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

Pastor’s Message

April 1, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 1, 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 slowly warming temperatures, and let us be glad for the parking lots at our churches getting larger as the snow piles melt away! While it’s true that the weather forecast for the next couple of days is a little on the dicey side (a bit of snow and sleet is a possibility), it’s undeniable that the tide is turning towards spring-like weather. Praise God!!

Praise God indeed, for this is Wednesday of Holy Week; it is also the first day of Passover for our Jewish friends. The gospel reading for today is from the gospel according to John, and describes Jesus sharing the Passover meal with his disciples. Including Judas Iscariot, who will betray him in the Garden of Gethsemane on Holy Thursday. Whether we like it or not, betrayal is a part of our Holy Week observations, and betrayal is a key element in our journey to the cross; we can’t ignore it, we can’t wish it away. We have to confront it. The good news is that without the betrayal at the Passover, the victory of life over death on the cross could not have happened as it did, and God’s awesome power would not have been on display for all to see on Easter morning. As painful as Judas’ betrayal is for us to remember, we must accept it as part of God’s perfect plan. We know how the story unfolds, and is still unfolding, and it is indeed the greatest story ever told. We have the opportunity to actively participate in the story on Thursday, when we will gather to observe Maundy Thursday and share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We will continue to participate in the story during the Good Friday Vigil from noon to 3:00 pm in both of our beautiful sanctuaries, and then of course when we gather on Easter Sunday to welcome the Risen Christ!

We have made the difficult decision to move our 7:00 am Sonrise Service from the Range Light Park in Presque Isle to the sanctuary at the Grand Lake Community Chapel, as the parking lot and walkway to the pavilion at the park are still snow covered and slippery, making access dangerous. We’ll still worship, and we’ll still enjoy a potluck breakfast at 8:00 am. All are welcome!

Blessings, Karen and Greg

While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48

Pastor’s Message

March 26, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, March 25, 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 dry streets, driveways, and parking logs, and let us be glad that the weather forecasts aren’t calling for any significant snowfall in the near term! Maybe, 5 days into spring, we can actually begin to think about gardens and lawns! And something other than heavy coats and boots! It’s been a heck of a winter, but hopefully we’re almost ready to declare “it’s over!”

What’s not over is the holy season of Lent. We have just over a week to continue with our Lenten discipline(s), preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts and souls. A lot can happen in a week plus a couple of days, so if you’re not feeling quite ready, that’s OK! You have more than enough time to make a change or two in the way you approach your faith life, to allow the Holy Spirit to fill your soul, to allow Jesus Christ to come alongside you and walk with you. To allow God to lift you up if you’re feeling down or lost. Stay the course, if you’re feeling pretty good about where you are; make a course correction if you’re off track, or invest time in focusing your energy on the Divine presence in your life if you haven’t yet done so. It’s never too late to welcome God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit to be a part of each and every day.

Blessings,
Karen and Greg

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Pastor’s Message

March 11, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, March 11, 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 having reached the mid-point of the holy season of Lent, and let us be glad for more time to get ourselves ready for what is to come during Holy Week and Easter! Like most of you, we’re iced in today. Let us hold those traveling and those working to get the roads open (and stay open!) following the freezing rain that hit our area overnight in our prayers for safety. And let us be grateful for people who are willing to brave the elements to help us be safe. It may be obvious on a day like this, but if you don’t have an urgent reason to be out-and-about, stay home and enjoy a mug of hot cocoa!

Maybe today is a good day to ponder the state of the world, and to ponder what our individual and collective role(s) might be to make things better. Our prayers for peace around the world are essential, of course, as are our prayers for those involved in active combat on all sides of the various conflicts. But our prayers for those impacted by war, natural disaster, and local strife are equally important. Our prayers for the people of Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Christians in Africa, and other places around the world matter a great deal, as do our prayers for the safety and security of cities and towns around the world who live under threat of terrorist attack. Most of you are probably aware of the attempted bombings in New York City earlier this week, carried out by self-radicalized adherents to ISIS; those misguided persons are deserving of our prayers, as are the law enforcement professionals who responded to the threats. Beyond our earnest prayers, the people living in Southwest Michigan and Indiana need our donations of money and household goods, so that they can get back up on their feet and begin the arduous process of rebuilding their lives. If it seems like the needs are almost overwhelming, it’s because they are; but almost overwhelming is a long way away from absolutely overwhelming. When we turn to God for strength and guidance, “almost” becomes “not at all,” for all things are possible with God. Peace is possible with God, relief is possible with God, love for all is possible with God. As we journey ever closer to Easter, we must never forget that God’s got this, no matter what “this” is. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to pray without ceasing, listen intently for the voice of God telling us what to do, and keep our eyes open for opportunities to act. All in the name of Jesus Christ, who is with us always.

Blessings, Karen and Greg

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

March 4, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, March 3, 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 a touch of warmth and bright sunshine, and let us be glad for at least a little bit of ice melting away from our driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots! Winter still has a way to go, as all veterans of Up North seasons know, but isn’t it nice to have a “sneak peek” of what’s to come?

We’re now two weeks into the holy season of Lent, and to be honest, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of “holy” happening in the world. The United States and Israel have taken strong military action against Iran, Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, the government of Cuba is teetering on the brink of total collapse, and well-organized and funded protests continue in many cities around the United States. Add to that the drama of primary elections, allegations of massive fraud in some states, and the usual “if it bleeds, it leads” pattern of news reporting, and we could not be blamed for asking “where is God” in all of this. To which we steadfastly declare “God is everywhere.” God is present in the Middle East, Ukraine, and in cities across the country. God is present in Cuba and Venezuela, in Africa, in Presque Isle County, and in each of our hearts and homes. The problem is that while God is present, ready, and willing to make all things right, we aren’t consistent in seeking his help. When the world is burning, our focus is often on ourselves and our immediate concerns; God cares about these things, too, but God wants to know that our concerns extend beyond our personal needs. God wants to hear our prayers for others, whether they are in war zones or in a homeless shelter. As we continue our Lenten journeys, let us be expansive in our prayers for peace, joy, hope, and love so that they encompass all of Creation; whether we like all of Creation or not.

Blessings, Karen and Greg

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people 1 Timothy 2:1

Pastor’s Message

February 25, 2026 ~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, February 25, 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 a break from the snowfall, and let us be glad for the (slightly) warmer temperatures that are forecast for the next couple of days, so that we can clean things up a bit! And let us be truly thankful for all those who worked so hard to keep us moving safely. The road crews for the cities and counties deserve our thanks and praise for all their hard work, as do the men and women with snowplows and snowblowers who helped so many of us out over the past several days!

We are now fully into the season of Lent, and so we’re going to ask; how are you doing with the early days of reflection and preparation? What steps have you taken to sharpen your focus on the Divine? If you’re still sorting things out, that’s perfectly fine – it can take a bit of time to put a plan into place. But please do consider putting a plan into place for these forty days that we have been blessed with. Lent is a rare opportunity to think deeply and to pray earnestly about the way we’re approaching our faith, and to seek guidance for ways to make changes so that you can draw closer to God and walk more consistently with Jesus Christ. We don’t often get such a precious gift, and it would be a shame to waste it. If you’re well into your Lenten practice(s), that’s great! We wish you all success! If you’re still planning, we wish you all success! Blessings in this holy season of Lent; may these days bring great joy, great learning, and great growth in your faith!

Blessings, Karen and Greg

Because we are united with Christ, we can come near to God. We are not afraid to do that. We can be sure that God will accept us, because we trust in Christ. Ephesians 3:12