This And That From Dr. J.

April, 2020Theses services will beon our YouTubechannel, until we canbe together again!This and That from Dr. J.April 5HOPE In Uncertain TimesPalm Sunday“Why The Upset?”Mark 11:12-19April 9Holy ThursdayApril 10Good FridayApril 12Easter Sunday“The Power of Easter”Luke 24:1-12April 19nd2 Sunday of EasterTBDJohn 14:11-15Eric CarlsonApril 26rd3 Sunday of Easter“Rain or Sprinkles”Psalm 118:19-25Most of us are familiar with the 13th chapter of Paul’s first letter tothe Corinthians. I believe it is the most extraordinary description of loveanywhere. Note how it begins.“If I speak with tongues of humans and of angels but have not love,I am like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal .”He goes on to describe the selflessness and faithfulness of love,that love is patient, kind, humble and sensitive; and at the end of thepassage he says,“now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest ofthese is love.”I don’t think anybody will disagree with Paul’s claim that love is themost important. Love is the foundation of everything we say and do.What do you think is next in importance, faith or hope? Manypeople will say faith is the next important. And they do have a point. WENEED FAITH TO give meaning to life. Faith opens the door to newpossibilities.As important as it is, however, I think it takes third place. How longcan we survive without hope? It is hope in a merciful and loving God thathas and will carry us over the deepest abyss. It is the bridge for tomorrow.And that is what I want you to remember as we manage the unexpectedcomplexity of living in these times.Easter comes again on April 12. Whenever Christians are gatheredthere will be learned discussions about theologies, dogmas and doctrines.But they all can be condensed into one small word ---hope ---which iswhat Easter is about.We all know how confused and faltering the disciples were duringthe difficult last days of Jesus’ life. Yet something happened to them onthat morning and the days and weeks that followed. Everyone of thedisciples came to life and spent the rest of their lives in sacrificial serviceto Jesus. Something happened. The disciples experienced a resurrectedJesus. And that resurrection gave them hope and it can do the same foryou. Believe in hope and believe that hope is of God. .hold on to hope,Even if it’s a tender thread ” Even during these challenging times, holdon tightly to hope and experience the power of God’s grace holding ustogether.To God be the glory,Julius Del Pino, Pastor

For The Homebound:MarionMargeJamesBobWoodyOur Church BarbDonnaDickPhilJanRuth AnnMaryPaulBarbAmandaDaveCameronRobertVirginiaFor NeilDianeAlBobKimAndreaBrittanyDonna ancyKittySharonEdAnnaArchieCarolCarlJoyceAlanPalm leaves will be available at thechurch on Palm Sunday, April 5. Ifyou would like, please drive up andhelp yourself to the palms that will beleft out in front of the church.Hosanna, to the Son of David!If you would like to receiveprayer concern emails fromthe church, please contactthe church office atoffice@grandblancumc.org.You can also receivechurch updates throughemail and this newslettertoo! Just let us know!We pray for all of thehealthcare workers, firstresponders and essentialbusinesses and theiremployees.We pray for everyone’shealth and well being, bothphysically andmentally. Wepray for ournation andleaders.We pray for you.Abbey ParkAutumn Ridge of ClarkstonGrand Blanc FieldsGreat Lakes Christian HomeWillowbrook ManorShirleyShirleyLoiseHelenDave

Happy Easter!

Kid’s Page!Puzzles and coloring!

If you signed up for altar flowersfor any Sunday that we did nothave worship services in thechurch, we will happily orderthem for a different Sunday ofyour choosing.Due to the Coronavirus pandemic andBirthday Wishesthe fact that we haven’t been able to1st Scott4th Barbara8th Patricia13th Andrew14th Edward, John15th Bob16th Joshua, Dick, Sharon, Frank18th Molly, Dave20th Emma, Mike21st Madison22nd Angela, Jordan23rd Gary, Jessica24th Jayna25th Karen26th Jan27th Brian, Mary Jo, Joanna29th Sandy, Randy30th Mike, Gretchenget together, we will be postponingConfirmation Sunday. We will keepyou posted.All Junior High and Senior HighYouth activities/events havebeen cancelled through April.April is:National Humor Month (we need this!)National Pecan MonthNational Poetry MonthStress Awareness Month (this too!)Special Days in April:1 April Fool’s Day2 Children’s Book Day4 Walk Around Things Day7 Carmel Popcorn DayNo Housework Day11 Barbershop Quartet Day15 Titanic Remembrance Day19 National Garlic Day22 Earth Day24 Arbor Day27 Tell a Story Day30 Hairstyle Appreciation Day We hope every day is specialAnniversary Blessings3rd Tammy & Don6th Jennifer & Adam13th Gary & Melinda25th Lee & Philip30th Lori & GlenIn response to the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executiveorder, the GBUMC Finance Committee is prayerfully requestingthat each member make every attempt to honor their Stewardshippledge by mailing your offering to the church office or utilizingthe on-line giving system (Vanco) at the following link on theChurch website: https://www.grandblancumc.org/tithe/.Carol Capell and I will be meeting on a limited basis to countand deposit offerings so that funds are available to meet routineoperating and salary obligations.Kevin Cook, Finance Committee ChairGrand Blanc United Methodist ChurchBuilding and Roof Mortgage SummaryMORTGAGE BALANCE (as of 02-29-20)Mortgage Balance with UMF 189,232.26Mortgage Reserve Fund Balance (as of 02-29-20) Roof Reserve Fund Balance (as of 02-29-20) 18,785.97 16,053.25If you have any questions, please contactKevin Cook, Finance Chairperson, finance@grandblancumc.org

Lent and “In lieu of Lilies” DonationsHere are additionalscripture readings for you:April 5Palm SundayMatthew 21:1-11Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29Isaiah 50:4-9aPsalm 31:9-16Philippians 2:5-11Matthew 26:14-27:66April 9Holy ThursdayExodus 12:1-14Psalm 116:1-4, 12-191 Corinthians 11:23-26John 13:1-17, 31b-35April 10Good FridayIsaiah 52:13-53:12Psalm 22Hebrews 10:16-25John 18:1-19:42April 12Easter SundayActs 10:34-43Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24Colossians 3:1-4John 20:1-18Matthew 28:1-10April 192nd Sunday of EasterActs 2:14a, 22;32Psalm 161 Peter 1:3-9John 20:19-31April 263rd Sunday of EasterActs 2:14a, 36-41Psalm 116:1-4, 12-191 Peter 1:17-23Luke 24:13-35Easter Sunday is April 12, 2020. This year we will besupporting our Missionary Paul Webster with the Lentmission offering (the yellow envelope in your giving box).In 2019 due to budget constraints Paul Webster's support( 2400.00) came directly out of your third Sunday missiongiving. Because of this we were less able to contribute toother organizations who needed our help. Paul Websterserved as an agricultural specialist at Mujila Falls Centrein Zambia since 2000 but currently is a Mission Advocatefor agricultural missionaries deployed by the GeneralBoard of Global Ministries. He is scheduled for retirementin June of this year. Please remember that all Lentmission offerings will go to Paul's support.The “In lieu of Lilies” collection will go to God's CountryCooperative Parish which is comprised of seven churchesspread over 250 square miles in the eastern part of theUpper Peninsula of Michigan. These churches combinetheir resources, share their faith, and actively work tobring self-esteem, hope, and the love of God to allthroughout the area. They host mission teams in thesummer and do home repairs and improvements to thecommunities and coordinate food and clothing distribution.Thank you for your generosity!Native American MinistriesSunday - April 26, 2020Through Native American Ministries Sunday, we’re able toequip and empower Native American pastors,congregations and seminary students to authenticallyworship and serve Jesus. As a member of The UnitedMethodist Church, your gift, on this day, equips Nativecongregations to worship and serve as only they can.This work, and hundreds of other ministries, are possiblebecause you give.Our giving allows Native Americans to encounter, worshipand serve Jesus. When you support Native AmericanMinistries Sunday, you equip seminary students who willhonor and celebrate Native American culture in theirministries. And you empower congregations that arefinding fresh new ways to minister to their communitieswith the love of Christ.Please give generously to the Native American Ministrieson Sunday April 26th. A special envelope will be providedby the ushers with your program. If you wish to donateand don't have an envelope please write Native AmericanMinistries on the "other" section of your regular offeringenvelope. THANK YOU!

that love is patient, kind, humble and sensitive; and at the end of the passage he says, “now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” I don’t think anybody will disagree with Paul’s claim that love is the most important. Love is the foundation of everything we say and do.