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 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 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 08-23-2008 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