Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
We'll continue with indoor worship, praying and singing the Divine Service this coming Sunday, September 6 at 10 am. Rev. Dieter Haupt, who served St. John's Lutheran Church in Grand Haven for many years before his retirement, will lead us in worship and bring us God's Word & Sacrament for the next three Sundays.
Thanks once again for all your help conducting our services in a prudent way that minimizes risk. You can help us keep moving forward by:
Staying home if you are sick or have underlying medical conditions.
Maintaining minimum 6-foot social distancing in these ways:
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.
Holy Communion will be brought to you in the pews by the pastor and elders (who will be masked and gloved). Please plan to stand as able when they approach your seat, receiving the body of Christ in your open hand, then taking an individual cup from the tray to receive the blood of Christ (you'll return to cup to an usher immediately after you commune).
Please leave in family groups starting from the rear of the Sanctuary at the end of the service. For now, please greet each other outdoors following the service.
Wearing face coverings (mask, scarf, or bandana), which are recommended though not required. Masks will be available at the Welcome Center.
Offerings can be given electronically or will be taken at the sanctuary door.
Watching or listening to our worship service video (livestreamed and archived on YouTube) or audio (recorded and uploaded to our Worship Resources page) if you cannot attend.
Noting that the Board of Elders will continue to explore alternative delivery of Word and Sacrament, especially for those at risk during the ongoing pandemic. If you are interested in a small service for high-risk individuals that would be offered on Monday mornings, please contact me or Pastor Peterson.
Our next online Adult Bible study will be available on Sunday as well! We'll look at Psalm 32, a prayer of repentance, forgiveness of sin and praise. What events might King David have had in mind writing this Psalm? Why was he at peace sharing his experience in a way that believers would sing about it? And when do we use Psalm 32 in worship, other than when it's scheduled in our readings? 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.
Two other big news items this week as well:
A Special Voters meeting will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2020 immediately following Messiah’s 10 am service, starting between 11:15 and 11:30 am. The purpose of the meeting is to consider our Call Committee’s latest recommendations, and to work together to call a pastor to be our next shepherd at Messiah. Special arrangements will be made to conduct this meeting in as safe and prudent a manner as possible. More details are available on our website; please contact Jonathan Chaffer, our congregation president, or Mark Altemann, the chairman of our call committee, directly if you have questions.
Messiah's long-awaited Garage Sale is coming very soon! The sale will be held on Friday, September 18, 4-8 pm and on Saturday, September 19, 9 am - 2 pm. In an effort to support our own outreach at Messiah, the garage sale proceeds from this year will be given to the Preschool for renovations of a portion of the basement for expanded play/large motor area. The remaining portion will be donated to our LIFT group to fund child care as needed for any future planned outreach activities. Sponsored by our Parish Service Guild, the Garage Sale is no longer accepting item donations for this year's sale, but will need plenty of volunteer help; contact Sandy Hoffman or Lori Kearney if you can pitch in!
Thanks to everyone who wished Deb and I well on our recent vacation. It was great for both to us go away, disconnect for a bit, and be refreshed. But it will be even better to reconnect -- to hear God's living, active Word, receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and respond to His love with prayer and praise together with you this coming Sunday. In the continuing flux of our current times, the Savior's words from this Sunday's Gospel, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20) matter more than ever!
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
