Spring Forth

Second Sunday of Lent  / End of life extravaganza

Marilyn Swanson - pianist / William Grady - Soloist

Music used in this episode under permission of CCLI #2764654

Additional music, produced and edited by William Gentry

© 2021 First Congregational Church of McGregor, Iowa

Pastor Gentry reflects on 500,000 Covid-19 deaths.

Motivation text: Philippians 1:27-30

First Sunday of Lent  / No longer a children's story

Marilyn Swanson - pianist

Music used in this episode under permission of CCLI #2764654

Additional music, produced and edited by William Gentry

© 2021 First Congregational Church of McGregor, Iowa

Ash Wednesday  / Beginning our Lenten Journey

Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways by Mr. Douglas Shaffer - Organist/Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church  in Cedar Falls, Iowa

Music used in this episode under permission of CCLI #2764654

Additional music, produced and edited by William Gentry

© 2021 First Congregational Church of McGregor, Iowa

Transfiguration Sunday  / Preparing for the Lenten Journey

Marilyn Swanson - pianist

Music used in this episode under permission of CCLI #2764654

Additional music, produced and edited by William Gentry

© 2021 First Congregational Church of McGregor, Iowa

Pastor Gentry highlights another useful spiritual practice.

         Breath Prayer

         Scripture References

“whoever enters into God’s rest…strive to enter into that rest” Heb 5:10-11

“Blessed are the poor in spirit" Mat 5:3

“God sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts Gal 4:6

“O God…for you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts” Ps 63:2

“our soul waits for the Lord” Ps 33:20

“better a handful of quietness” Ecc 4:6

“It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.” Lam 325-26

“Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self control” Gal 6:22-23

  “My soul rests in God alone” Ps 62:2

“be still before the Lord; wait for God.” Ps 37:7

“the Spirit of God dwells in you” 1 Cor 3:16

“the Lord is in his holy temple; silence before him” Hab 2:20

“We do not know how to pray … but the Spirit itself intercedes.” Rom 8:26

“I have stilled my soul” Ps 131:2

“be still and know that I am God.” Ps 46:11

“by waiting and calm you shall be saved; in quiet and trust your strength lies” Is 30:15

“think of what is above, not what is on earth” Col 3:2

“for my thoughts are not your thoughts” Is 55:8

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" Ps. 23:1

"...do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God"  Micah 6:8

"perfect love casts out fear" 1 John 4:18

"We love because he first loved us" 1 John 4:19

"Your people shall be my people, and your God my God." Ruth 1:16

"Choose life, that you and your offspring may live" Dt. 30:19

The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany / Removing our infirmities

Additional music, produced and edited by William Gentry

© 2021 First Congregational Church of McGregor, Iowa

Taking our devotions outside.

The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany / Fighting possession

Marilyn Swanson - pianist

"Be Thou My Vision" performed by Linda Luber

Music used in this episode under permission of CCLI #2764654

Additional music, produced and edited by William Gentry

© 2021 First Congregational Church of McGregor, Iowa

What intentions do we have, when we talk to God?

Motivation Text: Luke 18:9 - 14