Monday, March 31, 2025

Growing in Mercy

How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. – Psalm 82:2-4

Each January I read the Psalms as a way to begin my Bible reading for the new year. Reading five chapters a day, I complete the longest book in the Bible on January 30 (keeping the 31st available, if I fall behind). One thing that you notice as you read the Psalms is God’s call for mercy toward the orphan, lowly, needy, and the poor. Over and over again, it is lauded as the cornerstone of faith-filled leadership by the king. The Psalms also note the lack of mercy in a king as an absence of devotion to God. 

I’ve been thinking of this particular passage, which I read on January 17. In the psalm, God is crying out for justice among his people. He’s admonishing them for their injustices and inequity. There’s a bit of a “you should know better” feel to the psalm. God is grieved by their apathy, for it obscures his image within them. 

I am so grateful to be part of a church that is merciful to those in need. Rather than turning a blind eye, members respond and help. Especially during Shelter Week, I see our church’s practice of mercy on display. Through the generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure, we live out the mercy that we’ve received. We share it freely, because freely it was showered upon us. I’m grateful for such opportunities since I can always use the practice. 

As I grow in mercy, I draw closer to Jesus and his way. One of the gifts of practicing mercy is that we begin to see the people around us as neighbors. Mercy blurs the “us versus them” line and creates a welcoming space for community. So, may we be a people receiving and living out God’s mercy each day.

Prayer:
Merciful God, you have shown us the power of mercy through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of your only Son, Jesus the Christ. As humble recipients of your mercy, may we commit to live lives of mercy, so that the widow, the orphan, and the poor would know your love through our love. Amen.

Rev. David Eardley

Sunday, March 30, 2025 (from Thursday, July 16, 2015)

Look to God in Prayer

Read: Philippians 4:1-13

Starting when I was just a baby, and continuing throughout my early childhood, my parents would sing me a lullaby prayer each night to the tune of “Edelweiss” singing, “May the lord, mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever. Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage for ever and ever.” Before I could even fully understand the words, my parents set aside a time to pray to God. As I grew a little older, my parents also taught my siblings and me to say grace at every meal. We would pray, “Bless O’ Lord, this food to our use, and us in thy service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” I was taught at a very young age to praise and thank God for what I was receiving, and to use it to give to others. Even to this day, Autumn and I say one of the graces that we were taught by our families at every meal. For as far back as I can remember I was taught to set aside time to go to God in prayer. No matter what else was happening around me, I was taught to find time to seek out and praise God. 

Now that I am an adult, and my life is filled with many more distractions, there are more opportunities for me to forget to pray. In the busyness of life it can be easy to put off reading the Bible, journaling, or simply watching the world for the signs of God’s work. In the busyness of life, whether it is through stress, or even getting wrapped up in our own comforts, it is easy to forget to go to God in prayer. God is the giver of true rest, calling us to lay weariness and discomfort before God. God is also the one from whom we receive our blessings, so how can we forget to say thanks?

I ask you this day to raise a prayer to God. Pray with your words and thoughts, and pray in silence and listen. Share your burdens and joys with the Lord, or pray to see Christ in the beauty of the world around you. Take a moment, this day, and every day, to look to God in prayer.

Rev. Daniel Hart

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Yum! What Is That Smell?

“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (The Message)

My mom made homemade bread every Friday. When I close my eyes, I can still smell that scrumptious hot bread as I walked into the kitchen after school on Fridays. The smell of hot bread reminds me of the love and laughter we shared around the table; hot bread, butter, and the events of the day were like a sweet scent rising to God. 

Smell is a powerful sense. I imagine you too have smells that stir up pleasant memories. Perhaps, if you close your eyes, you will smell a new box of crayons, a certain perfume, a favorite dish, pipe tobacco, a certain place, wood shavings, or some other memory filled with an exquisite fragrance. 

In 2 Corinthians, Paul says we give off a sweet scent.  We, who follow Jesus, are known by the scent of love that wafts from us as we share the love of Christ through our words and actions. 

Lent is a time of self-examination and I think it provides us a good time to ask, how am I doing? Am I leaving the sweet scent of Christ’s love everywhere I go? If not, do I need to spend a little more time with Jesus and let the fragrance of  His love infuse me so I can be an exquisite fragrance and leave a sweet smell everywhere I go?

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, may my words and actions leave the lingering exquisite fragrance of  Your love with everyone I meet. Amen.

Blessings! Pastor Pam Wells, CGMC

Friday, March 28, 2025

A Sacred Commitment

Read: Romans 12

In our experiences in living Christian lives, I wonder if we’ve paused long enough to ponder the depth and breadth of what it truly means to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. When I was growing up I used to think that attending worship services every Sunday (twice in the Dutch Reformed tradition – morning AND evening), not associating with the "wrong" people, not engaging in "bad" behavior, and generally being "good" was sufficient. Though ever mindful of them, God and Jesus seemed somehow remote. After all, Jesus had "ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty." I distinctly remember sitting in the pew lamenting that Jesus was no longer actively working in the world, his mission here accomplished and left to his disciples to carry on. "O Jesus, we need you now more than ever,” I pleaded. This mental picture clearly needed to be changed. And years later it was, with an experience that was both strikingly unanticipated and genuinely startling. It marked the beginning of a spiritual journey that I needed to undertake, a journey I believe we all need to accept at some point.

In my view, spiritual growth is the most important activity in our Earthly lives. In Romans 12, a chapter devoted to ethical teaching, Paul in the opening verses gives instruction on the consecrated life. "Do not be conformed by this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). In Matthew 5 Jesus says: "Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father who is in Heaven... You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Being a child of God implies patterning our attitudes after God's, assuming the same traits and qualities. How profound are these implications in a world whose greatest need is healing! We witness destructive wars bringing untold suffering, disease, famine, environmental degradation, bitter divisions along political and ideological lines, and more. And on an individual scale we experience dissatisfaction with our lives, with attendant emotional, psychological, and physical hurts.

Our function in this world is healing. In Heaven there is no need of it. Accepting this goal becomes a sacred commitment. Each of us, then, has a role to play in the healing of the planet. And on our part all the rest of God's plan depends. Healing begins in our minds, and serves to reunite the broken fragments of God's creation. It is a collaborative venture. We all have need of healing. Would we offer less than this to our brothers and sisters, knowing of our own need of it?

Competition, rather than cooperation, causes fragmentation in the social fabric of communities and nations. Technological advances can greatly magnify the consequences of decisions made by minds ruled by the ego rather than Spirit. Thoughts of anger and attack, retaliation and retribution, and the need for gain, even at the expense of others, are indicative of the mind not centered in God. The immensely unbalanced distribution of the world's resources, goods, and services among the members of the human family cannot be the will of our Creator. The ancient narrative continues... stories of war, murder, greed, and treachery are found in the very first book of the Bible. The followers of Jesus, indeed all thoughtful and sane persons, know there is a better way.

God's peace is available to all who ask for it with genuine desire and sincerity of purpose. Change will come through us. We are the means to bring it about. Does the world not need peace as much as we do? Our willingness to accept it for ourselves precisely matches our willingness to offer peace to others and to our world, for what we offer to another represents the value we place on ourselves. We have a mission here. Each little step we take brings Heaven closer. Will humanity decide for a continuation of the past, with its bitter disappointments, hopeless despair, and endless, fruitless searching for what can only be found within? "The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV and Williams’ translation). God’s love and joy and light were placed within us in our very creation. Darkness can cover the light, but cannot put it out. Let us gladly follow together in the way that Jesus points out, and be the leaders of the many who seek the light and find it not.

PRAYER:
Dear God, We know there is no peace excepting that which comes from You. We seek no further. Let the quietness of peace and love fall gently on Your creation through us. Amen.

Doug Dykstra

Thursday, March 27, 2025

A Prayer of Thanks

Read: Philippians 4:4-7

Almost every Sunday morning after the offertory anthem you’ll see me leave the choir loft carrying two things: my music folder and an iPad. The purpose of the music folder should be obvious. We just sang an anthem but why is he carrying that iPad?

Depending upon who may be speaking, and from where, we have a number of preset audio “scenes” programmed into the soundboard. If the liturgist is speaking, the microphone on the lectern is turned up but the hanging mics over the choir and the mic on the pulpit are turned down. This eliminates much background noise, making the speaker easier to understand and also helping to prevent feedback. If I’m sitting in the choir loft I can’t change the soundboard settings directly but I CAN change them using the soundboard app on the iPad. 

I told you that so I could tell you this: On January 12 this year I completed my regular Sunday morning routine. I set up the soundboard, got my music, went down to the choir loft to warm up. When that was finished I couldn’t find that iPad. I went back up to the balcony, looked around the soundboard, looked in the choir room and returned to the narthex. I looked around the narthex, looked in the choir loft, then enlisted some help. Beth Norris looked all over the place. Reverend Eardley went up to the balcony and looked around the soundboard. I went back up to the balcony. No iPad anywhere. I told the people who had helped me search that, while I wanted to do things the right way, finding that iPad wasn’t critical. 

Truthfully, most people can’t tell if the mics are set properly. That’s why we have a catchall setting called “GPUMC Default.” All the mics are on but set to avoid feedback. I told Reverend David that I’d LIKE to be able to use the iPad but it wasn’t critical. I said a brief prayer asking God to help me calm down and remember where I’d left it. The service started and ran normally. After the anthem I went up to the soundboard. The iPad was on the soundboard right where I thought I’d left it! I said a brief prayer of thanks. 

Do I think God did some kind of magic trick to put the iPad there? Not really. What I do believe is that my prayer was heard and God helped me let go of my anxiety and gently focus on what I was looking for.

Fred Van de Putte

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Remembering Bill Evans

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Some of you have never heard of Bill Evans. Others will never forget him, even though he’s been gone for nearly a quarter century. 

That’s because, every year, he had a mission to call every member of GPUMC in advance of the annual CROP Walk for world hunger. He was searching for donations. And, like a Doberman with a pork chop, he didn’t let go easily. The plaques on the wall outside the church office bear tribute to his talent.

His success earned him a full-length feature article in the Detroit Free Press 25 years ago this May. The story touted 87-year-old Bill as the top fund-raiser in Michigan. It described how he took up the cause decades earlier, after the death of his wife, Kittye, as a personal memorial to her. He’d even schedule his annual check-ups around CROP Walk time, so he could pester doctors and nurses for a few bucks. 

He traced his sense of compassion to his childhood, growing up poor on Detroit’s East Side. 

 “It’s just how I was raised,” he told the Free Press. “When I was a boy, some days all we had to eat was a bowl of soup and a chunk of bread, but we knew that there were neighbors next door who had nothing at all. So, before we were allowed to touch our meal, my mother would set aside a pot of soup and some bread and we’d carry it over to the neighbors.”

I thought of Bill this past January, during a Sunday sermon.

“Each and every one has a gift,” Rev. Eardley said, summarizing the day’s message from the Apostle Paul. “Each and every one has a part to play.”

Bill Evans played a most unique part well into his 80s. He did it humbly. And the CROP Walk gifts he collected each year rippled from 211 Moross all the way around the world.

Dave Versical

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Aging

Since I’ve moved here, because I’m aging, I have had that fact pointed out to me many times. My great-grands, as they are learning about numbers and math, have certainly pointed out my age as they try to count up to my age. Henry, now 8, was learning some math terms and Meredith (2 years younger) tries to keep up with her big brother. The word Henry was learning was “infinity.” Mere asked Henry if I was as old as infinity. He assured her that I was nowhere near that.

A couple of years ago my 5-year-old neighbor and I were chatting about his hockey experiences, when out of the blue he asked me how old I was and I replied 88. Then he said, “You’re REALLY OLD!!”

Now I’ve turned 90 and am so fortunate to be as independent and healthy as I am. Yes, I celebrated! Believe me, I can’t believe my good fortune either. People have asked me what I did to get this far. I have not had the same lifestyle as Willie Nelson, and he is a year older than me. I think we just inherited good DNA and got extremely lucky.

A week after my birthday I had chest pains, went to ER and to make a long story short it was not heart, but I had my gall bladder removed and I’ve adjusted nicely. But the hospital trip was quite an ego boost. As you probably know staff always asks your name and birth date. Everyone that asked me commented that there must be some mistake about the birth date because I didn’t look or act “that old.” And I must have equated that to mean I can DO all things, too. So when the doctor said I could go back to exercise class, I did. All was going well until we did the balancing … hang onto chair, one leg up, raise one arm and then the other arm up. I tentatively released the grip, then some fingers, then all of them … and then I toppled back, scaring me and the whole class. And I got lucky because I ended up fine except for the goose egg. What did I learn? I’m 90! I can’t do ALL things! 

My advice is to enjoy each age you are. With each age there are advantages and disadvantages and they are different for each of us. Take advantage of your strengths, but don’t overlook your weaknesses.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green. – Psalm 92:14

Claire Welch

Monday, March 24, 2025

Once In a Lifetime

Read: Psalm 8

When I first heard a near total solar eclipse could be viewed from Michigan last year, I immediate bought a large pack of eclipse glasses, months in advance, in preparation. I even considered traveling to Toledo to see the total eclipse in person, but our family’s work and school schedules wouldn’t allow it. Still, I wanted to be ready for what would potentially be a once-in-a-lifetime event. 

As the eclipse date drew nearer, more people were making viewing plans and scrambling to find glasses. I remained relaxed and perhaps even a bit smug knowing I’d long been ready. That feeling lasted until the morning of the eclipse, when I realized the glasses I had purchased months ago were no longer where I thought I had left them. I searched the house for hours and finally gave up just as the sky began to slowly darken outside. While I was thankfully able to run over to a friend’s house a few blocks away to borrow her glasses and catch a glimpse of the sun in its final moments as a small crescent, it felt rushed and frenzied – and truthfully, a bit anti-climatic. I had missed out on the overall experience of the epic event everyone had been talking about. 

FOMO is a 21st century acronym that stands for “fear of missing out.” Applicable to more than just missed solar eclipses, FOMO happens to most of us daily. We experience FOMO when we feel compelled to watch that one TV show everyone else seems to be watching, or to buy the status-signaling item everyone else has. Often, FOMO is driven by societal messages or external voices telling us our lives are not enough and that we need something else – something more – to feel truly whole. Other times, I suspect our mortal awareness drives us to take in as much of life as we can, while we can, and we fear missing out on those experiences. 

I reflected a little on what drove my FOMO over the eclipse. I think I was pulled toward a desire to break from the mundane and witness a moment of awe. To feel part of something bigger than myself. To feel closer to God. But it occurred to me that moments of awe are not once-in-a-lifetime events. They’re available whenever we behold a sunset, sit with a great piece of art, or absorb beautiful music. It just takes real intention and slowing down to appreciate those moments every day, which can be hard when we are driven by the FOMO-induced pull to stay busy, work harder; do more. Lent is a good reminder to slow down and bring intention and awareness back into our lives for a season. No solar eclipse required. 

That said, if anyone is looking to prepare for the next solar eclipse passing through Michigan in 2099, feel free to use my glasses. I eventually found them.

Beth Versical

Sunday, March 23, 2025 (from Thursday, March 19, 2020)

Having a Spring-time Faith

Read: Leviticus 26:11-13

Some time ago, while I was still in high school, our teacher led the class in a discussion about “which is your favorite month of the year?” For many in the class, their favorite month was the month of March. The reasons given – the end of the Winter cold, Spring flowers, warmer weather are the ones that I recall. I cannot say as I heard anyone proclaiming that March also brought melting snow, cold rains, or mud. It seems that we were more willing to focus upon the benefits of March (and the promise of Springtime that comes with it) and ignore, or at least endure, the products of change that March brings.

For others in the class, October was their favorite month. The reasons? Autumn days, apple cider, Fall football, the smell and colors of Autumn were loudly proclaimed. Others would counter that although Fall was beautiful with its Fall colors and all, it also ushered in a long, cold Winter. The advice from the “October Camp?” “Forget about the Winter that was coming and enjoy the day!”

Today, we as a church (and maybe as a city and a nation) need to “wrestle” with this same type of dilemma. The dilemma? Are we to revel and enjoy the present and not concern ourselves with what may lie ahead (like our “October Camp” from my high school discussion), or do we confront that which lies ahead, agree to endure that which is required to change, and seek the promise of a “Springtime” blessing from God?

As you read this, we are journeying through the Lenten Season – a time of personal reflection. Lent is a time to review our current reality, make adjustments and changes with expectations of a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. The season of Lent is much like the month of March – a season of change and the expectation for brighter tomorrows. 

But today we begin journeying through another season – Spring! The promise of Spring will soon be fulfilled! And what does this have to do with the challenges that we face? Just as we must endure the melting snow, cold rains and mud of March before we can realize the promise of Spring, we must also endure the cold reality of that which we face as we look forward to the promise of God. We must endure the challenges while we wait with expectation of the promise that the Lord of the Harvest has waiting for us. Before we see blossoms of new ministries and blooms of new people coming into a relationship with the Risen Lord, we will face trials. But through all that we may face, let us remember God’s promise for us: “God will be our God and we will be God’s people!”

In closing, may I remind each of you that God is the God who keeps His promises. And may the promise of a “Spring-time faith” fill you with anticipation.

Rev. Ray McGee

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Works of Art

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24

My house is loaded with artwork – some of it is even on the walls. Most of it is stacked up in the basement: some on shelves, some stacked against walls. There are many pieces upstairs in boxes with photos of the contents on the outside. Even the garage has some stored away: children’s drawings too precious to discard are tucked away in boxes, purchased artwork is stacked on shelves. There is a bin of pottery in the office closet – too beautiful to toss, but somehow didn’t make the cut for displaying or using.

If the art doesn’t live in a prominent place, or somehow doesn’t fit the décor of a place, is it less beautiful? Is it less valuable? Why do the artist(s) keep making things?

I think most artists have a hard time getting rid of their work. It’s a part of them. It was born of their creativity – their vision. A particular piece might evolve as the artist continues to work on it. The artist’s style might evolve too, but they don’t go back and toss the old stuff. But – they can’t stop creating. Lots and lots of art – some more evolved than others.

I think that we are works of art. God’s creations. Some of us are more evolved than others. Some more beautiful – but THAT depends on who is looking. Some of us are on display and some of us are a little more hidden away. But each of us is just as valuable as another. Why are we here? I think it’s because God is the ultimate artist, and we are his very precious pieces of art. A painter can keep adding layers to get the desired result. A sculptor can mold and remold. A true artist will continue creating, and continue to love and work on perfecting each piece. I know that I certainly need more layers (I prefer not to be smushed and completely remolded). I’m glad that God thinks I’m worth it.

Jacki Rumpp, CGMC

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for never giving up on any of your works of art. Please keep layering and molding me into the beautiful artwork that you have planned. Amen.

Friday, March 21, 2025

To Enjoy the Harvest

Read: Luke 13:6-9

Fruit. It’s a big part of our lives. We enjoy its flavor and nutrients. We know it’s an integral part of health given to us by our Creator. 

Our Lord Himself speaks to us in Holy Scripture about being trees that bear good fruit while He Himself is the True Vine. He even warns us that we need to cut off the “branches” of our lives that don’t bear good fruit; even how the trees that don’t bear fruit will be cut down and burnt. We may recall the time He cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit. It seems that Our Lord is trying to seriously teach us something here about life and growth. 

What struck me further about fruit was when I was looking on my kitchen counter at a few pears picked from the one remaining tree from a small orchard that once existed on our property. It seems the former owner of our house was a gardener at the Ford Estate. And now this small bunch of pears was a symbol of the “fruits” in my own life. How many times I could and should have bore good “fruit” when given the “seed” and “fertilizer” to do so. We were told in Genesis to be “Fruitful and multiply,” that our lives were to be about growth for the Kingdom of God.

And I was also thinking of the tragedy of when the “fruits” of our lives are not allowed to grow; how much richer our lives would be if we, trusting in the True Vine of Christ, were more than merely satisfied to be the “branches” of the tree—so we could bear good fruit. 

But LACRIMAE SUNT RERUM—"Things have their tears” as the poet Vergil wrote. How many times have we wondered about how the “fruits” of our lives either grow or die? The few pears that I was able to gather from the old pear tree would have been a great dessert if they had been able to fully ripen before the branch on the tree broke in a storm. We have lost people and things; so often, it seems, before their proper time.

When I was a young man, before I bought this property with its few fruit trees, I cared only for the “fruit” of life and had little love for the labor of pruning. If I had “pruned” my life more often, and appreciated what the Lord had given me, how much more “fruit” I could have borne for the Kingdom!

Now I sense the loss of potential in life when things don’t get to a chance to mature. Even with careful pruning, there are the “storms” of our lives that blow away and break our spirits. Then there is the danger that we forget that we must be the branch to the True Vine; that He allows these storms to help us “prune” our lives of attachments; or even to warn us of the need for more “fertilizer” and spiritual care. After all, God created the Garden for us to live in. He created us to grow; in turn He expects us to tend the “trees” of our lives as well as we can; sometimes pruning; sometimes adding some manure to the base. 

And this in turn provides us consolation in the potential of the fruit that remains on the tree; fruit on branches that have not broken — which in turn provides the hope that we will be able to enjoy the harvest with our Lord in the heavenly banquet to come.

David Smith

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Deep Roots

Read Jeremiah 17: 7-8

[Blessed is the one whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3

While being mobilized with the Army Reserves to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas since 2022, I have taken many hikes through west Texas and southern New Mexico. The scenery is quite a contrast to the lush, green vegetation of our home state of Michigan. The landscape is brown and arid – except a few green trees that caught my attention. I was intrigued. How could those trees be so green, while all the other vegetation around them was so dry?

Farther down the trail I came upon a placard that explained that the trees we were looking at were junipers. They have unique root structure that allows them to thrive in arid lands. While the root systems of most plants are shallow, the roots of the juniper tree can go down to 25 feet and spread 100 feet in search of water. Their root system allows them to survive drought, while other plants wilt.

This made me wonder: What is our ability to survive spiritual droughts? How deep are our roots? What can we do to help our roots find the source of the life-giving water? Regular study of the Bible, prayer, devotional literature, and participating in the church community are some of the practices that help us remain deeply rooted and spiritually green in arid seasons!

Prayer:
Dear God, help us to grow deep and wide-spreading roots that search for your life-giving water in all seasons. Amen.

Ben DeWitt

Thought For The Day: Practicing spiritual disciplines will help me avoid spiritual drought.

Prayer Focus: Hikers

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Fierce Beauty

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. – Ephesians 6:10-13

Recently on a frigid winter run/walk along the ice-covered lake, a bald eagle flew right over my head.
I stopped and stared.

What a magnificently beautiful creature.

Then it lowered its feet and exposed its talons in order to land in a tree. My thoughts shifted from its elegant beauty to its formidable fierceness. This gorgeous creature is not just an object of beauty and awe – it can fight real battles and win! It’s equipped for battle! Suddenly I realized this is how God has created us as well.

Looking back over my life, I realize the battles have been real. Through each of them, the Lord God has given me armor and His strength when I had none of my own.

I have learned to put on “the garment of praise.”

I have learned our battles are not with people, no matter how painful and personal they can seem. As the Bible says, they are with “spiritual forces of evil.”

I have learned He is walking beside me into battle.

How do I know this? “The Bible tells me so.” And I can look back and see He was there. He was there; and He was there.

Prayer:
Dear God, continue to direct our steps that we may be beautiful AND fierce along the journey. Amen.

Sandy Cameron

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

That Your Joy May Be Full

Read: James 5:13-20

In looking back on what I had written for GPUMC’s beloved book of Lenten devotions the last two years, I was focused on sudden loss, grief, and “Walking the Mourner’s Path.”

While we all know deep in our souls that there is no timeline for our sadness, I did learn at the grief workshop I attended a year ago with Pastor David and Carolyn Barth at Christ Church in Grosse Pointe, that inviting Christ in to be a part of the pain is central to our healing, so that you can transform your grief into joyful living.

I have really focused on that in 2024, and have become a prayer “warrior,” with the help and support of our Tuesday night ladies’ Bible study.

Praying for each other and those needing prayer in our lives is a central part of our weekly study of the scripture from our Sundays and special days 2025 calendar.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we are told to “Rejoice always and pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” And we do just that when we meet in person, and in our group texts throughout the week.

Taking a break from the liturgy calendar during the summer months, we met in our beautiful Memorial garden for a book study on “Choose Joy,” by Kay Warren.

The wife of pastor Rick Warren, in her book Kay shares the devastation of losing a son to suicide, and her path back to experiencing joy.

“The only thing that would allow me to survive the loss of my son was what I knew and believed about God and joy,” says Kay.

She tells us that in Jesus becoming the savior of the world he would become a man of sorrows, but in his essence, his unchanging nature, he was a man of joy. I just love that!

Kay writes that Jesus tells us in John 15:11 that “these things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

I do feel that 2024 has been filled with moments of hope and joy, from our firstborn son and “baby girl” getting engaged on the same day in April, to time spent with our younger son, his wife and our three-year-old granddaughter. Pure Joy!

Although it has been a bit harder for our Tuesday night prayer warriors to gather during the last few months, I know that we are still praying without ceasing; and as we read each week in our prayer list email, Romans 8:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit “helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

As we celebrate our greatest role model for both sorrow and joy, Jesus Christ, during this season of Lent, I truly believe that our faith, hope, and joy in Jesus are alive and well at GPUMC in 2025!

Amy Sanford

Monday, March 17, 2025

That’s Very Good!    

Read: Genesis 1:1-2:3

It was an autumn Saturday evening and Billie and I were taking a short extra walk around Elworthy Field (or the Village Green as I like to call it). It was still light, but the sun was beginning to set, lighting the clouds near the horizon like flame. It was simply beautiful.

As I often do – albeit not as often as I probably should – I praised God for the beauty He has put into His creation: “God, that is a gorgeous sky. Thank you for making that for me to enjoy.”

Then I got to wondering why God made nature beautiful, or maybe why He made us so we enjoy its beauty. After all, it seems like a bonus, doesn’t it? 

I mean, there’s really no need for us to see the clouds lit up and think they’re beautiful; or to drive over a rise in the highway, see a mountain peak with its reflection in the lake at its base, and have to stop and catch our breath; or just to hear the singing of birds in our backyard and smile at their apparent joy, is there?

Maybe there is.

After all, when God finished creation – after He had created mankind – He looked at what He had done and said that it was very good. He didn’t say that it was pretty good, He didn’t say that He probably could do better next time, He didn’t say it was adequate, He said it was very good.

My next thought (you can ask Billie if you don’t believe me!) was that maybe God made everything very good – made it beautiful – for Himself; and we just enjoy it too. After all, we’re made in God’s image, so it’s only natural (or supernatural?) that we would love what He loves – at least when we’re at our best, or when we’re least self-absorbed or self-aware or self-serving, like when we’re distracted from ourselves by Beauty.

I like that thought. Being made in God’s image, the things that give God joy should give me joy as well.

Prayer:
Father, we give You thanks for Your creation, and for blessing us with the capacity to enjoy its beauty. May we see that what You have done is, indeed, very good; and help us be aware that the beauty You have put into nature can give us joy because it gave You joy to make it. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

Sunday, March 16, 2025 (from Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014)

Ways to be Unhurried During Lent

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a

Lent...forty days plus six Sundays...a time to prepare ourselves for the day that defines who we are as the people called Christian...Easter.

There are many ways to observe this season of the Christian year. Often, we think about giving up something that we enjoy...making a sacrifice of sorts. I would like to suggest that we observe this Lent by making room for something. Yes, I know, we are all very busy people, so making room for something else may feel as if it's just too much to ask. But in a few easy steps, with as much or as little time as you want to offer, here are five ways to help you focus on the season of penitence, repentance, and new life.

1. Create a sanctuary outside of the sanctuary...your bedroom, an office, your kitchen table...a quiet place.
2. Light a candle to symbolize the presence of God's spirit in that place.
3. Listen to some meditative music.
4. Be silent. Find the quiet center. As the hymn says: "Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed: clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see all the things that really matter, be at peace and simply be."
5. To help you find the quiet center, silently repeat simple contemplative refrains such as "O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer. When I call, answer me. O Lord, hear my prayer. O Lord, hear my prayer. Come and listen to me."

Prayer: In this holy season, O God, quiet my spirit so that I may drink from the well of your life-giving water, feast on the gifts of your Son's sacrifice, and find rest for my soul in you. Amen.

Rev. Judy May

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Bowling for Jesus

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Ever been bowling? Bowling’s a funny thing—it looks easy from the outside, but once you’re up there, ball in hand, things get tricky. You think you’re lined up perfectly, but somehow, that ball has a mind of its own. You’re aiming for a strike, and plop! — straight into the gutter.

Lent is a lot like bowling. It’s 40 days of trying to roll straight toward Jesus. But then there are those gutters—temptations and bad habits.

Frame 1: The Wind-Up – Checking Your Aim
In bowling, if you don’t aim right, you’ll never hit the pins. Lent is about adjusting your spiritual aim. Where’s your focus been? What’s pulling you off course? 

Frame 5: Gutter Balls and Grace
You’re going to throw some gutter balls during Lent. Maybe you’ll break your fast. Maybe you’ll snap at someone or skip prayer because you’re “too busy.” Here’s the good news: Jesus isn’t keeping score. His grace covers every missed shot. The point of Lent isn’t perfection—it’s persistence. As Hebrews says, “Run with perseverance…” Or in this case, bowl with perseverance.

Frame 10: The Final Roll – Striking with Jesus
The best part of bowling is that you always get a second roll. And with Jesus, you get infinite do-overs.
 
So, What’s Your Scorecard This Lent?
    •    Give Up bitterness, gossip, and anything that keeps you from peace.
    •    Take Up: More laughter, and prayer.
    •    Step Up: To the line, with your heart ready and your eyes on Jesus.

Happy Bowling!

Rob Battle, CGMC

Friday, March 14, 2025

Faith & Hope & A Rummage Sale

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

2024 was the year of my retirement from paid employment meaning I was “ALL-IN” for the fall Rummage Sale. Little did I know how faith and hope would provide answers to immediate problems and future needs.

Nancy Grose and I were at the church on the Saturday before drop-off Sunday. This has always been our normal day to organize and price any furniture that arrived early. All was proceeding smoothly until Nancy called me into the Great Hall to point out a HUGE problem. ALL the upright pieces for our clothing racks were MIA. These pieces were stored by professional movers, so Nancy immediately called. She learned the uprights were NOT there, and had never been received into inventory from our previous storage company that went out of business.

Fear immediately raised its ugly head. Many calls were made to personnel from the previous movers and GPUMC members. The challenge loomed: Can we actually have a Rummage Sale without the needed equipment? The quick answer was not without a little panic, but once again God led us all to a solution. 

Church members Diana and Lauren Sancya arrived, and frankly I don’t remember why they came. Once the situation was explained to them, Lauren pulls out her phone and locates a business selling portable racks at basically half-price. The business owner was contacted and responded immediately letting us know they had a large supply.

At the same time, Bill Kremer and Kevin Braye arrived to deliver furniture for the sale, and saw a very distressed Nancy and vowed to help with a solution. They immediately volunteered to get the racks on Monday as soon as the business opened. (Yes, that meant they would rent a vehicle that could transport the racks.)

Nancy called her UMW Co-President, Tamara Baubie, who arranged to borrow racks used at another area church for their Rummage Sale. Kevin and Bill again volunteered to get these racks after our Sunday service.

Once again, our village came together. What was initially viewed with distress and defeat turned into opportunity:

• A conversation began between area churches on sharing resources and storage needs for our Rummage Sales.
• Replacement racks were purchased. These racks were not as sturdy, but were far more portable and could be stored in the GPUMC Garage.
• UMW now saves funds as monthly storage fees cease.
• Rummage Sale Department Heads accepted the delay of racks and proceeded to organize until the new equipment arrived.
• After the sale was over, the garage was organized and space was created to store our new racks.
• And finally, the Fall 2024 Rummage Sale was the most successful ever.

While our faith was tested, it served to focus our attention on the purpose of the Rummage Sale, on the Joy of working together in spite of obstacles, and on the Peace that comes with creating a workable solution.

Yes, God is Good….and He always provides us with a hope-filled future.

Carolyn Franklin

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Walking and Sitting

Be still and know that I am God. –Psalm 46:10

When I was in junior high and high school, I walked about two miles to and from school up and down the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in eastern Washington state. I had a pretty chaotic childhood being raised by a mentally unstable, divorced mother of four, so the walks did a lot to focus and calm me for the day ahead. I passed our Methodist church on the way and sometimes I would slip into the sanctuary – nothing was locked up back then – and just sat. 

As I have looked back on that time in my growing up, I have been astonished how those walks and sitting in the sanctuary helped me through hands-down the roughest years of my life. This helped me not to be cowed by life’s craziness. Fortunately I went away for college and into a new life – although until graduate school, I did have to go home for the summers to work. 

I still walk today, so I know the therapeutic value of fresh air and exercise, and still remember the value of sitting quietly in prayer and meditation, no matter where.

Vivian Anderson

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

It Was Those Meant to Be Moments

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." – Hebrews 13:2

It was a week that had been planned for months down to every detail. It was also full of anticipation and some anxiety of the unknown. Amid it all, however, little moments happened that make one believe in angels sent by God. 

Setting up for the first evening of Shelter Week, we were missing access to the television that would be used by our guests. One of the people in the room at the time just happened to have a Firestick ready at hand and promptly set it up. 

The first night, guests arrived a bit earlier than expected and well before dinner was ready. Snacks and refreshment were provided with items on hand. Contemplation of what to provide to our guests the remainder of the week followed. 

The next day another angel and her family showed up with creative individual charcuterie trays. Later that same evening one of our host liaisons recognized that one of our guests was in desperate need of shoes. She remembered some unused ones she had at home that were just the right size. The offer was graciously accepted, and the new shoes were worn the remainder of the week. 

On our final night of hosting there was a conflict among the ladies that woke many due to raised voices. Wouldn’t you know the person that I would have wanted there to manage this situation was a host liaison that night. 

There were likely more of these moments that I was not aware of. Maybe you have had these moments, too. Angel moments are all around us if we take a moment to take notice.

Beth Blunden

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

People Will Come

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. - Hebrews 11:1-2

Day 1 was a great day. We drove off the ferry that connected us from Muskegon to Milwaukee.

We were on our way to Dyersville, Iowa! Nope...never heard of it either. But... we have! It's where the movie Field of Dreams was filmed! As the script was written, it still was a donation of $20 to get in.

We spent about 3 hours there. Walking the field, touching the so tall corn, and even hitting a few balls. Sitting on the bleachers that Ray built, I could see James Earl Jones recite his infamous speech, “people will come, Ray....”

A few weeks later, looking back at our photos I felt a calling to rewrite his speech.

People will come to the Lord, Ray.
They'll come to Jesus for reasons they can't even fathom.
They'll turn up to the Lord not knowing for sure why they're doing it.
They'll arrive at His door as innocent as children; looking for guidance.
“Of course, we don't mind if you look around,” you'll say, "That's why I'm here!"
They'll pass over all their feelings without even thinking about it.
For it's feelings they have and peace they lack.
They'll walk over to the pews; sit in their suits and ties on a perfect afternoon.
They'll find they have reserved seats along the aisle; where they sat when they were children
Cheering and singing to the Lord with praises as though they dipped their faith on magic waters.
The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces.
People will come to the Lord, Ray.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been the Lord.
Our nation, our world, has rolled by ticking like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard; rebuilt and erased once again.
The Lord, our God, has marked the time. This life, our Lord; it's a part of our past, Ray.
It reminds us, of all that was once good, and it could be again.
Oh! People will come to the Lord, Ray.
People will most definitely come.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank you for this one constant in our lives.
It's you, Lord. Amen.

Jim Cupples

Monday, March 10, 2025

Let Go and Let God

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

As many of you know, Jim and I took a 43 year old dream, a “check off item from our bucket list,” a “wait til we retire” vacation this past September. We drove through, including Michigan, 11 other states. Midway through our trip, we left the country and visited British Columbia for a few days. It was there we met up with an old high school classmate. We haven't seen him in nearly 46 years!

We were gone for 3 weeks. Drove nearly 6,000 miles. The weather was beyond perfect!

One of the best parts of this planned trip...it was completely unplanned. Only the ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee was reserved. Everything else we just “winged” it! Or did we? We knew God was on this trip with us. As the saying goes...”As we make plans, God laughs.”

We would stop at the side of the road, just to get out and stretch, but more importantly, just to “breathe in” the sights, the towns, the people, and simply... God.

Every morning as we started our drive, I would read aloud our Upper Room. We would pray for those on our list. But, we discovered we were also praying for the unknown...the uncertainty of what the day would bring.

We never felt one ounce of fear on this trip. Again, we knew we were not alone.

This trip reassured us of a valuable reminder...

“To let go.. and let God.”

May you ponder these words in your hearts. We are not alone.

Prayer:
Our heavenly Father, help us to be reminded of who we are and whose we are. In times of certainty and uncertainty please lift us up as we treasure your closeness always.
In your precious name, Amen.

Cathy Cupples

Sunday, March 09, 2025 (from Ash Wednesday, February 17 1999)

Ashes and Oil – Doorways to Love

Read: Joel 2:1-17, Mark 1:9-15, and Isaiah 61:1-6

I try to keep up with Bible study. In doing so I find in it that Biblical religion was steeped in symbolic substances and actions. Some were carried into the tradition of the Church but were dropped by protestants at the time of the Reformation. The reasons for discounting their use were valid in the Sixteenth century for the accretions of superstition and faulty theology had hidden the ancient meaning of the signs.

But four and a half centuries of disuse have robbed us of some of the strongest symbols found in the Bible. We call this Ash Wednesday but most of us have never had ashes on our heads. Therefore, we find it difficult to identify with the people of Nineveh or Old Testament penitents who used ashes as a symbol. We read in the Bible about “the oil of gladness.” We sing about the unction of the Holy Spirit. But because we ourselves have never been anointed with fragrant oil, these are abstract experiences, unknown to us in fact.

Recently Protestantism has been criticized as being too rationalistic, too verbal, too devoid of that which appeals to the feelings and affections. The recovery of the practices of the ancient church, which speak to all the senses, can assist us at this very level. The use of ashes and oil in many churches on Ash Wednesday is in that tradition. It employs the Biblical symbols of ashes, a sign of destruction and death; and oil, a sign of healing and richness.

For me, attending an Ash Wednesday service which uses these signs has opened a new doorway through which the love of God has been made much more real. Ashes do bring an awareness of death, the need for repentance, and trust in the life-giving Grace of God. Likewise with having your head anointed with oil, there is a renewed awareness of the rich healing of the Holy Spirit who can bring forth in our lives fruits worthy of repentance.

Worship today in a service at GPUMC which uses these symbols and discover in the liturgical actions a very doorway to God and the gospel message of love.

Prayer
O God, who by the power of the Holy Spirit brings life out of death, may the awareness of sin and death bring me to true repentance and trust in your eternal love. Through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Rev. Jack Eugene Giguere

Saturday, March 8, 2025

Trusting God’s Answers

Read: Psalm 121

It was a snowy morning December12th 2024, and one of the first snowfalls of the winter season in Southeast Michigan. The road was a combination of snow and ice when I entered I-94 at Cadieux, heading East. As I approached Moross Road. I saw a large vehicle spinning out of control ahead of me, and heading for the cement median separating East- and West-bound traffic.

I immediately headed toward the right side of the road to avoid a head-on collision, and to possibly get around him before his rebound off the wall. The road conditions did not allow enough speed to get around prior to his bouncing off the wall and crashing the driver side of my car with his full impact.

I was spun around with airbags deployed, fearing I would be hit again by a fast-moving truck or car.
The fast-moving oncoming traffic was somehow able to avoid my position on the road. If I had been hit a second time, I would have been sent down I-94 faster than a hockey puck at LCA.

I know that God and the Holy Spirit were with me that morning, as I had every reason not to be able to walk away, after being taken by ambulance to the hospital, and leaving after three hours.

One friend said, "God is not through with you after escaping that crash."

I have thought a lot about what God has ahead for me to do, and why I was spared to walk away.
I am waiting, listening, and trusting for God’s answer.

Doug Ross, Sr.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Dogs and Romans    

Read: Romans 7:7-25

Having a rescue dog is interesting. I didn’t make her. I didn’t pick her out. I didn’t even go looking for a dog. Billie just showed up with us because somebody dumped her (?!). But I do love her.

As you probably know, Billie and I take pretty long walks every day (except when I’m out of commission and icing my ankle). She is a very smart dog. Sometimes “crafty” or “sneaky” would be a better description. On our walks, she’s always on the lookout for anything she can grab from the ground to eat. I’m sure there are people who see us coming and think, “There’s that guy who always tells his dog not to eat anything;” because I do. Despite my fairly constant admonitions, she still grabs stuff when I’m not able to stop her.

That’s when she gets told, “No! That’s bad! Be good, don’t be a bad dog! You know better!” I know she’s pretty smart, so I think she does know better, she just can’t help herself unless I’m reminding her that I’m watching.

If she really could think and reason, she’d probably echo Paul: 

I know the rules are from my Dad, but I’m just a dog, a creature of strong instinct. I don’t really understand what I’m doing – I want to be a good dog, but then I do what gets me in trouble, and I don’t like that. – Romans 7:14-15, CSV (Canine Standard Version)

I do want her to change, to stop doing things that may hurt her; and because I love her, I keep telling her “No,” and then forgiving her when she does bad stuff.

I think that’s how God sees me (and you):
“Don’t be bad, Charlie, be good! You know better!
“I love you, so I forgive you this time, just go, and from now on sin no more.”
    (see John 8:10-11)

Then the next time it’s the same thing again, just like Billie and me.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, thank you for Your overflowing forgiveness, for Your endless Love, and for the ways we can learn of You from Your creation. In Your precious name, Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

Prayer Focus: The dogs we love, and the lessons they teach us.

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Unexpected Joy    

Read: Galatians 5:22-25

My daughter asked me to go with her to see the musical “The Color Purple.” She said that it was one of her favorite musicals and that she wanted to share it with me. Of course I agreed to go, but I can’t say that I was thrilled. The only thing I knew about “The Color Purple” was that it was a depressing movie, and I wasn’t in the mood for depressing. To make matters worse, I had just gotten over a bout of COVID and was not feeling up to par on the night of the production. 

Boy was I surprised when the play started with booming gospel singing – my favorite. But even more surprising was the message that the music beautifully conveyed. The story, told through the music, was one of faith, hope, and love. 

For those of you who don’t remember “The Color Purple” – or have never been introduced to it – the story centers on Miss Celie, a black woman from the Jim Crow South. We watch as Miss Celie is abused by her stepfather, married off against her will to a man who beats her regularly, and separated from her sister – the only person who has shown her love. Therefore, it stands to reason that Miss Celie questions whether there is a God!! She tells her new friend, Shug, about her lack of faith, and Shug answers her with a song:

God is inside you and everyone else
That was or ever will be.
We come into this world with God.
But only them who look inside find it.
God is the flowers and everything else
That was or ever will be.
And when you feel the truth so real,
And when you love the way you feel, you've found it
Just as sure as moonlight bless the night.
Like a blade of corn,
Like a honeybee,
Like a waterfall,
All a part of me.
Like the color purple,
Where do it come from?
Open up your eyes,
Look what God has done.

AND TO THIS I SAY, AMEN!!!

Jan Versical

Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025

A Journey of Faith

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out our transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. –Psalm 51:1-2 NRSV Bible

Today is Ash Wednesday. Today we begin a journey of faith. Today we mark ourselves as mortal beings, through the imposition of ashes. Today Lenten fasts begin for those who commit to such faith practices. Today we begin a season of carving a little more time for God in our lives, intentionally renewing or adding new spiritual disciplines. Today is a Wednesday that is different from all other Wednesdays. Today is Ash Wednesday.
Psalm 51 is the chosen psalm for this day. As we read it and reflect upon it, we join King David in confessing our sin, our brokenness, our need for a Savior. Try as we might, we are simply lost without Jesus. Because of the abundance of God’s mercy, Jesus lovingly draws near and meets us in our lostness. He comes to be with us and receives us as his beloved sisters and brothers. This is how deep and wide is God’s mercy—there’s enough for you and me… and the world, too. Thanks be to God!
So, may we join Lord Jesus, the Christ of mercy, on this Lenten journey. Ash Wednesday is only the first step, but it’s a great place to begin this forty day walk to Calvary, with Jesus and with his people, known as the church.

Prayer:
O God, your glory is always to have mercy. Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (#334 The United Methodist Book of Worship)

Rev. David Eardley

Lent 2025 - Introduction

Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been my honor and joy to edit this book (my 27th as editor and 28th as a contributor!); and you generally do, you came through for me – and for each other! Not only did I have enough devotions to cover the forty days, I could cover nearly every day with original devotions!

Once again we have devotions from some new writers and new members, a bunch from many of our long-time stalwarts, and a few from our friends at College Grove Methodist Church. We are blessed to have so many of you share your thoughts, time, insights, and witness with your church family as we make our slow but sure journey toward the glory that is Easter. (With the recent passing of our former pastor, Jack Giguere, I thought it would be nice to include devotions written by him and a few other past pastors, and you will find those mostly on Sundays.)

It was exciting to see themes emerge as I collected and arranged your contributions. This year there was a lot of meditation on Nature and Beauty; on Neighbors and Service. As we’ve recently finished our return to hosting Shelter Week, that latter pair seems much more than fitting. Think of it: the Holy Spirit has led us to share thoughts and stories to encourage us all to live and love like Jesus: not just in the church building, not just in our congregation, but out in the wide world – where His Love and Life are needed (as always) more than ever. Remember St. Francis of Assisi’s words: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

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