Baruch Senior Ministries

11/07/2025

"A Fresh Beginning" - A Devotional by Chaplain Joan Cornelison

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV)

Three men hung on a cross that day at Golgotha. One criminal felt it was all over, while the other joined the crowds in taunting Jesus, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” he shouted. The first criminal waited to hear words of condemnation, but all he heard Jesus say was, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” In that moment he knew that the man in the middle was the One; Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah; the One who demonstrated a love that never gives up. This was the One who hung out with those on the fringes of society. He was the One who promised us that God’s love was so great, it even included us in His all-encompassing embrace.

And as the first criminal listened to the second criminal berate Jesus, he had to intervene, so he shouted, “Be quiet! Do you not fear God? We have been condemned justly, but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23: 40-41). Then he turned to face Jesus, while acknowledging his guilt he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To which, Jesus responded, “Truly, I tell you, this day you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

We are like those criminals, but Jesus looks at us with love because He understands that we do not know what we are doing. He knows our flaws, and still, He invites us to return to Him. When we do, we will hear Him say, “Truly, I tell you… you will be with me in paradise.” It is never over and never too late with Jesus. At any point, when we turn towards Him, it is just a fresh beginning. Thanks be to God! Do not delay, return to Him today.

11/04/2025

Halloween Recap! Thank you to everyone who made Halloween so special for our residents! Enjoy some pictures from the many festivities!

11/03/2025

“Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2

Ethyl’s children were grown. They married and moved to other towns to find employment. Her husband passed away a few years ago. She liked living in her home in her small rural village. Her home held memories of her marriage and raising her family. It didn’t happen all at once. Her neighbors and ...

11/03/2025

We are so thankful for all of our wonderful staff and Life Enrichment Directors for putting together such fun activities for the residents! Here are some residents at Mallard Cove Assisted Living enjoying the Cheeto Challenge!

10/31/2025

"The Beauty of Harmony" - A Devotional by Chaplain Jeff Meyers

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8 NIV)

Choral music has different voices singing different notes at the same time. This harmony provides a unity of sound with a variety of notes. Sometimes the composer deliberately arranges a chord with notes that are in musical tension. The listener and the singers can hear that something isn’t quite right. The composer resolves the tension with the four parts singing a beautiful chord.

Sometimes life is like a melody. We get together to watch the Detroit Lions play football with other Detroit Lions fans. We are together with other people who like the same thing we do. Sometimes life is lived in harmony. I like being at a Bible study when everybody brings a different translation. The different translations add a variety that enriches our understanding of God’s Word. Another example of living in harmony is a good church pot-luck meal. People bring a variety of foods. It is the variety of food that makes such a wonderful meal. The meal is harmonious. We are united in mind with different foods.

Harmonious relationships appreciate the different gifts and talents that we have. At the same time, harmonious relationships bring us together through sympathy, brotherly love, kindness, and humility. Harmony is a beautiful way to live.

10/29/2025

Join us on November 20th from 6pm to 8pm for an educational program on the "10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's"! This is a free opportunity to learn more about the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer's. RSVP to Jennifer Marckini at 616.589.9028 or jennifer.marckini@baruchsls.org.

10/24/2025

"Whatever You Do" - A Devotional by Chaplain Joan Cornelison

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)

Writing to the Colossians on the issue of work, Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23-24). What a wonderful principle to live by. Rather than working to impress or compete with others, Paul instructs the Colossians to labor diligently for an audience of one--God alone. Their reward is the inheritance they will receive from God when their work on earth is done (Matthew 25:23).

Sadly, in these modern times, many of us are caught up in a rat-race. In our endless pursuit to get to the top of the ‘success’ ladder, we forget that our service to human bosses results only in short-term rewards. Even those within the church have fallen prey to this culture. The late great missionary C.T. Studd (1860-1931) once summed it up this way: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.” As we labor today, let us remember to do it as though God were watching. In truth, He is! What have you been called to do? Are you serving with all your heart as serving the Lord, or are you just trying to get through the day? Are you serving selflessly, or do you have ulterior motives? Is your soul in it? Are you doing it for God’s glory? Paul says, ‘whatever you do’ do it for God. So, whether you are a janitor, teacher, doctor, pastor, parent, or whatever you do, put your whole heart in it. If this instruction was good for the Colossians, it is good for us too.

10/23/2025

Happy Fall, Y'all! Our residents are having a great time with all the fall and Halloween-themed festivities! 🎃

10/21/2025

Join us on Thursday, October 23rd for a free educational program presented by the Alzheimer's Association, "Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia"! All are welcome! Please RSVP to Jennifer Marckini at 616.589.9028 or jennifer.marckini@baruchsls.org.

10/17/2025

"Building an Altar of Gratitude" - A Devotional by Chaplain Val VandeHaar

An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it. (Exodus 20:24 NIV)

Over the years, I have toyed with the idea of building an altar, asking myself why and for what purpose? I have never built an altar. Maybe because of our culture or even more, because of my uncertainty about building one. I have seen an altar in the home of a Buddhist surrounded with fruit, flowers, and trinkets. I have seen Cairns – a group of stones laid one upon the other, used as landmarks, and a place of remembrance. Throughout the Old Testament, we read of stories where people built altars to the Lord. In Genesis 8:20, Noah built an altar after leaving the Ark. Abraham and Lot built their first altar in Canaan when they parted ways and Abraham built an altar to sacrifice his son Isaac in Genesis 22.

In Exodus 20:24, I was struck by the simplicity of how God wants us to build an altar. He wants an altar of earth, built with raw stones and a humble heart. When we read of the biblical events explaining why an altar was built, we see it is because God wanted to come to His people and bless His people because of the events He brought into their lives. Through those events the people remembered what God had done for them. The altar of their heart was where they found His blessings and offered their gratitude.

As you journey through life, like the Israelites, may your heart be an altar of gratitude to God, and a storehouse of His blessings.

10/13/2025

Fall Festivities! 🍂

10/10/2025

"Complete Surrender" - A Devotional by Chaplain Joan Cornelison

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Mark 8:33 NIV)

At some point we have all sung hymns of commitment and surrender to God. Perhaps it was, “I Surrender all” or “Take my Life and Let it be”. But did we really mean it? Was it all about total surrender or was it the catchy tune and the electric atmosphere of believers worshipping together that merely gripped us for a moment?

When Jesus was going about His earthly ministry, the disciples were willing to surrender to Him. They were willing to leave everything, including their professions and families, to be with Him. But when Jesus reveals that He is about to undergo great suffering, rejection, and death, Peter will have none of it. He seems to say, “I am cool with teaching, healing, and doing all kinds of miracles, Jesus, but I am not cool with suffering, rejection, and dying” (Mark 8:32-my translation). To this Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan… “(Mark 8:33). We may be tempted to judge Peter’s response harshly, but if we are honest, haven’t we all felt the same way occasionally?

Complete surrender to Jesus means:

• Denying self: Rejecting those things that separate us from God and from each other.

• Taking up our Cross: Dying to self and living victoriously through Jesus Christ.

• Following Jesus: Living as Jesus lived, suffering like He suffered, and being willing to die like He died.

Today, the Holy Spirit invites us once again, to count the cost of following Jesus. The price is complete surrender. Are you ready? Are you willing? Then, sing away! God is listening.