Grand Lake Church Grand Lake Church

Scripture for Study and Reflection:

A team from GLUMC is participating in a reentry grant program through
the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections; training,
mentoring and grant reporting has been facilitated by All In Community.

1. What is a reentry coalition? It is a group committed to helping people
reintegrate into society after incarceration. What is recidivism? It is the
rate at which people return to an incarcerated state following release.
Reentry Coalitions reduce recidivism and increase public safety.

2. From 2019-2020 the overall recidivism rate in Ohio was 32.7%.

3. What is life like without hope? What does restorative hope look like
for our returning neighbors?

4. Why is it the local church's responsibility to lead the community in the
mission of restoring hope for those impacted by incarceration?

5. Read Matthew 25: 36-40. What would God have us do for those facing
barriers like lack of shelter and transportation, basic needs of clothing,
food, etc.? Listen to the song, "Do Something," by Matthew West and
take in the lyrics. How can you put these lyrics into action in our
community?

6. What barriers do our returning neighbors face in the Grand Lake
community?

7. Do you know someone who has been to jail? Are they living a stable
lifestyle now? Do they need some extra support from the coalition?

8. In what way can you help in this mission?
*If you would like to be involved in the Reentry Program or join the prayer
team, please mark the GPS stub today or contact the church office.

Prayer for the Week:
Father God, we know that you are the source of all our hope. And we
know there are people in our community living hopelessly, drowning in
defeat. We pray that your Holy Spirit would open our eyes to see the
helpless and hopeless all around us. We recognize our own nature to be
judgmental of others. Help us to remove the plank from our own eyes and
truly see your children. For we know the mission you have placed upon
us. Provide us with strength, wisdom, and patience as we step into new
relationships with returning neighbors. Help us to love like You do. We
give You thanks and praise for this new opportunity to serve You. We will
not let it pass us by. In your glorious name we pray. Amen

Scripture for Study and Reflection:

Read Romans 15: 1-6, 12-13.

1. What does “hope” mean to you? Why is hope important? What is life
like without hope?

2. What is your hope for Grand Lake UMC as we go forward?

3. Read Isaiah 43: 19. How does that verse make you feel? Can you see
it relating to Grand Lake UMC?

4. Read Romans 8: 28. Does that verse give you hope? If so, in what
ways?

5. Pastor Mick talks about hope in togetherness. What does he mean by
this? Why is togetherness important? How can it give us hope?

6. Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Church says, “The local church is the hope
of the world.” Do you agree with that? Why/why not? How are we at
Grand Lake UMC providing hope to the world?

7. Pastor Mick talks about finding hope through Scripture. How do the
Scriptures provide hope?

8. Read verse 13 again. How are we filled with joy and peace? What
does this do for us? What might it also do for others around us?

9. In what ways is God the true source of all our hope? What do you
need to do to tap into this hope more fully? How can you help others
tap into this source of hope?

Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, you are the source of all our hope. We find hope in the
way you draw us together as a community of faith, the body of Christ,
your church. We find hope for all of life’s ups and downs when we read
the Scriptures. More than anything, we find hope in our relationship with
you, as you fill us with joy and a peace that passes all understanding,
regardless of our life circumstances. Remind us, Lord, that you are not
done with us. You are always doing something new in us, whether we
perceive it or not. For this, we give you thanks and praise. May our
collective thanks and praise fill others with hope and draw them to you in
a way that advances your kingdom and gives your glory. We pray all of
this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Read Philippians 2: 3-8.

1. What does humility mean to you? Why is humility important, especially in the church?

2. What does it mean to truly forgive? Why is forgiveness important, especially in the church?

3. Do you ever find it hard to ask for forgiveness and/or forgive others? If so, why do you think that is?

4. Pastor Mick said that forgiveness is transformative. What do you think he meant by that? Have you ever experienced forgiveness (whether giving or receiving) to be transformative in your life and relationships?

5. There’s a popular saying, or adage, that says, “Hurt people, hurt people.” What does this mean? Have you experienced this personally? How might this help to explain people’s words and actions in the midst of our denominational turmoil?

6. Who are you still holding in unforgiveness? How does that affect your own life? What do you need to do?

7. Pastor Matt often tells people, “I see you, I hear you, I love you; and there’s nothing you can do about it.” How does this get to the heart of the gospel? How might the church (and world) be different if we all practiced this more intentionally?

8. Why do you think Pastor Mick says that “Forgiveness” undergirds this series focusing on being “Humble, Hopeful, Healed and Whole”? What do you hope you (and the church) will learn from this series? What changes are needed, both individually and collectively, as a church?

Prayer for the Week: 
Lord Jesus, forgive us for all the times we have been anything but humble, repentant and forgiving. Forgive us for all the times when our words and actions toward our brothers and sisters in Christ do not reveal your love to the world around us. Forgive us for all the times we have been more like stumbling blocks than building blocks for the faith of those around us. Help us do better. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and our minds so we can be your true disciples, good and faithful servants who practice humility, forgiveness, reconciliation and unity. Transform us into the humble and forgiving community that you call us to be, for the building of your kingdom and the glorification of you holy name. We pray all of this, Lord Jesus, in your precious, holy and strong, strong name. Amen. 

Scripture for Study and Reflection:
A lot of attention is given to Easter's Sunrise, celebrating the Risen Lord;
however if we read a little further, we see a powerful interaction later that
Easter at sunset.

1. Read John 20: 19-21. What were Jesus' first words to his disciples?

2. How did the disciples react? What were the disciples to do?

3. Read John 20: 22-23. What did Jesus do? What did the disciples need
to do?

4. What did Jesus say about forgiveness?

5. Read John 20: 24-25. What feelings did Thomas experience when he
heard he had missed seeing Jesus?

6. If you were Thomas, how would you feel?

7. Read John 20: 26-29. What did Jesus do and say to help Thomas believe?

8. What was Thomas' response? Why is his response so significant?

9. Read John 20: 30-31. Why did John write his Gospel, his testimony? Which of the numerous stories of Jesus life and ministry helped you believe?

Prayer for the Week:
Lord, help my unbelief in the areas where doubt still reigns. Help me to believe where I have not seen. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, cleanse me from all that stands in the way of me believing. Give me the peace you gave the disciples long ago. I ask these and more in Jesus' name. Amen.