Dear Fellow Saints of God in Christ Jesus,
At a special meeting on June 8, Messiah’s Board of Elders approved holding outdoor services on Sundays at 10 am, beginning Sunday, June 14. For those at risk or unable to attend, services will also continue to be offered online via livestreamed video and recorded audio. Here are more details:
The service will be led by Pastor Blain from the foot of the sanctuary entrance. Music will be led by Rick Krueger. Audio will be amplified (not transmitted via radio).
You will have two options for seating, both of which will incorporate social distancing practices:
you may sit in your car with windows down, parking as directed by elders and ushers, or;
you may bring portable outdoor seating; you'll be directed to a designated area of the parking lot.
During outdoor services. the restrooms in the fellowship hall foyer will be open for emergency use.
Please plan to arrive early! When you pull into Messiah's driveway, elders and ushers will direct you to the appropriate area of the parking lot and give you service folders (which will contain all readings, responses and music).
To help us plan for the first outdoor service, please RSVP by Saturday, June 13. You can RSVP by calling the church office at (616) 363-2553 or by submitting the RSVP form at Messiah's website.
We will resume serving Holy Communion on Sunday, June 21, following our regular schedule (1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays). Special sanitary precautions will be in place for the celebration of the Lord's Supper; watch for more details next week!
In the case of inclement weather, livestreamed video and recorded audio services will still be held with very limited attendance. Any cancellation notice will be posted ASAP on Messiah's website & Facebook page, and communicated via WOOD-TV and WZZM-TV.
The Elders will consider moving to indoor worship when West Michigan is moved to Stage 5 of the state's MI Safe Start Plan. To see the latest revision of Messiah's Guidelines for Re-Introduction of In-Person Worship and Education, click here. Please contact your elder with your comments, questions and feedback on this latest revision; elders and their families are listed in the June newsletter.
Thanks once again for your continued support of Messiah's ministry through your prayers and gifts, and for your patience as we have worked through the issues and obstacles that stood in the way of in-person worship. I am excited and grateful that, this weekend, we can once again come together and be strengthened by Jesus Christ's presence among us, through the forgiving, saving, life-giving power of His Word. One of the responsive dialogues for this coming Sunday says it better than I ever could:
The Lord has gathered us in the true faith. O come, let us worship Him!
Yours in Christ,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
