Tag: joy

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, July 30, 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 arrival of Nautical Festival week in Rogers City, and let us be glad for the joys and delights that the Festival brings to our area! While the smoky haze from the Canadian wildfires are blocking out a bit of the sunshine as we write this message, nothing can block out the fun to be had as the summer rolls along!
Fun is an element of life that we often neglect. We’re not suggesting that anyone blow off the responsibilities of life, failing to fulfill obligations or tend to important matters; we’re suggesting that each of us should seek a balance every day, a balance between achievement and play. Nowhere in scripture is it written that having fun is sinful or evil. It’s true that there are negative references to idle hands, sloth, and laziness, but there are also references to joy and recreation and rest. Add it all up, and the answer always comes back to balance. In North America, many of us have taken the Protestant work ethic to an unhealthy extreme, typified by the dour expressions on the faces of the subjects of Winslow Homer’s famous “American Gothic” painting. It’s been said that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” (feel free to substitute “Jill” if you’re concerned about sexism), and none of us want to be seen as dull. So, work to achieve a healthy balance between work and play; the exact ratio will vary by individual, but for your physical, mental, and most importantly spiritual health, make time every day for a little fun. The benefits are truly astounding!
Blessings,
Karen and Greg
Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13

Pastor’s Message

~ laurieagould ~ Leave a comment

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, January 22, 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 weather forecaster’s telling us that the extremely low temperatures will be ending today, and let us be glad for the warmth of our homes that have kept us comfortable during the cold snap. Let us further rejoice in those men and women who maintain our heating systems, and let us be glad for their skills and dedication to their craft. While we’re more-or-less equipped to deal with winter weather, no matter how extreme it may be; we hold our friends in Southern states in prayer who are not so fortunate, as several inches of snow were reported in New Orleans and Orlando. If you have the latitude to stay inside today, we encourage you to grab a hot drink and a cozy blanket and watch the snow globe-like conditions make magic. And as you stay warm and dry, say a prayer for the hard-working road crews doing their best to make travel safe for all.

We’d like to offer a humble suggestion for your “snuggly” time today; be intentionally thankful. Lots of truly incredible things have happened in the past few days that are worthy of thankfulness. The United States witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one presidential administration to the next, and hostages were released in the Middle East and a cease-fire took hold. Children were born, life-saving medical procedures were successfully complete, marriages were celebrated, new relationships began; lives well-lived were celebrated, even though hearts were heavy with grief. We have a choice every day as to how we will approach what lies ahead – we can be fearful and tentative, or we can be thankful and bold. Our faith calls us to thankfulness and boldness, trusting that we walk with Christ every step of the way. So let’s be thankful as we snuggle in, or as we venture out. Give thanks!!

With our love,

Karen and Greg

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


I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

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