Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Blessings,

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in the New Year, and let us be glad for the delights that await us in 2026! We’ve entered into a new, and short, season of the church year, with our observance of the Epiphany of the Lord yesterday (Tuesday). By tradition, the Magi arrived at Bethlehem to pay homage to the Christ Child, and to be the first Gentile witnesses to the arrival of the Messiah. There’s quite a lot of debate about just when they arrived from the East, but that debate doesn’t change the significance of their role in the evolution of our faith tradition.

We hope that your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were full of joy and love; it’s hard to believe that after all the build-up, preparation, and planning that the holidays have come to an end. After you’ve all taken a well-deserved nap, we invite you to join us in making a commitment to keep the hope, peace, joy, and love of the season that has just ended alive throughout the year that is to come. To borrow a line from Ebenezer Scrooge, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” Let this be our pledge for the new year, and for every new year yet to come, that we will keep the spirit of Christmas alive; because if we do so, the light of Christ will never go out, no matter how hard some might try to put it out.

Blessings on the new year to each of you, we look forward to sharing the journey with you! 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

Reaching out from the Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 19, 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 gift of today and all the wondrous things that God has given to us, and let us be glad for the promise of the great joys that the holiday season will bring! As stressful as Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas can sometimes be (if we allow them be so…), these days are always full of excitement.

Isn’t it interesting to see how many opportunities to give and to share we are presented with at this time of the year? Every day, without fail, we can count on at least three or four requests for donations to worthy causes, each of them designed to tug on our heartstrings through stories and pictures; your pastors are suckers for anything to do with animals, and so it’s hard for us to not grab the phone and pledge our life savings to the Humane Society or ASPCA, or to adopt several dozen puppies! Each of you most likely have a soft spot or two for a special cause, whether it be for children, veterans, the homeless, or the hungry. And you know what? That’s a very good thing!! As Christians, we are called to care for the “least of these,” and to share from what we have been blessed with as generously as we can. So, when those solicitations for donations come in hot-and-heavy, try to resist the temptation to delete them from your inbox or toss them in the recycling bin before you even read them, and do your best to discern how real the need is; and then set a budget for your charitable giving, and stick to it. There is nothing in our faith tradition that requires that we put ourselves in a tough spot in order to give to others. And remember, if you decide to give, do so with joy, for God loves a cheerful giver!

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 brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 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 that the recent snowfall has melted away, and let us be glad for the “head’s up” from Mother Nature that it’s time to get serious about our winter preparations. Those of us who hadn’t dealt with the leaves in our yards (and yes, that includes your pastors) have a bit of a reprieve to take care of that bit of business! Our local retailers have already stocked up on ice melter and snow shovels, so it’s time to get ready for what’s to come – no excuses!

Getting ready for what’s to come extends to our faith journeys as well. In just a couple of weeks, we’ll be entering into the Season of Advent; the paraments in the chancels at Westminster and the Grand Lake Chapel will change to blue, Advent wreaths will be found near the pulpits, and the scriptures on Sunday will focus on preparing the way of the Lord. Of course, we’ll also be inundated with ads on TV about the latest “must have” gifts, our mailboxes will be overloaded with catalogs, and many of us will lose hours of precious time to untangling strings of lights. In the midst of all these things, and many more, we cannot let ourselves forget what we’re getting ready for; the birth of the Christ Child. We don’t mean to diminish the importance (and the joy) of getting ready for the season, we simply want to remind you of the “why.” The “why” is what changes the world; the “why” is what changes lives. As you get ready for what lies just a handful of days down the road, make sure the “why” is front of mind. And front of heart.

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 now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 1 John 2:28

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 5, 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 day to snuggle in and watch the world go by, and let us be glad that we don’t have to break out the snow shovels just yet! Today in Presque Isle County is an invitation to light a fire in the fireplace (if you have one), and be at peace with a good book or a classic movie. Sometimes, even when we have tons of things to do, circumstances (or the weather) force us to embrace some down time.

We are so often surrounded by noise and bustling about. There are just so many things to do, so much to take care of as the season marches ever-forward to winter; our to-do lists are endless, and seemingly grow by the day. How can we possibly suggest that maybe this is great day to take a rest? Because it’s good for us! Look to Genesis 2:1-3; “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” The origin of sabbath, the day of rest, that so many of us are so very bad at embracing. If God rested, who are we to think that we don’t have to? So lest you think days like today, when the weather is gloomy and the leaves are piling up, are “lost” in some way, consider that God (who values rest) is trying to tell you something. Just a thought…

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 LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Reaching out From Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Greetings in Christ!

What a glorious autumn day we are enjoying in the Lower Northern Peninsula! The air is crisp, the skies are blue, and the lovely fall colors cast their luminescence on all in their presence. It seems that even the air surrounding us is infused with a beautiful glow which reflects the bounty of the season.

We had an opportunity last weekend to go on one final camping outing for the season with our daughter, Justice, and our dog, Toby. We were reminded of the many blessings of fall: a toasty campfire on a cool evening, the rustle of leaves as one walks through a campsite, the warm colors reflected in the cool water of a lake, a meal of hot chili, the welcome coziness of a blanket pulled up under a chin when crawling into bed, and the special joy of sharing a simple, but rich, time with loved ones.

There is a particular happiness in our hearts when we are surrounded by the beauty of this harvest time, but even in all it’s glory, this is nothing compared to what we receive from our creator each and every day. In each moment, on each step, through each breath, we travel in the presence of our God who loves us and plans God’s goodness for us. We live within the offer of our Lord’s grace and salvation. And, we are guided and nurtured by the Holy Spirit along our way. Another way to look at this great gift is that we live being carried in the palm of God’s hand; a loving hand that wants only the best for us. Let us actively receive this gift in every season!

Blessings, Karen and Greg

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

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 8, 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 glorious Up North day, and let us be glad for the gentle “tap on the shoulder” that the frost warning has given us – cooler days are coming our way! Time to check the furnace filters, and to protect the delicate plants in our gardens. There’s something delightful about the early days of autumn, so let’s all make an effort to get out and enjoy apple cider and donuts (Knaebe’s is a great choice), and maybe spend some time exploring God’s good Creation!

It’s almost impossible to turn on the news on TV or radio, open a newspaper, or turn on a computer without getting blasted with negative news; regardless of your preferred source for information, it’s undeniable that bad things are going on all around the world. It can be soul-crushing at times, and the hyperbolic tone of reporting these days doesn’t make it easy to garner basic facts. True enough, this isn’t anything really new, but it sometimes seems as if the intensity has been dialed up to new levels. Yet, in spite of the tone (“spin,” if you prefer), there are some good things happening; the Middle East seems to be inching ever-closer to peace and the release of Israeli hostages. European nations appear to be unifying against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Breakthroughs in medical science are reported almost weekly, promising new treatments and cures for diseases. There are things to celebrate! And so we encourage you to seek out the good news, the happy stories of families being reunited with loved ones (both human and furry), the glad tales of communities coming together to address local challenges. Trust us, you’ll feel better about the world. And remember to give thanks to the Almighty, who is truly in charge of all things, and who wants only good for each and every one of us! 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

“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:26

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 1, 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 new month, and let us be glad for a fresh start on our “to do” lists! We’re at the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year, and as every football fan knows, the fourth quarter is often filled with excitement and drama. We’re all for excitement, not so much for drama. The fourth quarter will bring big changes in the weather, the clothes we wear, and the busyness of life. We can’t fight the changes, so we’d best be about the business of embracing them!

One of the things the beginning of a month gifts us with is an opportunity to review and re-prioritize our “to do” lists. Rev. Karen talked about “to do” lists this past Sunday, but those lists are such a big part of many of our lives that it seems worthwhile to spend a little more time thinking about them. On many of our “to do” lists in early autumn is getting our yards and gardens ready for colder weather; also on those lists is preparing our toys for their winter rest, and our equipment for winter use. Some of us have planning getaways on our list, others have getting ready to move to winter lodgings in the sunny south on their lists. We hope and pray that all of us have spending quality time with God, and walking every day with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, on our “to do” lists; nothing is more rewarding or more joyful than allowing ourselves to be wrapped in the loving arms of the Almighty, surrendering our wills to his, and delighting in the right and perfect outcomes that inevitably flow from “letting go and letting God.” So, if you haven’t already done so, we gently suggest that put “spend time with God” at the top of your “to do” lists.

On an entirely personal note, 26 years ago today, at 6:00 pm in a classroom at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit, Rev. Karen and Dr. Greg met for the very first time.

Blessings, Karen and Greg

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

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 24, 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 new season, and let us be glad for what has been a gentle transition from summer to fall (so far…).  As hard as it might be to believe, we’re about to enter the fourth quarter of the Year of Our Lord 2025; how we spend our time will change based on the weather, but there are plenty of fun and exciting things to do around here!  There’s no need to hunker down until next spring!

Speaking of fun and exciting things to do, we had a very successful Adopt-A-Highway event yesterday, with participants from both churches gathering eleven bags of trash along US-23.  This joint effort has been going on for nearly a decade now, and it’s good to contribute to the stewardship of our little piece of Creation.  Thanks to all who came out to help!

We’ve touched on this subject in the past, but it’s important enough to repeat; times of transition are good times for reflection, and good times to look forward.  As one season flows into another, we invite you to find a quiet place to sit and think about what happened (or didn’t happen) over the summer months; no question that it wasn’t a typical Up North summer in terms of the weather, but there were certainly wonderful things to remember.  And some hard things, too.  But through it all, God was with us, smiling when we smiled, crying when we cried, and holding us up when we were too weak to go on.  It’s good to remember that God never changes, even as the seasons do; and God never changes, even as we do.  That consistency, stability if you prefer, brings us great comfort and peace.  Thanks be to God for being The Almighty!

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, September 17, 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 another beautiful day in
our Up North paradise and let us be glad that we have five days of summer left to enjoy! Of course, just
because the equinox is coming up on Monday, that doesn’t mean that it will immediately get cold and blustery
(at least we hope not). Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year, as the colors begin to change; we urge you
to make plans to enjoy the unfolding splendor!
A great way to get out and enjoy the unfolding splendor is to join us for the last Adopt-A-Highway cleanup
event of 2025 on Tuesday, September 23rd (rain date Thursday, September 25th); we’ll meet at the
intersection of US-23 and County Road 638 to clean a two-mile stretch of US-23, making it ready for fall and
winter. Many hands make for light work, so please join us if you can!
As the fall colors emerge, we are reminded of God’s flawless artistic sense, as the reds and oranges and
yellows of the deciduous trees contrast with the greens of the conifers. Isn’t it amazing to look out our windows
and see the magnificence? No AI-generated landscapes can compare to the handiwork of our God, no
photographs or paintings can fully capture the beauty all around us; it is left for us, as children of the Most High
God, to offer our reverent thanks and to express our awe at what we have been blessed with. And it also our
calling to be good stewards of Creation, so that others may enjoy what we have been blessed with for
generations to come. So please walk lightly on the Earth, leaving nothing spoiled, but collecting rich
memories.
Blessings,
Karen and Greg
Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969
revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com
revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as
faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Joys and Concern