Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
We'll once again be praying and singing the Divine Service this coming Sunday, October 18 at 10 am. We're grateful that Pastor James Blain will continue to lead us in worship and bring us God's Word & Sacrament!
Ongoing thanks for you all your help conducting our indoor services in a prudent way that minimizes risk by:
Staying home if you are sick or have underlying medical conditions.
Maintaining minimum 6-foot social distancing as follows:
Sitting on both sides of the sanctuary, with family groups alternating at the ends of every other pew, approximately 3 people apart from other family groups.
Celebrating the Lord's Supper at your seat in the pews by receiving the body of Christ in your open hand from the elder, taking an individual cup from the tray the pastor holds to receive the blood of Christ, and returning the cup to the usher.
Leaving in family groups starting from the rear of the Sanctuary at the end of the service, and greeting each other outdoors following the service as weather permits.
Wearing face coverings (mask, scarf, or bandana), which are recommended though not required. Masks are available at the Welcome Center.
Giving offerings electronically or at the sanctuary door.
Watching or listening to our worship service video (livestreamed and archived on YouTube) if you cannot attend.
Our next online Adult Bible study will be available on Sunday as well! We’ll look at Psalm 147, part of a group of psalms apparently written in thanksgiving for Israel's return from exile. For what three incredible gifts does this psalm praise the Lord? How do these words speak to us in a society so reliant on its power over nature and its technical expertise? And how do we know that God continues to care for his people today? Let’s learn more together! The study will be posted on our YouTube channel Sunday morning by 8:30 am, for viewing at the best time for you. You can get a head start by downloading a study guide from our Bible Studies webpage.
Our onsite Sunday classes will also be in session at 9 am on October 18. Please note that currently, per state Health Department order, indoor activities (except worship services) are allowed a maximum size of 10 people and face coverings are mandatory.
Sunday School: God Works through Prophets and Kings for Preschool - Grade 2, taught by Deb Krueger & Tina Veitengruber, in the south classrooms downstairs.
Lifelight: Ruth/Esther, led by Randy Gerke, in the north classrooms upstairs. BYOB (bring your own beverage).
And we continue preparing for our annual Commemoration of the Faithful Departed on All Saints Day, Sunday, November 1st! As in previous years, we'll be happy to include your late Christian loved ones and friends in the commemoration; you can submit their names at our website (by filling out the form at this link) or at our Welcome Center between now and Sunday, October 25th.
On October 18, we thank God for His grace shown to St. Luke, Evangelist. It was Luke who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, did the primary research so that the Gospel he wrote includes eyewitness accounts of the birth of Jesus, along with His life, ministry, death and resurrection. It was also Luke who accompanied the apostle Paul on his missionary journeys, then wrote The Acts of the Apostles as a "sequel" to his Gospel. Both of these New Testament books are addressed to Theophilus, a Greek whose name means "lover of God." I pray that, as we thank our Lord for His work in St. Luke's life, we may continue to take the Holy Scriptures to heart and grow in our love for Him every day!
Yours in Christ,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
