February 28, 2018

Serving in Little Ways

Read Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness “

Last Sunday Pastor Ray talked about hearing your call and making a difference in the world. I thought about that a lot and went home feeling a little down because I don't feel that I am making a difference in the world. I'm not a teacher or preacher or healthcare worker; careers that mold, change and save lives. I don't work for a not for profit or newspaper; organizations that can impact real change. That is not to say that being a CPA in a large firm isn't great work but I don’t recall ever leaving work feeling like I made a difference in the world.

It was in this uninspired state last Sunday I attempted to write a devotion. Usually I have notes from throughout the year to remind me of things I can write about when Charlie make the plea. But 2017 was a really busy for our family and I had no notes. I wanted to participate and was feeling time pressure so I put together a "devotion" that was a very impersonal. It was something I have seen several times on the internet. I sent it to Charlie with a note to only use if he was desperate for content and I would not be at all offended for it to make its way to the trash file on his computer. He replied back that every devotion is worth keeping but that he had a feeling I would find some inspiration this week. So I re-listened to Ray's sermon and heard a different message. He reminded us that we gather to worship and scatter to serve. With that in mind I decided to pay attention during the week for the opportunities God gives me to serve and in this past week . . .

I had the opportunity to serve a liturgist thanks to our Worship and Music Committee and Pat Stewart who puts that schedule together.

I had the opportunity to tie a knot and pray for someone I do not know thanks to the United Methodist Woman and Anne Sullivan one of our Stevens Ministers.

I had the opportunity to take a meal to a church member and friend who is ill thanks to Lisa Sicklesteel who organized the sign up wizard.

I had the opportunity to donate blood thanks to our churches long time commitment to the Red Cross Blood Drive which keep that great need top of mind.

I had the opportunity to attend a Bible Study and discuss the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well with several woman of our church that I admire for their spirituality and tireless service thanks to Karen Bromley and Daphne Coffman's organizations and leadership.
I had the opportunity to host a small group to paint empty bowls for Cass thanks to the Outreach Committee and Beth Blunden and Joan Richardson's help

And because of Charlie van Becelaere's commitment to the Lenten Devotion book and his encouragement last Sunday I realized something. I can continue to listen for God's call in my life and in the meantime I can continue to serve Him through all the opportunities available thanks all the people around me that gather to worship and scatter to serve.

Prayer for the Day: Thank You for the blessing of the men and women of GPUMC in my life and for the opportunity to be Your servant in so many little ways.

Cathy Lorenz

February 27, 2018

The House

Read: Psalm 127

Growing up I only knew two Aunts and one Uncle (and of course their spouses) on my Mother's side. On my Dad's side it was very different. His was a family of 12: 4 boys and 8 girls. Every one lived in the area and kept in close contact.

On Christmas day it was always go to church and then to Uncle Art's. For a week or so after Christmas you never knew in advance when a family member would drop by for a quick visit. Some were "better" at it than others, probably taking advantage of "hospitality" as well as fellowship. The unofficial end of the visits was New Year's Day. The family party was at "the house," the old family dwelling which was sold after the last two sisters were married and moved out. It was a crowded, noisy, and fun filled event where our favorite uncle (Jerome) managed to get several of the young cousins crying.

Comparing the closeness of a large family back then to today's spread-all-over families means we need to look outside our families. The best example I have of this is our church family. Hardly an issue of Pointers goes by without an expression of thanks and gratitude to the congregation from a member who experienced difficulty of some sort. We all know how comforting it is to be a member of this family.


Jack Van Becelaere

February 26, 2018

The Earth is the Lord’s

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
   – C. Austin Miles, UMH #314

Having loved this song since I began gardening as a child, every morning as I walk through my flower beds, I feel close to God. The beauty of the dew-covered petals reflected in the morning light is inspiring and brings me great joy and peace as the birds provide their chorus in the background. Surely this is a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. But how are we doing with this beautiful gift God has given us?

Psalm 24 reminds us that, “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” God’s Holy Vision is we are to have a relationship with him, each other and his creation. We forget that what happens to one affects the other too. Scientists know that the molecules that make up our bodies also make up the bodies of all living things that are found in the Earth. Earth is a part of our DNA. Adam was made from the earth as were all the creatures of the Earth. We live as if the Earth belongs to us to do what we want with it.

God’s creation is in crisis because of greed, selfishness, and apathy. Our neglect, selfishness, profit motivation, and pride have led to poverty and disease; environmental degradation and proliferation of weapons; and violence. II Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

Our Bishops since 2004 are calling for Hope and Action for Renewal of God’s Creation.

Their Prayer: May God’s grace purify our reason, strengthen our will, and guide our actions. May the love of God, the peace of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit be among you, everywhere and always, so that you may be a blessing to all creation and all the children of God, making peace, nurturing and practicing hope, choosing life and coming to eternal life. Amen

Karen Bromley

February 25, 2018

Give to the Wind Thy Fears

Give to the winds thy fears;
hope and be undismayed.
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears,
God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms,
God gently clears the way;
wait thou God's time; so shall this night
soon end in joyous day.

Leave to God's sovereign sway
to choose and to command;
so shalt thou, wondering, own that way,
how wise, how strong this hand.

Let us in life, in death,
thy steadfast truth declare,
and publish with our latest breath
thy love and guardian care.

Paul Gerhardt, trans. John Wesley UMH #129

February 24, 2018

The Parable of the Sower – Matthew 13:1-9 ESV

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”


Parable Ponderings:
    • Whom is Jesus addressing? (could it be me?)
    • What does Jesus want us to learn from this story?
    • When can I apply this in my life? (Tomorrow? Now? Always?)
    • Where does Jesus see me in this story? (A player? The audience? Both?)
    • How does this story tell me more about Jesus, and how He wants me to live?

February 23, 2018

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:5 (NRSV) … John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit …

Jesus is explaining to His disciples how they will be baptized. But Jesus says something quite interesting that has more depth to it than meets the eye. He says that although His cousin, John the Baptist, baptized people with water, the disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Notice that with John, the baptizer was a human being. Jesus didn’t say that they would go out and baptize in the Holy Spirit instead of water, but rather they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The disciples understood the Jewish ritual of immersion for cleansing. So, one can only imagine how puzzling this might have been for them; they were being introduced to the idea that God’s Holy Spirit would be within them. So whereas John could only immerse a person into physical water, now through Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells within the believer and baptism is no longer an outside cleansing, but a real transformation of their lives.

As regards to today’s believer’s baptism it is symbolic of laying down our own will and submitting to God’s will. It is death and burial of our identity and allegiance to our self. Thus having our status changed so that our new identity and allegiance is Jesus through the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Glory to God,

Denver Higley

February 22, 2018

Dear Church Family,

Read: Matthew 28:20

I am writing this as 2017 comes to a close. My life took an unexpected turn in September and October when my husband Leonard was hospitalized, diagnosed with a brain tumor, had surgery, suffered multiple complications, and finally was unable to keep fighting and passed away. Through all of this our church family supported us with an outpouring of love and faith and prayer. We couldn’t have done it without our pastors, our church’s medical professionals, and our friends in faith.

During the initial shock, the women of the church swung into action. Food was delivered, notes of support and cards arrived, visits were made to home and hospital, text messages were sent, and Leonard received a prayer quilt. He slept under the quilt each day in the hospital and now I sleep under it every night. Our family was surrounded by prayers and good wishes and offers of help.

As the journey continued, so did the uplifting support from our church. Any time we needed food it miraculously appeared – UMW is wonderful at bringing meals and desserts and all of it given with love and concern. Medical decisions were made easier by the support from our many doctors and nurses and ministers who took time to be with us as we struggled with so much bad news. My daughter-in-law (the other Katie See) commented on the fact that at every crisis someone we knew was there to help. Each of those people was someone from GPUMC. I can’t imagine going through this without each of you and your support and prayers.
The funeral was warm and caring and personal. Our family was comforted and healed as we were surrounded by the love of friends and cared for by our church.

Your kindness continues as I struggle to find a “new normal.” You touch me or hug me at church, include me in your family activities, and allow me to begin to give back to others the love I have received from you. The importance of the women of our church has never been more evident or more crucial in my life. Many years ago Carol Davey, a UMW officer and friend, asked me to take a position with UMW. After much thought I said yes. I wish I could thank her for the gift of the friends I have made with the women of our church. Yesterday at church I looked at the dedication in the front of the hymnal. “In memory of Carol Davey.” God speaks to us in many ways.

As we begin a New Year, I am finding ways to live one day at a time and keep putting one foot in front of the other. You continue to give me the freedom to cry and the opportunity to laugh. I want to thank every one of you for the many acts of love and kindness that have helped me through each day and night.

“The Best of all is, God is with us.” - John Wesley
Bertie See

February 21, 2018

God's Work

Read: UMH #467

Many many yeas ago, Chet Huntley and David Brinkley were broadcasting (on TV) the Democrat Party annual convention. Brinkley called attention to a "Mrs. Miller" in the front row. An imposing figure – she was also a leading voice in Democrat policy. After a few words about her demeanor Brinkley asked Huntley "can you imagine Mrs. Miller telling you to do something – and not doing it?”

Thinking back on that – I asked myself, “Can you imagine God telling you to do something and not doing it?” As it turns out, I think I can! There have been a few times when I had an "urge" to do something, didn't do it and later wondered if those were things that simply came to my mind or were they directives from God. Unfortunately, I believe they were directives from God which I didn't follow.

I hope whenever another opportunity presents itself I will give serious thought to it. Even if it is not a "directive," it may very well be the appropriate thing to do. I (like the rest of us) am still "a work in progress," and as part of that progress I pray for a greater awareness of God's work!

Jack Van Becelaere

February 20, 2018

The Greatest Family on Earth

What a busy year 2017 was! So many family occasions – 3 grandchildren and a nephew were married, and a new great-grandson born – my ninth! The year began with the good news that the two surgeons have given me the all clear, and didn’t need to see me again. Prayers of thanks were said and Hallelujahs sung, then it was down to business planning for my 90th birthday – to our delight Charlie and Heidi came and brought the most lovely weather with them, and reminiscences of the time the Grosse Pointe youngsters came – when are you coming again, the church is waiting for you! We are a family that love to get together, and weddings are a good opportunity to catch up on news and events and to share and care for each other. The church has its place in the life of our extended family too, and I am convinced therein lies our strength and hope.

I am writing these notes for Lent 2018 even before Advent 2017, but that is the demands of publishing I’m afraid. This means that when you read my comments, we shall have celebrated Christmas – the beginning of the greatest family on Earth. God chose to come into an Earthly family and was loved and nourished by a human mother and father, and shared his home with brothers and sisters. Let us not forget this in our daily living, and pray that God, through Jesus, will become part of our Earthly family too.

Dorothy Williams, Newton Abbot, England

Behold us, Lord, a little space
From daily tasks set free,
And met within thy holy place
To rest awhile with thee.

    Yet these are not the only walls
    Wherein thou mayst be sought;
    On homeliest work thy blessing falls,
    in truth and patience wrought.

Thine is the loom, the forge, the mart,
The wealth of land and sea,
The worlds of science and of art,
Revealed and ruled by thee.

    Then let us prove our heavenly birth,
    In all we do and know;
    And claim the kingdom of the Earth
    For thee and not thy foe.

Work shall be prayer, if all be wrought
As thou wouldst have it done,
And prayer, by thee inspired and taught,
Itself with work be one.

John Ellerton (1826-93), Hymns and Psalms #376

February 19, 2018

Be Sensible

Read UM Hymnal #454

People use the term ”dumb animals” a lot. Sometimes I think it's misinterpreted to mean unintelligent, when it probably refers to the alternate idea of non-speaking. But speaking isn't the only form of communication and, perhaps, not always the best one.

Our dog, Jax, sometimes seems smarter than we are. He innately knows that he can play “tug of war” with a toy with us, but as soon as one of the grandchildren wants his toy, he just drops it at their feet. He “speaks,” though not with words, but with sounds like a warning bark, a whine when he's being left, or a yelp of joy when he is playing. Moreover, he uses his other senses to a higher level.

He can find the tiniest crumb of food using his nose. He gives affection by touching us with his paw or the petting his soft coat; sometimes, he just sits and leans against us. He sees that pesky squirrel taunting him high up in a tree. And, most importantly I think, he listens. He can differentiate our feelings just by the tone of our voices.

Listening is one of the most important skills we have, but often we don't use it enough or properly. As Christians, we need to be aware of all the senses God has so graciously given us and try to use them. Often just seeing someone in need of a kind touch or listening carefully with your heart to a person's concerns can make a big difference. Then, with God's help, we should be able to find the right words.

Sue DeWitt

February 18, 2018

Come, O thou Traveller Unknown

Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see;
my company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery or sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name;
look on thy hands, and read it there!
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

In vain thou strugglest to get free;
I never will unloose my hold.
Art thou the man that died for me?
The secret of thy love unfold:
wrestling, I will not let thee go,
till I thy name, thy nature know.

Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair;
speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!

'Tis Love!'tis Love! Thou diedst for me!
I hear thy whisper in my heart!
The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
pure universal Love thou art:
to me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

Charles Wesley, UMH #386

February 17, 2018

Where’s the Body?

Read: Matthew 28:16-20

The best thing about Lent is where it’s going.

After all, Lent is our vehicle for getting to Easter; it’s most definitely not an end in itself.

It’s a time when we prepare to be shocked and delighted as we join the women at the stone rolled away from the empty tomb; as we join Peter and John seeing the wrappings in the empty tomb; as we join Mary asking the gardener, “Where is the body?”

That’s the first great question of Easter: Where is the body?

The early church could ask that question of its skeptics. It was the first great evidence of the Resurrection and our redemption: Where is the body?

Now and through the centuries after Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we – we the church – we are the body of Christ.

So it’s still the first great question, but today it’s also for the church, as believers who need to engage a hurting, broken, fallen world: Where is the body? Where is the body of Christ?

We need to ask it of ourselves, and we need to answer it to those who don’t know.


Prayer: Father, please keep us aware that we are the body of Christ, and that as His body, we are to respond to all we meet – those who know Jesus and those who don’t – in Love and Grace, and to share with them the Joy of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

February 16, 2018

The Walk

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

One of the great things about living close to church is that it gives me the opportunity to walk.

This blessing gives me time to read or pray as I walk. On more than one occasion my mind goes to the idea of a “journey of life.” Thoughts of past, present, and future sometime flood into my mind which feels like it is going a mile a minute. I remember back in my Biblical Greek class the word for walk, pateo, and how it can mean “a walk of life,” a journey. On my walk to church I meet people along the sidewalk, I see cars driving past, and I see God’s creatures on their own separate journeys. On my walk, I pass by a cemetery on Moross, which reminds me that this mortal journey will end. I think of loved ones who have passed and it makes me sad. Yet, the crosses in the cemetery and seeing our church in the distance reminds me of what is to come, life eternal. I get to have a resurrected life because of Easter morning’s miracle, and that brings back my joy! I think of the metamorphosis that has happened on this journey because of Jesus walking with me, and I am grateful.

As we journey towards Easter morning, I am reminded that on this walk with Jesus, I will meet people along the sidewalk, I will see them on their journey’s, and I get to see the beauty of God’s creation. This life is such a precious gift and the gift grows as we understand pateo, as “a way of wisdom.” As we journey towards the resurrection, my prayer is that on this journey we will be able to see God walking alongside us, that the wisdom of God’s ways would cover us, and that God’s love would continue to grow us.



Prayer: God help me see you in this walk of life. Give me wisdom as I walk in your ways. Remind me that you are always with me, I need you. Amen.

Rev. Keith Lenard, Jr.

February 15, 2018

Sailing Along

“And remember that I am with you always, to the end of the age” - Matthew 28:20

For a period of my childhood (about age 9 to 13) my family lived in a small community named Colchester, Ontario. Colchester lies on the north shore of Lake Erie is approximately 10 miles west of Point Pelee National Park. The house that my family lived in was on the lake and I could see Point Pelee from the front windows. This home was an excellent place for a boy to grow up! Swimming in the summer, ice skating on the lake in the winter and all kinds of other adventures to get into! One such adventure occurred on a cold and windy winter day. It was late in the winter, the ice had been skated upon to the point that some other activity was desired and today was just the day for a new adventure!

My two friends and I decided that it would be a great idea (without our parents’ permission or knowledge of course) to skate to Point Pelee. As we began to make preparations, I realized that with the stiff wind out of the west, we could fashion some type of sails and use the wind to propel us on our journey (remember I was about 11 years old and still in need of learning some important life lessons!). So before long we were off – the wind serving to drive us to our destination with little effort on our parts. Soon we arrived with great exhilaration and a profound sense of joy and accomplishment. We had done it!

All too soon it was time to begin the trek home. The stiff wind out of the west no longer served to propel onward, instead we fought the wind in our faces the entire way home. The journey, no longer fun and exciting but instead hard work and miserable was finally accomplished having taken 2 to 3 times longer than expected. Arriving home – cold, hungry, tired and facing angry parents who had discovered our absence proved to have “mixed blessings.” It was wonderful to be home even if our arrival led to discipline from my parents and not being allowed to skate for a week (although honestly, I didn’t really want to go near the ice for a while!).

In life, we sometimes face situations where it seems that we are just “sailing along” without any trouble or concern. Other times, it seems that no matter what we attempt, we feel as though we are meeting resistance and facing a “head wind” that only wants to push against us. During these times, we would to well to remember Jesus’ words in the last verse of Matthew:

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

During this Lenten season, I pray that you will remember the difficult times as well as the good times are always faced with the Loving Savior, Jesus along side of you.

Rev. Dr. Ray McGee

February 14, 2018 - Ash Wednesday

February 14 – A Holiday and a Holy Day

As a highly unusual occurrence, the holy day of Ash Wednesday falls this year on February 14 – Valentine’s Day – the secular holiday celebrated, or at least recognized, by most everyone. This unusual pairing will go unnoticed by the many who do not observe Ash Wednesday and deem it spiritually significant. But for those who do, how shall we hold these two observances in some sort of balance? As the engine that largely drives our society today, the world of commerce certainly has its say. There is no lack of initiative in the marketing of goods and services for the celebration of holidays (some of which are actually holy days!).

On Ash Wednesday we recognize our sins and our need to move beyond them. In John 8 we read: “’Did no one condemn you?’ And she said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go your way; from now on sin no more’.” Ash Wednesday opens the season of Lent, a dedicated period of reflection and penitence which encourages us to assess where we are on our spiritual journey. It offers ample time for study and prayer, and the opportunity to focus on the healing of our minds so that we might more lovingly serve our gracious God, in whose very image we have been created.

The word “love” can have many shades of meaning, dependent on such things as time, circumstance, and personality. The world thinks there is one kind of love for this, and another kind for that, implying differences to suit the occasion or the desired effect. But in truth, there is no love but God’s; and can God’s love be less than all-encompassing? Can we change the eternal attributes of the Creator, ones shared by all that He created like unto Himself?

The decision to waken and be healed is a reflection of our will to love. Would we prefer not to heal a fragmented world ravaged by sin and our mistaken thoughts about ourselves and others? Jesus crossed out our sins and set us on the path that leads to ever higher levels of consciousness. As Jesus said, “Behold, the kingdom of Heaven is within you.” So let us thank him by following his lead and becoming bearers of God’s singular message of love and forgiveness. From 1 John 4: “God is love … if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”

So on Valentine’s Day – or any other – let the small tokens of love presented to our dear ones be not so much representative of “special” love, but of the miraculous love of God which knows not of specialness and differences. Let us make our daily affirmation, simple yet profound: “God is love … therefore so am I.”

A meaningful and blessed Lent to all,
Doug Dykstra

Lent 2018 - Introduction

Introduction

Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been an honor and a joy to edit this book; and as almost always, you made me wait again this year. Still, in the end we had enough devotions to fill our weekdays, and I thank each of the writers (including at least five first-time contributors!) for sharing their thoughts, time, and insights with our church family as we make our slow but sure journey toward the glory of Easter Sunday.

Once again – as they so often do – a theme or two emerged as I collected and arranged your contributions. There were many musings on the blessing of family and of Christian fellowship. There were also several devotions concerning serving one another – and of being served – especially in the face of a great loss.

It’s pretty amazing. I don’t know how these “themes” appear each year (unless it’s the Holy Spirit prompting us to write on what our readers will need!), but I am always comforted and excited when they do.

Now, just as we have each year since reviving this Lenten tradition, we repeat the introduction from our congregation's first book of devotions, published in 1974:

Keeping a true Lent requires us to be vigilant in many ways: in prayer, study, worship, sacrifice, giving, meditation, and fellowship.
One or all may take precedence, depending upon our daily commitments.
From these devotions, lovingly prepared, may you find a well spring of faith to renew and sustain you, so that the Glorious Triumph that is Easter will remain with you always.
The Lenten Committee

Again, we can but say, “Amen.”

Charlie van Becelaere, Editor