Pastor’s Message

June 10, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in life-giving rainfall that brings lushness to our gardens and lawns, and let us be glad for the sunshine that follows the rain. Sometimes the rain gets in the way of our outdoor plans, but it’s absolutely necessary for growth. And it’s free!

A balance of rain and sunshine are necessary for the health of gardens and crops. Too much rain, and seeds are washed away; too little rain, and flowers wither away. Too much sunshine, and crops are burned; too little sunshine and plants cannot grow. While an imperfect analogy, human beings need a balance of delight and stress in our lives in order for us to grow. We seek out delightful experiences and people, and we do our best to avoid unpleasant ones; which makes perfect sense! But without a bit of stress, without a few unpleasant encounters or challenging circumstances in life, we won’t learn resilience and develop inner strength. And we won’t turn to God for help. We won’t let God be God, supporting and sustaining us through the rough patches of life, protecting us from the rainfall so that we can be nourished by the sunshine. Again, an imperfect analogy, but the point is made; as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote in 1842, “into every life some rain must fall.” Thanks be to God that we don’t face the rain alone, and thanks be to God that the rain will never wash us away.

God bless you, Karen and Greg

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” – Psalm 28:7

Pastor’s Message

June 4, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in the arrival of “meteorological summer” (on June 1st) and let us be glad that the weather forecast has a bit of rain coming our way; we don’t want to lose all those flowers and veggies we just finished planting! We’re not hoping for a washed-out weekend, but a little overnight rain would be welcome.

Now that summer has arrived, the pace of life Up North paradoxically will both slow down a bit, and be-come a bit frenzied; seasonal folks will be spending long weekends at their cottages, favorite porch chairs will be occupied with readers, activities on the lakes will pick up, bicyclists will be back on the roads and trails, and golf courses and tennis/pickleball courts will be filled with enthusiasts. Life is good during these special days; and yet the world is in need of our prayers, and neighbors are in need of our helping hands. The world needs our fervent prayers for peace and calm, neighbors are still cleaning up from the floodwaters, loved ones need our presence when diagnoses are not what was hoped for, and loved ones need our joyful celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries and graduations. What a privilege it is when we are chosen to be the voice of God offering comfort, the hands of Christ offering support, and the presence of the Holy Spirit bringing joy. Life is indeed good when we fulfill our calling as Christian brothers and sisters to love one another, as Christ loved us. Enjoy the season, savor these special days, and be ever thankful for all that we have been blessed with! God bless you, Karen and Greg

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Pastor’s Message

May 27, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Greetings in Christ! This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in the arrival of warmer weather and blue skies, and let us be glad that this is only the beginning of “the season” Up North!! Every season of the year up here in God’s Country is great, but there’s something truly special about the warmer days of late spring and early summer. Let us get out there and enjoy it, as we are able.

As we shift gears away from clearing snow and snuggling in by the fireplace with a good book, and look toward our gardens and boat rides and long walks in nature, we have an opportunity to deepen our relationship with our Triune God; all three await us out in Creation. As we walk, or ride, or paddle along without having to worry about ice and snow, we can allow our thoughts (our prayers, to be more precise) to focus on really listening for that still, small voice whispering in our ear. Centered in this place, we are able to feel that gentle nudge to go in a different direction, to wonder and ponder in new ways which are difficult to achieve when we’re concerned about not slipping on a patch of ice. Now we have the opportunity to allow the grand blessings of nature to surround us, to warm us, and to uplift our spirits! Make sure you put on your sunscreen and wear your sunglasses, and let all three persons of the Trinity envelope you. God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is good!

God bless you, Karen and Greg

Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969 revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com ________________________________________________________________________________________“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21

Pastor’s Message

May 21, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in the first holiday of late spring, and let us be glad that there’s no snow in the forecast for Memorial Day! It’s certainly brisk this morning, but the skies Up North are crystal clear, and we’re looking forward to a long holiday weekend to welcome more and more of our seasonal friends back home to Presque Isle County!

Our apologies for being a day late with our weekly note, Wednesday was absolutely jammed with pastoral needs that took precedence over reaching out; we trust that you all understand that, sometimes, stuff happens!

This weekend is incredibly important in the life of the church, as we will gather to celebrate the Day of Pentecost. Red will be the dominant color of the day, as we are reminded that the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on the crowds in Jerusalem, and settled as tongues of flame on the disciples. We are all recipients of the Holy Spirit, who guides our steps and helps us discern right from wrong, an ever-present companion who helps cement our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Pentecost is such a special day, let us truly rejoice!

This weekend is also incredibly important in the life of the United State, as we will observe Memorial Day with solemnity and humility; Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. It is not a day to get a great deal on a new mattress or a set of tires, nor is it a day to honor those who served or are serving now; it is a day of remembrance and gratitude for the brave men and women who didn’t come home. Let us set aside time to remember, and to offer up a word of thanks for all of them.

God bless you, Karen and Greg

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Ephesians 3:16

Pastor’s Message

May 13, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Greetings in Christ!

He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!! The season of Easter is nearing its end, as we will observe the Ascension of the Lord tomorrow, and then the seventh (and final) Sunday of Easter this coming Sunday. It is our sincere hope that you have found a deeper connection to the Almighty as you’ve journeyed through this most holy of times; while the day may be a bit gloomy and damp, the bright light of Christ’s presence in our lives drives away the darkness and fills us with hope and joy! Overcast skies and cool air can’t overcome the hope and the promise of the Resurrection!!

It seems to us that we tend to gloss over the Day of Ascension, looking ahead to the more dramatic Day of Pentecost celebrations, and that’s too bad; Acts 1:6-11 tells the story of Jesus being lifted up to Heaven, and angels telling the apostles that he would return to them in the exact same way. The scripture also reminds the apostles, and each one of us, that it is not for us to know the times or periods that God has set for things to happen. How frustrating is that? We would be much happier if God’s plans were neatly laid out on a calendar that we could refer to, so that we could have enough time to get ready for whatever is to come; but that’s not God’s way. And so, we should live in such a way that we are always ready for God to make himself known to us; we should love, share, nurture, and forgive everyone and anyone who touches our lives. These things are pleasing to God, and reflective of Christ’s presence.

God bless you, Karen and Greg

“While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” Luke 24:511

Pastor’s Message

May 6, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Greetings in Christ!

As we continue to travel through the Easter season we joyously proclaim, “He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!!” On this day that the Lord has made, we thankfully receive the sunshine, milder temperatures, the sweet smells of springtime, and the renewal we feel in spotting tree buds unfurling, daffodils blooming, and God’s creatures exploring. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with delicious Mexican flavors, and on Sunday we will honor our moms, and those who took on the role of mothers for us. God is good!!!

This is the same God who offers to renew our spirits when life gets difficult and we are filled with worry. It seems we have no shortage of concerns. Nearby communities are dealing with wildfires, and flooding and serious water damage have touched the lives of so many. We long for the end of wars and violence, the ceasing of angry rhetoric, and the building of peaceful solutions. Our hearts and minds seek joy and positivity, but so often we find our best intentions derailed by concerns over health, finances, safety, and the well-being of our loved ones. And yet, our Lord doesn’t wish for us to live with this kind of pain.

Sometimes it seems we think if we worry about a situation enough, it will be resolved. In truth, worry is an emotion that paralyzes. Not only can it stop us in our tracks; it can act as a barrier between us and the loving goodness that God wishes to bring to us. When we worry, we make the decision to trust in ourselves and live in the energy of worry instead of allowing ourselves to trust in God and to receive the comfort and peace he offers when we hand our worries to him.

Our Lord loves us and is very capable of helping us to find answers. He carries us and offers us peace even in the midst of our distress. Beyond this, God has given us one another to love; in one another we can find support. In this Easter season, we are reminded that the God who gave everything to allow for us to be in relationship together for eternity, will not forsake us when we ask for him to carry us and our concerns. Joy and renewal are offered to us even in tough times.

God bless you, Karen and Greg

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you 1 Peter 5:7

Pastor’s Message

April 29, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Greetings in Christ!

He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!! On this day that the Lord has given us to enjoy, we are reminded that we are still in the season of Easter, with our focus on the new life each of us has been blessed with because of Easter Sunday. It’s getting harder and harder to find piles of snow, and easier and easier to see signs of new life in our yards and gardens. Now, to be fair, the weather forecast does have the possibility of snow over the next couple of days, but nothing that’s going to stick or require shoveling; for those who haven’t put the snow-fighting gear away yet, it’s probably safe to do so now!

There are still many of our friends and neighbors dealing with wet basements, and with the loss of treasured possessions to the floodwaters of the past couple of weeks. Let us hold all those impacted by the floods in our prayers, and remain vigilant for opportunities to be of help.

The events of last weekend at the White House Correspondents Association dinner have brought a sharp fo-cus on the political divide in our country, and on the change in our society that has allowed violence to be the first response to disagreement. The community of faith in this country, and around the world, must stand united in opposition to this trend; nowhere is it written that we must all agree on everything, neither is it written that if I disagree with you that I am free to harm you. We must resist the temptation to lash out over the slight-est disagreement, for to succumb to the temptation is to allow Satan to take control, not only of the situation in front of us, but of large swathes of our lives. Our Lord and Savior, the One who walks with us through each day, encourages us to be kind, gentle, and loving towards all – even those with whom we disagree. Let his ex-ample be the standard for all of our interactions.

God bless you, Karen and Greg

Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969 revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com ________________________________________________________________________________If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20

Pastor’s Message

April 22, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!! This is the bright and sunny day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it as we continue to celebrate the season of Easter! After all the rain and cold, the melting snow and ice, and of course the tragic flooding and damage caused by high water in our area, it’s nice to look out our windows and see cobalt blue skies and bright sunshine, isn’t it?

We know that many, many folks are still dealing with wet basements and crawl spaces, and that some have suffered water intrusions into their main living spaces. These tumultuous recent days remind us that no matter what we’re facing, we don’t face it alone. We’ve seen so many stories of people helping people with all manner of things, which is exactly what we are called to as followers of the Risen Lord. Just as Jesus walked along-side the disciples on the road to Emmaus on Easter Sunday, he is walking alongside all who are strug-gling. Let us walk alongside those in need, acting as the hands of Christ, the eyes and ears of Our Lord look-ing and listening to quiet pleas for aid, and the arms of Jesus offering a comforting hug. All of us have lots of spring-cleaning work to do; but to be blunt, raking our yards or setting up our patios are a much lower priority that helping someone recover from floodwaters. There will be time enough for everything else, so please keep an eye out for those in need, and offer loving help if you are able.

Today is a very special day, Professional Administrators Day. We are greatly blessed at the Grand Lake Com-munity Chapel and Westminster Presbyterian Church to have the very capable support and care of three amazingly gifted and intelligent woman: Laurie, Michelle, and Sharey. They go above and beyond to assist us and the churches in the work we do, and are excellent examples of living out love for others. Thank you, our dear office administrators, for all that you do!

Today, let us stand ready to offer whatever assistance we can to family, friends, and neighbors.

God bless you, Karen and Greg

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

Pastor’s Message

April 16, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching Out From Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Greetings in Christ!

He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!! We’re ten days removed from the glories of Easter Sunday, and the truth remains that Christ rose from the grave to change the world for all time; our celebration of that fact should continue for all time as well. On this day when many of us are struggling with rising water levels and flooded basements, it may be difficult to find things to rejoice and be glad about, but this is still the day that the Lord has made.

So let us rejoice in neighbors helping neighbors by sharing pumps and hoses; let us be glad for will-ing hands helping to move treasured heirlooms to higher ground. Let us rejoice in municipal workers doing their utmost to clear away blockages in storm sewers and to repair damaged roads, and let us be glad for a respite from the heavy rains of recent days. Let us rejoice in the certainty that this is a temporary thing, and let us be glad that in the fulness of time, the waters will recede. While what we’re experiencing is nothing like Noah’s flood from the Book of Genesis, for those among us who have been hit the hardest, the pain is every bit as intense; but the promise of relief is also every bit as real, so for those in need, please reach out for help. And for those who are able, please respond with generosity and love. We will get through this event together, with God’s help!

Blessings, Karen and Greg

“But me? I will keep watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God who saves me; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

Pastor’s Message

April 8, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!! Three days removed from the glory of Easter Sunday; we’re still in the glow of our celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord. Today may be overcast Up North, but nothing can diminish the Light that has driven darkness out of the world. If you’re looking for evidence, a cease-fire has been agreed to in the Iran conflict, with the promise of intense negotiations over the next two weeks to bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Beyond that, it’s getting warmer, the snow piles are melting away, and our beloved Snowbirds are heading north! Much to celebrate, we think!

Of course, our ongoing celebration of Easter is at the center of our lives right now, and we ask you to consider the question we asked on Easter Sunday; what’s left of Easter after the joyous worship services are but a fond memory and the candy is all gone? As we said on Sunday, WE are what’s left of Easter, and we are called to allow God to change us and the world around us. We invite each of you to recommit yourselves to acts of kindness and mercy, to be generous with your time, talent, and treasure in service of God’s Kingdom on Earth, and to be quick to forgive any transgressions against you. This is the work of a Christian, and while it is at times hard work, it is always, always rewarding work. It is this work that can profoundly change the world, one interaction at a time, in one corner of the world at a time. Can you only imagine how different things could be next Easter if all of us took up this work? Amazing!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969
revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com
revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com
________________________________________________________________________________

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15