Author: laurieagould

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 13, 2024


Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in a spectacular Up North morning, and let us be glad that (almost) all of the political signs are gone and that in the week following the elections things seem to be calming down a bit. Most of the leaves are down, so final yard cleanups can begin, and hopefully we’ll enjoy a few weeks of quiet on the weather front so that we can get our work done, and holiday decorations in place!

It’s hard to believe that we’re only two weeks away from the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, which traditionally kicks off the year-end holiday season. This year, U.S. Thanksgiving is only a couple of days before the beginning of Advent, which is the real holy day that should be our focus. But, that’s not to say that we shouldn’t honor the holiday with happy gatherings of family and friends, and a heapin’ helpin’ of thanks and praise for the One who provides all things. We hope that all who are reading this message are well along in their planning for Thanksgiving, if not yet into preparation mode. But we also hope that all who are reading this message remember every day, that we have much to be thankful for: the beauty of God’s Creation, the love of family and friends, the joy of anticipating what is to come in only a few weeks, and the never-ending love of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that enfolds us. And we should also remember that, regardless of how the elections turned out, regardless of some of the challenges life puts in our paths, we are blessed beyond measure because Almighty God is with us every step of the way, watching over us as a loving parent does. As a loving parent, sometimes God lets us go off on our own way, even though it may not be the right path, and is waiting with open arms when we stumble back home. Something to be truly thankful for.

Blessings,

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

I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 6, 2024


Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in a beautiful Up North Wednesday, and let us be glad that the long election season has finally come to an end. Based on the results of yesterday’s elections, about half of us are pleased, and about half of us are not. While the final numbers have yet to be tallied, it is clear that we the people have spoken, and there will be new political leadership at local, state, and federal levels. Now is the time to take down the yard signs, take off the buttons, and go about our everyday business; and to work tirelessly for unity and peace.

Psalm 133 reminds us that it is good and pleasant when sisters and brothers come together in unity. One of the presidential candidates said a few days ago that there is much more that brings us together than separates us; and while we may (or may not) agree with other things this particular candidate advocates for, this sentiment is absolutely true. It’s kind of like the way Christian denominations have evolved over the millennia; we agree that God is in charge, that Jesus Christ came to Earth to save us, and that the Holy Spirit indwells each of us. We agree that God is love, and that love conquers all. We read from the same Bibles, sing many of the same hymns, and recite the Lord’s Prayer in worship. But we disagree on about 5% of doctrine and details of Scriptural translation, and so we separate ourselves; and in this the body of Christ, which is the church, is diminished. In the Pledge of Allegiance, we profess that the United States is “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” an ideal and a goal that we strive to achieve. The election is over, now the real work of coming together begins. As people of faith, it falls to us to lead, to console, and to heal. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work, trusting that God will give us the wisdom and strength to overcome the forces that would divide and destroy.

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 I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:11

Pastor’s Message

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Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 30, 2024


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 gentle change in the seasons, and let us be glad that we still have time to take care of buttoning up our homes for the coming colder weather. Most of the leaves are down, but not yet frozen to the turf, so we can still rake them up (or wait for the wind to gift our neighbors with them) and dispose of them. It’s far too dry to have a bonfire, but many of us can remember the aroma of burning leaves that signaled the end of fall. Of course, tomorrow is Halloween, so we all have to be on the lookout for little ghosts and goblins searching for treats!

This is our last email newsletter before the election on November 5th, and we know that many of you are more than ready for this contentious election season to be over; but we would be remiss if we didn’t remind you of the importance of voting. We have the rare and wonderful opportunity to prayerfully choose those who will govern for a time, and we have the obligation to let them do the jobs they were chosen to do. If we approach our civic duty in a prayerful way, we have to trust that God will be present in the workings of our government, even if our individual vote went to a different candidate. And, if our preferred candidates aren’t elected, we will have to accept the majority decision and work within the system to effect a change at the next opportunity. Abraham Lincoln quoted Matthew 12:25 when he said “a house divided against itself cannot stand” in a speech given on June 16, 1858. It was true then, and it is true today. While we may disagree on some things, we must come together around a set of core principles and values, or the nation, and Christ’s plan that we be loving and supportive of one another, will fail.

Blessings,

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

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 16, 2024


Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in family and friends, wherever they may be, and let us be glad for the opportunities that present themselves to spend time with those near and dear to us! While we’re still about a month away from the traditional holiday season that starts with Thanksgiving, it’s nice to anticipate joyful gatherings, so let us rejoice and be glad for what is just over the horizon!

Sometimes it’s easy to take relationships for granted; to assume that those special people in our lives will always be available to us for fun events or when we’re in need of support. But, life has taught us that that isn’t always the case; whether it be due to long distances between us, or the distractions of everyday life, or sadly because a special person has gone on to the Church Triumphant. We lose touch with important people all too often. It’s been said that there is nothing quite so grand as a good friend, and if you’ll pardon the reference to a favorite Christmas movie of ours, It’s a Wonderful Life; no man (or woman) is a failure who has friends. So let us humbly suggest that this is the perfect day to reach out to a friend with whom you may have lost contact; be that friend, a family member, or an old pal. Friendships are precious things, things to be nurtured and honored. Think about it, Jesus called his disciples friends, not buddies or chums or traveling companions. He died for them, and for us. Friendships matter, so care for them.

Blessings,

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

I do not cease to give thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers, Ephesians 1:16

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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 opportunity to enjoy the blessings of God’s good creation, and let us be glad that there are countless ways to do so. Everywhere we look, we can see God’s handiwork, the intricate balance of life in its various forms, and we are in awe (or we should be). Let’s allow ourselves to be wowed today!

Unfortunately for so many in the south, God’s good creation is under stress today; the aftermath of Hurricane Helene reveals new tragedies every day, and the preparations for Hurricane Milton have disrupted lives along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and has left the people of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico reeling. Many in our congregations have family and friends in Milton’s path, and others have winter homes in the threatened areas. Many of us wonder why do these things happen? Why are there storms in life; why is there such awful destruction; why is there sometimes death as a result of hurricanes and tornadoes and other natural disasters? Is God angry with us? No, he’s not; he may be frustrated with us, or he may be disappointed in us, but he’s not angry with us. When disaster strikes, God grieves with us; God walks with us; God takes care of us; perhaps not in the way we would prefer; perhaps not on the timeline we would specify; but let there be no doubt that God is present, enfolding us in his arms and making all things right. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters impacted by the storms of life, and let us also have absolute faith that God’s got this, and we may well be part of his answer.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in a truly spectacular Up North day, and let us be glad for crisp morning air and comfortable afternoon temperatures (and for working furnaces…). This is one of those incredible early autumn days when the trees are showing off the beginnings of their seasonal color change, brightly illuminated by the sun against a cobalt blue sky. God has quite the artists’ touch, eh?

Unfortunately, much of the rest of God’s good Creation isn’t in particularly good shape today; death and destruction in the Middle East and Ukraine dominate the news, the political divisions in the United States and other nations around the world are driving heated exchanges and violence, and the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene is almost beyond comprehension. People of faith are left wondering what to do? The “easy” answer is to pray, which we’re confident is happening, but is there more? Yes, there is; there are relief agencies that can receive donations of money and supplies, if you are able to make a contribution. Some communities are organizing drives to collect much-needed articles of clothing and basic supplies. A few people are able to volunteer in the hardest-hit areas, to provide relief to government and private sector crews who are working beyond the point of exhaustion. And we can all pray, and pray fervently for those directly impacted by the above mentioned events; this coming Sunday presents us with a unique opportunity to join with Christian brothers and sisters on World Communion Sunday, sharing the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in a display of solidarity. These are hard times, to be sure, but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will see us through to a bright tomorrow.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:12

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

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 slowly emerging autumn season, and let us be glad for the beauty around us as it begins to change into its colorful finery. This is a wonderful time to be Up North (isn’t it always a wonderful time to be Up North?), a wonderful time to explore, and a wonderful time to get reacquainted with favorite seasonal traditions and activities. We invite you to join us in embracing all that God has prepared for us to enjoy!

If it seems as if the news is almost universally bad lately, you’d be right; when was the last time there was a story about a country on the other side of the world that wasn’t focused on a tragedy of some kind, or a report about a community in our own country that’s made great progress in addressing a challenge? Sure, every now and then, we’ll come across news of a medical breakthrough, or a feel-good story in the local media, but the old adage “if it bleeds, it leads” certainly dominates news coverage far more than it used to. We think it’s fair to assume that everybody knows that we don’t live in a utopian society, and that there are serious issues to be dealt with, but would it hurt if there were a more optimism in the air? Those of us with a foundation in faith know that God is good, Creation is good, and that the future is full of promise; and that today is pretty darn decent as well. The world needs an attitude adjustment, away from despair and towards joy; this is a choice each of us can make every day, and if enough of us are intentional about choosing joy, the rest of the world will soon join us – because joy is a whole lot better than despair!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.

Philippians 4:13

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in a magnificent late-summer day Up North, and let us be glad for the warm days and cool nights of this time of year! There are so many wonderful things happening in our area as one season comes to an end, and another is about to begin; festivals, apple cider and donuts, the hint of color in the trees, and the list goes on. This is a great time of the year, and we encourage you to get out and enjoy it!

We’d like to thank the Rev. Dr. Bob Case for leading worship while we were on vacation, it’s good to know that our beloved congregants are in good hands when we’re away. This vacation time was very different for us, because we really didn’t do much of anything! Not sure we planned it that way, but that’s how it turned out; and we are beyond grateful to God for guiding us to exactly what we needed. We needed rest, quiet, and peace to recharge ourselves after a very busy spring and summer. That’s one of the truly amazing things about our God – he gives us exactly what we need, whether or not we ask for it. Our God knows us so well, and loves us so completely, that our every need is met at the perfect time and in the perfect way. If we need a bit of adventure, we’re presented with the opportunity to explore new places and things. If we need rest, our cares are lifted from us and we are given the time and space we need to be restored. Isn’t that a remarkable thing? Whether we need rest or adventure or something in between, God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is good.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and glad in it! Let us rejoice in yet another gorgeous Up North day, and let us be glad for the seasons to come! There are so many great ways to spend time in our area, whether it’s seasonal festivals or hunting or fishing or camping or whatever; all made available to us courtesy of Almighty God, who showers us with good things every day. We’d like to suggest that a fine way of expressing our appreciation for God’s gifts is to get out and enjoy them!

These next few weeks are a time for change, as children head back to school or college, seasonal businesses begin to shut down, and some of our friends prepare to move to warmer climates for the upcoming cooler weather. As things around us change, we’re presented with an opportunity to assess our own lives, and consider if there are things we’d like to change. Are there less-than-good habits we’d like to break, are there new habits we’d like to cultivate, and are there books we’d like to read or activities we’d like to engage in? Not surprisingly, your pastors would like to gently and humbly suggest that Bible study and prayer could be on your list of things to begin, or continue, as the case may be Emoji. And oddly enough, we’re planning on offering two structured Bible studies later this year, one in the fall and one during Advent; please consider joining us! Regardless of how you plan on spending your “free” time during this time of change, we urge you to invite the Triune God to be your companion. Remember that God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is good!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

Beholding the glory of the Lord transforms us

into His likeness. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

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 upcoming holiday weekend, and let us be glad that we are free to celebrate a national holiday that honors the importance and inherent dignity of labor. While for some among us, this holiday marks the end of the “season” Up North, for others it signals a return to life governed by the events and activities of a school calendar. And the Labor Day holiday kicks off the college football season! Yay!!!

As noted above, schools are coming back into session very soon, if not already back for some. Back-to-school shopping excursions may be ancient history for a few of us, but it’s probably fair to say that all of us have memories, fond or otherwise, of the process of getting back into the swing of the academic year. As classes begin, at all levels from kindergarten to graduate school, we invite you to honor the educators in your prayers; theirs can be a challenging profession, but it is an absolutely essential one for the future of our nation and our way of life. We know that many who are reading this message are educators (or have retired from this honorable profession), and to all who teach, or have taught, we offer our heartfelt thanks. And no matter how long it’s been since you cracked a textbook, you can get back into the saddle by studying scripture or participating in a Bible study or reading any of the thousands of excellent books about theology and church history that are out there; our faith is an enduring subject to study, one that is both exciting and confounding. Trust us, your faith will be made richer by ongoing learning; you may be truly surprised by the insights that come your way as you read (or re-read) passages from the Bible or thoughtful words by an inspired author. It’s way too early to think about cuddling up in front of a roaring fire with a good book, but you could curl up with that Good Book on a porch or patio or beach! To quote the founder of Faber College of “Animal House” fame, knowledge is good!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105