Reaching Out From

Grand Lake Community Chapel

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

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 sights and sounds of the season, and let us be glad that we still have 18 days to make ourselves fully ready for the arrival of our Lord and Savior! While admittedly being overdone at times, the twinkling lights and bright ornaments can’t help but put a smile on our faces (even if that smile is accompanied by a shake of our heads). And the happy Christmas tunes that we hear urge us ever-forward in our preparations with a song in our hearts and a spring in our steps. This truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for one, and only one reason, regardless of the tinsel and packages strewn about; Jesus of Nazareth, who will redeem the world and change the course of history, is soon to be born to a young girl in harsh circumstances. Our cherished tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas can be traced back to the Magi bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the Christ Child; and we all (mostly) love searching for the perfect gift for those dear to us, and let’s be honest – we also enjoy receiving gifts! But have we stopped to think about whether or not our gift selections and suggestions are honoring of the One whose birth we are gearing up to celebrate? There’s absolutely, positively, nothing wrong with purchasing a special sweater for a special person or suggesting that we’d love to find a particular item under the tree on Christmas morning, but there’s something very right about making sure that a gift that will honor the Messiah is given at this time of the year. There are countless charities and benevolent organizations that do remarkable things with seemingly modest gifts, so let us gently encourage you to add a gift (or two) to the charity(ies) of your choice this Christmas. You might be amazed at how marvelous you’ll feel!

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

in everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Hello, my friends!
I LOVE this season of the year spent in Advent and the preparation for Christmas; don’t you?!!! My house smells so good with treats being prepared; and sometimes I even get to take advantage of my families’ fumbles with food! Decorations are appearing; and being the careful, big boy that I am, I now know that those shiny balls hanging from the tree are not toys! I so love ripping open packages, but know that I must wait for Christmas morning, and open only my presents. And while these elements of the holidays are great fun, my heart knows the real joy of the season is found in the Christ child. Jesus changes everything for us with His example, His grace, and His eternal love.

This year I’ve noticed that both churches have wreathes filled with five candles: three blue, one pink, and one white. We light one new candle on each Sunday of Advent; the white one in the center, called the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Eve representing the birth of Jesus. Each candle has a different meaning, and I’ve decided to use the theme of each Sunday help guide me in my Advent preparation. We remember Jesus’ birth on Christmas, but we also prepare to meet Christ when He comes again.

The First Sunday of Advent is Hope. This year my focus was on the things I hoped for. I hope for treats; I hope for cuddles; I hope for rides in the truck; and I hope for Mom to drop food when she is cooking, but these seem rather selfish hopes when examining my state of readiness for meeting my Savior. This year I focused, instead, on my hopes and good wishes for others—my prayers for them, really. You are in my prayers.

On the Second Sunday of Advent we will light The Candle of Peace. When I seek peace I usually wish to keep other dogs off my sidewalk, squirrels out of my yard, and my people to stop bothering me when I am napping. This year my focus on peace will begin with thanksgiving for how very much God loves and cares for me. I have His support all day, every day—with that kind of gift I can live with true peace.

The Third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Joy and we light the pink candle. I think of this as my Advent Sunday because I am all about joy. In fact, I wear a joy-meter right where my tail rests! Sometimes it almost flies off from my body because my joy is so extreme! Seeing you, the people I love; going to work with my parents; licking fresh snow; napping by the fire; chasing blowing leaves; and so many other things bring me joy. But you know sometimes opportunities for joy come my way and I miss them. This year I am going to try to be more observant and not miss any joy God sends my way. I’m also going to try hard to bring more joy into the lives of others.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is the Love Sunday. God’s love is everywhere we turn; especially during Advent and Christmas! Love came down at Christmas as the Baby Jesus. This is a love that gives abundantly on into eternity! Love is shared between us and between me and my family. I want to share love everywhere I go this season! I can share love with a tail wag or a lick or just by sitting near. I can share love by protecting and welcoming. I will even try to warmly greet and love those tall men wearing hats or glasses that so often frighten me! Everyone deserves to be loved.

Dear friends, I wish you buckets of hope, peace, joy and love during this Holy Season. May your Advent journey be meaningful. Know that God loves you, and I do too!

TOBY

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

Reaching Out from 

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Pastors will be back next week. The following message is another from Karen’s favorite devotional “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, October 12, 2022.”

October 12, 2022

Beware of seeing yourself through other people’s eyes. There are several dangers to this practice. First of all, it is nearly impossible to discern what others actually think of you. Moreover, their views of you are variable: subject to each viewer’s spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator.

It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes. My gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin. Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved. Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping Me in spirit and in truth.

RELATED SCRIPTURE:

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

John 4:23-24 (NLT) 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Pastors are away this week and next. The following message is from Karen’s favorite devotional “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, October 5, 2022.“

Jesus Calling: October 5th, 2022

Remember that Joy is not dependent on your circumstances. Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living in My Presence. Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons…anywhere.

 Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy just because it contains difficulties. Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Me. Many of the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves. Other matters you must deal with, but I will help you with them. If you make problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to Me, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Let us rejoice in an early autumn day, and let us be glad that the much-needed rain has moved on!  As we write this note, the furnace in the office is running in order to knock the chill out of the air (same thing happened at home!), but the colors on the trees are beginning to make their annual appearance, transforming the lush green of summer into the brilliant hues of fall.  It’s a beautiful time to be in Northern Michigan, so grab a sweater and enjoy!

The transitions that take place as the seasons of the year change remind us of the transitions in life; there’s an inevitability about change that we accept, even if we don’t always like the change(s) that are occurring.  Some of us can’t wait for spring and summer, so we can get the boat back in the water or break out the golf clubs; others of us look forward to the snowy seasons so we can wax up the skis and hit the slopes and trails.  We may be anticipating retirement, moving to a new home, or sadly, facing medical concerns or the loss of a loved one.  All of these changes, and countless others, are the stuff of life; we can’t stop the transitions, we can only adjust and adapt.  Those adjustments and adaptations are made infinitely easier if we turn to our Gracious Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, for guidance and support in times of change.  We must remember that the Holy Trinity is unchanging, unwavering, and limitless in resources, so no matter what changes present themselves to us, we can handle each and every one of them through faith and prayer.  The Apostle Paul’s words from his letter to the Philippians says it well; I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13).

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Pastors will be away on vacation from October 1^st through 10^th.  If a need arises, please contact the church office, or members of the Council, who will be able to contact Karen and Greg.

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  

Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Let us rejoice in one more day of summer, and let us be glad that the weather prognosticators aren’t calling for snow on the first day of fall tomorrow!  It does appear that we’re going to enjoy one more day of warm temperatures, but it will be considerably cooler on Thursday; it might be time to consider breaking out a sweater or light jacket, but don’t put away all your warm-weather duds just yet – we’re sure to get several more very nice days to enjoy God’s Creation!

Which leads us directly to an invitation to join us on Tuesday (September 27) for the final Adopt-A-Highway event of 2022 (rain date is Thursday, September 29); this joint ministry outreach not only benefits the environment, beautifies our region, and gets all participants a big dose of fresh air, it strengthens the bonds between Westminster and Grand Lake.  Please join us if you can!  Even if you can’t join in the fun, please hold those who will be cleaning up the stretch of US-23 in your prayers for safety.  And please hold our precious environment in your prayers and in your daily actions.  We are called to be good stewards of God’s spectacular Creation; and to be honest, sometimes we come up a bit short in that category.  Especially as we’re facing near-record prices for fuel and utilities, this is a good time to make sure furnace air filters are clean, windows and doors close snugly, and thermostats are set at proper levels (we’ve been surprised a couple of times!).  Some of you might remember an anti-littering campaign from a few decades back that featured Iron Eyes Cody, a Native American leader who was depicted standing by a road when a bag of trash was thrown at his feet from a passing car; Iron Eyes shed a tear for the damage being done to the precious Earth, and God sheds a tear when we dishonor his Creation.  Let’s all do what we can to use only what we truly need, clean up after ourselves (and maybe after others), and leave only footprints on the trails upon which we trod.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, But the
earth He has given to the sons of men. Psalm 115:16

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

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 few days of much-needed rain, and let us be glad for sunshine today!  Our lawns and gardens look ever so much happier today, and the crispness of the air earlier in the day was actually kinda’ nice, even for those of us who aren’t ready to give up on shorts and sandals – it’s still summer until next Tuesday!!

This past Sunday, our nation and the world observed the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; for those among us old enough to remember that awful day, who remember where they were and what they were doing, it was a somber day.  We lost a great deal of our collective innocence on that day, but for a brief, shining moment, we gained a sense of unity that was awe-inspiring.  Our focus shifted from what separated us to what we have in common; from bitter arguments over the news of the day to solidarity as citizens of a nation under attack. Members of the “Greatest Generation” were heard to say that it felt like the days immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 that drew the United States into World War II when we pulled together to defeat evil on a world-wide scale.  In the days just before 9/11/2022, we heard a country-Western song that asked the question “Have we forgotten?”, and it seems that in many ways we have forgotten.  The rhetoric we so often hear is harsh, divisive, and demeaning of the “other,” sometimes even within our communities of faith.  This should not be; we are all called to be one in Christ Jesus, and if we’ve forgotten that, it is to our eternal shame.  We don’t have to agree on everything, or even on most things, but we must agree that as children of the Most High God, we should be loving and kind and gentle with one another.  Period.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another,
agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love
and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  

Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!  Let us rejoice in cobalt-blue skies and the merest hint of color on the edges of a few leaves, and let us be glad that we still have a ways to go before autumn begins in earnest and we have to break out the sweaters and light jackets!  The last few mornings have given us a light “tap on the shoulder” to let us know what’s coming, but then the sun warms the air as the day progresses, and we can still be comfortable in short sleeves.

Now that we’re past Labor Day (and should no longer be wearing white… ), the kids are back in school, plans are being developed for Thanksgiving and Advent, and maybe travel to warm places when the weather Up North turns really cold; such is the rhythm of life.  As you’re studying your calendars, planning for fall and winter activities and events, we’d like to gently suggest that you include the church in your considerations of how to allocate your time.  Many of you are already actively engaged in many aspects of church life, and that’s wonderful!  But some of us have taken some time away from regular worship attendance and participating in other aspects of our communities of faith.  The bottom line is that we miss you, and we look forward to seeing you more often as the seasons turn!  Your presence with your church family is the greatest gift of all!  Always remember that God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is good!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!   Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

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 ongoing pleasant late-summer weather, and let us be glad that summer doesn’t really come to an end until September 22nd, in spite of what the catalogs coming in the mail might suggest.  We have four more weeks of long, sunny days to enjoy; so rather than beginning to pack up the patio furniture and check on the condition of the snow shovel, let’s delight in these coming weeks.  It’s really a matter of priorities.

We don’t mean to discount the importance of preparing for the inevitable changes in the seasons, nor do we intend to minimize the work involved in closing down cottages as the season dwindles away; we have a couple of seasonal “toys” that require winterization as well.  But rather than focus on what’s coming down the road, why not enjoy what we have while we can?  Why not make it a priority to enjoy some time on the water, or at the beach, or hiking a trail, instead of fretting over putting things away?  And while we’re at it, why not make it a priority to enjoy being in God’s presence every day, instead of saving your devotion until Sunday during worship?  Unlike the oft-fleeting seasons of the year, God is constantly, unavoidably, relentlessly present, longing to engage with you no matter what you’re doing.  Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to get to know your Maker better, and to get to know you better as well!  We all try to hide parts of ourselves from God (which is a pointless enterprise), but what we’re really doing is hiding our self from our self – as we engage freely with the Almighty, and examine all aspects of who we truly are, we will come to realize that God loves us even when those parts of us that we don’t much like come to the fore.  And then maybe we’ll come to love ourselves a little bit more.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:9

When: Thursday, September 29^th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: North Bay Beach House in Presque Isle, near the marina
To Register: Return registration form by September 18^thwith your check for $25 payable to the Grand Lake Chapel Guild 

 Does simply thinking about chocolate bring a smile to your face?

Try thinking about this—hanging out at a café with friends while enjoying your favorite hot beverage, nibbling on a brownie or bit of chocolate pie, laughing, talking, and relaxing together – it’s a perfect gathering!  Join us at Café Chocolat.  It’s a retreat where we’ll focus on God’s grace—with a bit of chocolate sprinkled on top.

Café Chocolat Registration Form

Name: ________________________________________________

Mailing address: ________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________________

E-mail address: _________________________________________

Allergies or other special needs: ____________________________

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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 ongoing great weather, and let us be glad that we have several more weeks of summer to enjoy!  There’s just something about summertime Up North, isn’t there?  We often comment that we live where other people come for vacation, and it’s all too easy to take our blessings for granted.

That’s true for myriad other things beyond beautiful weather and magnificent scenery; the love of a pet, the gift of quiet time, the delight of a favorite meal or treat, and the list goes on and on.  Why is it that so many of us seem to have such a hard time being appreciative of what we have been blessed with, be it where we live, or who we live with, or how we get to spend our time?  Maybe it’s because there are so many other things that demand our attention as we go through our days, or maybe because we’ve become complacent.  The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” and this is not meant as a gentle suggestion, it’s meant as clear instruction.  To give thanks in all circumstances requires a level of intentionality that may compete with other “have to’s” in our lives, but this act, being grateful, has been proven to lift a sour mood or change the trajectory of a day filled with drudgery; so why not give being intentionally appreciative a try?  What have you got to lose?  And think of what you might gain!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol You.  Psalm 118:28

You are invited to a Ladies’ Retreat!

See the women’s Ministries Page for all the information

When: Thursday, September 29^th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: North Bay Beach House 5602 E Grand Lake Road, Presque Isle, MI, just before the Marina
To Register: Return registration form by September 18^th with your check for $25 payable to the Grand Lake Chapel Guild, Grand Lake Community Chapel 8025 E Grand Lake Rd, Presque Isle, MI 49777

Join us at Café Chocolat.  It’s a retreat where we’ll focus on God’s grace—with a bit of chocolate sprinkled on top.

Wishing you joy and peace in your day! Remember, God’s got this!

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  Remember, God’s got this.

Reaching Out from

Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

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 picture-perfect day that we have been blessed with, and let us be glad for mild temperatures and crystal-clear skies!  Today is one of those days that it just feels great to be alive, and today is one of those days that invite us to consider the perfection of God’s plan for our lives.

Sometimes the weather isn’t what we might want it to be, sometimes our gardens don’t produce the way we’d like them to, and sometimes we go through experiences that are painful.  At those times, we have to remember that a dedicated life of faith isn’t a guarantee against challenges, rather it is a guarantee of a safe passage to the other side of life’s difficulties, where we will find God’s right and perfect outcomes at God’s right and perfect time.  What we find isn’t always what we wanted, or when we wanted it, but our faith informs us that God wants only good for us; and God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. In all though times our Lord offers to strengthen and carry us through.  So on a glorious day like this one, let us enjoy a perfect summer’s day, and let us consider that when the skies are gray and the winds are high, soon and very soon we will be blessed with perfection.  And let us remember that when life gets a bit bumpy, or downright hard, someday we will be blessed with God’s loving care and an eternity in Paradise with our Lord.  What a blessing!!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

For “everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:13

Wishing you joy and peace in your day!  Remember, God’s got this.