On Sunday night, we kicked off our Lenten dinners and study. About 60 people enjoyed a “breakfast for dinner” prepared by The Men Not Afraid of Aprons. Then, about 30 adults stayed on for the first session of the book study led by Rev. David Eardley. Emily Bianchi and MerriLee Day offered a special evening of activity and learning for the children.

This Sunday’s Lenten dinner will be a traditional Midwestern potluck and begins at 5 pm in Fellowship Hall. You are invited to bring whatever dish you like to make and want to share. That could be a favorite bread or appetizer, a main dish, a salad, or a dessert.

Following dinner, the Lenten study of Everybody Always, by Bob Goff will continue in the Wesley Room. This Sunday’s focus will be on Chapters 4-6.

If you are not able to read the book, come anyway. The video will cover much of the same material and ensure that everyone is “on the same page.”

You do not need to attend every week to find value in this book study.

There will be no children activities to coincide with this week's book study. The next program for children will be on March 12.

The full Lenten schedule is available below and also on the church web site at this link.



The 2023 edition of GPUMC's Lenten Devotions book is available now, both in print and online.

Look for print copies in a cart in the Great Hall. If you want a PDF of the entire booklet, you can find that here.

In addition, we are posting each day's devotion in both our private Facebook group and on our public Facebook page. The posts on the public page can be shared with others in your personal network, something that we encourage because it enables us to spread the word about the work and mission of the church.

As we continue to grieve the loss of lives at Michigan State University earlier this month, the Michigan United Methodist Church is stepping up its advocacy to end gun violence.

On Wednesday, March 22, you are invited to join other Michigan United Methodists in a day of prayer, public witness, and meetings with elected officials about gun safety. The event will begin at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing.

The Michigan United Methodist Church is making four legislative asks:

• Safe Storage, which would require guns in homes with children to be locked away safely
• Universal Background Checks for all firearm purchases
• Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which would allow a judge to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who may be at risk for harming themselves or others
• Restrictions on ability of domestic abusers to own firearms

To prepare for Advocacy Day, the church is providing three virtual training events (March 7, 13, and 21) where you can learn more about the topic and prepare for the meetings. All three trainings will be recorded and can be viewed later if you cannot attend live. The second and third trainings are required if you intend to meet with elected officials, to make sure you are well-prepared.

Registration costs $20, which will help cover related expenses, and scholarships are available. Contact Alice Townley or Michelle King with any questions. 

Learn more and register for the training and the day of advocacy at this link.

You are invited to join the weekly prayer chain, which offers spaces from 8 am to 8 pm on Saturday.

Sign up here.

If you have any issues navigating the sign up sheet or have other questions, please call Lisa Sicklesteel at 313-550-3351.