Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Be sure to read to the end of this newsletter!

Here's what's included in this week's Tuesday Newsletter:

Donate to help veterans
Prepare for a busy Lenten season
Order flowers for Easter
Local ministry opportunities
Updates on GPUMC members
Upcoming events

Donate to help veterans

Veterans admitted to the Veterans Administration hospital in Detroit need toothbrushes and toothpaste while staying there.

Please help us collect these items by dropping them off in the box in the narthex at church during the month of March.

Travel and regular size items are all welcome. Please contact Leslie Rutland-Tipton for more information.

Note: The cutie in the picture is not a veteran, but maybe that sweet face will inspire you to donate!

Prepare for a busy Lenten season

GPUMC has a busy Lenten season ahead, with a book study, Lenten dinners, music, and several services during Holy Week.

Ash Wednesday begins the season on Wednesday, March 5. Rev. Eardley will be offering drive-through ashes and a blessing from noon to 1 pm that day. In the evening, he will lead a service at 7:30 pm.

On Sunday, March 9, we will begin our Lenten dinners and book study. Dinners will be at 5 pm in Fellowship Hall; the book discussion will follow at 6:30 pm in the Wesley Room. A children’s study will be held at 6:30 pm concurrently with the adult program.

This year’s book study will be based on Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws by Adam Hamilton. The book explores the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Through Luke’s stories, we will learn about Jesus’ care and compassion for all as he welcomes sinners and outcasts. As we study Luke and see Jesus’ concern for those who were considered unimportant, we will hear a hopeful and inspiring word for our lives today. This will also be the focus of our Lent Sunday sermon series.

A limited number of books are available in the church office for $12 each, or you may buy books from your favorite book seller.

During Easter week, we will offer an agape meal on April 15 plus services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter morning (sunrise and traditional service).

Lenten dinners

March 9 – Witness Committee

March 16 – Men Not Afraid of Aprons

March 23 – UMW

March 30 – Outreach Committee

April 6 – Pot Luck

April 13 – Study only at 6:30 pm (no dinner)

Order flowers for Easter

If you've ever been in the sanctuary on Easter morning, you know the beauty that comes from the array of azaleas, tulips, hyacinths and lilies on display.

Now you can contribute to that — and have flowers for your home afterward.

You have until next Sunday, March 9 to place an order -- prices range from $12 to $26, depending on the flowers that you choose. Print out and use this form to order or look for a form with the Sunday bulletin.

Note: Unlike with the Lenten devotions, Charlie will not be extending the deadline for these orders!

Local ministry opportunities

The Outreach Committee has identified several opportunities for GPUMC to serve the broader community. Consider which one of these is right for you.

NOAH lunches

The NOAH program at Central UMC in downtown Detroit is seeking volunteers to help serve lunches in their Bag Lunch Program from 10 am to 1 pm every Monday and/or Thursday. Most lunches are generously donated, so volunteers typically focus on serving meals and engaging with clients rather than assembling meals.

Having consistent volunteers enables individuals to build relationships and trust with those they serve. A simple meal can be the start of something bigger: a conversation, a connection, or a step toward stability.

Information and sign up here or here.

Medical clinic at Cass

Cass Community UMC in its long partnership with Wayne State University’s School of Medicine provides free medical care to the underserved and homeless of Detroit from 9 am to 11 am every Saturday. The clinic also provides many non-medical needs. They are looking for volunteers to help and other daily essentials.

To get involved, email Frank Driscoll or call him at 248-666-5021.

Hands With Detroit

Hands With Detroit will be offered again on Saturday, May 3, with registration opening on March 15. This year's event will offer NOAH lunchbag packing, a blood drive, and other opportunities. Reserve time on your calendar now and watch for the registration which is coming soon.

Support the food pantry

As you consider your support for Immanuel during the coming year, keep this in mind: Immanuel is providing food for individuals and families so smaller items work better than larger items. For example, a single box of pancake mix is preferable to an industrial size box, which cannot be opened and divided into smaller units.

To support the food pantry, you are always invited to:

Order from an Amazon wish list that Leslie Rutland-Tipton has put together for us. You can order food directly from her list and have it delivered to her home. She will make arrangements to get the food delivered to Immanuel.
Donate canned goods and other non-perishable items in the box in the Activity Entrance or by leaving them on the porch at 86 Willow Tree Place, GP Shores.
Make your own cash donation to Immanuel, either as a one-time donation or through a recurring payment. Follow this link to set up an account for that purpose.
Buy a gift card to Meijer or Kroger valued at $50, $100, or more. Deliver those directly to Paul or Beth Blunden.

However you choose to support this important mission, THANK YOU!

Update on GPUMC members

A memorial service for Mike Anderson, who died last week, will be at 11 am Thursday in the sanctuary, with visitation preceding at 10 am.

Please keep Mike's wife Julie, son C.J., and daughter Sydney in your prayers.

March 5 Ash Wednesday. Ashes & blessing, noon-1 pm; service, 7:30 pm

March 9 Deadline to order Easter flowers for sanctuary

March 9 Lenten dinner (5 pm, Fellowship Hall) & study (6:30 pm, Wesley Room)

March 16 Lenten dinner (5 pm, Fellowship Hall) & study (6:30 pm, Wesley Room)

March 23 Lenten dinner (5 pm, Fellowship Hall) & study (6:30 pm, Wesley Room)

March 30 Lenten dinner (5 pm, Fellowship Hall) & study (6:30 pm, Wesley Room)

April 5 Palooza, 5 pm, Great Hall

April 6 Lenten dinner (5 pm, Fellowship Hall) & study (6:30 pm, Wesley Room)

April 13 Music Sunday / Palm Sunday

Lenten study (6:30 pm, Wesley Room) (no dinner)

April 15 Agape meal, 11:30 am

April 17 Maundy Thursday service, 7:30 pm

April 18 Good Friday service, 12:30 pm

April 20 Easter. Sonrise service, 7:30 am, Memorial Garden

Traditional service, 9:30 am, sanctuary

GPUMC hours

9 am - 2 pm Monday through Thursday

By phone 9 am - 2 pm Friday

313-886-2363

office@gpumc.org