March 20, 2015

Night Sledding Rules!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlie van Becelaere

March 19, 2015

Reaching Out

Read: Luke 18:1-8

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

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

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

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

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

Jan Versical

March 18, 2015

Footprints

Read: Psalm 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

Katie Broom

March 17, 2015

Preparing to Meet Jesus

Read: Luke 24:13-32

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rev. Pam Beedle-Gee

March 16, 2015

A Parent's Prayer

Read: Matthew 18:2-5

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

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I pray my children sleep real deep.

If they should wake before I do,

I pray that they'll just talk to You.

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

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

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

Jacki Rumpp

March 15, 2015

I Believe

Read UM Hymnal #880

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

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

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

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

Fred Van de Putte

March 14, 2015

Best Laid Plans and Happy Crows

Read: Luke 14:15-24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everything works out if you let it.

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

Ron Draper

March 13, 2015

Where is Your Faith?

 

Read Luke 8:22-25

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer Focus: Those struggling with marital problems.

Joyce Reynolds

March 12, 2015

Friends and Family

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

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

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

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

One bread, one body,

one Lord of all,

one cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many,

throughout the Earth,

we are one body in this one Lord.

Many the gifts,

many the works,

one in the Lord of all.

Libby Van de Putte

March 11, 2015

On the Path

Read 2 Samuel 22:26-37

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

“Sometimes the path is not exactly straight.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anne Sullivan

March 10, 2015

Sowing Generously

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

I am Bertie See's mother. I'm 85 years old with good Methodist blood! August last year, I missed a step, fell and broke my hip. After surgery, six weeks in a rehabilitation center with two hours of therapy a day, then home with a therapist who came twice a week I was doing great, walking with a cane. I don't really know what happened next, but I lost my balance and after some fancy pirouetting and bumping into things, I went down and broke my right wrist badly.

I was totally useless. I had no use of my right arm, and was so frightened by the fall that I wasn't walking much at all. My husband was doing the cooking, aided by Bertie and her sister on weekends they could spare. I had lots of love and concern and suddenly, surprisingly, there were cards and messages and a hand-made comforter from Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church in Grosse Pointe Farms. The warmth that came from those elements of support made me picture a prayer chain 400 miles long.

I'm on the mend again. The external metal framework holding my wrist has been replaced by a removable brace, and my cane is not as frightening as before. Each day looks brighter.

Dear Father – bless the friends who have sowed generously, and helped me maintain a sense of joy in being alive. "Birds dart among bright leaves as the whole world sings." Amen.

Kathryn Harshaw

March 9, 2015

Make A Difference

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

This past summer I traveled to Kentucky with 36 other people. The morning we were leaving my dad came in my room at 5:30 to wake me up and said, “Abby get up we are going to Work Camp today!” I moaned and turned over. He came back into my room at 6:00 and literally had to drag me out of bed.

The first day was extremely awkward and all I wanted was to go home, and to make things worse I would have to get up early, go to a church service, and then go work in the heat all day. I was having a terrible time. The week went on and I started to form relationships with the other youth and adults. The trip began to be fun and after our day off we were all having the time of our lives.

On Friday we finished our projects. I, myself, was one on the last four people at my site. I will never forget the look on the elderly woman’s face as Mr. Lorenz handed her the keys to the new doors we had installed. The joy and thankfulness in her eyes has forever changed me.

On the drive back to the settlement we sat in silence. I was thinking back on the past year with these 36 people; fund-raising, working, laughing, and growing in faith together. At that moment I understood why the adults had taken their vacation time away from their families to travel with us; they did it to guide us and mold us into better Christians.

The trip opened my eyes to the poverty in America and drew me closer to God. It showed me that I, with the help of God, can make a difference.

Abigail Martin

March 8, 2015

Practicing God’s Presence

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I’ve been reading a little book by Brother Lawrence called The Practice of the Presence of God, and it’s beginning to have an effect on me.

The basic idea is quite simple and Biblical: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk in 17th century Paris who found himself working at tasks which he could have found distasteful or unsuitable, but which he instead performed as an offering to the Lord – he offered up his work and his suffering to God.

The bigger thing, though, was that he tried always to be aware of the presence of God, not just His omnipresence, His being in all places and times, but most especially the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.

What this has done for me is to cause me to talk to God much more frequently and more conversationally, and that has meant a deeper and more satisfying and energizing prayer life. After all, what is prayer, but a conversation with God – talking with my Father about whatever is going on in my life or the world?

I’m praying that this will continue long after I’ve finished reading that book, and that I can encourage you to try it too. God is there, already listening – go ahead and talk to Him.

Charlie van Becelaere

March 7, 2015

Signs of God’s Presence

Read Matthew 25:42

The good thing about our crazy dog, Toby, is that he needs a walk every day, and the bad thing about Toby is that he needs a walk every day.

When we chose him, I wanted a walking companion; well, as they say, be careful what you wish for. Toby is like the Postal Service: neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night… So the other morning when I looked out the window and saw rain and looked at the thermometer and read 35 degrees, I was little grumpy.

We follow a fairly predictable, quiet route and, believe me, there was no one else out that morning. Turning off Lakeshore at our regular corner, we were startled by a gorgeous pheasant running across the street right in front of us and eventually flying off toward the lake. It was a shock because it was so close and so out of place on a usually busy intersection.

It’s easy to get caught up in everyday worries and routines and forget about the wonders that are often there when we least expect them. So I was grateful to be reminded that we should always be ready for signs of God’s presence even on a cold, wet morning on a deserted suburban sidewalk.

Sue DeWitt

March 6, 2015

Why do you come all the way here for church?

Read 1 Timothy 1:3-7

Jeri and I are asked this frequently, and I suppose it’s a logical question if you only drive a few minutes to get to church, although it’s never even occurred to me. We usually answer the second part with an invitation, bring your family to our home for an afternoon and you’ll understand. The answer to the first is a little harder to pin down.

I don’t remember it but I was baptized on the old altar where the piano now resides in the Great Hall. I can remember swimming and fishing on the St. Mary’s River at Camp Conley when I was 3. The Frisbies, Pierrons, Heftys, Bantiens, Rev. Nixon, Dr. and Mrs. Schaffer, and others were there. It was 1962. We went there with the Church until I was 6.

I can remember Ginny Downs making nursery school fun. I remember Bert Prisk using a plumber’s torch to melt crayons on sandpaper drawings we made in 5th grade Sunday school, the coolest thing that ever happened in Sunday school, painting with fire.

So many times Perry Thomas tried to get me to straighten up and fly right. God rest his tired soul. I drilled the holes in the granite boulder to mount his bronze statue in the Memorial Garden. It’s still there. Must have done that right.

I helped Scott and Mary Frost organize the first church winter retreat. Mary couldn’t ski so I taught her. I snowplowed backward down the hill with her skis snowplowing between mine while I held her to keep her balance and she had the hang of it in no time. She loved it so much she and Scott moved to Florida, haven’t seen her since.

So many times I remember half the church coming to our house to play cards with my parents all night.

I remember sitting in the balcony of the old sanctuary watching the choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah. To this day it’s one of my fondest memories. If my life passes in front of my eyes when I die, I’m sure that sight will be in there. Now when I see Jan up there in the choir it’s 1974 again. We sit up front so fewer people suffer when I sing.

Before there was Charlie there was a man we called Doc. He worked tirelessly to make church a place where young people wanted to be. He was an important figure in my teen years. Many years later I found myself 1,200 miles off shore in the Atlantic on a dark moonless night full of stars and no other light. I was

delivering a 42’ sailboat to the West Indies. On deck alone on watch with calm seas sailing at 5 knots, I couldn’t resist the temptation to take a dip. At 01:00 or so I tied a line to a deck cleat and jumped in. Holding the rope I towed behind the boat as I’d done hundreds of times near shore in daylight with friends running the boat. This time it was just me and the stars above. Then for some reason, it occurred to me how disappointed Doc would be if I died out here doing this. If I lost the rope, the boat would be miles away in the open ocean before anyone knew I was gone. Paying attention to my gut and Doc, I climbed out to dry off. As I did, the drag on my fishing pole’s reel gave out a grind for only a second. When I reeled in the line my bait was bitten in half. It was a wooden plug the size of a large broom handle. Something hungry with teeth as big as my thumb was in the water right behind me when I was towing myself behind the boat. Why do I drive so far to come to this church? Why was Doc there in the stars that night?

Even so, for several years I was CEO of this church. Yup I was. Christmas Easter Only. In those years I felt inadequate. I spent many lunch breaks eating my lunch in the parking lot. Then after a service I attended that included Charlie and Heidi singing a duet I remarked to Charlie how fortunate this church is to have them. He responded with the most astute observation, he said “This church is fortunate to have you too, Ron, we’d like you to come in more often.” So I did.

This led to me finding some of my most treasured friends, if you’re reading this you’re one of them. Even in the years I was not often in this church, there’s not been a time when this church wasn’t in me. This little church is firmly ensconced in my soul. Now I look forward to my Bob sermons, they’re like the lunch Jeri packs for me, I don’t remember the specific contents of them, I just know that each one keeps me going until the next one is consumed.

I can remember every Pastor since Rev. Nixon. I’ve been raised in, confirmed in, and counseled by this church for as long as I can remember. Over the years I’ve found myself in some compromising positions, and its only the teachings and connection to this church that have led me from the tempter. Over the years two people have died in my arms, and it’s only because of the things I’ve learned in this church that I knew what to do at those times. From the first time I brought her, the lovely and gracious JeriLynn has commented how friendly and accommodating everyone is.

Even when driving 1 ½ hours through a foot of snow I don’t wonder why we drive so far to come to this church, for me it’s a question of “Where else would I go?”

And besides I know it makes my mom happy.

Ron Draper

March 5, 2015

Providence

Read Psalm 43:3-5

GPUMC is my church. Well, it’s OUR church. After all, as the song goes, we ARE the church. What amazes me is how I landed in this church 25 years ago. Makes me wonder at those who say God doesn’t have a plan – even if He doesn’t move us like chess pieces, I believe he at least uses an outline. Here’s why.

Let’s go back about, oh, 85 years. My mother was a girl in the small town of Ranger, TX. Another family, the Davenports, lived in that Texas town. One of them was Mary Edlo Davenport. My mother knew her.

In the mid-1940s, my mom, who was raised in a Christian Scientist household, had met a guy, my dad, who was raised in a Roman Catholic household. They were married and moved to Detroit where my brother and I were born.

When Art and I were 7 or so, Mom decided we needed Christian education. By that time, Mary Edlo Davenport (remember her, from Ranger, TX?) had grown up, married, and was Mary Edlo Thompson, the Sunday School Superintendent at Grosse Pointe Methodist Church. You know what’s coming. Art and I received our early Christian education at GPMC.

Coincidentally, or maybe not, my buddy in elementary school attended Christ Methodist Church. He talked me into attending a gym and swim with their MYF when I was 13. I met Lynn Grose (his girlfriend) who, 10 years later, became my wife. After we started our family we made the reluctant decision to leave Christ UMC (by that time Methodism had become United Methodism) because of the children’s programs available at GPUMC. We’ve been here since then, over 25 years ago.

I couldn’t make up that series of seemingly coincidental encounters and events but I know who could. I’m here now because God wants me here. His hand is in all we do and I thank Him for bringing me to this point in my life. I’m looking forward to learning what He has in store for me and my church, Grosse Pointe United Methodist.

Fred Van de Putte

March 4, 2015

The Lord's Prayer

Read: Romans 8:25-28

Each Sunday during our worship service we recite the Lord's Prayer. A prayer most of us have said our entire life. A few months ago Pastor Bob gave a sermon where he discussed yelling out each line of the prayer, one at a time, and focusing on its meaning.

Well, I haven't done that but I have tried to focus more closely on the words each time I say it. It's a beautiful, perfect, simple prayer that say says it all. Now, often when I am at a loss for the words to pray I start with the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father who art in Heaven.

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us out trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil,

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory forever. Amen

Cathy Lorenz

March 3, 2015

Winter Retreat – Indeed!

Read: Hebrews 10:24-25

I decided on Friday night of the Winter Retreat 2014 to write an entry for the Lenten Book. It was then that the many conversations I had with my Mom since childhood came back to me.

My Mom always said that Sunday school, sermons, Bible studies, and mission were all important, but what she really cherished and found to be most important about our involvement with the church was the fellowship. To form friendships with people who were family, who loved and cared for us just as we loved and cared for them.

It started Friday night, as I watched my family enjoy being together and with others; completely comfortable in the environment. How amazing to have Drew and Anna come and give each one of us a hug goodnight…even when they didn’t really know Megan or Rebecca; they also were comfortable in this environment. That was just the start of this great weekend.

For those who have gone before, you know that it is a weekend of sharing meals, sharing stories, sharing memories of years before. Most of all, it is a weekend of laughs and being together. Getting to know each other better; it is amazing that we can always learn something new about each other.

For me, it was a weekend of retreat. I was usually one of the first up (someone had to make the coffee!) and I enjoy this time; quiet time. Watching the sun come up through the trees outside…snow covering the ground and trees. Slowly, one by one, everyone came out of the bedrooms and filled the center room as we waited for breakfast…one big family coming together to share a meal. I loved the fact that when the dishes are cleared after each meal, conversations continue; again sharing our lives with each other, our concerns for our congregation and certainly the joys of our congregation. This is not a formal, guided time, just conversations. I was thrilled when a spontaneous hymn sing started after our church service on Sunday of course followed by cards, and sledding and more conversations.

It was a wonderful reminder of the church that I grew up in. That one thing so cherished by my Mom; finding a big family of people we love and care for…and who love and care for us. We don’t always have to go on retreat to find this…it is

around us all the time. What we get on Sunday morning should take us through the week until we are together again. I cherish this church and hope everyone feels the same about this family of ours. That we all can find people to care for and who care for us. (If you don’t feel it…sign up for the Winter Retreat some year and experience our family for yourself!)

Dear God, thank you for bringing us together as a family. Children of God to care for each other and to watch over each other as we worship you and go out into the world sharing Your love as we go.

Laurie Stowell

March 2, 2015

The Reason for the Season

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:1-11

Even with all the commercialism of Christmas – it starts right after Hallowe’en, or maybe even before – still we see and hear sometimes, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".

Now the Season is Lent, and Jesus is the reason for this season. He was born for us – lived for us – and died for us!

As we go through this holy season of Lent, we can't imagine such sacrifice. God sacrificed his Son for us. Jesus gave His life for us. We are blessed beyond belief.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Shirley Van Becelaere

March 1, 2015

A Devotion of Thanks

Read Psalms 23 and 91

On June 9, 1962, Bud and I transferred our church membership from St. Mark's to the friendly little Methodist Church in Grosse Pointe. We have enjoyed being a part of it, and watching it grow, but always maintaining its friendly and caring ways.

I have long believed that our Lord works through people, and I know that a lot of His workers are in our church family. I know this is true because of the care extended to Bud and me during the past year and a half.

Nothing prepares us for what lies ahead in our lives. Certainly Bud and I had no idea of what was ahead for us health wise. Through it all, however, we had you, our church family, to hold us up with your help in so many ways.

First, there were your prayers and the many phone calls to offer help and express your concerns. Then there were the visits that cheered us up. Also, the many cards and letters that we enjoyed, especially the hand-made one from the Logos kids. Then there was the gift of the beautiful Prayer Quilt that Pastor Bob delivered to us, and that we each wrap around ourselves. The delicious dinners and jars of soup were always enjoyed. We are grateful to the drivers who took us to our doctor's appointments and hospitals. We also appreciated very much the loan of a wheelchair that we each needed to use several times.

Bud and I are both humbled by your caring and generosity, and proud to be members of our friendly, little GPUMC. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. God bless you all.

Marie Draper