The theme of this year’s Michigan Reunion was, “The Armor of God.” The reunion was held June 14 through 17. We welcomed church family from Ontario, New York, Arizona, Missouri, and Colorado. The fellowship began Friday afternoon with a rafting trip at the Trudgen’s, followed by dinner at their home.
Saturday morning we gathered together at church as Elder Dan Lawrence opened our reunion. He spoke on how we need to be in a constant conversation with the Lord… Some of the ways of doing that are through songs and prayer. One of the scriptures he used was Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Elder Brandon Tarbell added to the opening, reminding us that our time together was a special blessing for us to come together, while being united in worship and loving fellowship.
Elder Bob Hedrick shared a message of serving one another, so that by strengthening our church we may serve the Lord mightily. He shared scripture showing how Christ was a servant to others, and how we should desire that same attitude instead of wanting to be leaders. He shared Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ,” to remind us how we should be serving. He also spoke on how the whole body needs to join together and work to the measure of every part. He used Ephesians 4:15-16 to bring this to light, and also emphasized how we need to take care of the body of Christ first so that we can be strong enough to go out and help others. We need to build strong relationships, and he emphasized that those relationships do require effort. He reminded us that we are to love one another (Matthew 22:34-40). While we serve one another, it may be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. He ended his message with this thought; “When we serve, do we give our best or do we give the leftovers?”
Our second speaker on Saturday was Elder Ken Oar. Br. Ken started his message with a reminder that we have been called to be Christians every day of the week, and that people should see hope and joy in us. He read 3 Nephi 5:60-63 and stated how we should be serving the Lord with all our heart, and that our focus should be that of heavenly things, not earthly. He went on to say that when we do serve Him and follow His teachings, God will bless us. He shared Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Elder Oar ended his message by reading 1 Nephi 1:1 and sharing that we will persuade people to believe in God by our actions.
Following a morning sacrament service on Sunday, Apostle Alvin Moser shared a message called, “There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon”. He read from 1 Corinthians 15:50 and Galatians 5:17, sharing that you cannot enter the kingdom of God with your earthly body, but have to be spiritually prepared to enter heaven. He discussed Solomon, and how he gradually pulled away from God and started perfecting the things of this world. Apostle Moser also spoke on how we can find contentment with godliness. He shared 1 Timothy 6:6-12, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
The reunion came to a conclusion on Monday when several church family members made a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes in northern Michigan. Many of them hiked the huge sand dunes and enjoyed playing in the sand, while others took in the views and spent more time “catching up” with one another.
We are so thankful to everyone that made the drive or flight to join us for a weekend of preaching, prayer services, sacrament, and fellowship. It’s always a blessing to our local to have fellow brothers and sisters worship with us. We were all spiritually fed and encouraged to continue persevering in our service for the Lord.
