JEFFREY SWAINSTON, CHAPLAIN
872 S. Waverly Road
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
(616) 405-6921
revjeff82@gmail.com
"COME TO ME, ALL WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST." - MATTHEW 11:28 IN MEMORIAM 2014
Geraldine Bailey - North Adrian #721
Philip Clipfell - Colon #215
James Hazel - Home #129
George Huffman - Home #129
Margaret Wetzel - Home #129
Richard Kelley - Rome #293
Kenneth Murray - Fredonia #1713
Rita Orlowski - Barnard Grange #689
Doris Ely - Lime Creek Grange #712
Marge Wagner - Summit City Grange #672
Gary Hallock - Burns Grange #160
Mary Carson - Burns Grange #160
Dick Wooters - Summit City Grange #672
Alvin Thelen - Capitol Grange #540
Jerry Dennert - Oceana Center Grange #1047
Alice Beebe - Rome Grange #293
Charles Johnson - North Adrian Grange #721
David Armstrong - Adams Grange #286
IN MEMORIAM 2013
Ed Schwartz - Fredonia #1713
Joanie Miller - Fredonia #1713
Eva Grant - Home #129
Esther Pfister - Rome #293
June Ohlman - North Adrian #721
John Baldwin - Oceana Center #1047
Margaret Beardslee - Community #1675
E. Marie Dean - Summit City #672
Eva Grant - Home #129
Ruth Strebbing - Plymouth/Westand #389
Donna Jean Hauri - Studley #1174
Dean Yoder - Torch Lake #1840
Vivian Foor - North Adrian #721
Jody Barnes - Gratiot #1898
Peg Brown - Burr Oak #1350
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 GRANGE NEWS
Seasons of Surrender
As summer fades and the crisp air of autumn sets in, creation reminds us of a powerful spiritual truth. Change is inevitable and surrender is necessary. The trees are the best teachers of this. In fall, they do not fight to keep their leaves, they let go. They trust the process and prepare for rest, knowing that shedding is not the end, but the beginning of something new.
Likewise, God invites us into seasons of surrender. We often cling tightly to control, comfort, routine, or even our own plans. But just as the trees release their leaves to make way for renewal, we are called to let go of anything that hinders our walk with Christ.
Galatians 1:10 asks us to examine our motives. “Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval?” This fall, that question is especially relevant. Are we clinging to the opinions of others or to outdated expectations? What would it look like to fully surrender those things to God?
Just as autumn prepares the earth for winter rest and spring growth, God may be preparing your heart for something new. But first comes the letting go.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1~
Seasons of Surrender
As summer fades and the crisp air of autumn sets in, creation reminds us of a powerful spiritual truth. Change is inevitable and surrender is necessary. The trees are the best teachers of this. In fall, they do not fight to keep their leaves, they let go. They trust the process and prepare for rest, knowing that shedding is not the end, but the beginning of something new.
Likewise, God invites us into seasons of surrender. We often cling tightly to control, comfort, routine, or even our own plans. But just as the trees release their leaves to make way for renewal, we are called to let go of anything that hinders our walk with Christ.
Galatians 1:10 asks us to examine our motives. “Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval?” This fall, that question is especially relevant. Are we clinging to the opinions of others or to outdated expectations? What would it look like to fully surrender those things to God?
Just as autumn prepares the earth for winter rest and spring growth, God may be preparing your heart for something new. But first comes the letting go.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1~
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 GRANGE NEWS
As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” That gift began in a manger, but it leads us to the cross and the empty tomb, to grace upon grace.
So, as we set our tables and later gather around our trees, may our gratitude deepen into worship. Let our Thanksgiving joy become Christmas praise.
From Gratitude to Grace
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means Christmas can’t be far behind. As we move from the season of Thanksgiving into the joy of Christmas, we’re reminded how gratitude and grace are deeply connected. Thanksgiving invites us to pause and count our blessings, to see God’s hand in the harvest, in our homes, and in the hearts of those we love.
But as we lift our eyes toward Bethlehem, gratitude turns into awe. The same God who provides our daily bread now gives Himself, the Bread of Life, to a hungry world. Thanksgiving teaches us to say, “Thank You, Lord, for all You’ve given.” Christmas invites us to say, “Thank You, Lord, for coming Yourself.”
As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” That gift began in a manger, but it leads us to the cross and the empty tomb, to grace upon grace.
So, as we set our tables and later gather around our trees, may our gratitude deepen into worship. Let our Thanksgiving joy become Christmas praise.
