Jun 22, 2008


Saturday, June 28 ... Downriver Cruise
We'll meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Christian Library, 3755 Fort St., Lincoln Park
A cook-out for our workers will be provided and we'll once again give out cold, bottled water and gospel tracts. If you'd like more information you can contact Joel Ashby at 313-381-7842

Below are some photos from last year's Cruise..




Jun 13, 2008

Father's Day Quips and Quotes:

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.
-Johann Schiller

The most important thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
-Theodore M. Hesburgh

Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. -Unknown

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys."
-Harmon Killebrew

A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.
-Frank A. Clark

The father of a daughter is nothing but a high-class hostage. A father turns a stony face to his sons, berates them, shakes his antlers, paws the ground, snorts, runs them off into the underbrush, but when his daughter puts her arm over his shoulder and says, 'Daddy, I need to ask you something,' he is a pat of butter in a hot frying pan.
-- Garrison Keillor

"A wise son maketh a glad father."
-- Proverbs 10:1

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.
-- Ruth E. Renkel

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms
when his hands are empty.
- Unknown

Honor thy father and thy mother.
-- Matthew 19:19

Jun 11, 2008


Happy Father's Day to all our Dad's and Grandpa's

The following memories and comments are well worth reading:

Lisa Blevins writes: "I don't have the right words to describe my dad! He has never let me down, he is the true model of what a dad should be, he loves and cherishes his family, he treats my mom like she is a queen (and she is), and the love for her is evident and still growing after 54 years. I have very rarely seen my dad lose his temper (but when he does, watch out), he is a man of strong conviction and morals and of course godliness!! I have nothing but good memories from my childhood and to the present time of both my parents. I couldn't be more blessed or loved!

p.s. And he's funny!"

This from Robert Riddle, when asked what he remembered about his Dad: "That's an easy one..he taught me how to fish!"

Linda Strzalkowski remembers:

"My mother worked as a waitress at John's Barbecue on Fort Street in Detroit. My dad and I would go to pick her up after work and I would lay on the front seat, and he would sing me songs, "Old Kentucky Home", "Oh Play Mate" and many more. It was always very special, and our alone time."

These kind words are from Camilla McKee: "Even though I never lived in my Dad's household, I knew he loved me because he would tell me he did. He was a large man and a retired truck driver, but very tender hearted. He loved to laugh and tease his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a believer and very active in his church and in my half brother's school, boy scout and sports activities. Even though he was never a big part of my life when I was growing up, I had great respect for him and his sunny outlook on life. About 25 years ago he and my stepmother began to come for a visit to our home about once a year and our relationship grew because of that. I am thankful for those times we had together. Dad went to be with the Lord in May of 2007, and I miss him."

Louise Moore writes: "My growing up years weren't easy ones, and I wasn't close to my Dad until much later in life. Being the oldest of eight siblings, there wasn't much time for father-daughter bonding as they call it today. Other issues also made things difficult in our home. I am thankful however, that I was able to have one-on-one time with Dad in the few years prior to his death. I would go to his home in Ohio and we would go for drives in the country, eat his wonderful cooking and sit on the porch swing or at the kitchen table and talk. It was my privilege to talk with him about his relationship with the Lord and he assured me he knew where he was going when he left this earth. The months prior to his death were blessedly difficult and I learned much each time I was with him. God graciously allowed me and others in our family to be with him as he passed from this life to the next. Thanks to the grace and mercy of our Lord, I shall not only see my Dad again, but spend eternity with him."

Pastor Bill has this to say about his Dad: "My Dad was almost 38 years old when I was born, and the age gap was huge. Not surprisingly, I discovered he didn't always value the things that I valued. For example, I wanted him to spend more time playing ball with me, but he had the burden of paying the bills. I always was wanting him to get a Mercedes, but he never graduated past Chevy or Oldsmobile. They served his purposes, though, and got us where we needed to go.

As I got older, I appreciated more and more any time I had with my Dad. He was in sales, and when I was a teenager, he would take me on sales calls he made in the evening. We would talk all the way to the appointment, and all the way back, but while he was selling, I sat in the car and studied for school. My Dad was redeeming the time.

He had a funny sense of humor, and was more of a quipster than a joke teller. He made a lot of bad puns, and I honor his memory by being (a little) corny myself. I remember a lot of laughter at my house.

He said that his philosophy of child rearing was to introduce his children to the Lord, and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting and correcting. That's probably not exactly how Dr. James Dobson would recommend it be done, but it worked pretty well in my case, I think.

He was faithful in passing our Gospel tracts, singing in the church choir, and trying to honor the Lord in his decisions. Dad's baritone voice is likely still singing out the praises of Jesus these days, in a much better place.

I thank the Lord for my Dad."


This memory comes from Maggie Salewski: "My memories of my Dad will always stay with me. He raised 9 children and we had clothes and a roof over our heads. My Dad passed away 10 years ago, on June 2, and even though I was the last one, his number 9 child, he always had time for me. He taught me many things about life.

My favorite memory is when I was 12 years old. I broke my ankle severly while I was in Ohio at my sister's brother-in-law's farm. I was riding a pony and he tried to get me off by bucking. I fell off and the pony lost his balance and fell on my ankle. I had to stay in Ohio for two months because of the severity of the damage. I spent two weeks in the hospital and then three more weeks to change the cast. Anyway, I had to learn how to walk again, not easy when you are in a cast for 4 months. They weren't sure what the damage would be, but I came out like a trooper.

This is the part my Dad comes in. The next summer, every chance he could, he would take me riding on a ranch in Carlton. They hooked me up with a gentle quarterhorse mare. At first I was just lead around by someone, but after a month, I was riding full blast and begging my Dad to buy me that horse. I never got the horse, but that memory will always be in my heart.

I love you Dad and I miss you soooooo much. Maggie"


Jun 10, 2008

For those who remember Erma Bombeck's writing,
the following article was published on June 18, 1973 in the Detroit News.

"And That's How Angels Construct a Father"

When the Good Lord was creating Fathers he started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said, "What kind of Father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put Fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."

And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child-size, who would children have to look up to?"

And when God made a Father's hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel shook her head sadly and said, "Do you know what you're doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."

And God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day .... yet small enough to cup a child's face in his hands."

And then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.
And the angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week all right," she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close without the kid falling between his legs?"

And God smiled and said, "A Mother needs a lap. A Father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle, or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?"

And God smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to 'ride a horse to Banbury Cross,' or scare off mice in the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."

God worked throughout the night, giving the Father few words, but a firm, authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything but remained calm and tolerant.

Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added - tears. The he turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a Mother?"

The angel shutteth up.

Jun 7, 2008


Congratulations to our graduates...
Alyssa Gillham
Graduating from Baptist Park High School



Caleb McClassion
Graduating from Southgate Anderson High School


May God richly bless you and keep you.
May He guide your steps and direct your paths.

Jun 1, 2008


Jesus and the cross are at the center of all we do at Grace Bible Church. We look to Him to give us wisdom and direction in each of our events. With that in mind, let's take a look at our calendar for June:

Wed., June 4 and each Wednesday this month:
Fellowship, dessert and Bible study on the Christian Worldview with Kevin Godin. A time of prayer will follow. We meet at 6:30.

Sunday, June 8 - Honoring our Graduates, Alyssa & Caleb

Sunday, June 15 - Father's Day

Thursday, June 26: Greek Class with Kevin Godin, 7pm

Saturday, June 28 - Downriver Cruise Outreach

Sunday, June 29 - Guest Speaker, Missionary Chris Hardy

and, looking into July ...
We'll celebrate our 25th Anniversary on July 20

Nursery Schedule for June & July:

June 1 - Karen Roelofs
June 8 - Beth Godin & Carol Farkas
June 15 - Nancy Connell
June 22 - Kelly McKee & Rachel Norman
June 29 - Harmony King

July 6 - Karen Roelofs
July 13 - Beth Godin
July 20 - Nancy Connell & Carol Farkas
July 27 - Kelly McKee



Pat Grant - June 3
Verda Heddon - June 3
Madison McKee - June 5
Justin Roelofs - June 7
Louise Moore - June 9
Lana Norman - June 10
Maggie Salewske - June 11
Katlynn McClassion - June 17
LeeAnne Blevins - June 25
Erica Moore - June 25
Linda Strzalkowski - June 26
Stanley Solgot - June 27
Stephanie Moore - June 28


Happy Anniversary to:

Everett & Jacque Sollars - June 4
Bill & Barb Hammons - June 25