Author: laurieagould

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, June 12, 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 gentle breezes and warm temperatures (finally!!), and let us be glad for all the fun activities to participate in this weekend in our area!  While we all know that the weather can be a bit inconsistent this time of year, it’s fair to say that we’re firmly into summertime, so let’s get out and enjoy!

Someday, somebody will point us to the Scriptures that says that Christians aren’t allowed to have fun, either in worship or in life; we haven’t found them yet, so we’re going to declare victory and encourage each and every one of us to HAVE SOME FUN each and every day!  The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except eat, drink, and enjoy life; sound advice from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew scriptures.  There is so much joy to be had all around us, so many pleasurable activities to take part in when the weather allows us to be outside.  Whether your greatest joy is gardening, or spending time on the water, or swinging a golf club or a tennis racquet, or pedaling your bicycle along one of the many wonderful trails in Northeast Michigan, we encourage you to take advantage of the season and revel in the beauty of God’s creation.  And while you’re enjoying life to its fullest, remember to give thanks to God who created all things; and remember to smile, because a smile on your face will brighten even the darkest of days.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, Proverbs 15:13a

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, June 5, 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 first full week of “the season,” and let us be glad that we have several months to enjoy the beauty of Presque Isle County!  Isn’t it exciting to think of all the good times to be had?  What a gift we have been given!

Time has been much on our minds this past month, while Dr. Greg has been somewhat constrained by his knee replacement surgery and subsequent recovery; everything seems to be happening more slowly than we’re accustomed to (getting around takes forever…), and the recovery process feels agonizingly slow.  So many of the things we normally are doing this time of the year are either on hold or have been set aside entirely, but there has also been an unexpected awareness of the value of time.  We read in Ecclesiastes 3 that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven,” apparently including healing.  Being limited in some things opens up time for others; reading, listening, conversing, napping.  Being limited in some things also opens the door to new possibilities for getting the necessary things in life taken care of; new roles taken on in terms of household chores, or skilled professionals being invited to handle maintenance tasks or repairs.  When it seems as if there is nothing but time on our hands, maybe we should consider that all that time is being gifted to us to take a hard look at how we prioritize life; maybe our cultural obsession with always being productive, always being active, always looking ahead to the next goal should be pondered for a time.  Sometimes the best use of time is to simply sit and be. 

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

There is a time for everything, and a season
 for every activity under the heavens  Ecclesastes 3:1

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 29, 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 bright, sunny skies to start the day Up North, and let us be glad for moderate temperatures for working in our yards and gardens or getting our toys ready for the season!  It might be a bit on the cool side for some of us, but we can be confident that it will get warmer day by day.  It’s probably a pretty safe bet to put away the snow shovels…

Now that we are “unofficially” into summer (the meteorologists tell us that summer doesn’t really begin until June 20), our thoughts turn to leisure, family gatherings, long walks along the shores of whichever body of water we love best, and the blessings of time to just “be.”  For some reason, many of us can’t find the time for peaceful reflection until the pages of the calendar turn past Memorial Day; we put so much energy into the major holidays like Christmas and Easter, which can dominate the fall and winter months, and then we work during the spring to be ready for summertime.  As your pastors, we’d like to gently remind you that there is always time enough to do those things that truly need to be done, and that a big part of self-care is taking some time each day (regardless of the season) to be still and to reach out in prayer to the Triune God. But, we’re every bit as guilty of overloading our schedules, so we look forward to the slower pace of summer as well.  Here’s a thought for the day; make time for God today.  Make time to look around you, wherever you are (unless you’re driving!), and soak in the beauty of Creation.  Stop doing for a few seconds, and say “thanks” for all that you see, and feel as the Sun warms the earth.  If summertime is really about relaxation and peacefulness, what better way to center yourself in the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, than to turn to God and give thanks.  And if it takes more than a few moments to express your joy, what possible difference can it make?  You’ve got the whole summer to take care of business!!  Always 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

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 22, 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 warm (albeit overcast) spring morning, and let us be glad for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.  Let us rejoice that old friends are beginning to return to Northern Michigan for “the season,” and let us be glad that we are blessed with the opportunity to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, so that the blessings of freedom have been ours to enjoy for 248 years.

As we prepare to step into summer, it’s helpful to look back on the seasons that came before and to remember some of the challenges and joys of winter and spring.  We had a relatively mild winter, but still we had snow to shovel and ice to negotiate.  Spring came in fits and starts, with mild days followed by hard freezes that put fear into the hearts of those of us who enjoy gardening.  On the cusp of a new season, summer promises us warmer, longer days in this amazing place we call home, yet there will be storms to contend with.  In a similar way, as we look forward to a long holiday weekend, it’s helpful to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day; it is a day to remember.  Even though the holiday has become something of a “standard” long weekend, replete with furniture sales, family picnics, parades, and speeches by politicians, the reason we observe Memorial Day is far too important to forget.  And forget we have; this weekend isn’t a time to honor all who served – every day is a time to honor those who served.  This is a time to remember and honor those who died in service of our country.  This is a time to remember and honor their families, who forever have an empty space at the dinner table, whose hearts forever have an empty space that looks very much like their loved one who paid the highest price of all.  This is a time to give thanks to God that there are those among us who are willing to meet Jesus’ standard for friendship; that they are willing to lay their lives down for another.  This is time to ask God to hold those who lost their lives close in his arms, and to ask God to hold their loved ones in those same arms.  Memorial Day is a day of remembrance; and so let us remember, let us give thanks, and let us pray for peace, so that no more names will be added to the rolls of the honored dead.  Celebrate the day, to be sure.  But start the day by remembering.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 15, 2024


Greetings in Christ!

He is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!  One last time before we exit the Season of Easter, we share the most powerful words ever spoken; Christ is Risen!  On this beautiful spring day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad that Jesus of Nazareth was born, lived, died, and rose again to change the world for all time, and let us rejoice and be glad that very soon the Advocate, the Helper, the Holy Spirit will descend on us so that the presence of the Triune God lives in each of us.  God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good!

Over the years, there have been many creative attempts to depict the arrival of the Holy Spirit in worship services, ranging from large fans with red streamers attached to the shrouds, waving in the breeze, to propane torches being lit to imitate the tongues of flame amongst the worshippers (what could possibly go wrong with that plan?), to sound effects imitating the rush of a violent wind, and at least a few efforts to combine all of these displays into one presentation, with mixed results at best; and a couple of epic fails.  Rest assured that neither the Chapel nor Westminster will be parties to such over-the-top demonstrations – we’ll be letting the Scriptures speak for themselves; and the Scriptures tell us that Jesus will be sending us a helper, the Spirit of truth directly from God the Father, to guide us through life.  Praise be to God!  We all need helpers in life, and what could be better than a helper straight from God Almighty?  We don’t always appreciate the Holy Spirit as a co-equal member of the Divine Trinity, focusing instead on God or Jesus (which is not a bad thing), but the Spirit is often the clearest indication of the presence of Divine guidance that we’re likely to get in any given day.  The gentle nudge to take a particular road, or make a certain phone call, or to send a card to a friend in need is, in fact, the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.  Rarely flashy, rarely loud, rarely earth-shaking; just quiet guidance to make the right choices.  Let us be attentive to the leadings of the Spirit today, and every day.

And speaking of helpers, Dr. Greg wants to extend his heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all the helpers that have come from all quarters to make his pre-operative and post-operative world far more comfortable and easily navigated than he imagined it might be.  Whether you prepared a meal (or two), loaned out equipment, sent a card, a text, or a phone call, your loving outreach has been a true example of the Spirit in action.  Rev. Karen is also deeply grateful for all the support.  It is good to have friends.

Blessings to you on this beautiful day!

Karen and Greg

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

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!  In this 7th week of the Easter season, let us rejoice and be glad in this day that the Lord has given to us!  Indeed, there is so much in which to rejoice! Through the night and on into the morning we received a glorious, life-sustaining rain, which cleansed tender stretching and unfurling leaf buds and carried nourishment to fresh life peeking up through the soil with plans to flourish this summer. Ah, what a sweet smell in the air as this afternoon’s sun nudged away the remaining drizzle! As we write this, we must blink at the brightness of the sun reflecting off of our forsythia hedge, so vivid and intense is the yellow! Isn’t spring wonderful!
Yes, our hearts are rejoicing. Greg has received a new knee! Just saying these words would have astonished folks 100 years ago—a new knee! We live in a time when modern medicine can provide comfort and mobility never before available. On Monday, Greg’s doctor provided an opportunity for him to continue to live actively. The surgery went well, and we both were supported throughout the overnight process by the excellent care of the My Michigan Hospital staff who work so selflessly with their patients. Today, he had his first outpatient rehab session, and has already been up and down steps and in and out of cars!  Please hold caregivers in your prayers and live thankfully for all that these dear people give to us with their loving care.
    We thank God for the abundant blessings we have received; and you are chief amongst them! How meaningful it is to hear the sweet words, “I am holding you in my prayers!” What a cherished and significant gift this is! Thank you for walking with us in this healing journey. Thank you for your support, your understanding, your care, and your prayers. We rest easier in this because we not only travel with our Lord and Savior, but also with you. 
     Yes, we are mindful of the plentiful gifts we have been given and live with grateful hearts. In what remains of this Easter season, let us all live with hearts overflowing with joy because of all that we have received!

Blessings to you on this beautiful day!

Karen and Greg

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

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches

in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19:

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!  On this first day of May, let us rejoice and be glad in the day that the Lord has given us!  Let us rejoice in a new month, full of promise and anticipation, and let us be glad that we can continue our celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord!  While the weather Up North is a bit on the gloomy and damp side, the faithful know that our lives are full of brightness and joy.  Let us keep our focus on that which truly matters; Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!

The first day of a new month always brings with it excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead, and if we’re honest about it, sometimes brings with it a bit of trepidation.  The merry month of May brings us the celebration of the Day of Pentecost and the unofficial beginning of summer, with the arrival of Memorial Day at the end of the month; good things!  May also brings us graduation season, getting our gardens and yards ready for outdoor recreation, vacation planning, and for some among us medical procedures and unwelcome tasks related to unplanned life changes.  The month of May is a month of transitions, which makes it a month of opportunities; opportunities that we can both embrace and celebrate, even if they’re hard, or opportunities that we can resist or avoid entirely.  Our pastoral guidance to all is to embrace the opportunities, intentionally inviting the presence of the Holy Trinity to join with you in whatever it is you’re facing.  If it’s something delightful, God in all three persons will delight with you and enhance your joy.  If it’s something hard, God in all three persons will give you the strength and courage to get through the hard things, so that you’ll be able to look back on what you’ve done with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, because you did a hard thing, did it well, and are free to look forward to brighter days ahead.  You see, with God all things are possible; nice and easy, and tough and hard.  No matter what it is that must be dealt with, all will be better (and ultimately all will be accomplished) if we first turn to God in prayer.  Always remember that God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is good!

Blessings to 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 grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

He is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!  We pray that this crisp Up North morning inspires you to rejoice and be glad in the day that the Lord has made; as we write this message, the sky is crystal-clear, the temperature is around 30, and the snow (yes, we said snow!) that fell in the early morning hours has pretty much melted away.  None of us should be surprised, it’s Michigan after all, but the irony of seeing boats on trailers being towed by snow-covered vehicles isn’t lost on us.  At least what fell on the ground wasn’t shovelable!

Tomorrow, April 25th, marks the halfway point between Easter and the Day of Pentecost, which makes it the perfect day to look back and remember the glories of Easter Sunday, and to look forward to the joy of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit will fill all believers with its eternal and powerful presence.  This is not a day to begin to forget Easter; much better to take a moment to reflect on how our lives were changed that day, and to recommit to living every day as Easter people.  People filled with the hope and promise of the Resurrection, people dedicated to loving one another, to generosity and compassion and forgiveness.  These 50 days of the Season of Easter are such an important time, so we encourage you to make good use of them to strengthen your relationship with God and Christ Jesus in anticipation of the arrival of the third person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit.  Let these days continue the transformation into complete Christian brothers and sisters, so that from this point forward we live with the unlimited confidence of the children of God.
Blessings to you!

Karen and Greg

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


“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Greetings in Christ!

He is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!  Our journey from Easter to Pentecost continues, and so the traditional greeting of the season remains fully in force!  On this breezy Up North day, let us rejoice and be glad in the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice that the damaging winds of last week are considerably calmer today, and let us be glad that the forecast is free from any hint of snow!  Maybe, just maybe, it’s safe to put away the snow shovels and window scrapers – but don’t put them too far into the back of the garage!

    While it may seem as if the winds of Pentecost have arrived a few weeks ahead of time, rest assured that there’s still plenty of time to cement our relationship with the Risen Lord before the Holy Spirit arrives, which is the core reason that the Season of Easter is 50 days long.  Each Sunday, we’re presented with a passage from the Acts of the Apostles that recounts the incredible works done by our ancestors in faith, and are reminded each week that the apostles did nothing on their own; they performed the miraculous works through their reliance and trust in Christ Jesus, which is a pretty big hint that we are able to do some pretty awesome things if we rely on and trust in Christ Jesus as well!  We’ve said it many times before, but it bears repeating on this windy day; miracles happen every day, and every day ordinary believers are part of those miracles.  Every day, believers in the medical professions use their skills and gifts to relieve pain, cure illnesses, and save lives.  Every day, believers in all manner of uniforms serve and protect their fellows, preventing harm and providing immediate relief.  Every day, believers find ways to support those in need through action, donations, and prayer.  Don’t think these are miraculous acts?  Think again; any time any person shifts their attention away from themselves and onto another, sacrificing their time, talent, and treasure to make a positive difference in the life of another, a small miracle has taken place.  Everyone reading this note has the potential to be a miracle worker, because we believe in a higher power than ourselves.  Thanks be to God for all the miracles that will be performed today!


Blessings to 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 you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 10, 2024


Blessings to you!

He is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!!  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Let us rejoice in crystal-clear skies and comfortable temperatures, and let us be glad that the forecast doesn’t appear to have any “shovelable” events on the horizon!  Spring Up North is unfolding in fine fashion, and that should make all of us happy, indeed!

And continuing our celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord should make all of us happy, indeed!  As we walk with the Risen Christ on the path to his Ascension and then on to Pentecost, we are blessed to be reminded of the encounters Jesus had with his disciples and others, whether on the road to Emmaus or on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and others beside.  This season presents us with countless opportunities to journey with Christ, to encounter him in all that we do and everywhere we go; as the weather improves, and many of us turn our attention to our gardens and yards (and maybe our summertime toys), we can talk with Jesus, sharing our thoughts and joys and concerns.  We can listen to the voice of our Savior, and let his words soak into our souls.  We can express our frustrations, trusting that Jesus will not be bothered that we’re having a tough day; he gets it, and only wants to help.  We invite you to invite Jesus to join you during the Season of Easter (and beyond), as you go about the business of shifting gears from winter to spring; the transition will be richer and fuller than you can imagine!

Karen and Greg

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

“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20