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 summertime, and let us be glad for several more weeks of it! It’s so wonderful to be able to get out into nature and take in the sights and sounds and smells of the season; we are beyond blessed to be surrounded by lakes and streams, forests and trails, and good friends and families to share it all with! God is certainly good!!

The United States has just observed a milestone anniversary, and we’re sure that many of you enjoyed special celebratory gatherings with those dear to you. Toby the Church Dog once again expressed his dislike of fire-works, which may well have been the case for your furry family members as well, but he certainly enjoyed the occasional drop of a carrot or a potato chip! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in celebrating a special event or treasured memory that we forget that not everyone around us is in a celebratory mood. Our calling as Christians is to be intentionally aware of folks around us who might be struggling a bit, and to reach out in love and compassion to offer our support. We’re not suggesting that our celebrations should be canceled or intentionally subdued out of fear of causing offense or pain, but that we should keep our eyes open for those in distress and come up alongside them in their challenge(s). We are always God’s hands and feet, Christ’s eyes and ears, and as our Triune God is always on the lookout for ways to be helpful, so too should we.

Blessings, Karen and Greg

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

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:33

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Greetings in Christ! Hasn’t the weather been a rollercoaster ride this week? Sweatshirts to t-shirts to raincoats, with air that doesn’t know if it wants to be thin or thick! Have you ever heard such a sustained roll of thunder; it seemed to go on for hours. And then, such CRASHING bursts surged forth that we almost levitated! Yes, there has been nothing boring about our weather. “Awe” seems to be the word of the week. Just as the boldness of thunder and lightning can leave us dumbstruck by their tremendous power; the awesome power and presence of God in our lives can be so moving that it leaves our hearts and minds overcome with joy and thanksgiving. What a blessing it has been to witness God’s youngest gathering for Vacation Bible School at the Chapel this week! Young bundles of energy fairly glow with excitement as they explore the ways in which God shares His love with them. They are learning through Bible lessons, games, and adventures together that they can be sharers of God’s love too; and they shine this love boldly and broadly! Sometimes we can become dis-missive of those things that God has to teach us through the youngest amongst us; but the lessons are waiting for us to receive them. We have also been gifted in witnessing those youth and adult leaders who have committed more than a week of their love, energy and caring to sharing their faith, time and talents with our littlest ones. We have been reminded once again that when God’s plan is at the core of any endeavor, the resulting gifts are varied and far reaching. Also, this week, the United States of America celebrates 250 years of independence! How interesting it has been to listen to World Cup attendees as they share their glowing thoughts about our citizens and our country; sometimes we forget to take a step back to view the abundance God has showered upon us here in this place. Our people shine when our starting point is a caring and interest in others, rather than rooting our-selves first in our personal agendas. Sometimes we as citizens, overlook the potential we have to be blessed and to be a blessing, but when we step into relationship with each other, God can get all kinds of wonderful things accomplished! We have received two hundred and fifty years of God’s guidance and blessings! Let us bring forward the goodness that God has placed in each of us as we step into our future as a country. Yes, the word of the week is “awe,” for this is what we feel when experiencing the wonders our majestic God places before us and enacts in us.

God bless you in all that you do! Karen and Greg

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

“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.” – Psalm 8:1

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 first “real” week of summer, and let us be glad for the many weeks yet to come! It’s been a tad on the cool side for the first few days of the week, and today is something of a mixed bag weather-wise, but we’re not shovel-ing snow or wearing boots and mittens! These long days of the summer are full of joys and delights, and we can be assured of much warmer temperatures in the days to come. Hallelujah!!

As we enjoy the incomparable beauty of a summer sunrise over the lake of our choice, we are reminded that in the Creation narrative, God said “let there be light; and there was light.” God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. Light is indeed very good; light allows us to see where we’re going, to see what’s around us, and we are blessed to have a great deal of light at this time of the year. Light illuminates the dark places around us, and light illuminates the dark places within us. As we linger in the joy of a summer’s sunrise, let us allow that light to penetrate our very souls to bring light to the dark places we so often ignore, so that we can examine what’s there and determine if there’s anything that we must do with whatever it is we see. Sometimes, maybe even most of the time, what’s hidden in our personal dark places are old fears and worries that do not serve us well, and we can dis-pose of them. Sometimes we’ll find an old hurt, perhaps one that we caused another, and we must seek healing or make amends. Let the light of God show us the way to cleanse our dark places, so that there’s nothing left within us but the guiding light of the Almighty. With the way forward clearly illuminated, let us live our best lives basking in the light of the Lord!

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 ________________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never

walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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