Sunday, February 28, 2021

Finding God in Times of Trial

Read: Acts 17:22-31

Since moving to Michigan in July of 2020, I have felt much more connected to God, and I believe GPUMC is the biggest reason for that. In the time of difficulty we know as the COVID-19 Pandemic, becoming a member and expanding my knowledge of The Lord has truly been amazing. I hope to continue my journey and devote myself more to church and giving back to our community.

Anna Diatlovich

Since becoming a new member last year, I have been able to establish my own journey with God, having not been a regular participant since childhood. GPUMC has been a constant anchor, and I hope to be more involved in volunteering following the pandemic.

Logan Miller

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Without Words

Read UM Hymnal #454, verse 2

When we adopted our dog, Jax, from Grosse Pointe Animal Clinic, Heidi told us that Dr. Herzog said, “Jax always has to have the last word.” Boy, was he right!

Jax is definitely the most vocal dog we've ever had. I'm not sure if it's the collie in him or just his temperament. Jax has vocalizations for all occasions. There's the “someone has dared to walk on my sidewalk” bark, the “UPS or mail carrier is here – should I chase them away?” crazy bark, and the “I think that squirrel is trespassing” even crazier bark.

There's also a grand series of groans – tired, stretching, or getting a back rub. There's also play talk – tug of war fake growls and “throw this toy for me” barking. He has special yips for the people he loves to see, and crying and whining when he's left behind alone. All these vocalizations are without actual words, but we understand his intent.

I was thinking about our own communications with God. When we pray, sometimes we're answered with a feeling inside. I've had occasions when I'm compelled to do something; maybe by that voice in my head – God's calling me without words, but just as effectively. I think we all need to listen with our hearts as well as our ears, and perhaps the answers we seek will materialize.

Prayer request: Dogs and those who love them

Sue DeWitt

Friday, February 26, 2021

Take Your Medicine

Read: Mark 8:22-26

I’ve learned a lot from Jack these past few months.
Did you know cats can get glaucoma? I didn’t either, but that didn’t stop Jack (our cat, not my Dad) from getting it and needing treatment.

For whatever reason, I’m Jack’s human – about the only person he’ll allow to pick him up and pet him and all that. So naturally it’s my job to give him his drops twice a day.

No, it’s not as traumatic as I had expected, and I haven’t really lost any blood in the process. In fact, Jack often shows up on his own at the chair where we do his drops, right at the time when he should get them. I think he’s learned that they make him feel better (and he likes the treats he gets afterward), but I also like to think he wants to spend time with me.

He usually protests a bit when I pick him up to get the drops, but it’s only for a moment. I give him his medicine and then I hold him for a short time. Initially it was to let the drops get in before he can shake his head and send them flying, but it has become a time when we can just be together. I tell him he’s a good boy and that I love him. He sits with me calmly until I let go, and then he jumps down and heads to his bowl for a few treats.

As I said, I’ve learned a lot from Jack these past few months. I’ve learned what trust looks like; and I want to trust God the way Jack trusts me. He doesn’t like getting the drops – there’s no question about that – but he trusts me that I won’t hurt him, and that I’m doing something good for him. Yes, I want to trust God the way Jack trusts me – and He is far more trustworthy than I’ll ever be. Sure, I try to do what’s best for Jack, but God actually knows what’s best for me.
I know I’ll continue to complain like Jack when it’s time to take my medicine, but I pray I’ll also learn to sit in God’s embrace while He tells me that He loves me.

Prayer: Father, help me to trust You more and more. Remind me that You know what’s best for me, and that You are always working for my good. Thank you for the examples of trust – of faith – that can help me remember that. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Let there be Light!

Read: Matthew 5:13-16, John 8:12

Small pleasures have made a big difference to me this past year. Small pleasures like attending worship in our beautiful sanctuary, a nice conversation with a neighbor, singing harmony with a friend, and lighting a candle.

I had been missing the beautiful luminarias placed around our church perimeter on Christmas Eve. I must have mentioned it to Heidi and Charlie, and Tamara must have also mentioned it. As a team (but I admit that Heidi and Tam did most of the planning), we decided to offer luminaria kits to our GPUMC family. We had a great response and were happy to imagine folks’ homes lit to welcome our Saviour on December 24. And as we thoroughly enjoyed distributing the candles, paper bags, and sand, and having those lovely conversations with people we had been missing, we all mentioned missing the lit candles around the church property.

We decided to secure more supplies and light up the walkway on Christmas Eve. Heidi and Charlie braved the elements and cold to provide a warm glow that evening during the story telling in the Memorial Garden.

We still had more candles, so we planned to celebrate Epiphany with the front walkway to GPUMC lit with luminarias. We had damp weather on Epiphany Eve, so we delayed our lighting to Wednesday.

What a gift! Heidi and Charlie and I laid out the bags in nice calm weather (Tam was quarantining), and we laughed and prayed and sang as we struggled with worn out lighters to light our candles. We talked with two sisters who were walking on the sidewalk, to wish them a joyous Epiphany, and had a joy-filled conversation about the possibility of the two of them visiting our church in the future. We had an amazing hour and were excited about our end result.

What a surprise to learn how God works! Ray mentioned in his next sermon that a committee meeting saw the images of the candles that night and were also lifted up and filled with joy, as we all remembered together that we are still seeking Jesus, still searching for the light. And the light was right there, all along. The light is IN us and all around us.

Thank you for a light filled Christmas season! Amen

Anne Sullivan

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Yes, Virginia –

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1
“When the time is right, I. the Lord, will make it happen.” - Isaiah 60:22

In December 1978, I was a Senior in High School and for the first time in my life was not in the Christmas spirit. My father had died very unexpectedly on December 2nd, and I had to make some pretty hard choices. The reality was my suddenly-single Mother was the sole supporter of four daughters ranging in age from 7 to 19. My dream of going to Clemson was dashed, as not even my scholarship could make the out-of-state tuition manageable.

When Mama decided we would continue to have our traditional Christmas Eve Open House, I was not in the mood to get the house/food ready, but at least it was a diversion. In the end, it was the perfect decision as it provided a setting for a miracle.

Yes… some time during the evening of December 24th, gifts magically appeared on the front porch. There were tags on each with the name of each daughter. The note accompanying the gifts read:
“There truly is a Santa Claus, and as long as there is good in the hearts and minds of men, this spirit shall prevail. These small gifts are to help fill your loneliness for the one who couldn’t be with you this Christmas. They are given because of his affection for you and his goodness and kindness to others. Accept them in the spirit of Christmas, and may God bless you, every one. Love, Santa Claus”

We never knew ‘who’ brought the gifts. It really didn’t matter. It was enough to accept that someone was really kind and thoughtful. Plus, they knew us pretty well as the gifts were perfect for each of us.

Fast forward 40 years: I decided to go to my High School Reunion. I figured enough time had passed (and we had all aged enough) that I better go back or risk never seeing some of these folks again. Best decision ever! It was a wonderful evening, and seeing dear friends was such a precious gift. Towards the end of the evening, I was talking with one of my dearest friends, Rick.

Rick told me how grateful he was that I would make the trek to the reunion. His reason was not just wanting to see me, but to share a secret he had held for 40+ years. You see, Rick’s parents and my parents were fast friends, vicious bridge players, plus my father was their accountant.

Rick turned the conversation to Christmas Eve 1978 and asked if I remembered the surprise gifts. Of course I did!

He elaborated that his parents had a tax-planning meeting with my dad in the Fall of 1978. At the meeting’s end, my father mentioned that he was not feeling particularly well – which concerned them as my father had suffered a heart attack 8+ years before. Daddy asked a favor of his clients: if anything were to happen to him, please see that ‘his girls’ got the gifts he had already purchased for them.

My childhood mystery was replaced now by the magic of Christmas, and the knowledge that miracles do happen as long as we retain a sense of childlike wonder, and know God will give us answers in His time.

I hugged and thanked my dear friend and got more than a few tears in my eyes.

In God’s time, I had my answer – and yes, there is good in the world, and Santa Claus will always exist for me.

Carolyn Franklin

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Life Is a Song

Read: Psalm 40:1-10

There's a song "Hank Williams You Wrote My Life." I seem to be living a life of a line or two from song after song. Beginning with "Why me Lord, what have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I've known?" to Johnny Cash's "I don't like it but I guess things happen that way.”

I'm living in Plan A. I thought I had plan A, but I was wrong. Mine was Plan B, but I didn't know it.
Fortunately for me, God’s Plan A included Patti Greenwell. After the 2019 Gospel Fest she had me repeat my performance in the church service the following June (which morphed into several more times in church).

Because of her faith in me, music has kept me sane (?) and somewhat fulfilled. God keeps me for reasons I don't understand. The Willie Nelson song of that name helps explain it. The words came down to him, "You're just a man and it's not for you to understand." I no longer wonder why I'm here. I figure it means there are things here for me to do. I have interpreted that to mean A, I should brighten at least one person's day every day, or B, I haven't finished atoning for my past. (A third option just popped into my head – when I'm gone, my kids will be orphans and who would adopt them?)
While I bide my time, music and people like Patti and Sara Wooton and the Stowells and the rest of the church family will see me through.

Jack van Becelaere

One final thought – Heaven must be a truly wonderful place if it is a step up from how I have it here.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Turning No into Yes

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14: 27, Revised Standard Version

Every place I turned in 2020 seemed like a bunch of “No.” Can’t do this. Can’t do that. Can’t go here. Can’t go there.

At first, I was angry and frustrated that the corona virus robbed me of my crazy, busy but very rich life. But the corona virus gave me so much more than it took away. No need to make excuses about choosing to stay home instead of going someplace. Staying home was the right thing to do. Quiet and more isolated hours. Hours and hours with my husband, literally hundreds of meals together, just the two of us. Time to think and to re-evaluate and to reflect. Time to just be.

I’m ever so sorry for the loss of lives, the gaps in families and friendships that cannot be replaced. I’m sorry that it’s kept me away from friends and my family. I’m sorry for all of the businesses that have been hurt by this and by the loss of income in so many homes. I cannot deny that this pandemic has caused real pain for millions of people around the world.

At the same time, however, I am embracing gratitude for all that it has given me. I’m grateful for the quiet moments sitting in my backyard during the summer or by the fire inside this winter. I’m grateful that so many distractions have been stripped away. I’m grateful that it made me think in new ways about how to connect with family and friends: dinners, birthday parties, Christmas morning, Thanksgiving dinner, and games of charades, all thanks to Zoom.

Prayer: Even as I grieve for the enormous problems of the world, help me to focus on the small parts of my world that bring me joy. A sunrise, the lapping of water at the lake, the quiet breathing of a loved one. Even in the darkest days, remind me that there is hope and the promise of a new life.

Joan Richardson

Sunday, February 21, 2021

The People on My Path

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:6
Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. - Psalm 25:4

When I was younger, significant events in the church were marked with gifts of scriptural items such as plaques, boxes, wall hangings, and jewelry. I received several of these including a ceramic planter with the Lord’s prayer. But the most memorable was a plaque upon my confirmation into the church which had Proverbs 3:6. This passage reminds us to acknowledge the Lord on our path in life.

In that regard, I have learned a number of things about our path in life. We each have our own path; it can be perplexing to know what path among options we should choose; the right path may not be the easiest; and the path of life is filled with challenges for everyone. For this devotion I would like to focus on the people on my path. Are they there to bless us or lead us astray? Are they there to teach us lessons or encumber us? Are they sent by God or is it just an accident that they are on our path? Are they on our path so we can help them or are they sent to help us?

The theologian Henri Nouwen said: “Pay attention to the people God puts in your path if you want to discern what God is up to in your life.” I never used to pay much attention to the people on my path. Maybe that’s because I’ve been preoccupied with taking care of my family and various other responsibilities. With ‘retirement’ I’ve had more time to think and contemplate. During COVID I’ve become much more aware of how important being connected to people is. I’ve also been able to reflect on my life and see how my friendships and experiences have impacted me. What a gift that God has put people in my life to be in fellowship with, who have supported me during challenging times, who have ministered to me and given me hope, who have given me the opportunity to minister to them and in so doing find purpose.

It is such a blessing that God gave us human companionship. Not all the people in my path have been there to promote my good. Yet even those people ultimately have had a positive effect on me because they’ve made me stronger and more focused. Some people are on our path life long and others just for a season. Ask God to help you appreciate the people on your path and to guide you on your path. Ask him to help you discern his will for you with others. Ask him to send someone on your path that you can help. When you travel with God on your path you can’t go wrong.

Prayer: Dear Father help me pay attention to the people on my path and to discern your will for my life. Send someone on my path that I can be a blessing to or who can be a blessing to me.

Pat Deck

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Small Nudges

Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way. - Psalm 139:23-24

2019 offered new opportunities, testing and challenges, a few of which really felt like God was testing me much more than felt comfortable, to say the least. However, when I reflect back, this testing did not come without some of His guidance. It did not appear so at times, but those ‘small nudges’ from God were there—through people, Upper Room readings, and other ‘small nudges’ out of the blue. Situations became manageable and I definitely felt Him guiding me. A sunrise slowed me down to meditate and take in its beauty. The words of friends gave me courage to deal with happenings at hand. A new practice of daily Bible readings gave me insight. The daily Upper Room readings were mysteriously right on target for whatever choice I had been concerned about that day, giving me peace to clearly access choices, and wisdom to choose the right one to the best of my ability.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we adore and thank you for those small nudges you give to all of us. May we take time to see them, be open to feeling them and applying them. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Carolyn Barth

Friday, February 19, 2021

An Inspirational Walk

Read: UMH 430

One Sunday in November, my dog, Molly, and I went for a walk. It was a windy day; leaves were flying; there was a chill in the air, but the sun was shining brightly. We ran into a church member who was walking his son in a stroller. They had hoped to visit the playground but had to opt out owing to the chilly winds.

I joined them on their walk home. As we walked and talked, my companion stopped several times to pick up trash discarded on the ground. He kept a keen eye out for others coming our way, taking care to move aside and make room for others to safely pass. This behavior was clearly automatic. As we walked along, we asked each other about our families, church, how we celebrated Halloween this year, and how we were managing during these unusual times. He talked about taking care of some projects in his yard. As we turned onto his street, I dropped him and his son off at their house. He left me with an offer of help if there was anything I ever needed. I felt like that chance encounter was a great lesson for me. Think of others before yourself, keep your environment clean even if you didn’t cause the mess, and offer to help those who may need your help. He and his precious son made my day.

Nancy Grose

Thursday, February 18, 2021

It’s a God Thing

Read: Psalm 32
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
    Psalm 32:8 NRSV

I became the Chair of our church council in January of 2020. When Bob Rossbach asked me to take over the role he had held for so long I was hesitant. I didn’t feel I had the leadership skills to lead our church through what I expected to be a challenging time for Methodists. I prayed about it for a while and felt God calling me to take a leap of faith, so I said yes.

I know many Christians believe that every day of our life is known to God, that He is directly responsible for every detail of our lives. This is not me. I do believe that God is with me and I turn to Him often in prayer to help me in my daily life as well as long term decision making. I believe that He hears my prayers and has guided me through many challenges. Some that seemed so impossible at the time that I consider the resolutions miracles. But I don’t see life like a chess game where God is moving every piece.

However, that said, as I reflect back on 2020 I see God’s hand in the leadership team put in place at our church. My organizational skills and access to real time business and tax information turned out to be just the gifts my position needed for 2020. More importantly, this leadership change freed up Bob to use his talents in service to our church in other ways. His video production skills were invaluable as we transitioned to virtual worship. A service he may not have had the time to provide were he still council chair.

Reorganizing our communications committee and putting Joan Richardson at the helm is another place I see God at work in our midst. Her talents, developed over a lifetime in the publishing world, have been critical as we have had to transition from in person communication to written and video communication. Additionally, her transition to this position freed up Charlie van Becelaere to devote more time to worship and music which has been ever changing and challenging this past year.

When things seem to work out just right my daughter likes to say, “That’s a God thing.” Well I have to admit our leadership at GPUMC throughout all of this sure seems like a God thing to me. Every single committee chair and so many others have stepped up and offered their skills and gifts as we adapted and improvised. We are so very blessed to be at GPUMC, and I long for the time in the not too distant future, I hope, when we can all be together again and I can hug each and every one of you and say thanks.

Until then: God, may we continue to turn to you in prayer, and trust that you will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go, and counsel us along the journey.

Cathy Lorenz

February 17 – Ash Wednesday

Reflections from the Cabin…

Read: Luke 8:4-8

As many of you know, we (my wife, Dar, & I) had a cabin in the woods near the Au Sable River not far from Roscommon, Michigan. It was lost to a fire last year. I come to this place as often as my schedule allows as it provides a place to be refreshed and to re-connect with God. What follows is an article I wrote a few years ago (a “re-write” if you will) but, I trust that it is worth sharing with you in hopes that you may find some measure of renewal and re-connecting with our Creator. Enjoy.

Welcome to “the cabin.” As many of you know, this place is where I go to “get away,” to walk in the woods, enjoy the wilderness, the company of a few close to me, read a good book (or several), a cup of coffee, or just the quiet of “the cabin.” It is here that I seek (and find) refreshing in reading God’s Word, in praying and conversing with God. It is the place the allows me the quiet to hear God’s whisper as well as the shouts of my own thoughts.

What follows are just some random thoughts and reflections shared with you along with a prayer that may cause you to pause from your busy day and ponder various areas of your own faith journey.

If you were here this morning, you would find me reading four different books (I pick up where I left off with each visit). The books? The Gospel of Luke, 1 Corinthians, a book about FDR (“A Traitor to His Class”), and a Nicholas Sparks novel. A love story, an educational type book, and something to feed my spirit – I wonder if all of us need to be more intentional to maintain a well rounded lifestyle? I wonder if each of us could do better to maintain a healthy balance within our own lives.

Outside, I noticed a Blue Jay “pushing” out all of the other birds from the feeder, scattering seed all over the ground in his attempt to feed himself. Also, the less “pushy” birds resigned themselves to feeding on what was dropped on the ground by the “bully Blue Jay” – I wonder if sometimes I too am like the pushy Blue Jay, bullying my way and leaving others to fend for themselves? Are there areas in my life where I could show more Christ-like grace and concern for others?

Still looking outside and past the bird feeder, I notice that the canvas cover on the boat has an area that is not properly supported and has sagged allowing water to pool on top of the cover. Over the winter this will cause a problem with ice forming and tearing the canvas. I wonder if there may be areas of my life that are not properly supported through prayer and study, exercise and diet, rest and refreshment? As the canvas cover on the boat sags, are there areas of my life (or your life) that are running the risk of “sagging?”

Well, it’s about time to pack up and head home. I pray that God speaks to you in many different ways, that you are open to His whispers as well as His shouts.

Hope to see you in Church and may God bless you abundantly until we meet again.
    
Pastor Ray

Introduction - Lent 2021

Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been an honor and a joy to edit this book; but this time you didn’t make me wait until the last moment! No, this year I had a new opportunity to conquer. For the first time in these 20+ years, I had more devotions than days to hold them. As you know, there are 40 days in Lent – 47 if we include the Sundays. Well, with a week to go I had over 50 devotions in hand with a few more promised for delivery “very soon.” I had decisions to make, so make them I did. There are a few days sporting two devotions, and I did leave out two submissions – one a repeat from a past year provided “just in case,” and one that I had purloined from a Facebook post back when I was worried about just getting enough.
I had said that a pandemic lock-down should have been a fertile field for devotions, and it appears I was right – we got submissions from several new writers to go along with many of our long-time stalwarts. It really was a joy to have so many new voices share their thoughts, time, insights, and witness with our church family as we make our slow but sure journey toward the glory of Easter Sunday.

Next – as so often happens – an overarching theme has emerged as I collected and arranged the contributions. This year the theme wasn’t really anything COVID-related. It wasn’t anything like “dealing with frustration,” “Who was that masked man?” or anything like that. No, it was Noticing. Paying attention. There’s a thread woven through this volume that looks at God’s nudges, whispers, pokes, even shouts, and that reminds us we need to pay attention to them.
It’s pretty amazing. I don’t know how these themes appear each year (although I believe it’s the Holy Spirit prompting us to write on what our readers will need!), but I am always excited when they do.

Now, 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



A note about the cover photo is probably in order here.

In years past we’ve usually used an image of one of the windows from the Sanctuary, but there have also been pictures of other crosses found around the church.

With the disruption of our normal worship which we experienced this past year, this was probably the cross that was seen by the most people in person, as we worshiped around the Memorial Garden through the Summer.

It seemed appropriate to use this image to recall how we all scrambled to make the best of a bad situation, and how we discovered that the most important parts of corporate worship are the corporate part – gathering together – and the worship part – meeting with and praising our Lord.

May this image remind us that no matter what, God is with us, and we are with one another.

Amen.