Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 (from Easter Sunday, April 23, 2000)

Seeing More Than Just the Gardener

Read: John 20:1-18

There are some things that you have to do alone. No one else can do them for you.
Your birth is your own.

You must breathe for yourself, eat for yourself, and sleep for yourself. And, in all honesty, you must die an earthly death for yourself. If you have faith or not – well, you have to answer that for yourself, too.

Consider, then, the individual and somewhat solitary encounters with the Resurrection that the Gospel of John records. This Gospel tells us that Mary came to the tomb alone. In fact, she came to the tomb while it was still dark. Finding the stone rolled back and the grave empty, she ran to tell the others. Peter and the "Beloved Disciple" started running together, but they reached the tomb separately.
Alone each one looked at the grave. Each one entered alone – saw alone – believed alone.

Mary stayed at the empty tomb and heard with her own ears the words, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Thinking that it was only the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Then Jesus called her by name: "Mary," he said.

Sometimes I wish that the Lord would call me by name on Easter morning. And so do many others.
The woman who is a widow, who weeps alone; the one who is in prison alone; the one who bears sickness alone; the orphan who is left alone; the many Thomases who doubt alone. 

Today we celebrate new life: Especially life that cannot be shut up in a tomb. Today we celebrate together with those like us who find the merger in their own existence with the living Lord.
Today we begin a new story – our story.

Frederick Buechner writes:

"It is precisely at such times as this that Jesus is apt to come, into the midst of life at its most real and inescapable time: At suppertime, or walking along a road. This is the element that all the stories about Christ's return to life have in common. Mary waiting at the empty tomb and suddenly turning around to see somebody standing there – someone she thought at first was the gardener.
He never approached from on high, but always in the midst, in the midst of real people, in the midst of real life and the questions that real life asks. Sacred moments of miracle, are often the everyday moments, the moments which, if we do not look with more than our eyes, or listen with more than our ears, reveals only the gardener."

The whole church of Christ is singing of new life on Easter. So in the midst of Easter morning, we too, look and expect to see the miracle of the living Lord. 

Today we join our voices and our hearts and celebrate the reality that we, too, have seen the Lord!

Rev. Robert D. Wright

Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025 (from Easter Sunday, April 14, 1974)

The Gift of Joy and Life

Read: Matthew 28:1-10

“It began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” – Matthew 28:1

The fragment of the first verse of the 28th chapter of Matthew carries a prophetic truth that comes to us as a thin ray of light against a dark background. These who are making their early morning journey are coming burdened down with the weight of death and dying. In their hands are baskets filled with winding cloths and ointments. In their hearts are carried the defeat and fear of Good Friday's awful event. It is in darkness that they moved toward this painful morning.

So it is that many of us move toward the morning of resurrection. In the dark valley of painful crucifixion our lives are stripped of their glib and easy faiths; the idols of our casual and careless worship are cast down. With only the sense of doing our duty we move forward, but in that movement comes the upsurge of promise and hope.

So moved the women to the tomb of Christ. Their duty was disrupted; the body was not there. The appointment with death and the appointments of death are lost in the staggering affirmation “He is not here; He is risen!” Beyond the confounding emptiness they met Christ giving to them the gift of joy and life. This is the Easter gift, not isolated to a day or a season, but ours now and always.

Prayer: Lord of life, we thank you for the glorious truth and the experience of the resurrection. Raise us to joy and love so that people meeting us on the highway of our lives will see Jesus in us and through us. Amen.

Thought for the day: Easter's gift of life is not for one day or one season, but for all days and forever.

Rev. Perry A. Thomas

Good Friday, April 18, 2025

Assurance

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

On March 1st of last year my 30-year-old nephew died in a car accident, leaving behind a wife and three young children. It was a tragedy our family struggled to understand and accept. Dillon was a caring young man with a deep faith. My sister and brother-in-law, his parents, were devastated. 

Dillon managed Caberfae Ski Resort in northern Michigan and was a beloved employee. The owners offered the ski lodge with dinner afterwards for his memorial service as a gift to the family. They gave his family a lifetime family pass for skiing, a sport they all love. This alone spoke to his impact. At such a young age, Dillon left a legacy of love. Hundreds of people packed the lodge and we heard about his kindness and sweet personality. A friend created decals with the quote “I appreciate you” on each, with his name, date of birth and passing – his common response for thanking someone. Over and over people shared how Dillon had impacted their lives. 

While we never want to be in a heartbreaking situation like this, what comes from such a loss is the gathering of people who share memories, talk about the love, and pull together to support one another. We hear stories we might never have heard. We tell each other how much we care. We are grateful for the moments we are sharing together.

What are we to take from this? How do we make these horrific life experiences less painful? Knowing God is truly with us, walking the path as we grieve and begin to heal, brings comfort. Committing to tell those we love how much they mean to us brings us a little peace. And finally, while the work of grieving and healing is never over, we can continue to tell the stories of love, appreciation, and remembrance so that the impact of this young man’s life continues to be present in our daily lives. Isn’t that our challenge as followers of Jesus? We trust when it isn’t clear what we are to trust. We follow His word when we are still seeking to understand. And we know that amid all the immense sorrow, God is good. He leads us through these times of sorrow and sadness with the assurance that life with Him is everlasting.

Marcia Wright

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025

Close Your Eyes and Open Your Mouth

Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! – Psalm 34:8 

“Dad, close your eyes and open your mouth.” 

Have you ever had your kid (or friend or spouse) say something like that to you?
What does it take to comply?
Trust.

Yes – but not just trust that my 4-year-old means well by me, I also have to trust that he knows what’s OK to put in Dad’s mouth.

I need trust and faith.
What? Faith?

Yes, and it’s just like that when we follow God.

We can’t just believe that He has our best interest at heart; we also have to trust that He knows what’s OK for us – even better, that He knows what’s right, what’s best for us.

So – close your eyes and open your mouth. 

Taste and see how good the Lord is.

Thank Him for all He has given you.

Tell Him you love Him.

Tell Him your deepest needs, thoughts, feelings.

Taste the goodness of the Lord, and be ready for Him to give you the best, and now that your mouth is open, be ready to tell everyone you meet of God’s goodness!

Prayer:
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise! Amen. (Psalm 51:15)

Charlie van Becelaere

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Anna – A Woman of Grace

Last year I wrote a devotion about by neighbor George, entitled “All In.” I promised to write a separate one for his wife, my friend Anna, for this year’s devotion booklet. So here goes.

As I mentioned, I have lived next door to my Greek neighbors, George and Anna, since May of 1996, and it has been a joy. Anna, like George, has been an inspiration to me. She is a perfect yin to George’s yang. Anna is a behind the scenes person, compared to George’s more gregarious personality. They are different, but the same on matters that really count. Anna is a beautiful person inside and out. She is creative, giving, and has a distinct eye for fashion.

So, what have I learned from Anna? Like George, Anna has demonstrated a love of and devotion to family. Last year I talked about how she and George took care of their three grandsons from when each was born until they went to preschool. Anna cooked countless batches of chicken soup, made their lunches, mended their stuffies, found stylish bargains for them at TJ Max, and in general loved them up. They of course are crazy about their Yia Yia. Through the years I also witnessed Anna’s dedication to her daughter, son-in-law, mother, sister, and her brothers. The summer their daughter Georgia, and son-in-law Trevor were married, Anna’s mother Dora, and her sister Evgenia came for several weeks to help prepare for the wedding. They were amazing. They hand sewed paraments for the altar decorations, made baskets for the junior bride’s maids, and baked countless cookies and pastries for the reception. Creativity runs in the family! Dora, also known as big Yia Yia, visited regularly from Greece, until she was unable to travel. Anna went for an extended visit each year to be with her mother and sister in Greece. She was very loving and faithful to her mother who passed a few years ago.

Anna is the perfect combination of Martha and Mary, the two friends of Jesus. Anna is a doer and a giver like Martha. She is also very devoted to the spiritual aspects of her faith like Martha’s sister Mary.

On the Martha side She is an active member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, an organization that provides support to those in need, and promotes the Greek Orthodox faith and traditions. She and members of the group sponsor several bake sales, and other fund-raising programs throughout the year. Her baked goods are famous for their deliciousness and beauty. Anna spends hours in her kitchen fastidiously preparing cookies, spanakopita, and other baked goods to help raise funds. It is not unusual to see her kitchen light on until the wee hours. Beautiful plates of cookies are prepared and delivered each Easter and Christmas for family and friends. Anna is kind enough to make a baklava for GPUMC to sell at the annual Palooza fundraiser, often creating a bidding war, as it is a sought-after prize! Anna is continually active in her church, offering her time and talents in many ways. As her lucky neighbor I am quite sure I would be fifteen pounds lighter if it weren’t for Anna sharing food with me.

On the Mary side Anna practices her faith both inside the walls of the church and in her daily living. She adheres to the traditions of fasting, prayer, and attends services wherever she is located. When they travel, she and George often visit monasteries, churches, and religious sites. Anna emulates Jesus every day. She is always making a meal or paying a visit to friends who need a little extra care. She does these generous acts without show. She just does them quietly with love. In thinking about this devotion, I decided to look up the meaning of the name Anna before writing this, and it turns out her name means “grace.” That is so fitting, because she serves God and the world with grace.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

Nancy Grose

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Reflections on Shelter Week

Read: Hebrews 13:1-6

Ground beef vegetable soup, chopped salad with a selection of dressings, warm dinner rolls and butter, and a heaping tray of homemade chocolate chip cookies! Coffee, decaf, tea, and lemonade were Thursday’s dinner during shelter week. Hot popcorn, bags of chips and pretzels, tea and hot chocolate, and quiet conversations completed the evening. I overheard the breakfast menu: Toasted English muffins with turkey sausage and fried eggs–the eggs made with egg rings so they fit the English muffin precisely! The following morning’s breakfast menu was to be egg strata.

A basket of toiletries was available for anyone’s needs. So many considerate provisions! It seemed evident to me that shelter week was a labor of love involving thoughtful reflection on what would help make guests most comfortable.

My first time as a shelter week volunteer brought to mind something I’d read in The Long Loneliness (1952), the autobiography of Catholic social activist Dorothy Day, who. had established hospitality houses in New York the 1930s. During an interview with author Robert Coles, she was asked how she’d like to be remembered: 

I hope for some of the talks here with our guests; I hope they remember I tried to make good coffee for them, and good soup! I’ve enjoyed getting to know them- they have been good teachers. You listen to them, hear the troubles they’ve faced and you realize how much courage they have needed to go from one week to the next…I hope they have earned my respect.

Day explained that as the hospitality houses and breadlines grew in number served (hundreds came twice a day for meals), so did the hospitality: 

…with the best of whole wheat bread made from whole grain which we buy by the half ton. What a delightful thing it is to be boldly profligate, to ignore the price of coffee and go on serving the long line of destitute men who come to us, good coffee and the finest of bread.

“This is our favorite church,” I heard a GPUMC guest say.

“Thanks for listening to me”

“God Bless” were themes in their conversations.

During this relentless winter, I have gratitude for a warm home and food, and gratitude that I could do this one small thing: being present for a couple of hours. “Not all of us can do great things; but we can do small things with great love.” (attributed to Mother Teresa).

Holly Feen-Calligan

Monday, April 14, 2025

The Lord God Made Them All

”But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” – Luke 18:16

Kenny and I often get a kick out of the differences in our children. These little humans we create and nurture are, from the very beginning, unique. 

To celebrate Valentine’s day at school, kids are invited to bring in a card or treat for their classmates. One of our children likes to digitally design and print their own cards, one is okay with store bought, and one doesn’t want to participate at all. 

Something as simple as Valentine’s cards is a reminder to me of the beauty God sprinkles into our lives through our children. Sometimes our, or society’s, expectations and desires for our children don’t match the people God made them to be. I’ve learned to meet our kids where they are, as they are. 

Being in ministry with children has been such a special gift in my life. One thing I love about working with our children at GPUMC is getting to know them, how they see the world, and how their unique gifts bless our lives. 

There are many things children bring to our ministry at GPUMC: a fresh perspective, energy, honesty, creativity, unity, and opportunities for mentorship to name a few. 

God made them the unique and wonderful people they are and we are so lucky to have them in our ministry!

Emily Bianchi

Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025 (from Monday, March 29, 1999)

Who Do You Say HE Is?

Read: Mark 8:27-30, John 11:35

The big question that we were constantly asked in seminary was, “Who do You Say HE (Jesus) Is?” During my Senior year I was even required to write a 15 page paper that answered this question. No I have not inserted my paper as this day's devotion, but this John text was the text that most radically changed and formed my understanding of Jesus. 

When I read this text for the first time, I was not in a Bible class nor was I in a worship service. But instead, I was searching – searching for difficult answers. You see, for two years I served as a chaplain at Dayton's Children's Medical Center. As you can imagined I was exposed to many children with various degrees of trauma in their lives; from broken arms to AIDS, premature births to cancer, colds to sexual abuse, Shaken Baby Syndrome to SIDS. 

During my first case at the hospital emergency room, a mother asked me, “How can God be so uncaring? How could God allow this to happen to my child? Why did my child have to die?” I do not remember exactly how I answered these questions that first night, but they lead me on a search. I needed to discover what the Bible said about such issues, and how Jesus responded to such situations. This is when I found the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” 

When I read these words, it was as if Jesus was made “real” to me for the first time. John described a Jesus that was compassionate, loving, caring, and genuinely affected by others. After I read about this account where Jesus cried, I had a better understanding of who Jesus is, which enabled me to better answer parents' questions. I could never make everything all better nor could I explain things that only God knew the answers to; but I could tell them that I knew that God did not cause bad things to happen to their beautiful children, and that Jesus was weeping because of their loss. I was amazed at the powerful impact that these words had on people and on myself. 

And these are powerful words for us all to hear and to take to heart. We all live in a world where bad things happen to really good people all the time. But we must never feel that God is punishing us or that God purposely makes evil things happen in our lives. In fact, I believe that when we hurt, God hurts and even cries with us. The good news is that out of all evil – no matter how evil – God is always able to bring good things. And is always there to love us.

Gracious God, Thank you for sending us Jesus, God in flesh. Open our hearts and our eyes when we are in crisis situations, so that we may feel your love and support. You are a great God and we thank you for never leaving us alone. Amen

Rev. Mary McInnes

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Further and Deeper

Read: Ephesians 3:20-22

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:37-38 (NIV)

I was fishing on a stretch of river that I hadn’t been to before when I remembered that a friend had told me about a waterfall that I should see if it were up this way. You may know that I am almost as interested in observing the flora, fauna, and beauty of God’s creation as I am of catching fish, so I set off up the river, and within a few miles I found it; a pretty, murmuring waterfall; worth the trip but nothing spectacular or awe inspiring. 

Some time later I was telling my friend that I had seen the waterfall that he told me about. He said, “Did you see them both?” 

“Both?” I asked. 

“Well, there’s actually three of them, about a quarter of a mile apart as you follow the river channel up.”

The next time I was on the river I went to the first fall, and then on to the second which was larger and louder than the first. Then I went on to the third which was, indeed, spectacular and well, well, well worth the journey. 

I will confess there have been times in my journey with Christ when the experience seems rather “That’s nice, but not really spectacular.” The temptation is to stop there and either be critical of the experience or to be satisfied with the “Ho-Hum” 

But then in prayer He whispers the promise of … more than I can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-22)

So, I continue to follow further and deeper into faith and obedience. Only to discover that the witness of my fellow Christians and the whispered promise of the Father are true. Following Jesus is well, well, well worth the journey!  Peace and Hope and Joy and Love gushing up in abundant life!

Shalom, Rev. Will Wells, CGMC

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us never be content until we follow you to the point of living water flowing all around us and even from within us. We love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Many Blessings In My Life

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. – Ephesians 5:1-2

Christmas Week 2024

Every other year I have either Thanksgiving or Christmas. (We decided to share with my sons-in-law’s families.)

This year was my Christmas week. My family came in on Saturday December 21, staying through December 28, 2024. Emily and Nick drove from Baltimore with three children: Chip, 5 years old; Zach, 3 years old; and Norah, 22 months old. Marjorie and John drove from Chicago with their 7-month-old son, Curtis. Birdy and Devin flew from Sarasota, FL into DTW with their two children: Mattie, 21 months old, and Clare, 5 months old. They were delayed for two hours in Tampa airport. I picked them up, and they got in around 10PM. Long day for all of us.

The week was wild and crazy, with six grandchildren from age five and under. Lots of noise, running around the house, lots of food for meals – my daughters and their husbands took care of the meals, I only had to make Christmas dinner with 22 family members and relatives. We made Christmas cookies with the older children. That was exciting: flour everywhere, rolling out the dough and stamping the cookie cutters, and frosting everywhere. I was very impressed that they wanted to help me, and they all had a fun time. Lots of laughter, smiles, running noses, and totally exhausted.

We took them to the Waterloo Park: too cold, so they went to Starbucks to get a hot chocolate. Emily and Nick took the boys to Pine Knob for ski lessons. We went to the 4PM Christmas Eve program, so glad I had everyone with me. That was very special. After Christmas, we went to see the lights at the Detroit Zoo. It was magical.

I am truly blessed to have my family, my grandchildren, my sons-in-law, my sister and brother and their families. God has been good to me. Many blessings in my life. I am sad not to have Bob around to see how our family is growing.

Vicki Liggett

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Comfort Can Be a Lot More Than Coffee
(or Mac and Cheese, ice cream, flannel sheets, a warm house, a car that runs, a great book, nice neighbors, a tax refund, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Mathew 11:28

I’ve very much enjoyed the Tuesday afternoon Bible study led by Pastor David. Reading the Bible with a commentary in hand and a person who has spent most of his life reading the scriptures, has been a rich learning, spiritual experience. Last year we walked through the craziness of Samuel I and II. That is, Samuel acquiescing to the demands of the Hebrews to have a king, to choosing Saul as the first king, realizing that, oops, Saul was not the best choice, to choosing David whom as we remember wasn’t perfect but soooo much better than Saul and who was in love with the Lord.

This September we started Matthew which many of us thought we knew but when read slowly has much deeper meaning than we first realized. It is a long book with many sections some of which even non-Christians are familiar with such as the Sermon on the Mount and the Parables. My Good News Bible has references to where the same passages can be found in other parts of the Bible – a great tie in.

“Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” We’ve heard this passage so many times, but how so very comforting in times of chaos. In composing the Messiah, Handel got it right to include these timeless words.

I shared with the group that I have a car which still has a CD player and I have the Messiah set to that section so I can, with a punch of the button, listen to these words when I’m in crazy traffic or just stressed. The scripture reminds me that I don’t have to do life alone

Vivian Anderson

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

The Joy of Volunteering

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 NIV

I am an active volunteer between church and community groups. When asked why I put so much work into my volunteer activities, I sincerely say I get much more out of the work than I put in. Winston Churchill said: “We make a living by what we get, but we made a life by what we give.” Volunteering allows you to give of yourself. It lets you make a difference to someone else. It gives you purpose and usefulness. When you volunteer, you feel good about yourself and forget your own troubles. It offers you the chance to meet new people, go new places and learn new things. While volunteering is not one of the ten commandments, the Bible directs us to make volunteering a part of our faith life. 

Service is a critical part of being a Christian and it is a fulfilling part of our faith. Service to others reflects Christ’s nature and it is the example he modeled for us. This allows us to know God more intimately and it reveals who we are in ways that nothing else can. It gives us a chance to represent and glorify God. Each of us was created to selflessly serve others with the talents, time, and other resources God has entrusted to us. When Christ called the apostles, he was asking them to volunteer with him. He is also asking that of each of us.

God reveals the nature of his call in several Biblical references.

• In 1 Peter 4:10 we are told: “Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating God’s grace in its various forms.” What gifts have I been given? Am I using my abilities to serve others or to serve myself?
• Colossians 3:23 tells us to regard our work as an act of worship to God. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” 
• The gospel of Mark says: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Do I prioritize being a humble servant, or am I looking for glory for myself. 
• Galatians 6:10 encourages us to continue in doing good works even when we get discouraged and may not see positive results. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest of we do not give up.”
• In Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus warns against ignoring the needs of others. Verse 45 says: “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Are we looking for ways God has prepared for us to be of service? How exciting that we are working directly as agents for God. Let your service to others open new doors in your life and help you grow in your faith.

Prayer:
Thank you, Father, that you have given us gifts to use in your service and have prepared opportunities for us. Amen

Pat Deck

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Watching and Looking Forward

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12

It’s devotion time again!

Anyone familiar with GPUMC’s annual devotion booklet knows I have a habit of writing about dogs. Dogs are remarkable creatures. I got a firsthand look at this recently.

For those of you new to this booklet, Dave and I have 2 rescue dogs. We got the oldest, Jax, many years back from Heidi at Grosse Pointe Animal Clinic after our dog, Toby, died unexpectedly. The second, Scout, we got by default from our daughter, Katrina (ask us about that story). 

Jax has been on medication for years to control a seizure disorder. Occasionally, despite the medication, he still experiences a seizure. Here’s the amazing part. One day I noticed Scout putting himself right next to Jax and frantically licking his muzzle. At first I scolded him thinking he was just bugging Jax and trying to get him to play. Then Jax had a seizure. He was able to “see” something I could not. Scout knew what was coming before it actually happened. This episode got me thinking about our Christian faith and that we must hold fast to it even though we cannot actually “see” it. 

Paul understood that in our human existence we see through the mirror dimly. As humans we lack the capacity to understand the divine plan. We look forward to the time when all will be revealed and we will be one with God.

Prayer focus: dogs and those who love them

Sue DeWitt

Monday, April 7, 2025

Beautiful Trees

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

I love trees. When nothing makes sense in life, I find myself staring at the trees. They are beautiful with leaves and beautiful without. Lately I look at the bare trees of winter and find myself thinking that if we could see underground, a tree's top might almost be a mirror image for all the roots underground that we cannot see. Jeremiah 17:7-8 compares us to trees when we build our lives upon God's promises.

So much in our world doesn't make sense, but when we ground our roots in God's word, it doesn't matter so much what goes on in the world. Things can happen in the world, yet we can be firmly planted, "remain green" and "bear fruit" in spite of whatever cultural "droughts" are raging around us.

My Great Aunt Neva loved this poem. She left us this past May at the age of 102. She had deep roots, and she bore much beautiful fruit. Like the trees she loved, she was a beautiful creation, teaching many to love and appreciate God's creation.

Trees

Trees are the kindest things I know
The do no harm, they simply grow
And spread a shade for sleepy cows
And gather birds among their boughs.
They give us fruit in leaves above
And wood to make our houses of
And leaves to burn on Halloween
And in the spring new buds of green.
They are the first when day's begun
To catch the beams of morning sun
They are the last to hold the light
When evening changes into night.
And when a moon floats on the day
They hum a drowsy lullaby
Of sleepy children long ago
Trees are the kindest things I know.

    - Harry Behn

Prayer:
Dear God, help us to send our roots deep by trusting in your promises and clinging to your word. Amen

Sandy Cameron

Sunday, April 6, 2025 (from Thursday, February 10, 2005)

Take Care of the Soil

Read Mark 4:1-9

This summer, I missed having the opportunity to work in the garden. Oh, I had grand plans for weeding, sowing and growing, but it was not meant to be. Instead, I flipped through gardening magazines as I watched my incisions heal. As time passed and harvest time grew closer, I ached for the taste of fresh fruits and vegetables. Four weeks into my healing process I could not stand it any more and I asked my husband, John, if he would check the shelf at the grocery store for some zucchini bread. When he returned empty handed my heart sunk.

I began to wonder why it was so important for me to have zucchini bread. As I began to focus my thoughts on times when I had eaten zucchini bread in the past, I realized that it was often shared with my mother. It had been a tradition for us to spend an entire day peeling zucchini, mixing the batter, baking the loaves and packaging what our families would not eat that week for winter treats. My seasonal clock told me that it was time for zucchini bread, but this year would be different. No mother. No zucchini. No bread.

What was I going to do?

The next day, I opened my Bible for my daily devotions. The scripture lesson was Mark 4:1-9. You’ll recognize it as The Parable of the Sower. Jesus is talking about the importance of “good soil.” It reminded me of what I had read in one of the gardening magazines which said “Take care of the soil, and don’t worry about the plants. If the soil is good, the seed will take root and grow.” I had not had a chance to prepare the soil in my garden this year and as a result the garden had produced a bumper crop of weeds. I remember thinking that I would have to do better next year and I closed my Bible feeling more than a little disappointed in myself.

That evening, Robert Callaway called to ask if he could drop by the house for a visit. He arrived shortly thereafter, and we had a lovely visit. Just before he left he put a bag on my lap. “Inside is the best zucchini bread in the whole world” he said. “Alice Kennedy makes it for me, because I just can’t get enough of it. I wanted you to have some because I am sure it will help with your healing.” I could not believe my ears. My husband, being the astute man that he is, went directly to the kitchen and cut several pieces and slathered them with butter. He presented them to me with great flourish and a gleeful smile. And at that moment I heard the message that God had been trying to teach me that very morning. “Good soil” refers to those who hear God’s Word, accept it, and bear fruit. They are the people who let God’s Word take root inside of them and grow until they are so full of life that they have to give it away. All year long I had been preparing soil and planting seeds each time I prepared to lead worship, preached a sermon, attended a committee meeting, led Confirmation, talked about the Bible, or sat and listened to a friend who had something on their mind. I just needed to stop and take a good look at my life in order to see what I was growing through my words, actions, and deeds. What I found in my spiritual garden was a bumper crop of friends, some who were inspired at just the right moment to come visit me and bring with them zucchini bread. Thanks be to God.

What are you growing in your spiritual garden?

Rev. Pam Beedle-Gee

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Trust

That is my word for this year – I’m working on learning to totally trust God. Why do I find it so hard? Is it because I am not sure that what I want and what the Lord wants for me will be the same? Intellectually, we know that the Lord absolutely knows what is best for us! And yet, we struggle. We look back at the disciples and chuckle at how they sometimes just didn’t get it. We have a whole book called the Bible with great instructions all throughout, and yet we sometimes don’t get it either. If we go to the Bible, there are several verses that point us towards the Lord and teach us to trust Him. 

Psalm 37: 3-5    Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Proverbs 3:5 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.
Isaiah 26:3-4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and put their confidence in Him.
Hebrews 11:1    Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.

I watched a video online with Greg Laurie of the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church. Laurie said, “God will allow circumstances in our lives to keep us dependent on Him.” His point was if our lives were all perfect and we had no problems, would we still turn to the Lord? 

The next time you have a situation that tests your trust in the Lord, write it down. As time goes on, look back and see how God responded to your need. Do we always get exactly what we want and just when we want it? No! Fortunately, as we learn to trust the Lord we can sit back and trust that he knows what is best for us. And for that, I am truly thankful.

Paige McClain Ramsey, CGMC

Friday, April 4, 2025

The Word of God for the People of God

Read: Matthew 28:20

I grew up in an ELCA Lutheran church that had a dedicated Sunday School hour between church services. We started our Sunday School time with a children’s worship service and a lot of music – I remember knowing early that my God was a friendly God, that love wins, due in part to those Sunday School activities where we sang “Jesus’ love is a bubblin’ over” and “I’ve got the love of Jesus down in my heart.” God was everywhere in that church for me, in the music and the lessons, in the churchyard picnic areas, in the people.

We learned a lot about love, we sang songs, we worked on art projects during those Sunday School lessons, and I’m sure we learned a lot of Bible verses. Really though, I can’t recall many of them. For years I’ve joked about wanting to teach a Bible study called “Bible study for people who don’t know much about the Bible taught by a minister’s wife who doesn’t know much about the Bible either.” Very early in our marriage I thought it might be fun to play a game of Bible trivia someone gave to Bob; I never did THAT again, having lost the game very quickly!

Bob and I moved several times over many years from church to church. I continued to feel those first lessons of my childhood church in each place Bob served: God is love, God is present, God is reliable. He was in the places we went and in the people we met. I picked up occasional Bible information but was never great about committing things to memory. Usually I’d say to Bob, “I’m thinking about a verse that has to do with _______,” and he would fill in the blanks and the location of the Bible verse. 

We probably gave away the Bible trivia game many years ago (or we put it in a church rummage sale!); I just know it’s no longer in our game closet. During a recent conversation with a friend in Bob’s retirement church (who said she doesn’t know much about the Bible either – and she’s a preacher’s kid!), I finally acknowledged that knowing God, for me, isn’t about knowing the Bible down to particular books, chapters, and verses. Knowing God is trusting in his goodness and in his reliability. Knowing God and ‘knowing’ the Bible is living in the word of God. It means, for me, having a fairly low recall of particular Bible verses while sharing love every day with people who are God’s people. Thanks be to God!

Prayer for the day: Dear God, help me to remember that sharing your word doesn’t have to mean knowing everything there is to know about the Bible. Sharing your word mostly means sharing your love and your goodness. Help me to reach out to people who need your love and understanding. Remind me that you are always with me in the love I feel from you and in the love I share with others.

Jenneth Wright

Thursday, April 3, 2025

The Lord Works in Mysterious and Wonderful Ways

Read: Proverbs 17:6, Jeremiah 29:11

Our daughter Katrina (Katie) DeWitt Broom lives with her husband Garrett and children Laura (age 10) and Jack (age 9) in Mount Pleasant smack dab in the middle of the Mitten.

She is a nurse, and got her degree from U of M. Many of GPUMC’s medical professionals encouraged her to be a physician, but she was adamant that nursing was her calling, if for no other reason that it gave her “life and career flexibility.” This has been true, since over her career she has practiced in OB-GYN, Endoscopy and Colonoscopy, Surgery, etc. Her current focus is as a discharge nurse, making sure that patients leaving direct medical care land in a spot where they can receive ongoing care.

Her husband was formerly employed as an athletic department fundraising executive, successfully moving up the professional ladder at major Midwest universities. Being a nurse with career flexibility allowed Katie to easily find employment at each move and blend in child raising at the same time. Garrett recently got appointed to a new position with US Soccer as Major Donor Executive for the Midwest and will operate remotely from Mount Pleasant. This is particularly exciting in that the 2026 Soccer World Cup sponsored by US Soccer will be held in the Western Hemisphere with events in Canada, USA and Mexico.

How does this become a devotion? Her Grandmother Mary, age 95 (Sue’s mom), has been in a wonderful assisted living facility called Independence Village (IV) in Petoskey for a number of years and is close by to Sue’s younger brother who lives just over the Mac Bridge in the UP.

Prior to being at IV, Mary had moved from a condo in town to a number of assisted living facilities where she was always blessed with good mental and physical health. With each move, Sue and her brother had to help her with the decision making, which was emotional for all three. Change is hard at any age, but particularly as age creeps and then accelerates towards the end of life. Finally she ended up at IV where she has thrived and is able to have some of her life’s treasures and furniture in her apartment.

You can guess where this is leading! Yup, finally age recently caught up with Mary and the ability to care for herself was finally taking its toll. Her congestive heart problem was bad, but recently when a norovirus entered her facility, her condition severely declined. There were five upfront options: staying in her three-room apartment with no help, having IV provide some care, move out of her apartment to one of IV’s total-care single rooms, go to a new full continuing care facility, and/or wait until she needs serious last-minute medical care in a hospital.

But thanks to Katie an additional option not considered previously was Hospice. Many of you know that Hospice care can last for a long time and imminent death is not the only criterion to qualify for care. With Katie’s amazing assistance, in cooperation and follow-through with her close cousin Kim in Grand Rapids, they took the lead in making the connections, and helped their Grandmother come to grips with the wonderful option of staying in her apartment and living more comfortably. This was especially important in that Sue’s brother Fred recently had serious blood pressure issues, and had to focus some on his own health, and had a little less of the same mental and health stamina that were needed now as in his Mom’s previous life changes.

Mary passed early Saturday 2-15-25 in the morning and all of our kids got to personally reach out to her over the days prior. That was because the GPUMC annual retreat was in Boyne Falls that same weekend, which is only ½ hour ride to Petoskey. So, close to her passing, with Katie helping remotely and in-person arranging medical care onsite, Andrew driving his Mom up and back two days before she passed, and our eldest son Ben, who was taking a long-awaited leave from his military deployment in Texas to attend the retreat, all allowed them to be with their beloved Grandmother in her final time on Earth.

So, did Grandmother “plan” to die during the Retreat? Who knows, but I think that the Lord and Sue’s Mom together helped make the dying process a place where our family could be together with their beloved Grandmother in her final days on Earth. YOU decide.

So, also thank the Lord for giving our family the ability to work together in relatively close proximity when their key help was needed.

Blessings

Dave DeWitt

PS – Prior to knowing Garrett, Katie was the attending OB nurse at St John’s a long time ago for his sister’s first child. Mutual friends thought that Katie and Garrett should meet….and the rest is positive marital history. Once again, thank the Lord.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Living The Faith

Read: James 2: 17-18

Immediately after meeting Geri, I knew she was amazing. She radiated God’s power. It was obvious she had a great relationship with God.
I felt like I was turning away from God. The daily toils and challenges threatened my enthusiasm for him.
I was determined to know how Geri arrived at this point in her life.
As co-leaders of our daughters’ Girl Scout Troop, we met often. I’ll never forget one conversation. Geri revealed her secret to me. It can be summed up in one tiny but powerful word…FAITH. “Pam,” she said, “BE a woman of Faith, not just a woman who talks Faith~And you’ll never regret it!”

Geri passed away ten years later to a long battle with breast cancer.

Fast forward to today… I hold a special place in my heart for Geri.
Over time I learned to trust God enough to move forward at his word. I became active in my church and participated in Outreach activities and Bible studies. Was it easy? NO!
Something was amiss.
I continued to work hard at adapting my behavior, my decisions, and ultimately my lifestyle so it aligns with what God asked me to do….especially to love others. I soon discovered that I don’t need to see evidence of how things would work out…I tried to act on the promises of God, not merely talking about them.

Today I believe God calls me to be certain and unwavering. I’m a firm believer that Faith is knowing God is working in my life; even though I can’t see him, I see his good works.
I live for the moments I’m caught up in God’s spirit, doing daily tasks, and helping others for his glory, instead of my own. I realize I cannot do this alone….that’s when I speak to God. I tell him I believe what Christ did on the cross, I believe what he is doing now and I believe what he’ll do in the future.
I believe the incredible, and I receive the impossible. I feel secure, for I believe and accept Jesus and his wonderful gift of salvation.

I will BE a woman of Faith.
No regrets here….Thank you Geri.

Prayer: Dear God, Please let my enthusiasm for you be contagious.
May I live in such a way that causes others to want to know you and how they can discover a better quality of life, now and forever. Amen

Pam Traskos

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

It’s Hard to Be Humble

Read: Luke 10:25-37

I watched my boot as it went above my head, seemingly bent the wrong way. 

“Uh oh,” I said, “this could be bad.”

It was, indeed, bad.

Billie ran back to where I was now sitting on the icy sidewalk, jumping around like the totally mental dog she is, probably trying to help or something; but I’m not good at accepting help.
(Un?)fortunately, I was not going to have much choice about accepting help this time.

It was an icy Sunday afternoon, and Billie wanted to turn up Cadieux Road – a way we probably have never gone on our walks before. I shrugged, acquiesced, trudged, slipped, and fell. There, now we’ve caught up to where I started.

A big black SUV stopped across the street, heading toward Mack. The driver rolled down his window and asked if I were OK. “I will be,” was my foolish response. 

I didn’t get up.

The SUV emptied and four people headed across the street to help, whether I had accepted or not. Realizing that there was no way I was going to get up on my own, and I certainly wasn’t going to be able to walk that long block home (we had just started our walk!), I once again acquiesced – this time letting two of these kind souls help me to my foot. That’s right, I was limited to foot rather than feet.

Imagine the surprise and relief as we all realized that these strangers who stopped to help me weren’t actually strangers, but rather the Roberts family. We have been camping together several times – you know, that weekend after Labour Day when the choir is empty and lots of folks you normally see in church aren’t there – but we hadn’t seen each other since I stopped wearing glasses. Add in a fairly goofy blaze orange toque with a built-in headlight and I can’t imagine I looked very familiar to them. For my part, I was paying more attention to keeping my foot off the ground than looking at the faces of the bundled-up folks who were helping me do so. Fortunately, Sara had realized who I was and we were all a bit more comfortable with the situation. So, Sara and one son took Billie and walked her home while Tom and the other son got me in the car and drove me around the block and home. Heidi was a bit surprised when Billie and I turned up so quickly after leaving, and with such an escort.

Well, to make a long story short (I know, it’s too late for that), I felt an awful lot like the poor fellow who was robbed and beaten and left until that Samaritan didn’t pass by, but rather stopped and helped. What a blessing to have friends who really acted as neighbors to me. I pray that I will be like Sara and Tom the next time I see someone who needs help (and all the times after that.)

I don’t like to need help; I find it hard to accept help; but I know it’s good to be humble and accept it; and it’s also good to offer help, even if I’m not sure what help I can give.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for people – Your people – who really do help their neighbors. Help me to be one of them.
In the compassionate Name of Jesus, Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

Thought for the day: Isn’t it ironic that ice is the cause of the injury and also the best treatment?