Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026

Family Ties

Read: 1 Kings 19:11-12

My family’s roots stretch back to the East Coast, where four brothers began their journeys. The two oldest stayed connected to that part of the country through their high school and college years, eventually building successful careers as college professors—one in business, the other in pediatrics.

Peter and I, the younger pair, became the Midwesterners. We built our lives in the Central time zone, shaped by the steadiness and groundedness that the Midwest seems to cultivate. Peter remained in Northwest Indiana, and over the years we grew closer—especially after our mother passed away in 2021 and we were entrusted together as co-executors of her estate.

During that same season, Peter entered a difficult divorce, complete with the emotional turbulence that so often accompanies such transitions. Two of his sons distanced themselves, while his daughter stayed connected. In the midst of it all, I found myself stepping in—sometimes by circumstance, sometimes by a calling. I was present when one of the hardest moments came to a head, and from that point forward I stayed close, listening without judgment, offering steadiness, and walking with him as he rebuilt his life. Today he is moving forward with courage, navigating both challenges and new opportunities.

But the deeper story—the one that reveals God’s quiet, surprising grace—is the bond between Peter and our daughter, Katrina. She lives in Mt. Pleasant, and from childhood she has been his favorite niece, just as he has always been her favorite uncle. Their connection has never been forced; it simply was, and it endured.

Peter is a straight shooter—emotionally, spiritually, and even literally, as a skilled marksman and conservationist through Ducks Unlimited. Katrina’s faith expression differs from his, yet somehow they meet on common ground, finding mutual respect and genuine family affection. Throughout his difficult season, her steady presence became a lifeline—an anchor of encouragement, compassion, and family loyalty.

The Lord works in ways we often don’t anticipate. Sometimes His grace arrives not through grand gestures, but through the quiet constancy of a niece who calls, listens, and loves. Their bond is a reminder that family ties, when nurtured by God’s Spirit, can become sources of healing and hope far beyond our understanding.

Dave DeWitt

Good Friday, April 3, 2026

Finding Joy in Sorrow

Jeremiah 31:13 says, I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

I heard this passage in a broadcast today and discovered the meaning of it. We have experienced several deaths of loved ones recently. Most significant to me, of course, was the loss of my father in October, after watching him struggle to be healed all Summer. Our family lived in a state of frustration while multiple medical teams failed to come up with a diagnosis. We spent months in prayers, discussions, treatments, surgeries, and diagnostic tests too numerous to count until he was in too much pain to continue the fight. The day after he passed the doctor called with a diagnosis – metastatic cancer of the urothelial system. (I only note this for the curious who don’t like to be left in a state of perplexity.)

So, as you can imagine, we spent the entire Summer and Fall already grieving for the man he was just prior to the onset of this journey. He was strong and tough and busy, busy, busy. He cared for the yard, planted a large garden, made their meals, did the shopping, was rebuilding a tractor out in the barn, going to sporting events for the great-grandchildren, planning which car shows to attend... A man who was nowhere close to death – at least not on the outside.

Then came the funeral, and it was amazing. It was a wonderful tribute to a very much-loved man of the community who worked so very hard his whole life and served others in many ways. It was one of those services you walk away from feeling good about, even in your grief. He was nearly 89 years old, yet rather than a sparsely filled funeral home, it was packed! They were running out of space to park vehicles that were heading to the cemetery. The luncheon afterward filled the church basement! There were so many stories and laughter and love shared about my father that it pushed that pain and grief aside and brought us joy. We knew that he had touched several lives beyond our personal family network and left a legacy in many others’ lives as well. That is how God’s presence turns our mourning into gladness, and our sorrow into joy.

Now that I recognize it, I can place it into many scenarios. The daughters whose father was not very present in their lives, but who saw a whole different man in the stories of the people who knew him from work whom he had helped along the way. It took their bitterness away and gave them peace instead. The many young friends of my son, who said they’d be in a bad place if Evan hadn’t spoken to them and helped them turn from a dark path. I knew he was a solid Christian, but I didn’t know he was doing that. It was amazing!

I believe you too have seen this if you reflect upon funerals you have attended. God brings these people to us to tell their stories, to bring us the comfort and joy our loved one brought to them.

Debbie Smith

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026

… but I Can’t Place the Face

Read: James 1:22-25

Are you ever surprised by what you see in the mirror?

I know I am – especially since I stopped wearing glasses a couple of years ago.

Photographs are even more problematic. They can show me what I look like from an angle or point of view that I could never have on my own – and they can be even more surprising than the mirror, if you ask me.

“Is that really what I look like?” I’ve thought that many times as I looked through someone else’s pictures.

James tells us that if we’re not serious about our faith, we’re like someone who looks in the mirror and forgets what he saw once he goes away. Apparently I’m guilty of that, from a physical mirror standpoint, anyway.

What I think James is really getting at, though, is that we are all created in God’s image, and the Bible acts as the mirror to reveal what we really look like, not what we would like to think we do.

It doesn’t really matter much what my hair looks like (or doesn’t, if you know what I mean). It’s much more important that I remember I’m supposed to look like my Father. As David might put it, I’m supposed to live and love like Jesus.

Prayer: Father, help me to remember that I’m supposed to reflect Your Light, Your Grace, Your Love so that when people see me, they give praise to You. May the Holy Spirit work in me to make me more like Jesus every day. In His blessed Name, Amen

Charlie van Becelaere

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Leave Your Land

Read: Genesis 12:1-4a

The LORD said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing” – Genesis 12:1-2, CEB

“Leave your land…” The first words of Genesis 12 immediately catch our attention. In the aftermath of the Tower of Babel, God chooses to covenant with Abram. God does so, because it is God’s choice. Abram is unaware of this call until it occurs. He has lived his life without any inkling of such a possibility. For the people of Abram’s time, you were born in your family’s land. You lived in your family’s land. You died and were buried in your family’s land. But God is a God of new opportunities. God is a God of change. And here now, God is calling Abram to a new land, a land where his descendant would live to become a great nation and be a blessing to others. It seems almost too good to be true, except for the “having to leave my family and my family’s land” part. That may be difficult. Also, Sarah, his wife, doesn’t know anything about this yet. This will lead to an interesting dinner conversation.

And, this may be important, too. They’re old, and they’re childless. When their family and friends look at them, they don’t exactly see “future” in them.

But here’s the thing… God sees the future in them and through them, and that, my friends, is enough. So, it begs the question: What does God see in us that we can’t see yet? How might a future blessing be unfolding among us and through us? When God calls, will we be able to say “Yes” like Abram and Sarah?

Prayer: God of new possibilities, God of new ways, may we never trap ourselves in the status quo. Give us a vision to see the future blessings that you will be unleashing through us. Give us the courage to trust you and your holy way, even when You call us into new experiences, new learnings, and new places. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Rev. David Eardley

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Sharing Grace and Compassion

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14

Over the last 18 months we have been the recipients of abundant prayer and support through Kathy's medical journey. In both the love of our GPUMC family, other friends, and a network of medical professionals who have cared for her, I truly feel we have been the luckiest people on the planet.

I hope we can spread that same spirit going forward to those of you who have challenging journeys.

Prayer: I offer this prayer to thank each and every person who has shared a kind word or any expression of support. It meant more than you might imagine.
Please help me to share that grace and compassion going forward in all aspects of my life.
In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Greg Gardner

Monday, March 30, 2026

Spreading Cheer

“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” – Proverbs 17:22

Our church has a group of ladies who are the United Methodist Women Cheer Committee. You might be wondering how our committee works. There is no special training needed, just a loving heart. We are a unique ministry that sends cards and makes visits to those who are shut-in and home-bound or may have an extended illness. We also like to recognize birthdays or special events.

This ministry became even more special when one group member (Cathy Cupples) said she would design and make custom cards for us to send. They are spectacular cards.

For Valentine’s Day we prepare Valentine Cheer Bags for church family shut-ins and for the residents of Boulevard Temple Continuing Care Center in Detroit. Our Sunday School children help us in spreading cheer by making loving messages to include in the Cheer Bags. The content of the bags ranges from sweet and savory treats to room decor and hand cream.

These cheer bags brighten their day and remind them they are cared for and not forgotten. A brief visit when the bag is delivered is like sunshine on these cold, winter days. A good thought to keep in mind when you can’t find the sunshine, is to be the sunshine.

Cheerfulness is not only therapeutic for the recipient but also the giver. Mark Twain said: “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up.” A cheerful heart makes you a better person and helps you live a life of Christian service. You may not be a doctor, minister, or a therapist but with a cheerful heart you can be like good medicine.

We welcome anyone to join our group of Cheer Spreaders.

Prayer: Heavenly Father keep us mindful of the amazing opportunities you have given us to brighten someone’s life with a small act of cheer. I follow the example of Jesus when I serve others. Amen.

Pat Deck

Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026

A Place of Joy

One evening, my eight-year-old daughter Lula had two of her closest friends over for dinner. The three third-grade girls were sitting around our kitchen table, giggling and going back and forth about Messi vs. Ronaldo…very serious opinions being shared. My six-year-old, Majid, was also at the table, listening and trying to chime in as much as he could.

As they continued their conversation, I called out from the other room that after dinner I’d need to take the girls home.

Right on cue:
“Nooooo!”
“We want to keep playing!”
“Can we just stay later?”
“Pleeeease!!”

I told them it was already kind of late and that Lula and Majid had church in the morning.

One of the friends announced, “church is boring” and the other friend added, “I don’t like going to church.”

There was a brief, quiet pause at the table. Followed by Lula proudly announcing to her friends, “Our church is really fun!”

Majid then added, “Yeah, we even have a church garden with Farmer Don!”

Lula continued, “All our Sunday School teachers let us play games. And during third-grade Bible class, Ms Emily would hang out on the floor with us. We have so much fun.”

Majid jumped back in “Our pastor even tells sports jokes during church and everyone laughs!”

Both friends were listening intently. One of them replied, “My church is not like that.”

The other friend then asked Lula, “Can we come with you to church sometime?” Second friend excitedly adds, “Yeah, I want to go to your church too!”

Lula’s response was simple: “Everyone is welcome!”

Majid then proudly wrapped up the conversation with, “Oh you guys…and guess what?! After Sunday School we get COOKIES!!”

Listening from the other room, my heart swelled. In that moment, I reflected on how incredibly blessed we are to be part of a church family that embraces children so fully…where faith is taught with laughter, where learning happens with games and sometimes on the floor beside caring teachers, where a church garden with Farmer Don becomes holy ground, and where even sports jokes from the pulpit remind kids that church is a place of joy.

God’s work is so often most visible in the quiet, ordinary moments. It shows up in the patience of Sunday School teachers, the dedication of volunteers, the creativity of those who build youth programs, and the warmth of a congregation that says, “Everyone is welcome.”

This Lent, I am deeply grateful for a church family that nurtures young faith so intentionally. I am grateful that youth are encouraged to feel God’s love being lived out through games, gardens, cookies, kindness, and community. I am grateful that our church is truly a place of belonging and that my children want to proudly share that with their friends.

Ashley Deeb