Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
If you have not already done so, I ask you to read my earlier message, "A Very Present Help in Trouble."
In this update:
Worship and Online Bible Study for Sunday, January 10
Building Use Reminder
January Newsletter Update
A Prayer for Our Nation
Worship and Online Bible Study for Sunday, January 10
Our worship services for Sunday, January 10, the feast of The Baptism of Our Lord, will be led by Pastor James Blain. There will be two identical communion services at 8:30 and 11 am. (The 11 am service will also be livestreamed at www.tinyurl.com/messiahgryoutube.) Please RSVP for your choice of service by calling or emailing the church office (616-363-2553, goodlans@messiahgr), or by clicking here to sign up.
A reminder that the following precautions are currently in place for in-person worship:
Please exercise personal discernment when it comes to your health. If you are feeling sick, waiting for COVID-19 test results, in recommended quarantine or isolation from COVID-19 exposure, in a high-risk category, or not comfortable or ready to attend in person, please stay home.
You will be welcomed in person at the sanctuary door as you enter. All inner doors will be kept open.
To minimize potential spread of COVID-19 in this public setting, wearing of face coverings (fabric masks) are required at all services, 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.
To assure social distancing during worship, advance RSVPs are required for all services. Sign-up options are available as above; 26 spots for families or individuals will be available in the nave of the sanctuary for each service.
Worshipers will sit on the opposite ends of alternate pews. Designated seating will be clearly marked for “8:30 (1st service)” or “11:00 (2nd service)”; other pew entrances will be roped off to assure social distancing.
After the first service, worshipers will leave through the side door of the narthex, using the classroom hallway and exiting the building through the exterior doors in the fellowship hall foyer.
Following announcements, dismissal by families will begin from the back of the church. Please maintain social distancing and, weather permitting, wait until you are outdoors to greet others.
If you want to receive Holy Communion, but do not feel comfortable attending these services, please call (734-645-4353) or email (revjpeterson@yahoo.com) our vacancy pastor, Rev. Jason Peterson, to make arrangements to receive the Lord's Supper by individual weekday appointment, either at the church, at home, or another location that meets your needs.
General guidelines for sanitation and other current practices (complete service bulletins, simplified giving of offerings, Holy Communion protocols, nursery and kitchen closures, restroom availability, post-service sanitizing) will remain in effect. Click here to see the full version of our current worship guidelines.
I've resumed our weekly online Bible study on the appointed Psalm of the day. During this season of Epiphany, I'll continue to explore each Psalm's message for us, as well as how it ties in with the other readings for that Sunday. The January 10th study based on Psalm 29 is already up on YouTube. Click here to watch it; Click here for a study guide.
Building Use Reminder
Due to the extension of Michigan’s emergency epidemic order, Messiah’s building will continue to be closed through Friday, January 15 for all activities except worship services, preschool and essential functions that must be done onsite:
The restart of Sunday School and LifeLight classes has been postponed until the week of Sunday, January 17.
Preschool classes resumed this week, following their Christmas break.
Board and committee meetings will be held remotely.
Staff and volunteers are only onsite for basic operations (worship preparations and services, preschool sessions and preparations, financial work and recordkeeping, drop-offs for volunteer efforts, trustee projects, etc.) To contact staff members, please continue to call the church office; the phone will be answered remotely.
We will do our best to update you promptly as changes occur.
January Newsletter Update
Messiah's January newsletter is on its way via the US mail and available online. Click here to read the newsletter; click here to view January's event calendar; click here to view January's volunteer calendar.
A Prayer for Our Nation
Gracious God and Father, though Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to bring us Your heavenly peace, violence and conflict still rage among Your children on earth. Bring a restoration of calm and security to our nation, and heal the wounds that have been inflicted. Restore and reserve peace, so that what has been laid waste and made desolate can again be planted and built up. Open Your fatherly heart and bountiful hand to help all in need. Grant that we all may live together in unity and peace, and let all hatred and ill will be remembered no more. Give us that peace which the world cannot give, and grant us grace that, delivered from all conflict and strife, we may live in harmony and safety, and finally, having gained the eternal rest of the saints in glory, may praise and bless, worship and glorify You forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
