Friday, March 20, 2026

A Prayerful Face

Read: Psalm 27: 7-8

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek His Face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” – Psalm 27: 8

Whenever I pray and direct my prayers to Jesus, I try to see a recognizable face of Jesus to make my prayer experience a little more personal and intimate. I can’t. If I’m praying to God the Father, I’m comfortable praying to God as Spirit. No need to see a face.

For me, what drives my need to see a face of Jesus in my prayers is a Biblical teaching that Jesus is fully human and fully divine. I seek a face for that fully human nature. I haven’t found that face yet, but I keep seeking.

When you pray, do you seek or see a face to converse with? If not, then who or what do you see or sense in prayer?

Prayer: Lord, I seek your face in personal prayer with you. I know I will see your face in the course of time, but a reassuring glimpse now would be a true comfort on my journey until then. Amen.

Mike Bernhardt

Prayer Focus: Seeking Jesus in my prayers.

Thursday, March 19, 2026

The Gift of Memories

"I consider the days of old, and remember the years of long ago." – Psalm 77:5

It was one of those gorgeous summer nights. Lake St. Clair spread out like a rumpled satin sheet gleaming in the moonlight under diamond chips of stars set in a black velvet sky. It was around midnight, and my husband Kelly couldn't sleep. I suggested we walk down to our patio which fronts the lake and sit awhile taking in the peace and splendor of the evening, watching the lights from the freighters and other boats as they crisscrossed the water. We were about ten years into our marriage at this point and Kelly's health was steadily deteriorating. He began to avoid socializing and seemed to find comfort in sometimes sitting by the lake with me when no one else was around.

We had a wonderful time. We talked about everything – how we met, our first "real" date (on Valentine's Day and one day before I formally joined GPUMC). Our crazy, last minute, thrown together wedding; the reception we had the following summer in the mountains of Pennsylvania. A family cruise we had taken. We talked about friends and family members that had passed away and the fun times we had experienced with those who were living. We talked about sailing and fishing – favorite pastimes for both of us. We relived the happy times we had shared – volunteering at the Great Lakes Maritime Center, weekend trips, buying our first home, then our second. All the crazy pranks he pulled on me; Kelly was quite the comedian and I was quite the easy mark for all his gags.

Suddenly I looked up at the sky and was a bit alarmed. It looked weird – and the color was rapidly changing to a slate gray – I thought maybe a major storm was brewing. Then the truth hit me – we had stayed up and talked all night! It hadn't occurred to us to look at a watch and concern ourselves with the time. The gray faded and dawn began to break – and it was a breathtaking dawn – with whorls of deep coral streaking across a robin's egg blue sky.

I was to recall that night many times during those first long years that stretched out before me after Kelly's death four years later. What a wonderful blessing that after ten years of marriage, we were still so in love and had so much to share that we stayed up all night reminiscing against the backdrop of that beautiful night and blissful dawn! I believe it was yet another of God's many mercies that I was gifted with such a lovely memory to comfort me during the difficult time to come!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to see that Your blessings are not just gifts received at specific points in time, but are continuous through memory of them and the comfort and faith in Your goodness they inspire. Amen.

Joyce Reynolds

Prayer Focus: Those who have recently lost a spouse.

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

An Ode to Oliver and Cooper
(Things Our Little Ones Teach Us)

Read: Psalm 139:13-16, 1 Corinthians 12:4-12

I always say God knew what He was doing by sending me Oliver first.
I had no idea what I was doing, but he brought a sense of peace to everything we did.

Oliver has never been a stereotypical boy in the way of scaling walls or jumping in muddy puddles.
His protection and love are gentle.

I’ve had the privilege of watching him become a big brother twice, and the way he cares for his people is so natural, instinctive, and kind.

Through loving Oliver, I’m reminded that society doesn’t decide who we are. God creates us to be exactly who we are. And living that out with certainty – especially when it looks different than expected – shows courage and strength.

Cooper is only two, so you could say we’re still getting to know each other. Who knows who Cooper will become as he grows. Of course, who we are as toddlers is not who we are at 12 or 20 or beyond.

But today, he is enthusiastic and alive, and along for any ride. He wants to be present. He never wants to miss a thing. And dare I say, he is a stereotypical boy – usually climbing a wall or a piece of furniture.

But through his siblings, he is learning a gentle kind of love and kindness.

Through loving Cooper, I’m reminded that God’s love comes in endless forms – quiet and loud, steady and wild, gentle and bold.

And through loving Oliver and Cooper, I’m reminded that no two hearts are the same –
yet each one reflects God in its own way.
In their quiet gentleness and joyful energy, I see again and again that we are all created with purpose, and called to love one another with tender, serving hearts

Emily Bianchi

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Patience and Gratitude

Romans 15:5 states: “Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind…”

My recent foot surgery taught me a great deal about patience, relying on the help of others, and finding gratitude in these moments.

I am an independent person, hate asking for help, and like to establish my own timelines. Boy, did I learn how important it is to have friends and loved ones who rally to support you! My sister put her life on hold for over a week to wait on me. Wonderful meals were delivered by friends and family. I had to be non-weight bearing for four weeks. THAT was a challenge. There are so many tiny aspects to life that require the use of both feet. Thankfully my home is all on one level. I used a knee scooter to navigate and these factors made a huge difference. But when it came to leaving my home, it was a production to navigate one step down into the garage or front porch-and then reverse it when I returned home. I had to rely on family or friends to take me places until I could drive. Once I had clearance to use my foot in a boot, it was much easier and I felt full of gratitude for the simplicity of that “step” (no pun intended) toward normalcy. Another four weeks and I could wear shoes again and walk fairly well. I am now in physical therapy and feeling stronger every day.

But this isn’t just a health report. It’s taking stock of my blessings, too. Sure, this whole process was inconvenient and sometimes uncomfortable – but the love and support I would never have known otherwise was overwhelming. How lucky I am to have a community of caring people in my life! The physical help, the emotional cheering for recovery, and the prayers all contributed to this beautiful awareness. We can live our lives day to day without much thought to what fills our souls with joy, gratitude – until we are faced with a challenge. So, when we find ourselves facing a speed bump on this road of life, let’s pause and allow ourselves to feel the love of God and his angels on Earth, and take stock in what really matters. In this season of Lent and the preparation for Easter, I am thankful for all that fills my life with love and peace.

Marcia Wright

Monday, March 16, 2026

Called Back

Read Psalm 25:4-5

David and I took a trip to Ludington last Fall with the dogs. It’s a charming little town with beautiful views of Lake Michigan and its dunes. We were looking for somewhere that we could let our dogs, Jax and Scout, off-leash for some doggie fun time, and were directed about 20 miles out of town to Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.

There were some great hiking trails that ended up at the Lake Michigan shoreline. The hike was through a lovely forested area, and Scout had a wonderful time leaping around and sniffing everything. He especially liked tearing through the woods off the path and rooting through the underbrush searching for critters. Jax, older and wiser, stayed by our side and followed the trail, but Scout would completely disappear for a while when he caught a scent that interested him. We would call for him repeatedly, and eventually he seemed to always find his way back, even though the route was often circuitous.

Our Christian journey can be similar. Sometimes we follow the path, but often we stray and need to be called back. If we listen carefully, God will always find a way to remind us of our true mission of living out the Gospel of Jesus and bring us back to the righteous path.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings including those pets we love. Help us to follow your way of light and love even when we lose our way. Amen.

Sue DeWitt

Sunday, March 15, 2026

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Our family joined GPUMC in 1985. We immediately joined the choir and made friends with Heidi and Charlie Van Becelaere and Dave and Sue DeWitt. The next Sunday Lisa Thomas asked if I knew how to make lasagna. I said of course. She then asked if I coule make it for 100!

Thus began the lifelong friendships we have cherished. Our children were close in age but attended different schools. They bonded together and their friendships continue to be an important part of their lives.

We started camping together the week after school started and 38 years later, we are still camping on that weekend with more friends and grandchildren. We supported Lisa as she helped organize the first trip to Lake Louise some 35 years ago. Heidi and Charlie shepherded our children through years of youth group helping to guide them through middle and high school. Dave Thomas was always there with support and a smile during all our activities. The ladies were part of the girl crew that painted the hallways, office, pastor and associate pastor’s offices, and the Wesley Room so that new flooring could be laid after the new sanctuary was built.

We have vacationed together, attend work camps, VIM trips, and other church activities. Exploring frying turkeys, homemade corn dogs, angel food cake, wedge salad, and other culinary delights were not only tasty but fun. We have supported each other through toilet training, school activities, illnesses, and crisis involving our children, the passing of our parents, and continue to celebrate our love for each other.

I became ill this past May and had a stay at the hospital, the first in 42 years that shocked us all. Naturally, my beloved Fred, sister Nancy, our boys, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren came to my aid with support, house cleaning, and meals through July. My greatest gift was without asking Lisa stepped in with her nursing skills so that Fred could go back to work and she assisted with steps and showers, treats and compassion. Sue came with our favorite tuna sandwiches and spent time with me sharing stories and listening to my story. She also babysat me when I could not be alone. Heidi and Charlie shared homemade Angel Food Cake made by their daughter-in-law, Mariam, and brought communion. Heidi confessed the real reason they came over was to “see my face.”

We do not see each other as regularly as we used to since our children got married and some grandchildren arrived to take up our time. For sure when the time arises and we need each other we are still there. There have been many blessings since becoming part of this church and I am grateful for these special friends. We would have never met if it were not for attending this church.

 

Lynn Van de Putte

Saturday, March 14, 2026

And it was good.

"God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the Earth. – Genesis 1:28

My joke about Genesis, Chapter 1: If God didn't create humans until the sixth day, who was there on days one through five taking notes? I'll let the theologians investigate that while I just enjoy the beauty of the language, its epic sweep, the parsing of the entire universe into just a few component parts – and of course the eternal contrast between darkness and light.

Although the whole first chapter is a good read, this verse really speaks to me about some of the greatest challenges to humans on planet Earth. When you consider how we have poisoned parts of the planet, packed more punch into hurricanes and wildfires by warming the oceans, and failed to completely corral COVID 19 and its variants (not to mention measles), we might reasonably argue humans have "dominion," i.e., the power to affect "every living thing," but as I recall looking over the complete elimination of New Orleans neighborhoods by Katrina, or seeing the destruction of the Palisades Fire, it would be a stretch to say we have "subdued" the natural world around us.

So I read this passage of Genesis as a grant of stewardship, that is, both power and responsibility. We are capable to subdue or to nurture. Our stewardship gives us choices to create as well as to destroy. We should make those choices carefully, because:
"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good." – Genesis 1:31

Bob Rossbach