needs to see Jesus in us, to hear God speak through us, and to experience our irrepressible Hope, our unstoppable Peace, our indestructible Joy, and our total surrender to Love. Join us this Advent to discover how the humble child born to Mary wants to change your life and, through you, change the world!
November 30
1st Sunday in Advent
The Heart of God—Compassion & Mercy
Lamentations 3:46-57 and Luke 2:1-5December 7
2nd Sunday in Advent
The Word that Breaks the Silence
Luke 1:5-25 and 57-80December 14
3rd Sunday in Advent
The Lowly Will Be Raised Up
Luke 1:26-56December 21
4th Sunday in Advent
Changed by Love
Matthew 1:18-25December 24
Christmas Eve Worship at 7 PM
Seek the Newborn King
Luke 2:1-20December 28
Guest Preacher: Brian Grassley
Pick up Your Advent Devotional
Please pick up your ‘A Different Kind of Christmas’ Advent devotional in the narthex following worship.
Every year, we say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season-Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, the children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration.
This book of devotional readings is designed to draw your entire family into closer fellowship with God as you respond to this Christmas season and the call of God to live generously all year round. The devotional includes thirty short readings, Scripture, prayer, and stories about helping others at Christmas.
This Advent devotional accompanies our Advent study, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday by Mike Slaughter.
If you are unable to attend worship in person on either November 23 or November 30, you may contact the church office at (253) 852-3900 or general@kentmethodist.com beginning December 1, and we will get a copy to you
Giving Opportunities this Advent
With federal budget cuts, the possible delay in SNAP benefits, the potential for huge increases in healthcare premiums, and the closure of KentHOPE and Catholic Community Services-Kent, which are significantly impacting the homeless situation, the need in our community is more urgent than ever. In light of these situations, Outreach has made some changes to our Giving Tree this year.
Christmas Pageant, “Breathing Life into Hope”
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Our children and youth will share this year’s Christmas Pageant, “Breathing Life into Hope,” during worship on Sunday, December 14. This year, our young people are exploring how God breathed life into the first person, and that breath, or the spirit of God, guided the patriarchs, inspired the prophets, and was fully revealed to us through the birth and teachings of Jesus. Now we carry forward that breath of God, as we are the body of Christ in the world today.
After the service, join us in the fellowship hall for lunch and hands-on activities in Bethlehem Village.
Please plan to attend and invite your family and friends to join you!
Christmas Bazaar
Sunday, December 7, 2025
KUMC’s Peace by Piece Quilt Guild is holding their annual Christmas Bazaar on December 7, following the worship service.
Among the items offered are: Ice Cream Cozies, Table Runners, Potholders, Tea Towels, Bags, Stockings, Ornaments, Aprons, Quilts, and Pillow Cases. Come and do a little shopping for these handmade treasures.
Join Us for Christmas Eve Worship, December 24 @ 7:00 PM
We will share beautiful carols, candles, and an uplifting message as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
2026 Giving Campaign
Please join us to prayerfully consider your part in the ministry of Kent United Methodist Church. Your faithful giving supports the work God is doing in and through this church: worship, outreach, discipleship, missions, and care for those in need. Our three big goals this year are providing cost-of-living increases for our terrific staff team, fully funding the upkeep for our buildings and grounds, and continuing our amazing and uplifting ministry programs.
With winter coming, here are a few things to know...
Worship—If worship is canceled due to a power outage or weather event, we will do our best to communicate that by sending an email and posting it on our website.
Power Outages—to find out if the church might be closed due to a power outage, use the PSE Power Outage Map at
pse.com/en/outage/outage-map.
Weather-related Closures—the church office follows the Kent School District guidelines for weather-related closures
(kent.k12.wa.us/page/school-closures-delays).
We love having you with us in worship, but your well-being is our priority. Please do whatever you need to do to stay safe.
Creation Care Commitment
We, the Kent United Methodist Church, commit to continuing to decrease our carbon footprint as measured by the EPA Portfolio Manager metrics to attain the goal of becoming an Energy Star Building by the year 2030. The measurements include our use of electricity, gas, water, and disposal of garbage, recycling, and compost.
Energy Star Score for 2019—30 for 2022—43 for 2023— 59
Energy Star Target Goal: 75 by the year 2030
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