Tag: faith

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 6, 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 beautiful Up North Wednesday, and let us be glad that the long election season has finally come to an end. Based on the results of yesterday’s elections, about half of us are pleased, and about half of us are not. While the final numbers have yet to be tallied, it is clear that we the people have spoken, and there will be new political leadership at local, state, and federal levels. Now is the time to take down the yard signs, take off the buttons, and go about our everyday business; and to work tirelessly for unity and peace.

Psalm 133 reminds us that it is good and pleasant when sisters and brothers come together in unity. One of the presidential candidates said a few days ago that there is much more that brings us together than separates us; and while we may (or may not) agree with other things this particular candidate advocates for, this sentiment is absolutely true. It’s kind of like the way Christian denominations have evolved over the millennia; we agree that God is in charge, that Jesus Christ came to Earth to save us, and that the Holy Spirit indwells each of us. We agree that God is love, and that love conquers all. We read from the same Bibles, sing many of the same hymns, and recite the Lord’s Prayer in worship. But we disagree on about 5% of doctrine and details of Scriptural translation, and so we separate ourselves; and in this the body of Christ, which is the church, is diminished. In the Pledge of Allegiance, we profess that the United States is “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” an ideal and a goal that we strive to achieve. The election is over, now the real work of coming together begins. As people of faith, it falls to us to lead, to console, and to heal. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work, trusting that God will give us the wisdom and strength to overcome the forces that would divide and destroy.

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 I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:11

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 16, 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 family and friends, wherever they may be, and let us be glad for the opportunities that present themselves to spend time with those near and dear to us! While we’re still about a month away from the traditional holiday season that starts with Thanksgiving, it’s nice to anticipate joyful gatherings, so let us rejoice and be glad for what is just over the horizon!

Sometimes it’s easy to take relationships for granted; to assume that those special people in our lives will always be available to us for fun events or when we’re in need of support. But, life has taught us that that isn’t always the case; whether it be due to long distances between us, or the distractions of everyday life, or sadly because a special person has gone on to the Church Triumphant. We lose touch with important people all too often. It’s been said that there is nothing quite so grand as a good friend, and if you’ll pardon the reference to a favorite Christmas movie of ours, It’s a Wonderful Life; no man (or woman) is a failure who has friends. So let us humbly suggest that this is the perfect day to reach out to a friend with whom you may have lost contact; be that friend, a family member, or an old pal. Friendships are precious things, things to be nurtured and honored. Think about it, Jesus called his disciples friends, not buddies or chums or traveling companions. He died for them, and for us. Friendships matter, so care for them.

Blessings,

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

I do not cease to give thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers, Ephesians 1:16

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 9, 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 opportunity to enjoy the blessings of God’s good creation, and let us be glad that there are countless ways to do so. Everywhere we look, we can see God’s handiwork, the intricate balance of life in its various forms, and we are in awe (or we should be). Let’s allow ourselves to be wowed today!

Unfortunately for so many in the south, God’s good creation is under stress today; the aftermath of Hurricane Helene reveals new tragedies every day, and the preparations for Hurricane Milton have disrupted lives along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and has left the people of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico reeling. Many in our congregations have family and friends in Milton’s path, and others have winter homes in the threatened areas. Many of us wonder why do these things happen? Why are there storms in life; why is there such awful destruction; why is there sometimes death as a result of hurricanes and tornadoes and other natural disasters? Is God angry with us? No, he’s not; he may be frustrated with us, or he may be disappointed in us, but he’s not angry with us. When disaster strikes, God grieves with us; God walks with us; God takes care of us; perhaps not in the way we would prefer; perhaps not on the timeline we would specify; but let there be no doubt that God is present, enfolding us in his arms and making all things right. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters impacted by the storms of life, and let us also have absolute faith that God’s got this, and we may well be part of his answer.

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 heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 2, 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 truly spectacular Up North day, and let us be glad for crisp morning air and comfortable afternoon temperatures (and for working furnaces…). This is one of those incredible early autumn days when the trees are showing off the beginnings of their seasonal color change, brightly illuminated by the sun against a cobalt blue sky. God has quite the artists’ touch, eh?

Unfortunately, much of the rest of God’s good Creation isn’t in particularly good shape today; death and destruction in the Middle East and Ukraine dominate the news, the political divisions in the United States and other nations around the world are driving heated exchanges and violence, and the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene is almost beyond comprehension. People of faith are left wondering what to do? The “easy” answer is to pray, which we’re confident is happening, but is there more? Yes, there is; there are relief agencies that can receive donations of money and supplies, if you are able to make a contribution. Some communities are organizing drives to collect much-needed articles of clothing and basic supplies. A few people are able to volunteer in the hardest-hit areas, to provide relief to government and private sector crews who are working beyond the point of exhaustion. And we can all pray, and pray fervently for those directly impacted by the above mentioned events; this coming Sunday presents us with a unique opportunity to join with Christian brothers and sisters on World Communion Sunday, sharing the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in a display of solidarity. These are hard times, to be sure, but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will see us through to a bright tomorrow.

Blessings,

Karen and Greg

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

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:12

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, July 31, 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 wonders of an Up North summer, and let us be glad that this weekend gives us the opportunity to enjoy the Nautical Festival in Rogers City!  The annual Nautical Festival brings artists, classic cars, carnival rides, and fun food choices to Rogers City for all to enjoy.  Add in the parade on Sunday and strawberry shortcake treats offered by the Deacons at Westminster Presbyterian Church and there’s something for everyone at the Festival!  As an added bonus, if you’re looking for someplace to put your lawn chairs for optimal viewing of the Sunday afternoon parade, the pastors just happen to have lots of space in front of their house on 3rd Street that they’re quite happy to share!

Speaking of sharing, have you ever thought about how central to our faith sharing is?  In Acts 4:32-35, we read of the apostles sharing everything they had equally, having no concern about who owned what.  Now, we’re not suggesting that everybody reading this note get together and put all of our possessions in a giant pole barn somewhere, so that any person can take anything that catches their fancy and use it as they wish; but we are suggesting that some of us could do a better job of practicing charity and sharing generously from the abundance that we’ve been blessed with – your pastors included.  The phrase “sharing is caring” has come into common usage in recent years, and it’s true (if a bit jaded at times); sharing from our abundance, without putting ourselves in a challenging position as a result, is a way of expressing care and concern for those who have need.  We are called to share because God first shared with us, from the first acts of creation through caring for the Hebrews in the wilderness to sharing his Son; so let us give generously and joyfully, for God loves a cheerful giver – and cheerful sharers 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


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

From the desk of

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Toby the Church dog

Hello dear friends!

I try to be a good boy; I really do. In spite of this, I sometimes hear my name said sharply by my parents. “Toby!” Now when I hear my name, I generally stop what I’m doing and turn my attention to the speaker. It might be you or another of my friends, and I never want to miss out on an interaction with someone special to me. But, when my name is repeated again and again in a tone that I find annoying, I tend to tune it out. Unfortunately, this happens almost daily within my house; and the vocal tone seems to become more strident if I ignore the call to attention.

Sometimes additional words are added to my spoken name. Frequently I hear, “Toby, No bark!” Frankly, this hurts my feelings. It’s not as if I bark just to hear myself talking—well, not often, anyway.  I bark to alert, to warn, to greet, to protect, and for so many other reasons: “I hear a noise, I hear a noise, I hear a noise!”, “Hey you! Get off my sidewalk!”, or “Well hello there, pretty lady!” While I don’t like to brag, I do have quite a nice voice; a pleasing baritone, if you will. As needed I can dip down into a bass range, and I can even sustain my vocalization as needed to make my point! You want to hear a vibrato; I’ve got it too! Yes, I don’t think there is anything wrong with my voice; certainly not something that should cause someone (my parents!) to “shush” me. 

In fact, I do try to be mindful of my surroundings and to adopt a demeanor of dignified reserve when called for. Mom and Dad are often complimenting me on how well I get into a zone of rest and reflection when I bring them to my office and monitor their work. I find that they are easily distracted, and I work to set a good example.

While it may look to the outside world as if I am merely sleeping, this could not be farther from the truth! I believe time with God is so important; and it cannot always be about my requests, my concerns, and my worries handed to God —sometimes I need to listen. And that is what I’ve decided to do! I quiet myself and wait to hear (or feel) what God wishes to share with me.  This I know; God always has something important to share with us!

Nothing can ever quiet me in proclaiming my care for you, dear friends! Know that you are loved by me.

Your church dog,
ToBY

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 62:5

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, July 3, 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 an ever-brightening day, and let us be glad for the Fourth of July holiday that is just hours away!  The Fourth of July is such an important day in the history of the United States, with the Declaration of Independence having been signed 248 years ago tomorrow; it’s sad that we sometimes lose sight of what the fireworks and picnics are all about.  Yes, it’s about the birth of a new nation, but it’s also about the deep-seated human quest for freedom, respect, and self-determination.  As the United States gears up to celebrate, let’s not forget that our Canadian brothers and sisters are celebrating as well; Canada Day was on July 1st, celebrating the Canadian Confederation, drawing former British colonies together into a dominion known as Canada.

Both of these holidays are central to the identities of two great nations, and brings to mind the true meaning of “holiday;” holy day.  Not merely a day off from work, these national celebrations are sacred observations of the beginning of new ways of being a country.  Much has changed over the centuries since the United States and Canada were established, but the fact remains that both countries value freedom; as does our God.  In the Letter to the Romans, we read that we are set free from sin and death through Jesus Christ.  God freed the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, and in the Letter to the Galatians we are reminded that we are called to be free, but that we should not use our freedom to indulge our basic instincts; rather we should use our freedom to serve one another in love.  Our freedom is indeed something to celebrate, not only on national holidays but every day, and our freedom is something to be thankful for.  So amidst the fireworks and hot-dogs and parades, let us take a moment to give thanks to God for his great gift of freedom.  And let us not misuse that gift to make mischief or cause harm; let us use it to spread the Good News of God’s love made manifest through Jesus the Christ!

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 if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

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