Petoskey United Methodist Church 1804 East Mitchell Road
Petoskey, MI 49770
Tel. 231 / 347-2733
[email protected] · www.petoskeyumc.org
Pastor: Dr. James P. Mitchum · Ministries Director: Doug Mantha
July 29, 2020
Dear Friends,
Sing with me this hymn of faith,
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand.
~ Robert Critchley
Most or all of us wrestle at times to feel good about ourselves. We have periods of insecurity,
self-doubt, and low self-worth. We get frustrated with resultant anger. We have moments or
periods of discouragement, disappointment, or depression. Then there are those memories
that haunt us of mistakes we can’t quite put in the past. We need to move forward. We need
to place our trust on the God we know in Jesus Christ who knows, cares, intervenes, and acts.
A God who is present and powerful, and seeks action.
Sometimes our lives are like that proverbial person who paints himself into a corner of impos-
sibility. We have a hard time imagining that things will ever change. Well we do not always
have a choice about the problems that come our way but we do have a choice about how we
will respond. There is no reason to welcome problems but realistically we can expect and an-
ticipate that there will be challenges along the way.
The Psalmist wrote,
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand. 3
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40
David wrote that “if we stand on the solid rock” it will involve these principles that I’ll para-
phrase:
Any problem can be the starting point of solutions and dreams.
Goals are met by dividing solutions or dreams into doable chunks.
An action plan is a road map for achieving our goals.
It takes courage and tenacity to move forward to completion.
God is for us and will not forsake us.
While summer in northern Michigan calls us into the healthy, wholesome, well-balanced life of
rest, relaxation, and recreation, summer is also a time to ask some questions about our lives.
For example:
What is your present dream?
What is your present goal(s)?
What is God asking you to achieve or to become?
It doesn’t matter rather it is a small goal or a huge goal. There is nothing more satisfying to a
person than to set a goal, work, even sacrifice until that goal becomes accomplished with God’s
help. In the process of finding solutions to our problems and struggles, God has a great op-
portunity to help us mature in faith. I invite us to embrace the words of Paul in Romans 8:28,
We know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose.
God bless and keep you,
Final thoughts: Both the livestream and radio broadcast of our worship services will continue
into the future. What is most important is not whether we are worshipping in the building or
worshipping at home (or at the cabin or on the boat). What is most important is that we con-
tinue to seek God in worship. We must continue to connect in all the ways possible. We must
continue to care and pray for one another. We must continue to pray for the fractures in our
nation. We must continue to reach out with care and response to the needs of our community
and the world. Also, if you or someone you know is in need or suffering from loneliness please
contact the church office, James or Doug.
If your birthday or anniversary is missing from this list, or incorrect,
please call the church office so we can update our files 347-2733 or [email protected]
Ralph & Renee Guthrie 08-03-1991 29 years
Dan & Lori Lewis 08-06-1988 32 years
Dave & Pam Moyer 08-06-1983 37 years
Ron & Donna Snyder 08-06-1960 60 years
Vernon & Ruth Shutts 08-09-1953 67 years
Dennis & Karen Starkey 08-10-1985 35 years
Dave & Carol Thomas 08-10-1968 52 years
Linn & Melinda Wright 08-15-1998 22 years
Jonathan & Megan Meyer 08-20-2011 9 years
Tom & Nancy Rosel 08-22-1964 56 years
Matt & Lisa Keene 08-23-2008 12 years
John & Ann Pelham 08-23-1969 51 years
Larry & Marilyn Mann 08-24-1958 62 years
Armando & Jill Gonzalez-Perez 08-26-1967 53 years
Bob & Jan Serra 08-26-1979 41 years
Jim & Natalie Cantrell 08-28-2010 10 years
Chuck & Barb Smith 08-30-1969 51 years
Donovan & Sue Herrington 08-31-1990 30 years
1 Stafford Smith
5 Dennis Myers
6 Parker Goodrich, LeaAnne Montel
7 Linda Amtsbuechler, Karen Clark,
Chuck Johnson
9 Bill Lenau
10 Keira Hausler
11 Ethel Smith, Kaitlyn Smith,
Melvyn Smith
12 John Marshall
13 Renee Guthrie
13 Babette Stolz
14 Mike Webster
18 Millie Janka, Armando Gonzalez-
Perez
20 Heather Miller, Joelle Wilcox
23 Alexis Stokel, Austin Stokel,
Victoria Stokel
24 John Bartha
25 Hubert Hayes
27 Vanessa Stokel, Ted Sielski
30 Dale Lewis
Long-Term Care &
Shut-ins
Bay Bluffs
Mary Brubacher
Miriam Rasmussen
Boulder Park Terrace
Gail Liebold
Dean & Jackie Carper
Independence Village
Chuck & Mitzi Cook
Martha Palmateer
Betty Hayner
Marian Jurries
Pearl Dally
Louise Yeager
Winn Sluyter
Mallard Cove
Betty Doherty
At Home
Shawn Bell
Jennifer Joneson
Barb Fannin
Jennifer Osborn
Marijane Ricketts
Friends & Relatives of Church Family
Norma Wirgau
Mother of Bob Wirgau
Active Military Duty
Jed Hutchinson, US Air Force
Son of Sue Hutchinson
Jacob Kuziel
Mitch Kuziel & Deb Munn
Adam Upleger
Nancy Miett
Ethan Gulledge, U.S. Navy
Grandson of Bob & Sue Gulledge
Tia Brown, Army
Ashley Brown, Navy
Elijah Brown, Army
Grandchildren of Sue Herrington
Cards and notes are always welcomed. Contact the church office for addresses.
Names can be added or removed to the prayer list by calling Pastor James or Doug Mantha.
For Those Who Mourn
The family & friends of George Palmateer