Petoskey United Methodist Church 1804 East Mitchell Road

Petoskey, MI 49770

Tel. 231 / 347-2733

info@petoskeyumc.org · www.petoskeyumc.org

Pastor: Dr. James P. Mitchum · Ministries Director: Doug Mantha

July 22, 2020

Dear Friends,

Confession is good for the soul. Putting thoughts into words lessens their power in our lives.

I need to admit that I didn’t really mean to sign up for all the changes in church and our cul-

ture over the last thirty years. And I really did not sign up for the changes wrought by the

current pandemic. What’s next? Maybe I’m glad I don’t know.

None of us have the answers for the questions before us because not one of us has lived

through something like this time. To quote Arthur Brooks in The Atlantic, We are living in a

time of fear. The coronavirus pandemic has threatened our lives, health, and economy in

ways most Americans have never experienced. We have no idea what the future will bring…

the percentage of people in the US, who say that “the future of our nation is a significant

source of stress” rose to 83 percent in June 2020, up from 63 percent in 2017.

Our fears vary wildly and widely. We have fears about the divisions and unyielding rhetoric in

our nation’s politics. We have economic fears about paying our bills. We have fears about

international fears. We are fearful of those who refuse to wear a mask and physical distance.

At times I fear for the long term future of our church.

Maybe what is hardest is that many of the threats we face seem impossible to eliminate. The

impossibility to eliminate threats is nothing new. There will always be threats to face and

stuff to fear. So how do we cope? We cope in faith, hope, and love. Faith helps us know that

God holds the world in compassionate, caring, loving hands. Hope in the power that raised

Jesus from the dead, overcomes despair. John, in his mature disciple years, wrote that mature

love casts out fear. [1 John 4:18] In faith, we share faith, hope, and love. “Share” is an im-

portant word. Isolation feeds fear. As a community of faith, we live life together.

Living life together means that sharing your fears, even admitting your loneliness, to some-

one else is good and healthy. We know that what we speak out loud often loses part of its

power in our lives. If admitting our fears to another is too big of risk, speak to God. God

knows how we feel and yet God yearns for dialogue with us. As a child needs to speak to a

parent, so we need to speak to God and know that we are his own.

Begin or continue to love through generosity. Open your heart for the opportunities to help

others. If for no other reason, we are happier people when others are happier. A few weeks

ago I told you about a study where people were given a small amount of money. They could

spend it on themselves or give it away. Which group experienced more happiness? You know

the answer. The ones who gave it away.

Begin or continue to do something for someone else. The present times are moments given to

us by God. Every day is an opportunity. Even though the world is all out of whack, believe

God’s promise, I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

Plans to give you hope and a future. [Jeremiah 29:11]

Love others and forgive others. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, [Ephesians 4:32], Be

kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave

you. Or Colossians 3, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive

one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave

you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

God loves us unconditionally and forgives without remembering our mistakes. These are di-

vine gifts freely given and cannot be earned. If God gives to us in this manner, we should give

to others in the same manner. Again, maybe it is selfish but to love and forgive will make us

healthier, less fearful people.

None of these suggestions are easy. Living faith, hope, and love in the face of fear is not our

human inclination. The translation of the last two verses of 1 Corinthians 13 from The Message

are a help, 12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.

But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then,

see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! 13 But for right

now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consumma-

tion: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is

love.

God bless and keep you,

Final note: 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 wor-

shipping at home (or at the cabin or on the boat). What is most important is that we continue

to seek God in worship. We must continue to connect in all the ways possible. We must con-

tinue to care and pray for one another. We must continue to pray for the fractures in our na-

tion. 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, 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 info@petoskeyumc.org

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 08-23-2003 17 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