Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
We will pray and sing the Divine Service this coming Sunday, November 1 at 10 am. For All Saints Day, Pastor James Blain will lead us in worship and bring us God's Word & Sacrament.
Following the service, we will hold a Special Voters Meeting to consider our Call Committee’s latest recommendations, and work together to call a pastor to be our next shepherd at Messiah.
With a strong turnout expected this Sunday and COVID-19 cases increasing, I ask you to support and help all your brothers & sisters in Christ who attend worship and the voters' meeting by:
Staying home if you are sick or have underlying medical conditions.
Maintaining minimum 6-foot social distancing by:
Sitting on both sides of the sanctuary, with family groups alternating at the ends of every other pew. Please don't sit at the ends of pews that have "No Seating" signs; please sit at least 3 people apart from other family groups.
Celebrating the Lord's Supper at your seat 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 after the service and meeting, and greeting each other outdoors afterwards.
Wearing face coverings (mask, scarf, or bandana) as recommended. 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.
Onsite Sunday classes will also be in session at 9 am on November 1. 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 classroom upstairs.
I've already uploaded my Adult Bible Study for this coming Sunday on Psalm 149. You can watch it below and download the study guide by clicking here.
Messiah's November newsletter is on its way to you in the US mail; you can also read it online here. I especially want to call your attention to one item in the newsletter: This year, our Thanksgiving & Christmas donations to families in need will take the form of gift cards. If you are moved to give, please place your gift cards in an envelope and place them in Joe & Becky Buss' mailbox by Sunday, November 8.
This past week, as tensions, frustration, impatience and conflict seem to be rising all around us, I've been drawn to Paul's letter to the Philippians. In the 2nd chapter, Paul reminds those early Christians -- and us -- that Jesus Christ emptied Himself of the honor He was due, took the form of a servant, and became obedient to death on the cross, all to save us from sin, death and the devil, and to bring us together in His Church. Then God the Father raised Jesus from death, lifted Him up and gave Him even greater honor as Lord of all! In His Word and Sacraments, God has also lifted us up -- and enabled us to follow Jesus in all the ways He did, serving Him by doing good to others. I pray that in this strange time we may, as Paul exhorted the Philippians, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-6 ESV) May His mind be ours in the coming days, especially as we worship and deliberate together.
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
