Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
We will pray Morning Prayer this coming Sunday, November 22; we welcome Pastor Dennis Lassanske to lead us in worship and proclaim God's Word.
This Sunday we continue our schedule of two in-person services, at 8:30 and 11:00 am. A few reminders about the schedule and our updated worship guidelines:
For our 8:30 am service: face coverings are required, from when you enter the building to when you leave. If you forget a face mask or don’t have one, please don’t let this keep you from attending; we will gladly provide you with one. Advance sign-up is required for the 8:30 am service. Sign up by calling or emailing the church office (616-363-2553, office@messiahgr.org) or by completing the sign-up form on our website. Thanks to those of you who've already signed up!
For our 11 am service: face coverings are recommended and strongly encouraged. We will gladly provide you with a face mask if you don’t have one. The 11 am service will also be livestreamed on Messiah's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyZrtHBIfblruk9OSpk0pIg
For both services, worshipers will sit on the opposite ends of alternate pews (different for each service). Designated seating will be clearly marked for each service; other pew entrances will be roped off to assure social distancing.
Please do not attend:
if you are sick (especially with fever, cough, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell)
if you have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus;
if you are awaiting test results after possible exposure to COVID-19;
if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, or who is awaiting test results following possible exposure.
Due to the current Michigan epidemic order, Sunday School and Lifelight are cancelled through December 6, and our annual voters meeting has been postponed. You can see the full details of our response to the order here.
I've already uploaded my Adult Bible Study for this coming Sunday on Psalm 95; you can watch it here and download the study guide by clicking here.
Looking ahead, we will hold our Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 25 at 7 pm, led by Rev. Todd Brunworth. For this service, face coverings are recommended and strongly encouraged. We will gladly provide you with a face mask if you don’t have one. The Thanksgiving Eve service will also be livestreamed. Our three Advent midweek services will be held on the same basis, beginning on Wednesday, December 2 at 7 pm.
On this last Sunday of the church year, we continue to focus on Christ's promised return at the end of time, to judge the living and the dead and to be with His redeemed people forever. In recent weeks, perhaps you've been led like me to frequently pray the final prayer of the entire Bible: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20) We do so knowing that as our Lord promises, His Word will give us all we need to live for Him now and with Him forever. May this prayer resound in our hearts now and in the coming Advent season! In the words of English hymnwriter Christopher Idle:
Grace be with God’s people!
Praise His holy name!
Father, Son and Spirit,
Evermore the same;
Hear the certain promise
From th'eternal home:
“Surely I come quickly!
Come, Lord Jesus, come!” (LSB 509:3)
Text: © 1980 The Jubilate Group, admin. Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110002549
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
