Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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-warming air and abundant rainfall, and let us be glad for the lushness of the earth that flows from these things! It’s awe-inspiring to look at the beauty around us, with flowers in bloom and trees sporting their full coats of leaves. We are truly blessed by the generosity of Almighty God in sharing Creation with us!

We are also truly blessed to enter into the days after Pentecost, when we are free to focus on our relationship with the Divine without planning for the next “big day” on the calendar. We often overlook these days, because they’re so, well, so ordinary; but these are the days when we can put our newly-invigorated faith to work, to let our spirits soar and our hearts sing out with joy in our everyday living. It’s true that the warm-weather months gift us with all manner of delights, as the ice cream stands reopen, the golf courses and tennis courts are ready for play, and the beaches beckon us to come and sit for a while; but it’s equally true that these are the weeks and months when the real work of the church gets done. These are the days and weeks and months during which we can live out what we say we believe, when we can make a real difference in the lives of those in need. These are the days when we can allow ourselves to recognize our own needs, to accept that our needs matter just as much as those of others, and to revel in the fact that we have the time to address those needs. In these quieter times, before the Season of Advent rolls around again, we humbly suggest that it’s OK to pay attention to you. It’s OK to be a little inwardly focused, because you matter, too.

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

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Greetings in Christ!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! Alleluia, Amen. The Easter season is drawing to a close, with the Ascension of the Lord tomorrow marking the end of Christ’s time on earth following the Resurrection. The season formally comes to an end on the Day of Pentecost, so there are now ten days to go. On this overcast spring morning, that’s a bit of great news!
Great news because there is still time to sharpen our focus on the message of Easter; forgiveness, eternal life, and irrepressible joy because all things are made new. There’s a reason the church calendar blesses us with fifty days in the Easter season – it takes that long, if not longer, to fully comprehend what happened on that first Easter Sunday two millennia ago. Even now, with thousands of years of experiences by believers of all races and creeds, we just can’t really believe that sins and tears have been wiped away. We just can’t really believe that the Messiah of God sacrificed himself for those of us not yet born, and that his sacrifice was for those who will come after us. What an amazing God has claimed us as his own, knowing full well that we’re going to mess up on a pretty regular basis, and still we are loved and forgiven and cherished. Now there’s a formula for us to adopt in all of our relationships; love, forgive, and cherish. Treasure these remaining days of Easter, and let yourself be made new!
Blessings, Karen and Greg

Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 21, 2025


Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!!

This coming weekend marks the unofficial start of summer with the observation of Memorial Day in the United States. It will be a day marked by parades, speeches, and solemn gatherings in cemeteries across the country as we honor those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” in service of their country. These words from President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address, are a fitting reminder of the cost of war, and also a fitting reminder that those who gave their lives should not have done so in vain.

As the Easter season approaches its end in a couple of weeks, we should remember that another person gave “the last full measure of devotion” in service of others; of course, we are referring to Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life so that others would be able to live free from sin and fear. We urge you to think about this in the waning days of Easter; it’s easy in the current day to shout “Christ is Risen!” and not contemplate what came before. It’s easy in the current day to joyfully embrace the glories of Easter, and not let ourselves be truly changed by them. In these remaining days of the season, we invite you to join us is becoming the new creations that the Resurrection allows us to be. As spring turns to summer, as the earth continues to bloom and blossom, let each of us bloom and blossom as well.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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



 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 14, 2025


Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! On this 25th day of the Easter season, the message is as strong and meaningful as it was on the first day; we are able to live freely and fully because of the Resurrection. As spring continues to work its magic in nature, Christ continues to work his magic in our lives.

But just as nature benefits from our good stewardship of the earth, air, and water by cleaning up after ourselves and not overwhelming Creation through overuse and abuse, our divine souls can benefit from good stewardship. Spiritual stewardship actually looks quite a bit like earthly stewardship, in that we should avoid littering our souls with unhelpful thoughts, and clean things up if we fall prey to temptation. Spiritual stewardship sometimes requires significant effort to repair damage to relationships, just as earthly stewardship sometimes requires significant effort to heal a lake or stream that has been harmed by pollution. Sometimes spiritual stewardship is as simple as saying “I’m sorry,” which oddly can be the hardest thing to do, just as earthly stewardship is sometimes as simple as picking up a piece of trash. As we look forward to the next 25 days of Easter, it might be good to see if there is any cleanup to do in our faith lives.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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



He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, May 7, 2025


Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! As we continue our journey through the fifty days of the Easter season, the message of the traditional greeting rings true; Jesus the Christ overcame death and walks with us each and every day. As spring takes firm hold of the weather outdoors, gradually warming the earth and welcoming flowers in our gardens and buds on the trees, Christ takes firm hold of our hearts and souls as he guides us ever forward!

Now, let’s be honest; anyone who has lived north of the 45th parallel for more than a couple of years knows that Mother Nature may have a trick or two up her sleeve, so it’s best to not bury the snow shovel too deep in the garage or shed! At the same time, anyone who has experienced more than a couple of Easters knows that the promises of redemption, eternal life, and deep joy are freely given and are ours forever! But these promises aren’t entirely free; we have to say “yes” to the offer, and we have to make a few changes in the way we approach the world. These changes aren’t particularly hard, but they will mark you as being “different” in the eyes of the world; you’ll have to resist temptation, reject evil, and embrace compassion, forgiveness, and love. You’ll also be asked to adopt and attitude of gratitude, and commit to a life of service. That doesn’t sound like too high a price to pay for eternity in Paradise with our Lord, does it?

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 over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 30, 2025


Greetings in Christ!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! We are ten days removed from the glories of Easter Sunday, yet we still bask in the glow of that great day! Christ is Risen! We are new creations, freed from the burden of our sins, and the future is bright. There will be ups and downs, to be sure, but our places in Heaven are assured because of Easter day.

Have you stopped to think about what that means? It doesn’t mean that we’re free to do whatever we want, without consideration of the impact our actions will have upon others. It means that Jesus Christ walks with us every step of the way, whispering in our ear with words of encouragement and guidance, and also with words of caution. Caution, because he doesn’t want us to stray from the right path and make life more challenging than it needs to be. Caution, because he doesn’t want us to take the gift of redemption for granted. Caution, because the world is a dangerous place at times, and we must be on our guard. The fifty days of the Season of Easter offers us an opportunity to sharpen our listening skills, so that the quiet urgings of our Lord don’t get lost in the noise of life. Keep your ears and eyes open, and enjoy the journey through Easter!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Greetings in Christ!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! The stone has been rolled away, Jesus is not in the tomb, for he is risen! Death is defeated, sins are forgiven, and all things are made new! What a grand and glorious celebration of Easter we enjoyed, and what a grand and glorious Season of Easter is ours to embrace. For the next fifty days, our focus will be on Jesus’ time on earth following the Resurrection, and on our incorporation of his teachings into our daily lives.
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!! As spring begins to work its magic in our gardens and yards, and as the forests begin to heal from the devastation of the ice storms, Christ can work his magic in our lives, transforming us from sinners to forgivers, from inwardly-focused to outwardly-focused, from fearfulness to boldness, from selfish to generous. The process of change is rarely instantaneous, which is why we are blessed with fifty days to fully become who we are called to be; so let us all take up our crosses and follow Jesus into the bright future he has in store for us, remembering always that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. We look forward to the journey with you!
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 calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 16, 2025


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, sun-shiny day, and let us be glad for the hope and the promise of the Resurrection that will be ours on Easter Sunday! We are so very near to the greatest day of the year, and yet we still have to wait; patience is indeed a virtue, especially when it comes to waiting on God to reveal the glories that await us!

We hope that by now most of you are fully restored to power and heat, and that the cleanup activities are going smoothly for you. We see the hand of God at work in countless acts of generosity following the ice storms, generosity of time, talent, treasure, and spirit; and it seems to us that this generosity is the perfect celebratory act of the closing days of Lent. Lent is intended to bring us closer to God, to enrich our relationships with the Almighty and with one another, and to make us attentive to the ways in which we live out our faith. From the heroic actions of utility workers to the small acts of kindness that we witnessed, it’s obvious that God’s people fully understand the call to love our neighbors as ourselves. And now we stand on the cusp of a series of events that are both tragic (at the start) and incredibly good (at the end). When we gather on Maundy Thursday to remember the Last Supper, as we pray on Good Friday, and as we sit in vigil on Easter Saturday, it is with anticipation of coming to the empty tomb and raising our voices with shouts of “He Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!!”

Truly, Easter is the greatest day of the year, and we look forward to sharing it with all of you, our beloved church families.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, April 9, 2025


Greetings in Christ!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice that the ice from last week’s storms has melted away, and let us be glad for the hard-working crews from across the region and across the country who worked tirelessly to restore power to most of us, and now to clear away the debris. Let us also rejoice and be glad for neighbors helping neighbors, for businesses opening their doors (without power) to try to make essential products available during the protracted darkness and cold. It’s a pretty safe bet that none of us want to experience anything like this ever again, but it’s an equally safe bet that a whole lot of people were at their very best during the storm and its aftermath.

It was easy to see the hand of God as the days wore on, and those with the means to help did exactly that; warming shelters quickly established, folks with generators opening their homes to those without heat and light, National Guard troops rapidly mobilized to aid those in need. And now, as the cleanup continues and the last pockets of power outages are dealt with, we see the hand of God at work in neighbors being helped – those gloved hands that you might have thought belonged to the guy next door are in fact the hands of God. As we continue our journey with Jesus to the cross, let us all remember that Christ gave a new commandment to his disciples, to love one another as he had loved them. Let us love one another as Christ has loved us by reaching out to all who have need, and doing whatever is in our power to help; it could be picking up branches, it could be hauling damaged items out of a flooded basement, it could be preparing a meal. Or it could be holding a hand or sharing a prayer. Let your hands be the hand of God. Let your heart be the heart of Christ. We will get through this, and we will do so together.

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

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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 evolving season of spring, and let us be glad for the delights it brings! OK, maybe that’s a bit much on the morning after yet another dumping of snow and cold air, but it’s hard to argue that it isn’t beautiful outside with the sunshine reflecting off the pristine snow and a gentle breeze barely rustling the branches of the trees. The old adage that ‘March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” is certainly being tested this year!

What isn’t being tested is our journey to the cross, as we continue in our observation of the Lenten season. Day-by-day, we come ever closer to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, his Passion, and his ultimate victory over sin and death. Day-by-day, as we invest in our personal relationships with the Almighty, we begin to see ourselves in a new light, a light of faith and commitment, a light of spiritual rebirth. We’ve said it many times, but we believe it to be true; this is a wonderful, marvelous season in the life of the faithful and of the church, one which we encourage you to fully embrace and savor. We look forward to sharing the rest of the journey with each of you, trusting in God’s infinite grace and wisdom to guide each of us to exactly where we need to end up. 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

Trust in the Lord and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6