Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this note, we’ll cover:
Worship for Sunday, March 21
Sunday School & Bible Study, In Person & Online
Breaking News
WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 21
Divine Service for Sunday, March 21st, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, will be led by Pastor Terry Hoese. There will be two identical services at 8:30 and 11 am. The 11 am service will also be livestreamed at www.tinyurl.com/messiahgryoutube, our website www.messiahgr.org and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/messiahgr.
You can help us prepare well and ensure social distancing by letting us know your plans to attend this Sunday! You can RSVP by calling or emailing the church office (616-363-2553, goodlans@messiahgr.org) or by clicking here to sign up. Please click here if you need to review our ongoing precautions for in-person worship (including our face mask requirement).
SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY, IN PERSON & ONLINE
Sunday School for children in preschool through grade 2 continues this Sunday, March 21st, at 9:45 am. In Sunday School, children will continue to learn how God Protects His People in Egypt and the Exodus.
LifeLight Bible studies also continue as follows:
This Sunday, March 21st at 9:45 am: Ruth & Esther, led by Randy Gerke.
The Book of Daniel, led by Shirley Hoese, Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am
The Gospel of Luke, led by Dan Bohlinger, Wednesday evenings at 5:15 pm (before Lenten Midweek Vespers)
Please note that masks and social distancing are required for in-person Sunday School and Bible classes.
My online devotional study for March 21st, based on the theme "Return to the Kingdom of God", is already online. Click here to watch the study; click here to read John 18:12-14 & 28-38 (the focus of this session); click here for a study guide.
Based on updated state guidelines, we plan to resume in-person Adult Bible Class (which will also be livestreamed) on Sunday, April 11th. Watch for more details coming soon!
BREAKING NEWS
Time to Update Our Phone Directory!
We need your help! Members will receive family and individual update information forms, either in your church mail box by this coming Sunday or by surface mail in the coming week. If you have not received forms by Friday, March 26th, please contact Sandy Goodlander at the church office.
We’d be grateful if you’d take the time to update these forms as necessary and return them to us. That way we can update our records in turn. We’d especially appreciate your attention to the contact information and important dates listed for every family member.
You can place your completed forms in the yellow box at the Welcome Center or return them to the church office. In order for us to update records and print a new directory this spring, please return them by Tuesday, April 13th.
Outdoor Family Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 3rd!
We’re inviting families from our church, preschool and community to hear the Easter Story and hunt Easter eggs on Saturday, April 3rd at 11 am! We will be following recently updated state guidelines for large outdoor events (limiting event size, practicing social distancing, using face coverings) to provide a safe, enjoyable event for all. Online RSVPs for the Egg Hunt will be required; families can sign up at www.messiahgr.org/events/2021-easter-eggs beginning this Saturday, March 20th at 1 pm.
Messiah's Board of Outreach needs volunteers to: welcome and register families & hand out goodie bags afterwards; present the Easter story; scatter eggs & cheer on the egg hunters; and set up before & clean up after the hunt. Volunteers will need to wear face coverings, as currently required by Michigan DHHS guidelines, and use disposable gloves as necessary.
Please sign up to help on the Welcome Center or by contacting Rick Krueger directly. Thanks in advance for your help and consideration!
Our Holy Week Worship Schedule:
Palm Sunday Morning Prayer, March 28th, 8:30 am & 11 am*
Maundy Thursday Divine Service (Communion), April 1st, 7 pm*
Good Friday Tenebrae Vespers, April 2nd, 7 pm*
Easter Sunday Divine Services (Communion), April 4th, 8:30 am & 11 am*
Holy Week services marked with * will be livestreamed on our website, Facebook page & YouTube channel. There will be no Sunday School or Bible classes on Easter Sunday.
May our heavenly Father bless our continuing Lenten journey, as we follow His Son Jesus Christ to the cross and the empty tomb in heart and mind, dying and rising with Him daily in our baptism!
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
