Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
I have three major updates to share with you today. They'll be included in our June newsletter (to be mailed next week), but Messiah's leaders and I wanted you to see them as soon as possible! So, without further delay ...
UPDATE ON IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES
At their April 27 meeting, Messiah’s Board of Elders suspended in-person activities indefinitely, choosing to monitor the situation and revisiting their decision as the circumstances warrant it. The Elders' goal is to safely re-open in-person activities as soon as possible.
In light of the state of Michigan beginning a phased, regional re-opening process, the Church Council and Board of Elders have drafted “Guidelines for Reintroduction of In-Person Worship and Education”. A copy of these Guidelines will be enclosed with the June newsletter; you can also download a copy now by clicking here.
We want your feedback on these draft Guidelines; please review the document and contact your elder with your suggestions and concerns, in advance of the next Board of Elders meeting on Monday, June 1. (Elder families are listed in the May newsletter, and will be listed again in the June issue.) We all yearn for the day when we can gather in person as God’s people, to hear His Word and rejoice in His fellowship; your review of and feedback on these Guidelines will help us get a head start on preparations for that day. Thanks so much!
UPDATE ON FINANCES
Thank you to those that have continued to send their contributions! We have been blessed by your generous giving and are pleased to report that we are able to pay current expenses. We have been paying preschool staff and have refunded tuition to families for the remainder of the year. We have replaced the furnace this past month as it was past the point of repairs and had served us well for almost 20 years. The capital improvement fund continues to grow and we will use that to fix the front of the church this summer. If you are wondering what funds are available for contributions:
General Fund for operations
Capital fund for major items in the building
For others fund - to help those in need managed by Pastor and the elders
Memorial fund
Debt reduction fund - used as additional reduction to principal on the loan
Please note there is no longer an organ fund. The organ balance was rolled into the mortgage, therefore the debt reduction fund can be used for this purpose.
We have electronic giving available for all members. There is a link on the church website www.messiahgr.org/give-now or go to www.kindrid.com and sign up to give to Messiah Lutheran Church Grand Rapids. Please let us know if you have further questions.
THANK YOU, PASTOR BLAIN!
Pastor Blain has informed the Board of Elders and the Church Council that he will be stepping down from his responsibilities as Messiah’s Vacancy Pastor (administration, education and spiritual care) as of Monday, June 8. He will continue to lead worship services until Sunday, July 19.
We thank Pastor Blain for the 17 months he has served as our shepherd, and wish him and Linda God’s continued blessings. If you would like to thank Pastor Blain personally, please request his contact information from the church office.
The Board of Elders and I are working with our Circuit Visitor (Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter-Rockford) and the Michigan District-LCMS to recruit a vacancy pastor for the duration of our pastoral call process. Please keep them in your prayers as they do so!
All of this is a lot to process -- it certainly was for me as I sat down to write. I'm grateful for Pastor Blain's loving service to us and for your ongoing financial support. I look forward to working with our next vacancy pastor (whoever the Lord has in store for us) and to the time we gather in person for the Divine Service and the study of God's Word. For now, His gifts continue to come to us at one remove, wrapped in uncertainty and unpredictability, meant to move us to greater trust in Him. Which brought this beautiful historic prayer to mind; I hope you'll pray it with me in the days and weeks to come.
O Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us, and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church
