Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
We gather to pray the service of Morning Prayer this coming Sunday, October 11 at 10 am; we welcome back Pastor James Blain to lead us in worship for the next four Sundays!
Again, thanks for all your help conducting our 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 by sitting on both sides of the sanctuary, with family groups alternating at the ends of every other pew. "No Seating" signs have been placed to assist with spacing. Family groups should space themselves 6 feet (approximately 3 people) apart from other family groups.
Wearing face coverings (mask, scarf, or bandana), which are recommended though not required. Masks will be available at the Welcome Center.
Giving your offerings electronically or at the sanctuary door.
Watching or listening to our worship service video (livestreamed and archived on YouTube) if you cannot attend. We apologize that, due to unforeseen complications, we weren't able to offer the livestream this past Sunday.
Our next online Adult Bible study will be available on Sunday as well! We’ll dig into Psalm 23, perhaps the most familiar and the best loved psalm of all! Was it just David's experience as a shepherd that guided this psalm -- or did he also have experience as a "sheep"? How did this Psalm resonate with the people of Israel in the following centuries of triumph, exile and restoration? And how are the descriptions and promises of our Good Shepherd fulfilled in Jesus' life and the Church's ministry? Let's find out 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 11. 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.
The theme that runs through this coming Sunday's readings is the Lord's promised wedding feast for His people -- a banquet of rich food where death is swallowed up forever (Isaiah 25), where our souls are restored (Psalm 23), to whom both bad and good are invited (Matthew 22). I pray that all of us may daily recognize our need for God's Word, and follow our good shepherd Jesus to those green pastures -- our earthly foretaste of the heavenly feast to come!
Yours in Christ,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
