Thursday, March 13, 2025

Walking and Sitting

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

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

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

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

Vivian Anderson

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

It Was Those Meant to Be Moments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beth Blunden

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

People Will Come

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jim Cupples

Monday, March 10, 2025

Let Go and Let God

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This trip reassured us of a valuable reminder...

“To let go.. and let God.”

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

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

Cathy Cupples

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

Ashes and Oil – Doorways to Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rev. Jack Eugene Giguere

Saturday, March 8, 2025

Trusting God’s Answers

Read: Psalm 121

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doug Ross, Sr.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Dogs and Romans    

Read: Romans 7:7-25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlie van Becelaere

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

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Unexpected Joy    

Read: Galatians 5:22-25

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

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

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

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

AND TO THIS I SAY, AMEN!!!

Jan Versical

Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025

A Journey of Faith

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

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

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

Rev. David Eardley

Lent 2025 - Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

Again, we can but say, “Amen.”

Charlie van Becelaere, Editor

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024

Uninterrupted Power

“Did you lose power?” “Is your power back on yet?” Last summer, power was a frequent topic of conversation, as strong storms and high winds blew across metro Detroit and through the Pointes. I wouldn’t be surprised if DTE’s outage map had the most “hits” during those times, as many of us scrambled to make alternate plans and waited (not-so-patiently) for electricity to be restored to our homes, appliances, medical devices, phones, the list goes on… It was stressful and anxiety-provoking as the minutes turned to hours and hours turned into days – especially with the sweltering heat! Those times were stark reminders of our reliance on power in our first-world, day-to-day lives – something that we often take for granted. Power – in the electrical sense – is something that we heavily depend on, but its availability isn’t guaranteed.

In a different context, the word “power” is verbalized by my chiropractic office at each visit. After checking for any spinal misalignments and then using personalized, gentle techniques as the patient lies on their back and then on their front, the chiropractor signals when the adjustment is complete – and that the nervous system is “back on track” – by exclaiming, “Power’s on!” Ahhh… More times than not, even if I didn’t perceive any discomfort beforehand, I leave feeling a bit lighter and more flexible. I appreciate this way to “power” my body – and become painfully aware if I wait too long between visits.

Beyond these two examples, though, the power that I’m most grateful for – the kind that is always on and is available to every one of us – is the power of God’s love and grace through the presence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. What incredible gifts! This Lenten season, let’s take a moment each day to focus on our ultimate, endless “power source” and to thank God for providing it – free of charge, with no strings attached and no “outage map” necessary!

“Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us.” – Ephesians 3:20, Common English Bible

“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13, Common English Bible

Sara Eardley

 

Here's a bonus, our one entry from Charles Wesley:

Hymn for Easter-Day

Read: Matthew 28:1-10

"Christ the Lord is ris'n to day,"
Sons of men and angels say,
Raise your joys and triumphs high,
Sing ye Heav'ns, and Earth reply.

Love's redeeming work is done,
Fought the fight, the battle won,
Lo! Our sun's eclipse is o'er,
Lo! He sets in blood no more.

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ hath burst the gates of hell!
Death in vain forbids his rise:
Christ hath open'd paradise!

Lives again our glorious King,
Where, O death, is now thy sting?
Once he died our souls to save
Where thy victory, O grave?

Soar we now, where Christ hath led?
Following our exalted head,
Made like him, like him we rise,
Ours the cross—the grave—the skies!

What tho' once we perish'd all,
Partners in our parent's fall?
Second life we all receive,
In our heav'nly Adam live.

 Ris'n with him, we upward move,
Still we seek the things above,
Still pursue, and kiss the Son
Seated on his Father's throne;

Scarce on Earth a thought bestow,
Dead to all we leave below,
Heav'n our aim, and lov'd abode,
Hid our life with Christ in God!

Hid; till Christ our life appear,
Glorious in his members here:
Join'd to him, we then shall shine
All immortal, all divine!

Hail the Lord of Earth and Heav'n!
Praise to thee by both be giv'n:
Thee we greet triumphant now;
Hail the resurrection thou!

King of Glory, soul of bliss,
Everlasting life is this,
Thee to know, thy pow'r to prove,
Thus to sing, and thus to love!

 Charles Wesley, 1743

 

 

 

Saturday, March 30, 2024

All In

Read: Matthew5:14-16

My neighbor George is a constant source of inspiration, entertainment, and wonder for me. I have been blessed to live next door to George and his wife, Anna, since 1996. Both George and Anna are of Greek heritage. This devotion will focus on George. Anna deserves her own devotion, something to create for next year’s booklet.

Back to George. We have become great friends over the years. Sharing joint custody and long walks with my dogs, Campbell and Molly (Anna is afraid of dogs), we have had many animated discussions on all sorts of topics. What I really enjoy and admire about George is that he is “All In.” He does nothing half-way. His curiosity about the world, his love of family, his love of God, and his amazing zest for life have been a blessing for me to witness.

He is a devoted member of two local Greek Orthodox churches in the area. One, the church of his youth, and the other his wife Anna’s church. He shares his time and talents with both churches through choir, committee participation, and volunteer efforts on projects. He follows the fasting protocols of his church. I have learned so much from discussions with him about his faith and the unique features of the Orthodox religion. We share our concerns and pray for each other. Sometimes I give George a list, and he will light candles and say prayers for those who are dear to me.

As I mentioned, George is very devoted to his family. His daughter has three sons. George and Anna took care of each son at their home until they entered pre-schools or kindergarten. His relationship with those small boys was so beautiful to witness. He played with them, took them swimming, built projects with them, took them to the library, took them to church, and created a farmers’ market on his lawn with produce from his garden. As they have grown older, he attends all their sporting events. He has taken them on special trips to Lego Conferences, and to see Messi (the soccer player) play. They love their Papou and will have so many wonderful memories to cherish that they can share with their children and grandchildren.

George’s love of life and learning shines through in everything he does. He was an engineer before he retired, a perfect profession for his passion for information, order, and detail. He works diligently and lovingly in his vegetable garden each year. He likes nothing better than to be in his overalls and boots, planting, weeding, and harvesting. Every Halloween, George lines his porch with multiple pumpkins which he gets from Eastern Market. He delights in hiding from the trick-or-treaters and jumping out to scare them before handing out treats. George is an active participant in life. He is a role model for me, even though he can be exhausting at times!

Christ asks us to be “All In.” “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Nancy Grose

Good Friday, March 29, 2024

A Faithful Servant

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20-21

Her name is Sister Rose Mary Sam, but her friends call her Sister Rose. I’m lucky to be one of those friends. Her presence in my life has had a profound influence on me, and she has become my “faith hero.”

Sister Rose is a Catholic nun, a member of the order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She has a very strong faith in God and has relied on her faith to carry her through many rough times.

Sister Rose was the second-oldest child of Lebanese parents who had immigrated to Detroit. Her father ran a small grocery store, while her mother stayed at home to raise five children. She told me that her family was very close-knit and that her parents stressed three things: work, family, and faith in God.

Unfortunately, her family suffered the loss of her beloved father, who died of brain cancer at the age of 50, when Sister was only 14 years old. Her mother succumbed to a lung infection four years later, leaving her young family without parents. Since her older sister had already married and left home, it fell to Sister Rose to care for her three younger siblings. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she took up where her parents left off and raised them. She was only 19 when she took full responsibility for their care. But she likes to say that she was not alone in that endeavor. She feels that God was there for her and her family every step of the way.

Sister Rose has also suffered from problems with her legs, causing her to have a great deal of difficulty walking, even with the use of a walker. Again, instead of being discouraged, she has simply kept going without complaint. She taught high school French for many years, played viola in the Grosse Pointe Symphony for 30 years, and continues to watch over her family. I have been lucky enough to play in a weekly string quartet with her for many years. Sister also travels to Lourdes, France, usually once a year, to serve as a volunteer to the many disabled people flocking there for healing. In fact, the last time I spoke with her she told me that, because of another fall, she was unable to leave the assisted living facility where she now resides. However, she told me that she let her doctor know that she still plans on taking a group of nursing students to Lourdes this year. Did I mention that she is 86 years old?

Sister Rose is very precious to all who know her, including me. She is one of those people who always lives her faith with kindness, humility and love. I’m usually greeted with something like, “Darling Jan. Aren’t we blessed to be able to play music together. I love you.”

Jan Versical

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024

Echoes of Gethsemane

Read: Mark 14:32-36

On the first Sunday of this new year, the congregation joined in A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (UMH 607) as part of our worship service. It’s an amazing prayer that deserves to be better known than it seemed to be. At coffee hour that morning, Fred told Rev. Eardley and me that he had never read it before.

I affected outrage, noting that I had used it in a worship service at some point in the past; but it did get me to do a bit of research on the prayer. John Wesley adapted the prayer from some Puritan writings, and intended that all Methodist societies would use it at least at the opening of each year.

Frankly, as much as I like this prayer, I find it just as difficult to pray as the Lord’s Prayer. There we pray to be forgiven in the same way we forgive, and that’s really hard – I want more forgiveness than that! In this prayer, we’re basically asking to be used as God wills, not as we will – echoes of Christ in Gethsemane. It’s hard to give in to God – to give up my illusion of self-control – but that’s just what we’re called to do, and it’s just what we promise in this prayer:

I am no longer my own, but Thine.
Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by Thee or laid aside for Thee,
exalted for Thee or brought low for Thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to Thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am Thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on Earth,
let it be ratified in Heaven. Amen.

Prayer: I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me; but I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to Thee. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine; let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in Thine. Amen. (Fannie J. Crosby, UMH 419)

Charlie van Becelaere

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Buy Nothing

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

When I volunteered to coordinate the activities area of this year’s Shelter Week, we thought we were expecting about 20 women. “Why don’t you set up a manicure table? They’ll love that,” someone on Outreach suggested.

So I added an appeal in the Tuesday Newsletter for manicure supplies, puzzle books and coloring supplies to the long list of items needed. And of course, church members were generous. But wanting to leave nothing to chance, I also reached out to my local Buy Nothing Facebook group and was deluged with responses. In most cases, because this is how Buy Nothing works, I made the rounds picking things up and also enlisted Greg.

If you don’t know about this grassroots organization and are on Facebook, you might want to search “Buy Nothing” followed by your community. The concept is simple: Members either have something to give, have a request for something, or are looking to borrow something.

I am always mindful of the UMW rummage sale, which raises money for our missions, so I’m pretty frugal with what I post to give away. One time, someone asked for a hula hoop, and I had a fancy one from yoga that was gathering dust. We gave a weightlifting set that came with our house to the father of a teenager who was just getting into weights.

During the pandemic, you might see a mom home with young kids ask if anyone was going to Costco and could pick up a few things. I once surprised a friend who was about to buy a spare walker for her mother with a new-like walker from someone’s garage. People are always ready to lend their services, such as help with a resume.

I hear the national organization has launched an app, which makes me a bit sad. But I still appreciate the founding principle: “We exist to build resilient communities where our true wealth is the connections forged between neighbors.”

As you know by now, we didn’t get the 20 women we were expecting for Shelter Week. But that is another Lenten devotion that someone else may offer.

Prayer: Lord, make us cheerful, generous givers, and give us great joy in the privilege of giving. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Kathy Gardner

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Love & Holy Commitment

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:14-17

As many of you know, Logan and I were blessed to be married on July 22, 2023, in the presence of many friends and family at Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church. During these first 6 months of marriage, we have grown, learned, cherished, forgiven, and most importantly, loved. This scripture was read by Logan’s grandmother during our wedding, and we have continued to live by these words daily.

We could not be more thankful for the support, worship, and friendship GPUMC has provided to us since joining in 2020. As excited as we were to get married, knowing it would be in our gorgeous church was the cherry on top. Not only was it a beautiful service (thanks Rev. David!), but we even got to have our Irish Setter dog, Theo, as our “ring bearer.” It’s the small things like this that have always helped make it feel like home.

Logan and I have both been able to serve our church through committee work, and we are honored to give back in such meaningful ways. We both look forward to continuing this journey as we learn more about God and the many lessons our church will provide us.

Love is never ending, and we are so grateful to experience that from each other and from God every single day.

The Millers, est. 2023 (Anna and Logan)

Monday, March 25, 2024

Layer Upon Layer

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

I recently refurbished a small oak play table for our grandson – sanding it, then applying coat after coat of polyurethane varnish, with light sanding in between each coat to prepare for the next one.

Oak has what I would call an open or coarse grain, and to prevent drips, I could only apply a light coat of varnish at a time. So the first two coats went on well, but there were many small pores in the grain that weren't sealed. In a play table those are great places for grime to build up or bacteria to thrive.

Clearly there was more work to be done. On to coat three. Then four. Then five.

I was definitely making progress at this point but not done yet. Tiny pores were still appearing as the varnish dried. Only after seven coats of polyurethane, plus some extra buffing and waxing, did the table have a truly resilient finish.

Now, I'm sure some people find their faith in Christ in a single moment, but my own journey has been more like refinishing my table. For me, service work – mission trips, shelter weeks, packing lunches or cooking for Cass are the experiences that really build faith, while soup supper fellowship, choral anthems, messages in sermons, and organ meditations are important preparations for the next layer of service and faith building.

Humans are not perfect, so there will always be more work to be done, but it is comforting to know that every form of service, worship, and learning – as each layer of varnish – is building our Christian resilience.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for presenting opportunities for our service as the hands and feet of Christ, and for allowing those opportunities to grow our faith in Christ. Amen.

Bob Rossbach

Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024

A Call to Serve in the Middle

Read: Matthew 18:20

Late last spring I attended a YCM meeting at which parents of middle and high schoolers were invited to voice their thoughts about future programming at the church. I surprised myself with how many ideas I had pouring out, and was quick to disagree with those who raised concerns of having too few kids to make it "worth it," or the idea of planning only quarterly events. Fast-forward to the end of the summer and I realized that the one with all the big ideas was now being asked to head it all up. Because I come by my Methodism honestly, I certainly wasn't going to say no.

As the first official meeting of the new Middle School Youth Group approached I decided I had better pull in the 4th graders too so I would have more potential participants. The day of our first event, I hoped and prayed that there would be at least 1 other child who didn't come from my own house. I was so relieved when we had 4 youth and a smiling and ever-encouraging Reverend David show up. If you're wondering, this means we had 2 kids outside of my own join us, thus doubling my goal! The kids had fun, ate pizza, and shared lots of big ideas for the coming year. It showed me that it didn't take a lot but that we had much room to grow. Fast-forward to January, and while gathering photos to make a bulletin board, I found it hard to limit myself to an amount that would fit in the space I had. I looked back and saw all of the fun things we did together, like baking a monster batch of cookies (that left me in the kitchen until 10:30pm), a failed movie night that turned into a way more fun game night, a very messy pumpkin carving extravaganza, and the list goes on and on.

Even more meaningful for me was looking back and remembering the friends who joined our small core group of church youth, and the friends that the friends brought. The excitement and joy that bubbled over at the simplest of pleasures. The commitment that these youth have not only to come for the fun, but also to step up to serve. Whether it was decorating and table setting for a Soup Supper, staying to do the dishes after the fun, harvesting the last of the garden produce to share with the congregation, packing lunches for the Noah Project, sorting rummage for the Rummage Sale, making luminaria to light the way on Christmas Eve, or cutting and tying 20 blankets for our Shelter Week guests, these kids have answered the call to live and love like Jesus.

It is my hope that even though they may not fully understand the difference they are making now, that they will carry on fellowshipping together, bringing others in, and serving out of a place of joy in their hearts for many years to come.

I am most grateful for the calling to serve these youth, and lead them down this righteous path. I have felt myself challenged and been exhausted at times, but I have always received more back from these experiences than I have given.

Before closing with a scripture and prayer, I would be remiss not to thank those GPUMC members who make up a list too long to name here who have come to offer support during a meeting, share new (and old) ideas and encourage me along the way. Most especially I need to thank my husband, Georg, for unwittingly agreeing to be my sidekick at almost every event, for without his help I don't think I would have been able to do this.

In closing, on September 10th, during the church service on the day of our first meeting, Reverend David offered a scripture that would inspire and comfort me that morning, then continue to guide me as I planned and anticipated each of our meetings. It was from Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

This has stayed with me and reminded me always that if 2 kids come, God is there. If 20 kids come and I think to myself, "What have I done?" God is there. Where God is, there is great love, and these youth will surely carry that with them as they go on about their weeks.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father:
We feel your Spirit in the quiet moments as we learn and grow together. We feel you there in the joy and laughter of a bustling room overflowing with energetic kids. We thank you for meeting us wherever we are and in whatever we are doing, calling us to serve and spread your love. We thank you for giving us the time, the resources, and the youth and adults to answer this call. We pray that you continue to bless and watch over our youth in all they do. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Emily Zerling, Middle School Youth leader

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Choosing to Love

Read: Philippians 2:1-8

Most of us remember the collective life changes we all experienced in March 2020. For me, those changes – and the later grief that accompanied so much of the pandemic – was made more profound by the loss of our 15 year old dog just a few weeks prior to the initial COVID shutdowns.

Woodley, our food and people-loving puggle, had been a near-constant in my life since college. And though I knew he would not be around forever, I didn't know how acutely I would feel his absence until after he was actually gone. In the early days after he died, every reminder he was no longer with us – from the almost empty peanut butter jars I used to save for him now languishing in the back of our fridge, to the many hairs still covering our clothes and furniture – felt so painful, I had trouble imagining how I could ever get another dog just to have to experience this pain again one day.

Of course, with time, my raw grief receded. And about a year later, I began offhandedly telling neighbors that I would love to dog sit for them, as I missed having a dog in the house. Thankfully, that offer led me to Ana, a rambunctious but loyal Airedale Terrier who very soon won over my heart and became a regular fixture in our home (thanks, in part, to her parents’ frequent travel schedule). I delighted in having a new animal buddy, and felt like I’d unlocked a new level of pet companionship: a part-time dog whose vet bills were paid by someone else. It felt like the perfect setup – that is, until Ana’s parents told me last year that they were moving out of state.

My initial sadness at the news Ana and her family were moving was quickly replaced by an unexpected emotion: pure gratitude for our time together. Having already lost Woodley, I knew I could handle saying goodbye to Ana, too. She stayed at our house during her final days in Michigan, as her parents packed for their move. I cherished our time together despite knowing it was likely our last. When their moving van was packed and I handed her off a final time, I had a tear in my eye but was grateful for the joy she had brought to my life. It was the definition of "bittersweet." And with those feelings, I knew I could handle getting another dog and one day saying goodbye to that one, too. Ana reminded me how much we, as humans, continue to choose love in the face of inevitable loss. That so many of us choose to love pets we’ll likely outlive is but one illustration of this universal reality.

For me, the Lenten season perfectly highlights the dichotomy of grief and love that is foundational to the suffering and joy we all experience on this earth. In times when the suffering of the world feels overwhelming, I am comforted by reminders of our capacity for unconditional love, including the love we share with our animals.

Beth Versical

Friday, March 22, 2024

Faith-Shaped Lives

“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

Recently, my great aunt, who is 103, shared a poem with me, written by one of her brothers about their tiny country church where their family grew up.

After reading this, I couldn’t help but realize the profound impact of so many lives upon mine. I’ve always thought of my grandma as a saint. Reserved, hard-working and deeply intelligent, my grandmother was quietly faithful, her Bible always near. It’s true what is said, “actions speak louder than words.” My grandma lived her faith.

I’ve also always considered my great aunt as one of my heroes. Loving and kind, always pouring into others, she even even left a job she loved to serve her country as a nurse in the Army when that was uncommon for women to do.

Now, through this poem, written by Grandma and Aunt Neva‘s brother, Myron, I see the faith that was modeled to me extended further than I knew. It enveloped a family. It shaped their existence. It is no accident it has shaped mine as well.

Prayer: Dear God, please guide my footsteps, mouth and heart, as I see to continue extending my family’s faith tradition to my own children. Amen.

Sandy Cameron

Here is the poem my great aunt shared with me:

Modest Worship

Tho' it's just a country chapel
without modern structural frills
I'm sure God looks with favor
on the task that it fulfills.

No, the structure isn't fancy
but it serves its purpose well
and it takes me back to childhood
with each ringing of the bell.

I recall in early evening
how its mellow tone would tell
everyone when time to worship
with a temporary spell.

And it has that same attraction
after many years have passed.
And the people just as friendly
as when I attended last.

 As I turn and gaze about me
at the faces plain but proud
there are some that I find missing
from the old time-tested crowd.

Yet when I visit in the churchyard
and on the simple marble slabs
are the names of those that's missing
and my finding makes me sad.

They have earned their long vacation
from this world of endless strife
yet this living generation can but
praise their useful life.

And as they wait for judgment
there is still no grand display.
But I'm sure God will forgive them
for their modest sort of way.

 Written by Myron C. Benson about Boblett Church