This Sunday’s Lenten dinner will be Soup Supper prepared by UMW. Dinner begins at 5 pm in Fellowship Hall. You are invited to bring a salad or a dessert to share.

UMW will be preparing four soups for the evening: chicken noodle, minestrone, chicken tortilla, and one still to be determined.

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 10-12.

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.

Children will have their own activities to coincide with this week's book study.

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



Prepare your spirit for Easter by attending our Agape Meal at 11:30 am on April 4.

The Agape or Upper Room Meal is a form of communion among the company of believers. We join to remember the actions and words of Jesus during his last hours with the twelve disciples. The meal is eaten in silence as words of scripture, music and poetry direct the participants’ meditation. We welcome Rev. Mary McInnes, lead pastor of South Lyon First United Methodist Church (and former associate pastor at GPUMC), who will lead meditation and serve communion at the meal. The sacrificial meal is simple. It consists of finger foods – thin slices of meat, cheese, olives, lettuce leaves, grapes, dates, and unleavened bread.

Gather in the church sanctuary to receive instructions, then move to the Great Hall for the meal and service. The meal and service typically lasts about an hour.

Please sign up for this special Lenten experience in the Great Hall after services, or email Karen Bromley or call her (313-802-8333) to reserve a spot.

Over the next several weeks, we will hear from Stephen Ministers about what Stephen Ministry has meant to them in their walk of faith. In doing this, we mean to re-introduce this ministry to our GPUMC community and also invigorate the program.

Stephen Ministers are trained to listen and provide Christian care to persons who ask. It is NOT therapy — it is simply a person to walk with during a crisis or need. It can be long term or short term. Stephen Ministers support each other as they provide care during regular meetings. The care provided is completely confidential. No names or details are shared at all among the team.

We begin today with some words from Anne Sullivan, who leads the Stephen Minister outreach at GPUMC.

My mom received the care of a Stephen Minister when she was widowed at age 50 — and then she served as a Stephen Minister until she died in 2013. In her hospice room, I witnessed visits from her care receivers and her team, and I was privy to such beautiful exchanges of love and caring. I knew that this ministry mattered in the most basic and important way.

I was completing my Stephen training at the time my mom died. I had also received the care of a Stephen Minister during my painful divorce. I couldn’t wait to serve as one! I can sincerely say it is at the absolute core of my personhood and my faith. To share God’s love by being a presence and a listening ear. My faith has grown at least 100 fold by serving.

Stay tuned to learn more about Stephen Ministry or contact Anne at any time about receiving care or becoming a Stephen Minister. You also can talk to Rev. David Eardley or contact the church office.

The Youth and Children’s Ministry Committee is sponsoring an Easter egg hunt on April 2 (Palm Sunday) after church.

All ages are welcome and weather permitting the hunt will occur outside. In the event of inclement weather, the event will occur inside.

To prepare for this event we are asking for donations of plastic eggs and individually wrapped candy. Donations can be left in the container in the narthex.

In addition, the Youth and Children’s Ministry Committee is looking for teenagers to help with this event. If interested, please contact Emily Bianchi or Merri Lee Day.