Devotional Messages

Devotional for May 17, 2023: Devotional | Who’s a Mama? Where’s a Fire? How does Jesus address women, and where’s the best place for a fire, or a candle? A few verses from the 8th chapter of St. Luke have Mary Gay McKinney wondering.

Devotional for April 26, 2023: Devotional | Easter Attitude Adjustment. Join Mary Gay McKinney in pondering just why she ended up laughing in church on Easter Sunday.

Devotional for March 15, 2023: Devotional | Overlooked, Noticed or Welcomed. After the Welcoming Skits and Pastor Rob’s message on the first Sunday in March, Rev. Mary Gay McKinney pondered a big fail, and a time when a welcome brought a ~ surprise?!

Devotional for March 1, 2023: Who’s Your Lenten INFLUENCER? Becoming a successful influencer is a big deal, one way to make $$, and lots of it. Join retired pastor Mary Gay McKinney, for her monthly devotional. She ponders who and what influence US.

Devotional for January 2023: Adopted? Really? St. Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians with a note about who’s been adopted into Jesus’ family. On Christmas night Rev. Mary Gay McKinney had a surprise lesson in what this can mean. Join her as she shares.

Devotional for December 2022: It’s December! What’s one of YOUR Favorite Carols? Occasionally we sing a Christmas carol in some other month of the year. Mostly we sing carols in December and early January. Join Rev. Mary Gay McKinney as she tells of one of her favorites, and how and when she first heard it.

Devotional for November 23, 2022: One of the Bible’s intriguing “one liners” is a word about the threefold cord. What is it, and can we as people of faith be known for OUR threefold cord? Join retired pastor Mary Gay McKinney in pondering what we’re known for as followers of Jesus.

Devotional for October 12, 2022: It’s easy to let fear take hold. Our fears are different from those of ancient people. Still, we have them. They give us all the more reason to stick close to Christ and His Church! Join Mary Gay McKinney, retired pastor who makes UMCG her home, in walking today from fear into the healing ways of Jesus.

Devotional for September 7, 2022: When September began Pastor Rob shared his #HotSummerRecap. Mary Gay McKinney reflects on how she wants to and how we might respond to the good news he shared.

Devotional for August 31, 2022: As she transitions from staff to active volunteer, Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care, realizes she can’t ask “What Next?” without praying.

Devotional for August 24, 2022: If someone could return from the dead and tell their story, what might they tell us? Join our Coordinator of Congregational Care, Mary Gay McKinney, as she imagines what one woman who’s had that experience might say.

Devotional for August 17, 2022: Presence is an expansive word. Jesus is an expansive presence. Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care as she explores how the word and the WORD come together.

Devotional for August 10, 2022: Who me?! Who you?! Have an elevator speech ready? Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care in considering St. Peter’s elevator speech as an inspiration for ours.

Devotional for August 3, 2022: Words and how we use them change over time. What could it mean that Jesus appoints us? What are we appointed to do and to be? Join our Coordinator of Congregational Care, Mary Gay McKinney, as she ponders and celebrates the hope from Jesus that does not disappoint!

Devotional for July 27, 2022: Jesus gave nicknames to James and his brother John. The gospels give us clues as to why he called them the Sons of Thunder. Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care in pondering what nickname Jesus might have for us.

Devotional for July 20, 2022: Our scriptures from time to time remind us that we were born “for such a time as this.” Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care who is pondering John’s challenge from last Sunday as to who and what we want to be in these times in which we live.

Devotional for July 13, 2022: Misunderstandings and resentments crop up when plans aren’t clear, and when we’re fearful of bringing things up. Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care as she ponders what might have happened if two women had had the conversation BEFORE dinner.

Devotional for July 6, 2022: We celebrate the ways our congregation helps others. Maybe we’re a Good Samaritan congregation in some ways. Individually, how ready are we to be good Samaritans in small ways or large? Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care, as she remembers someone who, like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ story, proved neighbor to her son.

Devotional for June 29, 2022: Talking with strangers might not be a good idea for children, but when is talking WITH them a thing for adults? Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care in riffing on what Pastor Rob, Philip, Paul and Peter model for us.

Devotional for June 22, 2022: A Swedish Devotion is here, and Swedish DAYS are just around the corner!
Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care as she attempts to speak Swedish and share a saying beloved to the Swedes. Seems fitting, with Swedish Days about to begin in Geneva! Hope to see you there!

Devotional for June 15, 2022: Opposite of Welcome
It’s usually easy to figure out the opposite of something, but what about when it isn’t? Join Mary Gay McKinney, our Coordinator of Congregational Care as she explores an unlikely opposite mentioned in the 18th chapter of St. Matthew’s gospel.