McGregor Podcast

Sin is attractive precisely because it doesn't show you what it costs.

In this Beyond the Notes teaching, Elder Peter Finch opens Hebrews 3:13 to examine what the Bible means by the "deceitfulness of sin." He traces three specific lies sin tells — that it is a logical conclusion, that it is a reward you deserve, and that it leads to freedom — and sets each of them against what Scripture actually says. Drawing from John 8, Romans 6, and the parable of the prodigal son, Peter shows that sin always promises liberation and delivers bondage.

This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why sin is so hard to walk away from, and what it actually means to be free. Peter closes with three grounded steps from Hebrews 3: make sure you know the Lord, stay in Scripture, and stay in Christian community with people who will tell you the truth.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

The Psalms Series

"Worship and Warning"

In Psalm 95, Elder Peter Finch draws us into the full picture of biblical worship. The psalm opens with a call to exuberant, communal singing before a God who is supreme Creator and sovereign Redeemer. But it does not stay there. The second half carries a serious warning: do not let your worship be disconnected from a surrendered heart. Using the wilderness failures of Israel at Meribah and Massah, Elder Peter traces what it looks like when God's people harden their hearts against His voice, and what it costs them.

The takeaway is both sobering and freeing. Worship and obedience are not two separate things. They flow from the same source. And today, if you hear His voice, the invitation is still open.

Sermon Notes

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

What does it look like when an entire church family changes at once?

On this week's Around McGregor, Mark Bricker, Tamar Miller, and Christian Miller recap McGregor's first Sunday worshiping in Fellowship Hall as the Renew Phase 2 renovation gets underway. They talk through new parking patterns, tighter seating, and the small moments that made the morning memorable, including one kid who swapped his missing pew Bible and pencil for a marker board. They also cover the life groups who stayed after the service to reset the room in 20 minutes so operations could be ready Monday morning. And they note that Psalm 84 was not an accidental choice for that first Sunday in a new space.

From there the conversation moves forward: four new Joining Together midweek courses start this Wednesday, including Dr. Jonathan Bowman teaching on the history and hope of revival in America. The South Asia mission trip informational meeting is today right after the last service. The Preschool and Children's Choir Spring Concert is April 26. The member meeting moves to May 3 with a new time. And the 8th Annual Church Golf Tournament lands on May 16 at Forest Country Club.

If you want to know what is happening at McGregor right now, this is where to start.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

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"The Doxology" (Jude 24-25)

In Jude's closing two verses, the tone shifts from correction to praise. After six weeks of warning his audience about the danger of trusting their own wisdom, their own strength, and their own version of faith, Jude ends with a doxology: a word of glory directed at the only God who is actually able. [SPEAKER NAME] walks through what that word "able" really means, and why it is the most stabilizing truth a believer can hold.

The teaching covers God's sovereignty as the foundation of every promise He makes, the specific Greek word Jude uses for "keep" in verse 24 (a word that implies being guarded from the inside, not just from external threat), and what it means that Christ will present us blameless before His Father with joy. Not reluctantly. Not barely. With joy. That Christ endured the cross with joy because of who He was purchasing is not a small thing, and this teaching does not let it pass quickly.

Whether you have been walking through Jude from week one or are joining the series here at the close, this episode is for anyone who knows that their greatest spiritual threat is not what comes at them from the outside, but what rises up from within.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com New to McGregor? Plan a visit at mcgregor.net/plan-a-visit

Psalms - Songs of the King

"A Psalm For The Journey"

(Psalm 84)

What does it mean to stand before God and give an account?

In this Beyond the Notes episode, Pastor Russell Howard opens in Psalm 84:7 and brings that ancient pilgrim language into conversation with 2 Corinthians 5:6-11. He walks through five affirmations Paul makes to believers, covering the source of Christian courage, the reality of death and what comes immediately after, the aim to please Christ in daily life, and the nature of the judgment seat of Christ. He also addresses a common translation question about the word rendered "evil" in 2 Corinthians 5:10, explaining why "worthless" or "empty" more accurately reflects what Paul intended.

The judgment seat of Christ is not a courtroom for heaven and hell. It is a stewardship review. This episode helps listeners understand what that means, why it matters, and how to live with more focus and faithfulness because of it.

April 12, 2026

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Psalms - Songs of the King

"A Psalm For The Journey"

(Psalm 84)

In this episode of the McGregor Podcast, Russell Howard unpacks Psalm 84, exploring Jesus as the Chosen Servant who embodies gentle grace and brings global glory. Discover how Jesus navigated conflict, extended compassion to the hurting, and sought to fulfill the Father’s will above all. Russell Howard challenges listeners to reflect Christ’s patience, faithfulness, and gentleness in their own lives. Tune in for practical applications and encouragement to trust God’s sovereign and gracious purposes, even in the midst of life’s trials.

Sermon Notes

April 12, 2026

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Easter Sunday afternoon, the worship center transformation began. By Monday morning, the construction crews were already inside.

On the April 12 episode of Around McGregor, hosts Mark Bricker, Tamar Miller, and Christian Miller record from inside the construction zone on McGregor's first Sunday in Fellowship Hall. They walk through the full logistics of the transition: where to park, how the new valet entrance works, which nine life groups relocated and where, and how the Fellowship Hall projector setup (upgraded with equipment from the worship center) is making a difference for ministries already. They also talk through the Renew Phase 2 social media coverage, including the renovation Reel that became one of the most viewed in McGregor's history.

Beyond the renovation, this episode covers VBS 2026 Rainforest Falls volunteer recruitment at the Main Street table, the Arizona family mission trip informational meeting happening today after the last service in F130, the South Asia mission trip informational meeting next Sunday April 19 in F153, a prospective member class today in the Joy Annex library, and spring adult discipleship courses starting April 22 including a women's study through Colossians, a men's study through Micah, a midweek doctrinal study on the holiness of God, and an elective on revival in American church history. If you are navigating your first Sunday in the new space or just getting your bearings on everything McGregor has going this spring, this episode covers the ground.

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026

How do we fight for the faith when the world pushes back — and false teaching is everywhere? In this week's Midweek Bible Study from the Book of Jude, we work through Jude 17–23 and find a clear game plan for contending for the faith right where God has placed you.

Whether you're a business owner, a teacher, a plumber, or a retiree — you have a platform, and you have a testimony. This passage gives every believer four practical ways to stand firm, finish strong, and show mercy to those around them.

Journey Together, from our Midweek Bible Study: "Book of Jude" - 4.8.26

Taught by Mike Hess.

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What does hope actually look like when nothing is going your way?

In this episode of the McGregor Podcast, Russell Howard unpacks Job 19:23–29 — exploring the hope of a living Redeemer in the midst of suffering and loss. Discover how Job's ancient declaration of faith points forward to Jesus and forward to lasting, resurrection hope. Russell Howard challenges listeners to trust God's sovereign and gracious purposes, even in the midst of life's trials.

Sermon Notes | April 5, 2026

Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026