Tag: god

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, December 11, 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 second week of the Season of Advent, and let us be glad the Christmas Day is only two weeks away! Or, let us panic because Christmas Day is only two weeks away, depending on how ready you are (or aren’t) to celebrate the birth of the Light of the World, Jesus the Christ.

We talked quite a bit about preparation last week, and of course the good news of today is that we have more time to become fully ready for Christmas Day. If you’re bordering on full panic mode, we encourage you to take a deep breath, and take a look at where you truly are in your preparations; odds are that there’s a lot more done than you might give yourself credit for. If you’re blissfully content with the state of things, we encourage you to take a deep breath, and be happy! But the truth is that none of us are likely fully prepared, because we haven’t fully invested in making our hearts and souls ready. Oh, sure, we’ve been attending worship regularly, we’ve kept our daily prayers going, and we simply can’t avoid the feeling of the Christmas Season that’s all around us. All of this is great and wonderful, but now is the time to sit down with our Bibles and turn to the beginning of the Gospel according to Matthew or the Gospel according to Luke (or maybe both, just don’t get hung up in the differences between the two tellings of the birth of Christ!), and read the story of how Jesus came into the world, to bring Light and Life and Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love into our lives for all time. Savor the story, and be reminded of how it all began. We’re confident that you’ll be filled with good things. 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 peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, December 4, 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 anticipation that is inherent in the Advent season, and let us be glad that we have time to make sure all of our plans are in place for our Christmas celebrations! As much as we’d like to proclaim “Merry Christmas” right now, and be about the business of joyously proclaiming the Savior’s birth, we can’t; we’ve got some prep work to do!

That prep work isn’t limited to seeking the perfect gift for everyone on our list, or making sure that our homes are perfectly decorated with a mix of the latest technology and much-loved heirlooms of the season. The most important (and toughest) prep work is making our hearts and souls ready for Christmas Day, the day that Light will come into the world and make all things new. For those of us who have been around for a few Christmases past, it might be easy to fall prey to thinking that we’ve done this so many times before, so what’s left to get ready? We understand the significance of Christmas, we know how the stories unfold, we have proclaimed our love for God and adoration of the Christ Child, so can’t we please get on with hanging tinsel on the tree and baking more cookies? Well, you can if you wish, but in our experience if we don’t intentionally focus on the “reason for the season,” to borrow an overworked cliché, we’ll lose the “reason for the season” amongst the scraps of wrapping paper and unwashed baking pans. Advent and Christmas are holy times, and if our focus isn’t on the activities of the Divine in our lives, then we’re truly missing the point. So, please enjoy the shopping and baking and decorating that help make the season bright, but please also remember that the birth of Christ is why we celebrate.

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, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, November 20, 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 anticipation of the upcoming holiday season, and let us be glad that we still have time to get ready! Let us rejoice as travel arrangements are finalized, and shopping lists are coming together. Let us be glad that seasonal decorations are coming out of storage, and let us be glad for the delight that we feel as our homes are transformed. While we’re not quite into “the best time of the year,” to borrow from a favorite holiday song, we’re getting close.

Anticipation is a unique feeling, isn’t it? Some of us tingle with joy as we think about what is just over the horizon, others grumble, and still others panic. The funny thing is, we can’t do anything to make time move at a different pace; we can’t speed things up so that the holidays get here sooner (for some), or slow things down so that everything can be “just so” when they arrive (for some). As we read in Ecclesiastes 3:1; there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. And that includes holiday preparations; which also includes spiritual preparations, or it should. It’s easy to get caught up in the pre-season whirlwind, so caught up that we don’t remember why we’re getting ready. So consider this a gentle reminder from your friendly neighborhood pastors; take time to pray as you prepare; take time to be still amidst the rush; and take time to be thankful for what you have received and what you will receive in the future. Make the holidays truly holy.

Blessings,

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

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

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 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

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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, June 26, 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 nice, mild, non-rainy, non-windy day to get outside and enjoy, and let us be glad that the weather extremes have left us (for now).  It’s been quite the roller coaster, hasn’t it?  Here’s hoping for more typical early summer weather, so that the delights of Northern Michigan are ours to enjoy!

The weather extremes are an interesting contrast to the constancy of our God, who never wavers in his love for us.  No matter what challenges face us, no matter if we turn our backs on God for a time, no matter if we selfishly act in our own best interests without regard for others, God loves us.  The weather can be rotten, our favorite sports teams can be having a lousy season, we can be struggling with our health; nonetheless, God loves us and cares for us.  God wants only good for us, and is always in our corner offering strength and wisdom and guidance.  Isn’t it nice to be assured that there’s at least one absolutely constant force at work in our lives, and that that constant force loves us so much that he sacrificed his only Son on our behalf?  In return, God wants only that we love him, and that we love our siblings in faith. He knows we won’t love perfectly; he knows that we won’t love consistently; but he knows that he has given each of us a loving heart, so that we have the tools we need to share the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit with all people (and with all of Creation 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

For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD! Psalm 117:2