Introduction - Lent 2022

Welcome back to Lent! As always, it has been my honor and joy to edit this book; and once again, you came through for me – and for each other! Not only did I have enough devotions to cover the forty days, I could even cover most of the Sundays with original devotions! (On a possibly interesting side note, I believe this is the first of our books of the modern era not including anything from Charles Wesley.)

I had wondered if the pandemic lockdown would still be a topic for devotions but, based on your writings, it appears we are largely over it. We got submissions from several new writers to go along with many of our long-time stalwarts, a few from our brothers and sisters at College Grove UMC in Tennessee, a couple from a long-time writer who had gone missing in recent years, and even a few posthumous submissions. It really was great to have so many new voices share their thoughts, time, insights, and witness with our church family as we make our slow but sure journey toward the glory of Easter Sunday.

Next – as so often happens – an overall theme seemed to emerge as I collected and arranged the contributions. This year the theme wasn’t really COVID-related. It wasn’t anything like “Dealing with Frustration” “Who was that masked man?” “What I want for Christmas” or anything like that. No, it was God surprising us with blessings, nudges, direction. A thread of Providence weaves through our book, and reminds us we need to pay attention to what God is doing in our lives and in our world.

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

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

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

The Lenten Committee

Again, we can but say, “Amen.”

Charlie van Becelaere, Editor

Sunday, April 4, 2021 – Easter Sunday

Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise

Read: Luke 24:1-12

Hail the day that sees Him rise
To His throne above the skies.
Christ, awhile to mortals given
Reascends His native Heaven.

There the glorious triumph waits.
Lift your heads, eternal gates.
Christ hath conquered death and sin.
Take the King of glory in.

See! the Heaven its Lord receives,
Yet He loves the Earth He leaves.
Though returning to His throne,
Still He calls the world His own.

See! He lifts His hands above.
See! He shows the prints of love.
Hark! His gracious lips bestow
Blessings on His church below.

Charles Wesley

Saturday, April 3, 2021

A Love Letter to My Church Family

“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.” – Ephesians 5:29-30

What a year this has been! We have all been overwhelmed with the disruption to our lives brought on by this horrible pandemic. Will you remember a year of disappointment, inconveniences, fear, political and social unrest, stress, mask wearing and social distancing, hopelessness, or a multitude of other negatives? Or will the year be remembered as one to reflect on what is really important in life, to re-balance our values, to realize how dependent we are on each other, to discover how creative we can be, and to celebrate our faith in the midst of uncertainty. It is a year where I have discovered anew the appreciation I have for this church and my church family. This church has wrapped its loving arms around me at the loss of my beloved Larry and given me sustenance to find a new sense of normalcy in spite of all the disruptions.

Thank you to each of the following:

• those with technical skills who have facilitated our online services and activities
• those who have blessed us with their beautiful voices and instruments
• the inspiring, comforting and reassuring words of our pastor as he prepared excellent sermons
• the wonderful children’s messages that Emily has given which spoke to the adults as well as children
• church members who made caring calls and wrote notes of cheer
• the United Methodist Women’s Cheer Group, the Witness and Caring Group, Stephen Ministry, Prayer Vigil participants, and the Outreach Ministry Group who have quietly continued their ministry to shut-ins, the hurting, those grieving, the fearful, and the lonely
• Charlie van Becelaere who has stepped up to become the Swiss Army knife of services to our congregation from presenting sermons, soliciting and presenting special music, and preparing our annual Lenten devotion booklet
• Joan Richardson who has brightened our days with the “Tuesday Newsletter” and “Coffee Hour”.
• Bob Rossbach whose technical skills have given us our online services, the voices of our choir and special music, and who facilitated the funeral service for Larry Deck in the Memorial Garden which led to outdoor services in the garden
• Fred Van de Putte who has kept all the sound and communications equipment working
• the unnamed who have sustained and supported the ministries of our church
• everyone who shared a kind word and smiled love

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for our church family who reminds us that while the virus is disruptive and inconvenient, it cannot touch our hearts and minds, nor can it keep us from your love and care.

Pat Deck

Friday, April 2, 2021 – Good Friday

The Lord’s Prayer – Together

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
 on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
 as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
 but deliver us from the evil one. - Matthew 6:9-13

I have been participating in the continuous prayer vigil since the beginning. At first every week, but I must admit as the weather got better not nearly as frequently. I was apprehensive at first; 15 minutes seemed like a long time, but later I was easily able to pray for 30 minutes and would often be surprised when my alarm went off. Yes – those that know me know I would be the type to set an alarm. I pray silently.

Early on during the pandemic, when we were virtual, I would say the Lords Prayer out loud when the time came. It felt a little uncomfortable since I am a silent prayer, but I did it. I was happy when we could worship in the Garden and pray together, and during that time when there was a rainy Sunday I would pray out loud at home. Then, finally, we got to go back inside. When it came time to pray the Lord’s Prayer together it was awesome. I’m not sure how many people were in the sanctuary that first Sunday, maybe 60, but the sound of us saying the words together echoing thought the sanctuary... it brought tears to my eyes.

Ever since we have been forced back online, when Mike and I pray our lone voices in our house make me sad. It reminds me that we are meant to be together. Praying together in our beautiful church where our voices blend together and fill the room. So, for the last several weeks I pray silently.

As I write this, I believe I only have one more Sunday before I can pray the prayer Jesus taught us with my eyes closed and my heart full in our sanctuary, hearing all your voices with mine. So if you happen to see a tear on my cheek for the first few Sundays, know it Is a tear of joy.

Prayer: Lord, bless all those that are unable to worship in person during this Lent. May they know they are missed and loved.

Cathy Lorenz

Thursday, April 1, 2021 – Maundy Thursday

Special Delivery

Read: Luke 14:12-14, Proverbs 16:9

I’m sure that everyone has some kind of COVID story to tell. It might be about a chance encounter when walking in the neighborhood, or failing to recognize a long-time friend because of masks (sorry about that), or it might be something even more serendipitous. That’s what I have to share – a story of serendipity.

As you remember, we wanted to celebrate Communion at the Christmas Eve worship service. Of course, we couldn’t be in the Sanctuary together at that time, so what were we to do? Since we had other things to distribute – Advent kits, Luminarias, and Butter Braids – we thought we would distribute the elements at the same time as those things.

That went quite well. We passed out a lot of elements to the folks who were picking up that other stuff. Then we did some home deliveries. A few people took elements to those who couldn’t make it to church to pick them up, and I was one of those deliverers. I handled several drop-offs to people whose homes I knew well, but I was also asked to take some additional cups to a relatively new person – one who wasn’t in the aging directory I keep in my car – as they were going to have more family at home than they had realized.

I checked with a friend to get the address, and it was right on my way to church where I had to drop off some other stuff anyway. I pulled up, masked up, grabbed the correct number of communion cups, and knocked on the door. A young girl answered, and I told her I was from the church and just dropping off the communion elements. She took them, looking a bit confused, thanked me, and closed the door, so I headed to the church and did my stuff there.

While I was finishing up, I got a text telling me that I had gotten the wrong address – I had just delivered the elements to the house across the street from where I was supposed to be. No wonder the girl looked confused! Anyway, I grabbed a few more cups and headed over to the correct address, where a different young girl looked nearly as confused, but thanked me just as sincerely.

I’ll bet there was an interesting conversation in that “wrong” house about just where those communion elements came from! I hope it led to their taking Communion that evening, and that it was one of those nudges from God to all involved, reminding us that even when we think we know what we’re doing, we may just be doing His will.

Prayer: Father, thank you for taking our mistakes and turning them into opportunities for your Love to shine through. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Charlie van Becelaere

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Ethan and Charlie

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” – John 13:34

My two oldest grandsons are very devoted to each other. That is not to say that they don’t ever fight verbally or even physically but my oldest grandson, age 13, is especially protective of his brother, age 10. So I was a little taken aback when one day, Charlie, age 10, announced that he would really like a baby sister. Well, I didn’t want to disabuse him of the possibility that he would ever have a baby sister. But seriously, as far as the parents were concerned, that ship had already sailed. But at the same time, I was curious why Charlie would make that statement. It is true that he has 4 younger cousins nearby and loves to entertain them. But to bring another person into the house to share the toys, bathrooms and/or bedrooms was another thing altogether.

So I asked Charlie why he wanted a baby sister and his answer was this: he wanted a baby sister so that he could look after her like Ethan, his older brother, looks after him. So I got to thinking that we should think of God’s love in that way also. His love for us is so profound that we should, much like Ethan and Charlie, in turn love others.

Vivian Anderson

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

No Help Wanted

Read: Psalm 48
(I was going to suggest Colossians 3:21, but thought better of it. Ed.)

I truly am blessed and living a charmed life. Today I didn't know how much I needed someone to take me to a doctor appointment up on 23 mile road. Charlie rode to the rescue and not only took me there (I had never been in that area before), but eased my concerns and was a strong voice during the visit.

I guess this is just another lesson for me in how much less independent I am than I have believed. While Charlie is part of my immediate family, this makes me realize how important our other family, the church family, is to our feeling of well being. They are always ready to help.

I'm reminded of an account I read of a minister who was in a really bad car accident. He was in the hospital for months and months. Whenever someone asked if there was something they could do for him or get him something, the answer was always no. One of his friends lectured him, saying, “You are not being fair by not letting anyone help when it's what they want to do. You need to let them feel good about helping.”

The next time a friend asked if there was something he could get him, finally he said yes – he'd like a magazine. His friend returned with a copy of every magazine for sale in the hospital. Lesson learned.

Jack van Becelaere

Monday, March 29, 2021

Just Because

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Just because you can’t see the air
    doesn’t mean you stop breathing.
And just because you can’t see God
    doesn’t mean you stop believing!

Glenn DeLodder

The Promise of Dawn

Read: UMH 145, Psalm 118:24

In my third floor apartment my favorite chair faces large windows that look out on the sky and tree tops.

As an early morning riser it’s my pleasure to witness the dawning of each day with gratitude.
In spite of losses and the occasional darkness in my life, I give thanks for God's promise of the dawn – the new beginning of each day – and the presence of God’s constant love,

Sarah Frakes

Sunday, March 28, 2021 – Palm Sunday

In the Middle of Our Messes

Read: Mark 1:21-28

Has your room at home ever been messy, and then that you have to clean up that messiness? What kinds of things do you usually have to clean up? Maybe books or toys, stuffed animals, your electronics, your clothes... all sorts of things. I have messes at home too.

Actually when I left Oliver and Stella home with my Mom this morning, they were already up and working very hard on the day's mess. So what do you think of these messes we have at home? Do we ever see those types of messes in the sanctuary? No, not so much. It looks pretty clean, just about all the time, doesn't it? If I were to make a mess in there, it would look especially messy and out of place. And I don't think Josh would probably be very happy with me.

But just as we have messes in our rooms, we can also have messes inside of us. And a lot of times, we think we're supposed to clean up those messes inside of us all on our own. We might even think that we need to clean up our messes before we can come to worship. Or maybe we think we need to hide our messes when we worship because it looks so clean: it would look out of place if we were messy.

But in today's scripture from Mark, we see someone in Jesus's faith community who decides to spill their mess right there in the middle of the worship service. The story calls this mess an unclean spirit. But you'll notice when we read from Mark how Jesus responded to this person's mess. Jesus didn't get mad or upset. Instead, Jesus helped the person clean up his mess right there in the middle of worship.

Although the sanctuary is almost always clean, it doesn't mean we have to have everything cleaned up in our own lives to be there. In fact, our faith community can actually help us. With God's guidance and love, they can help us clean up our messes just like Jesus does in today's scripture story. For example, at home, we may make a mess. But then a sibling or a parent might help us clean it up. And that's how it's supposed to work. Not only don’t we need to be cleaned up to be a part of church, we can invite others in the faith community to know about our messes – to live in our messes. And together, with God's help, we can work together to clean up our messes. Jesus isn't afraid of our messes. We learned that today. Imagine our world if we all acted as Jesus did; if we gave each other the same grace in the middle of our messes.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for Jesus, for He shows us – in the middle of our messes – your healing love and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Emily Bianchi

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Christ is the Light of the World

"The Word gave life to everything that was created,
And his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
And the darkness can never extinguish it."
John 1:4-5

Our Bible Study Group is studying the book of John using Adam Hamilton book, “John, The Gospel of Light and Life.” We have found new understanding. Unlike the other gospel writers, John gives the meaning of Jesus' life; the spiritual significance. John is attempting to answer the questions of Jesus’ identity and importance for the reader. "We come to know who God is by looking at Jesus."

"No one has ever seen God. God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made God known." John 1:18

Jesus came to be the light of the world; to push back the darkness we experience. The darkness is John's metaphor for evil, despair, death of loved ones, and losing our way. Jesus is the light that shows us the way to live. We are to let God's light shine through us to lead others to God so they can experience His unfailing love.

Lighting each other's candles at Christmas Eve has new meaning for me. It symbolizes what we as Christians are expected to do. We are to pass the light of Christ in the way we live our lives to our fellow man. We are to share God's love with others. When our members braved the cold to form a cross of lighted candles at Christmas, they showed God's love is alive in this church to our community.

I was impressed by the poem Amanda Gorman wrote. "For there is always light. If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it."

Prayer: Jesus, I trust in you, that you are God's word in the flesh. I trust that you are the light of the world. Illuminate my darkness. Help me to walk in your light and to love and follow you all the days of my life. In your holy name. Amen

Karen Bromley

Friday, March 26, 2021

Living a life worth remembering

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14.

Be kind to one another and tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

After I finished my lunch today, I realized I needed to wrap up the kitchen trash and take it out. When I returned, I reached into the bottom of the wastebasket, retrieved a plastic bag that lay at the bottom of the receptacle, and put the new trash liner in place.

Every time I put a new plastic bag into one of my trash cans at home, I think of Bill Evans. Every. Single. Time.

Bill Evans was a longtime member at GPUMC, and years ago taught me that trick during one of the first times I worked in the church kitchen. I was new to this chore, and Bill was an old hand who introduced me to some of the expected practices in the kitchen. One of those practices was placing several plastic liners in the bottom of the trash can so one would be available the next time the trash was emptied. I thought that was brilliant — and it soon became the expectation in the RR household as well!

Bill was kind, funny, and ever-present, and I really appreciated that he took the time to orient me as needed.

A few years later, Bill took the same care when he showed my son, David, how to operate the dishwasher in the basement kitchen. Running the dishwasher eventually became David’s favorite church chore, in no small part because of the good memories associated with how he was taught to use the device. Bill trusted him to learn this task when David was at that awkward middle school age when nobody trusted him to do anything of significance.

I learned that plastic bag trick close to 25 years ago, and it sticks with me to this day. I really do think of Bill Evans every time I replace the trash bag liner. It’s not the practice itself that made such an impression — although it clearly did! — but the generosity of spirit that made him take the time to show a newcomer how to fit in. Such a very simple act of kindness. But he touched my heart and I remember him still with great fondness.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that all of my actions, no matter how small, have the power to help or hurt another person. Help me to live a life that will cause others to remember my acts of kindness and faithfulness.

Joan Richardson

Thursday, March 25, 2021

G Words

Read: Luke 17:11-17

Recently, I read two articles in the newspaper on the same day that essentially had nothing to do with each other, other than both focused on words starting with the letter G.

The first article was about hot water and types of hot water heaters. The article started out talking about how we today, in this country, take for Granted the availability of hot water at any time in our homes. The article went on further to say that it hasn’t always been that way and there was a time when Saturday night was bath night and one tub full of hot water had to take care of the whole family from Dad through Mom, through the kids in descending order from oldest to youngest. This article got me thinking about things I take for Granted.

The second article was about Murray Howe, M.D., youngest son of hockey great, Gordie Howe, and the book Murray wrote in 2017 about the 9 lessons he learned from his Dad. The article spoke of a tenth lesson Murray learned from his Dad that he realized after several years of book signings and conversations with folks about the book and his Dad. That tenth lesson was Gratitude. In the book, Murray stated of his Dad, “He didn’t take credit for anything in his life, that it was all given to him by God and by his family and friends and fans…. He felt he was the most fortunate person whoever lived.”

So, my mind started asking me what I take for Granted and do I ever express Gratitude to God for those thing I take for Granted. The list of things I take for Granted is endless, but difficult to list as I rarely think of those things. A major thing is taking for Granted that people I love will be around forever, so there’s always time to tell them that. That isn’t true. I need to tell them now. I used to take for Granted that I’ll be around to celebrate and enjoy this Earthly life tomorrow. That isn’t necessarily true and the older I get, the less I take today and tomorrow for Granted. There are so many blessings I take for Granted, but a realistic resolution is to think of those things and to offer Gratitude to God for every one of them

Mike Bernhardt

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Gratitude is the heart of prayer.

Prayer: Dear God, make us constantly aware of those things we take for Granted and remind us to express our Gratitude to you in prayer always.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The Change Jar

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

We are moving our laundry area. It turns out that means more than just moving the washer and dryer. I have sorting bins, a place to hang things, and lots of bottles of important stuff. The shelf above the washer and dryer has become a bit of a catch all. Most items will be tossed, or put where they actually belong. One item on that shelf that served an important purpose at one point, has outlived its usefulness. The change jar. I can’t remember the last time I found change in the washing machine from someone’s forgetfulness. I can’t even remember the last time I found a dollar bill. (I have found the occasional guitar pick.) The jar has been sitting about one third full for several years. And so, I finally emptied it and then counted the change. The good news is that I discovered just under $30.00 in that jar, mostly pennies and nickels. It is amazing how much value can accumulate.

When I think back over my life, there has been a lot of change – some my choice, and some not. So, I guess I’m just a human form of a change jar! My life is a sum of all the change that has been deposited throughout the years. Just like change in the form of coins becomes more valuable as it grows, so do life changes when added together.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Let’s substitute the word change for the word things in this scripture. Suddenly all those unwanted and wanted changes become pennies that when compounded over time make us rich.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the richness of life brought about by change. Whether it is change that we like or not, it is comforting to know that You will make it good. Because You are good. All the time. Amen.

Jacki Rumpp

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Turn About

“Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” – Galatians 6:2

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” - Hebrews 13:16

It was probably the summer of 2017. I was in the Kroger parking lot when I noticed some people trying to load some patio-like furniture into their CAR. It wouldn’t fit. After watching a little while I offered to help by loading some of it in my Terrain (SUV) and following them home.

No surprise, they were apprehensive about loading their stuff in a stranger’s car and hoping they would see it again. The trip was not a long one, and no doubt they were happy when it was over with me, and their stuff, there.

Strange twist – one of them was living in a house that had belonged to our daughter, Jacki, and her family.

Strange twist of faith? Just before Christmas of 2019, I was trying to load the box with my new Christmas tree into my Buick convertible. The top wouldn’t go down because it was too cold, so I couldn’t put it in the back seat, and was struggling to put it in the front.

Lo and behold! – a guy watching my struggle came over to help. He realized it wouldn’t fit (not enough head room) so he offered to follow me home with the tree in his TERRAIN!

All the time since I helped those strangers, I felt I was ahead of the game. Now I have been brought back to even.

The great hope is that more instances will occur so I can once again be ahead of the game. I have to rely on God since I have no control over it!

Jack van Becelaere

Monday, March 22, 2021

Smiling Down on Me

Read: Psalm 126:1-3

Some very upsetting circumstances, in the outcome, can make you smile and even laugh at yourself. Thanks be to God!

Recently I ordered some groceries from a local market which included frozen items and items which needed refrigeration. I explained to the writer of my order that I live in an upstairs apartment in my building of four apartments. She remembered this from my previous orders, and wrote down instructions for the driver to: Call in advance of delivery. Main door to enter is open. Place packages on my “chair lift” where a gratuity envelope for them would be found. I would then glide them up to my domain.

This event normally takes place around noon. At 2:30 I was told by my downstairs neighbor that I had a delivery placed in the hall, and they would sent it up to me. Yes … melted ice cream, unfrozen chicken pot pie, and warm milk.

I immediately called (I thought) the store to explain what had happened.
A gentleman answered “Farms.”
Jean: “Is this Steve or Larry?” (the owners).
“No – It’s John,” was the answer.
Jean: “Well, my delivery has arrived, but it was left in the downstairs hall and some items have changed from solid to soft. I’m 88 years old, on a walker, blah, blah, blah, ice cream, chicken pot pie, blah, blah, blah…”
John: “Who delivered it?”
Jean: “Your delivery man.”
John: “I suggest, ma’am, that you call the store.”
Jean: “Who am I talking to – not the store?”
John: “This is the Farms Police Department.”

Dialing a wrong number is an embarrassing mistake, but when it ends up being the local Police Department it’s a colossal error! … I could have died.
I’m sure God was smiling down on me as He often does, and that John is still having a good laugh with his fellow officers about the crazy lady and her melted ice cream.

It’s a wonder that this “newsy” item did not show up in the Grosse Pointe News under the “Criminal Reports.”

We have been burdened by many stressful moments this past year due to things such as the epidemic, elections, riots, and our own personal griefs. This devotion I dedicate to you with tongue in cheek, as a smile maker.

May all your problems be this trivial. Amen.

Jean Buhler

Sunday, March 21, 2021

The Contradiction of Grief

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the Earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. – Psalm 71:20-21

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.... Blessed are those who grieve, for they shall be consoled. – Matthew 5:4

This year I lost my Dad. I’ve found my personal experience of loss to be a huge contradiction between grief and gratitude.

The sadness has been, at times, overwhelming and all consuming. But throughout all of that, I’ve witnessed a miraculous display of hope, care, consideration, and support from my immediate family, yes, but also our church family, dear friends, and friends that I’ve fallen out of contact with, airline employees, and so many more.

At first, I found this juxtaposition of grief and kindness to be so confounding.

“No one tells you you’re going to see the absolute best of people when you’re going through the worst!”

I’ve felt seized by grief – but also love: True, goodness of humans, heart-of-gold, divine love.

In a way, 2020 has given me more blessings than I can count.

It’s a complicated and perhaps even controversial sentence I’ve written there, but for me, it’s true. I lost my beloved, kind, smart, supportive Dad. My work has severely diminished, and life is not the same, in the slightest. But like my experience with grief, this entire year has been a contradiction. It’s been hard, but it’s also been gloriously special. I’ve had more time to be at home and spend quality time with my Mom, something I’ve truly treasured. And the lack of noise (both literal and emotional) from the outside world has given me the opportunity to more fully connect with God, and ask that he use me as his instrument.

As far as I can understand it, I’ve witnessed a miracle this year. A miracle of combined kindness and humanity. I don’t know what’s to come, but after such a difficult and trying year I have the more faith than ever, and that’s a contradiction I welcome.

Prayer: God, give me strength to live with the confusion of life. Help me to see both the shards of light emerging from the darkness and be the light for those struggling within their own darkness.

Andrea Deck

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Coffee Hour

Read: Acts 2:41-42

I love being in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, seeing all the familiar and some new faces.
The music is so beautiful and the traditions are so reassuring. I meet my same pew partners and whisper a few updates before the service begins. The "method" in the Methodism is always predictable and then the sermon begins. I try to concentrate on the message, and my favorites are always about taking care of "the least" of these. The service ends – and church begins for me during "Coffee Hour".

Arriving in the Great Hall I am greeted by and greet so many church friends. Then the real giving begins. In the last few years my husband has faced some unbelievable medical challenges, and by this I mean numerous "rare" and crazy conditions. I approach someone who I think can help us with our zinger, and suddenly I am surrounded by professionals of every specialty who reassure me and send me on to another person who might have some advice. It is incredible how this can happen in a simple coffee hour. We have been offered so much hope and love from these church folks that I am sure there must be divine intervention at play. In a really good coffee experience, I hope that I have been able to reciprocate and have spoken words to meet someone else's challenge.

Thank God for coffee hour – and Church too!
 
Sharon Burkett

Lending a Helping Hand

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2

My husband tells me I'm technically challenged, and he's about right. I can do very little with the computer. I took a few lessons, but I never got really efficient.

Most of the appointment times to get a vaccination for the corona virus can only be made by using the computer. Thankfully, my card playing friend's daughter knew my dilemma, so she called and said she found a portal if I had an Ascension physician. In about three minutes I had an appointment.

I was very thankful, but I said, “My friend is having trouble getting an appointment because he has hand tremors and has much difficulty using his computer. Can you see about an appointment for him?”

In another three minutes she had appointments for both him and his wife.

We were all so grateful for young people who take their time to help the older generation.

Sara Wooton

Friday, March 19, 2021

Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Read: Lamentations 3:19-26

As many of you already know, I was very ill for almost two years and unable to do much of anything for about a year. I became very depressed and started to lose hope that I would ever recover. I had a variety of symptoms and clinical findings, but my doctors were unable to discover the source of my illness. That led to more depression and a greater feeling of hopelessness. Many times I wanted to give up the fight and succumb to whatever was wrong with me. It took effort to push forward in search of answers and, ultimately, the proper treatment. However, my church family kept reminding me that I was prayed for and loved. Many people from church sent me cards of encouragement and caring, made calls to check on me and visited when I was up to it. Those gestures of love continually gave me the strength to push forward.

I also received a book, called “Finding Hope: Ways to See Life in a Brighter Light,” from a group of women from church. Initially, I put the book aside. I could not see how the book could help me get better, and I was too depressed to find out. Nonetheless, one night before going to bed, I decided to force myself to read at least one chapter. After reading that chapter, I made a vow to read a chapter of the book every night. I knew that I needed something to lift my spirits and encourage me to continue on with my quest to find the cause of my illness, despite my depression and feelings of despair. To my surprise, the words in the book gave me the strength to get up every day and seek answers. A few months later, a very wise doctor discovered the cause of my illness and said that she could help me. When testing confirmed her suspicions, I had HOPE that I would recover.

A chapter in the book, titled “Open to What’s Sacred,” contains words that might help us get through this worldwide pandemic of 2020-21: “When you stay hopeful, you remain open to the possibility that there is more than just this physical world and more than just this present moment. You grant that something greater may be at work around you and even within you. And that something greater may be Something Greater.”

Remember these words of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness:” “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

Jan Versical

Thursday, March 18, 2021

These Three Abide

Read: John 13:31-35

The last year has given us much to pray over! When we first “sheltered at Home” it seemed like a temporary inconvenience. Little did we know how much we would miss and how much we would need human contact and hugs. All of the challenges of COVID-19 have given us an opportunity to draw closer to our religious roots.

UMW is a basic part of my life and soul. No meetings, no events, no retreat (we were scheduled to leave on March 13th), no fellowship or food. But in spite of it all, we are alive and well. UMW has kept a steady contact with shut-ins. We provided a grab and go soup supper. We have received a large donation from Al Spaulding’s estate. Al’s widow, Jane, has written a heart-felt letter sharing the importance of GPUMC in their lives. We are gathering Valentines bags for our shut-ins. We look forward to a new normal of serving our church family.

Rummage?!?! As we have canceled 3 rummage sales and face an unknown decision on a fourth, we needed to face the mountain of rummage at Frisbie Moving. A very small group attacked the problem, spending Tuesdays in the warehouse sorting and sorting and sorting. We were all glad to have a purpose and a chance to be together safely. Of course, we had to have food. Tuesday pot lucks at Frisbie became famous!! Everyone wanted to work in the warehouse on Tuesdays so they could share in the bounty. We are now very organized for a rummage sale to be determined. Is this a faithful experience? Yes it is – we shared our faith as we conquered the mountain.

The prayer vigil that Lisa Sicklesteel started and has kept going throughout the Pandemic has been an anchor for my week. Almost every Saturday I have signed up for a specific time to spend in prayer. This is a powerful experience. I have never before had an organized prayer life. It has given structure to my prayers, and helped me to focus on prayer for 30 minutes. Our church lives in the time of COVID-19.

I was so happy to be able to attend church during the summer. I carried my chair into my regular place around the Memorial Garden and worshiped in person. We shared music, time as children, scripture, and a sermon. We were able to take communion. It was a special time in the life of our church. We also received a little bag of cookies or sweet bread as we left the “sanctuary.” I soon took part in providing some of the coffee hour goodies. (I am not sure they wanted me to keep volunteering as both of my Sundays were rained out. The cookies were frozen and thawed and bagged for the following week.) I have never made 160 cookies before!! It was a privilege to find a way to make our Sundays special.

I was so grateful for the church members and neighbors and family members who helped me survive the quarantine. Food, meals, groceries, driveway distanced happy hours, and phone calls. I felt surrounded by love.

Faith, Hope, and Love. All of these have made the last year a time of the grace of God.

Bertie See

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

A Year of Patience

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12

I chose this passage because patience is what we have needed to have this past year: especially patience in affliction. We all have either been scared of COVID, lost someone from COVID, or have had COVID ourselves. If we have not gotten it, we have prayed to God to bring it to an end so we could get out and be with our loved ones again. We patiently waited for vaccines and they are now coming, thanks be to God.

I am now joyful in hope that the end is near. It may be several more months, but if we are all faithful in prayer, I think we can rest assured that our patience has been rewarded and our hope has brought joy and our faithful prayers have finally brought an answer.

Prayer: Father, please continue to give us the patience we need to live through the end of this crisis and any other crisis in the future.
Please know this prayer shows our faith, hope, and joy in your abilities.

Judy Wilcox