March 31, 2015

Humility

Read Philippians 2: 5-11

Humble. Humility. Humiliation. All three words come from the Latin root: humus. It means “dirt”…the soil, the rich earth out of which things grow. The word humiliation is related…to be humiliated is to be brought back down to the Earth. The word humble also finds its meaning in this root word. Humble people may take their life’s work very seriously, but they take themselves lightly.

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Think for a moment if that were the only verse of Scripture available to you for meditation. Take everything you think, believe, and understand about yourself, the world, even the way you form opinions and decisions and set them aside. Now, “take up the mind of Christ Jesus.” Conform and mold all that you are after Christ’s way of thinking.

Paul says Christ “emptied himself; did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited; and took on humanity in the form of a slave.” What a change Christ made for the sake of the whole world…salvation. Paul does not talk about what a good teacher Jesus was or about the miracles he performed, or anything that might distract from the essential message: Christ was God; he humbled himself to humanity and then to death as an ultimate gift of self-denial for our sake.

In this season of Lent, may we be open to reflect on our understanding of humility. How might the practice of humility enrich our life of faith? What role might it play in our speech, our actions, our decisions, our lifestyle and our relationships? Who might benefit from our gift of servanthood in the name of Christ? Paul offers some answers in verses 1-4 of this same chapter.

Rev. Judy May

March 30, 2015

Our Affirmation

Read Affirmations in the Hymnal #880-889

The following is an affirmation written by the children who attend Children's Church.

We believe in God.

We believe in Love.

We believe in our families.

We believe that God is watching over us and loves us.

We believe that Jesus was God's son.

We believe that three days after Jesus died, he rose from the dead and went to Heaven.

We believe that we are children of God and are part of God's family.

We believe that we should act like Jesus acted.

We should be nice to everybody and not push anybody.

We should love other people and show our love.

We can light the way for others to see God's love by being nice and loving.

We love God and Jesus and each other.

Amen.

Dear God, Help us to act the way Jesus acted, and help us to always keep believing in You and Your love. Amen.

Show what you believe so others can believe too.

Children's Church, 2002-2003

March 29, 2015 - Palm Sunday

Loved, Cherished, and Accepted

Read: UMH #560

My sign-language teacher has experienced much discrimination and adversity in her life. She has been deaf since birth and grew up during a time when there were few services and little societal knowledge regarding deaf individuals. It is obvious by her stories that her adverse experiences with the hearing culture have deeply affected her life. She tells stories of being accused of drunkenness when she could not verbally respond to the police and of being unable to communicate her symptoms when seen at a hospital emergency room. My teacher was also placed in a classroom for hearing individuals during her elementary school years and was made to feel “stupid” for being unable to keep up with her classmates.

Many of those experiences with the “hearing culture” have made her suspicious of the hearing community and somewhat isolated. She stays within the deaf community, has difficulty with social interaction, and certainly carries many scars from her negative experiences.

But in the year since I first stepped into her classroom, I’ve witnessed a remarkable change in her. The three of us who are now taking her 10-week ASL class for the fourth semester have always been extremely patient and kind, even after receiving her always blunt and sometimes negative comments. In turn, our teacher is beginning to show us that she cares for us and values our friendship. Her face lights up when one of us tells her a story about our life situations, and she shows real concern when any one of us has a problem. The patience and caring that we have shown to our teacher have helped her to realize that she is indeed loved, cherished and accepted.

We can bridge the gap between cultures by being true disciples of Jesus through our words and deeds.

Jan Versical

March 28, 2015

The Strong, Silent Type

Read Psalm 138:3

When I was a child, every night my Mom or Dad would stand vigil by my bedroom door as my sister and I said our prayers. We would kneel beside our bed, hands clasped together and recite in unison the prayer we were taught. Many of you know it I’m sure. It starts “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.”

As I became a teenager and then an adult I abandoned that tradition, but as soon as my own children were old enough I continued the tradition of my parents. I became my mother, teaching them the simple prayer and standing or kneeling beside them as they recited it.

Somewhere along the way we all became busy, my children’s bedtime ritual no longer included me and regular daily prayer once again slipped out of my life. Then, about 8 years ago, GPUMC offered a Disciple 1 Bible study class. This was a 32 week program that met once a week. During that time we read and studied 70% of the Bible. It was during this program my “conversations” with God began. Of course I wasn’t praying in the formal way I had as a child or we do in church, but I was praying again. As time went on these conversation became more regular. I would talk to God while I was making dinner, driving my car, taking a shower, or walking the dog.

During the last several years my family has had many blessings but we have had many difficult trials too. I know without prayer getting through these trials would have been so much more difficult. My conversations with God still my heart, calm my fears, and ease my mind.

If you are not having regular conversations with God consider starting. He’s a great listener and has a tremendous ability to make you feel better and keep things in perspective even if He doesn’t say much.

Prayer: That all may turn to you, Lord, in good times and bad that you might bring them peace.

Cathy Lorenz

March 27, 2015

Sally’s Field

Read: Mark 1:16-18

My Aunt Sally’s house was a house of distractions and entertainment – distractions in the form of a bubbling fish tank near the front door (plastic scuba diver in distress!), a gingerbread house candle over which I learned after the first time not to singe my eyebrows, a kitchen where chocolate cake mix was a staple. Her house was entertainment in the form of a pool table in the back room, toy boxes in the rec room closet, wide-set windows opening to the backyard. Her house was another home.

Aunt Sally was energy. She was the first person to pull out the toys, order a pizza for dinner, suggest a game. She was the first person to send an invitation for a party, to ask about my school life, to put my picture on the family picture board. She was the first person to teach me we all have people we can lean on in the dark.

Aunt Sally was one of Dad’s sisters. She was just across the field in the red-stained house. She would feed me dinner some evenings, visit with me, ask about life. She would see me safely zipped up, mittened, and ready to go. Looking just across the field – a hop, skip, and two jumps to Dad’s, I would tell her I could do it, no problem, but she would always call to Dad’s house, “Here she comes,” and then I would run through the dark, tripping on rocks, jumping over holes, leaning back to see the stars. Even after I became an adult and would visit Aunt Sally she would send me on my way with a hug or a good, long look and tell me to be safe. She stopped calling my dad but still, after I ran through the field I would look back to the house and there was Aunt Sally, waving from the doorway, light behind her.

She is gone now, swept away by cancer but she left so much good behind her. One sunny afternoon at a family party she went walking with a line of kids. She took them over the lawn and around the frog pond with a fishing net and her enthusiasm. “Here we go,” she said and the picture in my head remains. It was another great day of watching her lead by example. Sometimes it’s a matter of standing in the doorway at night and watching someone make it home; sometimes it’s a matter of taking that first step and leading people out for a daytime adventure. Sometimes, truly, it’s just a matter of sharing who you are by calling out in the darkness, “Here she comes.” You become a beacon of brightness, even in the daylight, no matter how bright the sunshine gets.

Prayer focus: Those who lead

Jenneth Wright

March 26, 2015

A Light to My Path

Read: Canticle of Light and Darkness (UM Hymnal #205)

A new day has dawned for our crazy dog, Toby. I have gone back to work, and he is adjusting to a different schedule (as am I).

Since I was feeling incredibly guilty that he is now home alone so much, I decided that he needed two walks a day. This means getting up at 6AM for the early morning hike. As I am not typically an early riser, I was surprised and dismayed to discover that in the winter-time it is still dark at 6AM. This can be rather treacherous with black ice on uneven sidewalks, not to mention half-opened eyes. I’ve come to rely on a small flashlight to shine on the pavement in front of me.

It got me thinking of the way that we, as Christians, rely on the light of Christ to guide our steps when the going gets rough. With Christ’s light to guide us, we can always safely navigate the dark times in our lives – no batteries required.

Sue DeWitt

March 25, 2015

A Testament to Love

Read: Isaiah 40: 29-31

Fish and tater tots may be yummy, but certainly not creative or even healthy. It was all I had the strength to make after Gary and I had spent two and a half days clearing and chipping hundreds of tree limbs. As I age, things that wouldn’t have fazed me suddenly require ibuprofen. Not that Gary and I have slowed down very much – we just whine more afterward.

I have a new inspiration that encourages me for 25 to 30 years down the road. As most of you reading this know, my dad recently had to be hospitalized because of his heart. He always seems invincible. (No doubt he likes that description – although he might prefer the word perfect!) Not long before that, my mother lost sight in one of her eyes. She’s had a lousy back for years so taking away her depth perception really messed up her mobility – or at least her comfort with her mobility. A long walk down a long hospital hallway should have been a huge stumbling block. But it wasn’t. I have a witness to that. When Charlie took her to the hospital to see Dad, the long hallway looked out of reach. When he asked if she could do it, she said, “Well I have to.” And she did. I wanted to come stay with her so she wouldn’t be home alone, but she convinced me that she could do it on her own. And she did. An amazing strength rose up in her because the man she had loved and relied on for 55 years needed her. I’ve always known they love each other. I am so overwhelmed and moved by the strength of that love – the power it has for both of them. It shows us all how powerful love really is.

The reading from Isaiah (if you haven’t read it, do it, you’ll be glad you did.) is full of hope. Frail, scared, weary, young, old… God channels His strength through us. He sees us through seemingly impossible moments. My parents’ devotion to each other is a wonderful testament to love. It’s not a one way thing. Each gives love and strength to the other. And when they were both beaten down and weary, God stepped in and provided the strength. His devotion is a testament of His love for us. I want to be sure that’s not a one way thing either. In 25 to 30 years I may not be clearing hundreds of tree limbs anymore, but I know that I will have the strength to do anything I need for love.

Thought for the day: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so very much for the strength You give us. The love You have for us is beyond our understanding. Help us to approach that kind of love for You and the people in our lives. Amen.

Jacki Rumpp

March 24, 2015

God Isn’t Done With Me Yet

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

This reading (which was the scripture on 1/21/01) focuses on the different roles that individuals play in the church community. I’ve played a few of them, though certainly not as many as some of the saints in this congregation. Some of my roles were long standing jobs, whereas others were short-term. Currently I have one such short-term role as a mentor to a confirmand.

I have never formally mentored in a church setting before. Wow! In many ways, this job is scary. I, Vivian Anderson, sinner and slacker of long standing, am supposed to model Christian behavior and be the end-all on Christian doctrine. Yikes.

Fortunately, I have a lot of good news about this position. First, this position has caused me to reexamine my own beliefs and actions, even in the light of an eighth grader’s perspective. I have felt great humility regarding my inadequacies which I admitted to my confirmand up front. More good news is my realizing that growing in the Christian faith is an ongoing process. Churches are not filled with finished products. Daily reexamining of our faith is a life-long process. Thirdly, as all teachers know, you really learn when you have to teach something. I’m not exactly teaching as a mentor, but I am doing some long overdue spiritual “spade work” on my own.

So have I spent many hours with my confirmand talking about the fine points of Methodist doctrine, you ask? Actually I haven’t. In fact, we haven’t talked about 99.9% of the large points. But it has been wonderful to hear about middle school happenings again. Frankly, I miss that action, now that my girls are grown. And I’ve had an opportunity to get to know a lovely young woman with whom I share a huge number of interests – from writing and good books and biology to chocolate-covered eyeball candies.

So, Emily Stowell, as you can see, I am not the writer you will no doubt be one day. Hang in there. As they say, God isn’t done with me yet, and you will get through confirmation – even in spite of your mentor.

Vivian Anderson

March 23, 2015

Comfort of Trust

Read Jude 1:20-25

“Why haven’t I been praying about this?” Christian was lying in pain in the ER, waiting for the doctor to come help him. I was there at the foot of the bed, watching him there, in the most intense pain I think I've ever seen, and that's when it hit me: “Why haven't I been praying about this?”

It had started not long before that moment. He had come home from having lunch with his grandparents, and had to lie down – hoping the pain would go away on its own. It didn't. It got worse, and then it got worse, and then it got even worse. Finally, I asked, “Should I take you to the hospital?” When he agreed to go, I knew something was seriously wrong – after all, what 21 year-old says “yes” to the emergency room?

We hustled downstairs, past Heidi (letting her know where we were going, of course), into the car, and quickly down the road to the ER. (I'm pretty sure Christian wouldn't describe it as quick, though.)

A few forms and questions and such later took us to the bedside, waiting for the doctor to come help, and there I was, asking myself, “Why haven't I been praying about this?” I'm sure a lot of it was because it happened quickly, and I just had to react and get things going – that's not so bad. I'm sure a lot of it was because I figured I had to be in control to take care of my kid – that's not bad either. I'm also sure a lot of it was because I just count on myself to be able to handle whatever comes my way – oops, that's not the way I want to think about things. That's the thought that caught me; “Why am I counting on myself, and not on God?”

Well, I don't think I needed to be quite that hard on myself, because I think there's yet another reason in there. I'm sure a lot of it was because I am so comfortable with the idea that God is taking care of us, that I don't really worry about things the way I “should” – even when they're serious. I think it's a good thing, being able to let God handle things for me. As the Keith Green song goes, “Just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed, and Jesus takes care of the rest.”

But there it was again: “and pray that it's blessed.” I've written devotions about developing a life of prayer. I've led retreats and lock-ins on prayer. I've resolved

over and over to work on developing my prayer life. And there I was, wondering why I hadn't been praying.

It took me back to one of the early days of my marriage. Heidi and I were sitting in our “library” back at Bob (that's the house we lived in before Cleveland), and we realized that we were having a wonderful time together, just sitting there, not talking, just being together. I think that's what I had been doing with God – just sitting there together, not talking; and that's great, but I also would really like to cultivate a more “verbal” relation-ship as well. Once again, I know what I have to work on – I have to work on not working on so much myself, and talking to God about all of it, not just the overwhelming stuff.

Thank you, Lord, for those quiet moments together, but I thank You more that we can sit down and talk about whatever needs discussing. Let's do this more often. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

March 22, 2015

Generosity

Read: James 1:22-23; 2:14-17

Depending on who is talking, America is the most generous group of people on Earth. No matter where a disaster happens in the world, America is there first and with the most aid. The disaster with the most direct connection to our church was Hurricane Katrina. For several years our people went to Louisiana on the VIM trips to help restore houses, etc.

Now our people are working nearby at the Cass Community Center (Brady Bldg). The work is to restore the building so that it can house homeless women and children. The group has as the sole means of support the annual "palooza" dinner and auction at church. To show our degree of support: among the many baked goods and offers of service, for example a pie can go for $300 and someone wearing socks can generate $400. There couldn't be a greater display of Americans support for those in need.

God bless America.

God bless our church family.

Jack Van Becelaere

March 21, 2015

Scrambled Eggs

Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:7 (RSV)

Things are exciting in our households this year. Our son and his wife purchased their first house and are settling in. Our daughter is getting married this summer and plans are everywhere. These are wonderful times but.... What can I do to help without meddling? What will be the next thing to fix with the wedding plans? God has given me so much and yet I worry.

During the Bible study on Lazarus we talked about moving the stones from our heart so Jesus can be with us. “Remember to stay focused.” When so much excitement and joy is around why do I ponder heavy thoughts?

I look around our congregation and see so many people with so much going on in their lives. There is a young couple with small children, a retired couple, a single parent and the list goes on. Yet, they seem so happy, calm and contented. I seem to feel like scrambled eggs so much of the time. There is always so much to do and not enough time. I have begun making a list of all the things I need to do and assigning a day to accomplish each task. It is my hope that this approach will get me organized and give me a sense of control over the chaos. I have been at this process for a couple of months now and when I put it on the paper it my way of saying “God, here it is. Help me please?” I have found just putting it on the paper is a huge help. I have to stop and focus. I clear all the “stuff” away and give God a chance to speak to me. When I focus I can group and prioritize things. I even cross things off that aren’t really necessary once I look at the big picture. (The whole list) I have found that having the list allows me to save my energy to think about things that are really important. I don’t waste energy and time trying to remember everything I think I need to do. I find myself chatting with God at numerous times throughout the day and thanking him for my very busy and crazy life. I try to make the most of the opportunities to serve or help others. I wish I could do more but... I need to relax and enjoy the opportunities God has given me.

Lord, please help me to remember you are always available and I just need to ask for your help. Help me see how to turn the feeling of “scrambled eggs” into an attitude of peace and appreciation for your world. I always accomplish much more when I listen to you and follow your lead. Amen

Gretchen Brammer

March 20, 2015

Night Sledding Rules!

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

One of the most popular activities for both kids and adults on our church family retreat at Lake Louise is always the night sledding. This year was no different, and this year a certain scripture passage keeps going through my heard whenever I think about our night sledding:

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 (NKJV)

You’re right, it’s quite a stretch from Jesus dying on the Cross to a kid zipping down a snowy hill on a tube.

Yes, it’s quite a stretch; but if you had been on our hill at Lake Louise Saturday night after the show, you wouldn’t think twice about it, because you’d know just exactly what Christian love looks like.

It looks like a kid rolling off the tube to keep from hitting another kid walking back up the hill.

It looks like a couple kids standing at the top of the hill, and announcing that no one is going down until we all know the rules.

It looks like a kid blocking a tubeful of sledders from running into the kids still tangled together on the hill.

It looks like kids explaining to other kids that we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we need to sacrifice for each other – we need to bail out of our ride if we’re going to hurt our brother or sister.

Next time you see kids out having fun, whatever it is they’re doing, let that remind you of the lesson of the night sledding rules – we’re all here to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s what night sledding will always mean to me now.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the glimpses we get of Your love as it shines through our family, our friends, our brothers and sisters. May that love make its home in us as the Holy Spirit helps us to exercise it. We pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Thought for the Day: You gave Yourself for us, Lord, now we give ourselves for others.

Charlie van Becelaere

March 19, 2015

Reaching Out

Read: Luke 18:1-8

I work at a Social Security hearings office, where people who have been denied disability benefits can come before a judge to appeal. You might say that I have seen it all – the man who had not cut his fingernails for years and came in for his hearing with his yellowed nails dragging on the floor, the woman who was so heavy that she could barely fit through our doors, and people who practically skip through the parking lot and then limp into the hearing room with a cane. It would be easy to become cynical, after 25 years of watching claimants come and go. We certainly have employees in our office who refer to such people using very derogatory terms and are less than accommodating. I have also noticed that when I tell people where I work the response is usually, “Oh, you must see a lot of phonies – people trying to bilk the system.”

The truth is that the vast majority of those individuals coming in for hearings are decent, hard-working people who are merely down on their luck. They may be seriously ill and unable to work, or they may be unable to perform their heavy-labor job and are unskilled for other positions. Many times those trying to “cheat” the system also have a sad history of hardship and despair.

I try to remember that each individual that comes into our office is entitled to be treated with respect and compassion. I try to remember that Jesus showed us how we, as Christians, must reach out to our fellow man. After all, Jesus came to the aid of those who were outcasts – prostitute, leper, and blind man.

I recently ran across a quote by George Bernard Shaw, which I have placed on my refrigerator as a constant reminder:

“THE GREAT SECRET ... IS NOT HAVING BAD MANNERS OR GOOD MANNERS … BUT HAVING THE SAME MANNER FOR ALL HUMAN SOULS: IN SHORT, BEHAVING AS IF YOU WERE IN HEAVEN, WHERE THERE ARE NO THIRD-CLASS CARRIAGES, AND ONE SOUL IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER.”

Jan Versical

March 18, 2015

Footprints

Read: Psalm 25

Four years ago when I was in England with the Senior High Youth Group was when I first saw this story, and I think it is a valuable one for everyone:

One night a man had a dream. He dreamt he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other one to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand and to his surprise he noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He realized that this was at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.... This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about his dilemma, "Lord, You told me that when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I needed You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never ever during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

This is one story that has always meant a lot to me. When I sometimes feel like giving up on everything and throwing in the towel, I just read this story and I immediately feel at ease. I don't think this message could ever get old. Whenever you may think that things could not get much worse or you are feeling alone, there is peace because as long as you have God in your heart, you are never alone.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Katie Broom

March 17, 2015

Preparing to Meet Jesus

Read: Luke 24:13-32

As I prepared for my recent trip to the Holy Land my thoughts focused on the activities that would allow ministry to continue in my absence and what I needed to pack. Pointer articles, worship services, program ministries, warm weather clothing, rain gear, and the small bottle of Woolite that would make packing less clothing possible. I considered carefully whether I would read a novel or a book on ministry during the plane ride and at night before bed. I contemplated the items that John and I did not need two of and consolidated our packing list even more.

I arrived at the airport with great joy and thanksgiving in my heart for the people with whom I would be sharing the next ten days, the staff at Educational Opportunities (who had so carefully planned our trip, handled the registration, made all of the arrangements, and kept our costs down), and my colleagues in ministry, whom I had not seen since our Ordination, and I was looking forward to spending some time. Excitedly, I boarded the plane ready, or so I thought, to begin yet another faith journey.

What I did not prepare for was a pilgrimage—a holy expedition, a holy journey that takes one to a sacred place. As a group, we had prepared for our exodus. We had prayed for and expected God’s provision as we traveled to and through this foreign land, and we had arrived in Tel Aviv seeking God and the City of God. But it wasn’t until I was walking through the Ben-Gurion Airport (in Israel) on my way to claim my luggage, that I realized that I had not prepared myself to meet Jesus.

I wondered how many of us are unprepared to meet Jesus and walk with him in our busy lives. How many of us are like the disciples on the road to Emmaus – knowing all about the people and events, but unable to recognize Jesus as he walks beside us on our road towards home? I wondered where we would be when Jesus would once again make himself known to me, to my fellow pilgrims from Grosse Pointe and the United Methodist Church in Michigan.

Having met Jesus in so many places and times in my own life, I knew that I did not have to go to the Holy Land to meet him, but I also knew that I had to be ready to receive him—prepared for the next time we would meet. As the days passed, I found myself reading the Bible stories of the places we were about to

visit in anticipation of our reunion. That is when I remembered that it is living in anticipation and expectation that we will meet again soon, which prepares all of us to meet our Redeemer, our Savior and our Friend, Jesus Christ. After that, Jesus seemed to be everywhere. In the arm of the Bishop as he and Roberta Fuller walked arm in arm down the steep road to the Garden of Gethsemane, in the conversations about ministry and mission work on our bus, in the faces of those we shared communion with in the Baptist Church in Jerusalem, and in conversation after conversation shared around the table as we broke bread.

I am glad I was able to recognize Jesus in so many places and situations, but as we walk towards the cross in this season of Lent I find myself wondering how many others are unprepared to meet the risen Christ. After all, that is what Lent prepares us for—to meet the risen Christ. I pray that you are well prepared and that you too will find Christ everywhere you look during this Lenten season.

Rev. Pam Beedle-Gee

March 16, 2015

A Parent's Prayer

Read: Matthew 18:2-5

Deeply entrenched in the throes of parenthood, the majority of my daily prayers tend to focus on my children and/or my parenting and coping skills. What started as a joke between my husband and me, has now become an attempt at regular prayer for my children. As we lay in bed one night looking forward to what we hoped was a good night's sleep, we made up our own bedtime prayer, modeled after the popular children's prayer.

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I pray my children sleep real deep.

If they should wake before I do,

I pray that they'll just talk to You.

As funny as it was to us at the time, I realized it was exactly what I wanted. Well, yes, the sleeping deep part -BUT-mostly I want my children to get in the habit of praying. We already had our own version of the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer, but teaching them they can "just talk" to God any time, any place and about anything is one of the best habits I can give them.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the gift of my children, and especially for the gift of Your child. Amen.

Thought for the day: Every time you look at your sleeping child, remember to thank God for such a wonderful gift.

Jacki Rumpp

March 15, 2015

I Believe

Read UM Hymnal #880

Just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of listening to a presentation of Bach’s Mass in B minor, a choral work that sets the text of the Latin mass to music. I have sung it myself several times. When I first learned it, I borrowed a missal from a Roman Catholic friend so I could read the English translation and better understand the context and mood of the music. I was inspired when I sung it but, concentrating on making music, it was easy to forget that the text spells out what we, as Christians, believe. Not so as I recently listened to it.

Bach’s use of music to set the tone of the text is a fitting subject for a learned paper and I’m certainly not writing one of those. One section of the Mass, the Credo, literally says what Christians believe. Listening to one portion of the Credo in particular, though, caused me to reflect somberly upon the enormity of God’s gift to us, his son Jesus Christ. The text translates, “…[he] was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried.” All the vocal parts end this section very quietly, in the lower parts of their vocal ranges. Surely the suffering and death of Jesus is the ultimate gift, but Bach tells us more.

Within seconds after that most somber section of the piece, my mood swung to the other side of the scale, as I realized, with joy, the victory over sin and death that God has promised us. Accompanied by the celebratory sounds of trumpets, the choir sings, “Et resurrexit tertia die secundum Scripturas…” “On the third day he rose according to the Scriptures.” Even if I didn’t know what the words meant, I still could not help but feel the joy conveyed by the music.

It’s cliché to say it, but it’s the truth; the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I listened to the beauty of the music and the power of message. Christ lived among us, died, and returned to us. To paraphrase another section of the Mass, “God, I thank you for your great glory!”

Fred Van de Putte

March 14, 2015

Best Laid Plans and Happy Crows

Read: Luke 14:15-24

“Blessed is he who eats bread in the house of the Lord”

So it says on the box these pies arrive in. This was made in a secret pie bakery known only to the members of a centuries old secret pie society. Berries are picked fresh and pies baked daily in wood fired ovens by certified Little Old Ladies who live in hollowed out trees in the woods. These are the same little old ladies who taught the Keebler Elves how to make cookies.

This Michigan Made 4 Berry pie is an example of one of their most sought after pies and was obtained only after bribing a Leprechaun, and was donated by an anonymous member of the centuries old secret pie society. Whosoever wins this pie at auction will surely find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Surely a story like this would help fetch a good price for a pie at Gumbopalooza. That is until the pie was left on the roof of the car as we took off down St Clair Highway an hour and a half before the event was to begin. Sometimes, the best laid plans….???

Now, most of the pie lady story is true and the ladies have a religious observation each Saturday and so we couldn’t get another until Sun morning. Fortunately we know a lady who usually has a few of these very same pies kept in a secure location next to the saloon in Adair MI. Off to Adair we went, she had only one pie but it hadn’t been baked yet. It was 5:00 and we had an unbaked pie, 40 miles from church. No time for the aforementioned saloon.

A lucky break, number 2 son was home, and he lives between Adair and the Church. His oven was hot when we arrived, the pie baked, we left his entire home smelling like fresh pie and left, with the pie. We arrived at the church only fashionably late, fresh hot pie in hand, and the winner of the pie told me the pie was worth all the effort and it’ll help provide someone some much needed shelter.

Sometimes we find even the simplest things can go awry leading us in unexpected directions. The Lord won’t give us anything we can’t handle if we keep trying.

Everything works out if you let it.

And if you’re a crow without much food and near freezing to death in Casco Twp., you never know when 7 lbs of fresh berries are going to fly off the top of a car and land right in the middle of the road at your feet.

Ron Draper

March 13, 2015

Where is Your Faith?

 

Read Luke 8:22-25

"They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" --Luke 8:24-25

It is hard for me to believe that my tenth wedding anniversary will be this year! I remember, as though yesterday, our beautiful little wedding (right outside in the church garden with only a handful of friends and family), and the celebration we had a few months later in Pennsylvania for my large extended family and friends. I was the only one in my immediate family born in Michigan; the rest were from the Allegheny mountain region of Pennsylvania. It was always my dream to have my wedding celebration in the tiny country church next to my Grand-mother's old farmhouse, in Fallen Timber, Pennsylvania, which is part way up the side of a mountain. The area is gorgeous, and I used to spend summers there as a child. The day of the family celebration was wonderful, and the wedding ceremony, conducted by a country preacher, Rev. Warful, very moving. He asked my husband, Kelly and I, if we had a particular piece of scripture that we wanted to use in the service. We decided on the story of Jesus calming the sea, as sailing has been a big part of both of our lives, and we absolutely love the water. In his sermon, Rev. Warful pointed out that the only answer that we can give to Jesus' question in the gospel passage we had chosen is, "Our faith is in you, Master!".

As many of my church friends know, our marriage has been eventful, to say the least, from practically the first day. Major surgery for both of us, a triple by-pass for Kelly, multiple hospitalizations, lost jobs, Kelly's heart attack and three strokes, many, many EMS runs to save Kelly's life, a major car accident and other problems of a more personal nature have been a major part of our life together over the past decade. Yet today, our marriage, and our faith, is stronger than ever. We have come to learn that the only security and constant in our somewhat tumultuous lives is the Lord, and we have learned to place our problems in his hands. With Jesus' help, our marriage has survived and our love for each other grown immensely. I've often thought about what Rev. Warful told us when we stood before him as newlyweds, ten years ago. He was so right!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith, and teach us to place our daily concerns in your merciful and protective hands. Amen.

Thought for the Day: The Lord is always with us, including in times of great trouble.

Prayer Focus: Those struggling with marital problems.

Joyce Reynolds

March 12, 2015

Friends and Family

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Looking at our congregation and singing the words to the hymn, One Bread, One Body, I began thinking about friends becoming family. There are many friends surrounding us, but they sure feel like part of our extended family. Isn’t that the true meaning of fellowship? We are blessed to have those we love and care for surround us. Don’t we notice when someone isn’t there? Don’t we suffer for those who experience sickness or loss? We are one body in Christ.

What would we do for our friends? Would we pick them up if they fell down? Would we feed them? Would we cry or laugh with them? Do we celebrate with them the milestones, victories, or hope? When we celebrate communion, we are reaffirming our vow to support each other through Christ who makes up one. We are one body in Christ.

Daily we should pray for our church and our family. What a blessing to have such care surrounding us.

One bread, one body,

one Lord of all,

one cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many,

throughout the Earth,

we are one body in this one Lord.

Many the gifts,

many the works,

one in the Lord of all.

Libby Van de Putte

March 11, 2015

On the Path

Read 2 Samuel 22:26-37

I hear myself use the word “path” quite often.

“Sometimes the path is not exactly straight.”

“This is not where you thought your path would lead you.”

“You are precisely where you should be on your life path.”

“Treasure this moment you are having on your path right now.”

I think path is a good word for our life journey. We travel along in days, months and years, following our path, our way. We may linger for a time, but we do not stop. Sometimes our path feels like a treadmill: the same thing over and over again! But our circumstances change slightly or greatly. We have companions on the path; some for a long while, some provide brief company. We pass others, going along in the same direction, or coming from the opposite way. We may feel utterly alone at times, yet at other times we feel crowded and yearn for solitude on our path.

I was thrilled to learn about acceptance of my position on my life path. As a motivated, but somewhat unsure, human being, I had felt for most of my life that I needed to get farther along: better career, greater accomplishments, higher spirituality, more friends. I could not see that the place where I was had merit, beauty, fragility, and transience. The place where I was – was just about to change! It always does. Something shifts, improves, worsens, grows, dies. That is life! But I also have learned to celebrate and be grateful for my present position, and to truly feel that I am exactly where God wants me to be. I actually have no choice, because where I am IS in fact where I am on my path. Wherever I go, there I am! There must be something holy in that, right? I pray for acceptance on an hourly basis.

God is our constant companion on our life journey. God is with us in the womb, and if we are lucky, we can pass from this life right in God’s lap. What a nice place to be! We love our earthly companions: our loving moms and dads, our siblings, our life partners, our best friends, our children, our pets, our gardens, our mountains, our oceans, our trees all enrich and beautify our life here. But if you ever feel alone, remember that the one reliable entity is God. When I remember that, I am not afraid or lonely. I am empowered and capable and loved, and I am ready to take one more step on my sacred path: one more grateful step into my life. Thank you, God.

Anne Sullivan