Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this email:
Worship for Sunday, April 18
Sunday School & Bible Study, In Person & Online
Breaking News
WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 18
On April 18th, we will celebrate "Here I Stand" Sunday -- the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's historic declaration to the Imperial Diet meeting at Worms, Germany. Directed by the Holy Roman Emperor and other leaders to recant his teaching about the pure Gospel, Luther said, "I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.” Click here for further information about this anniversary celebration!
The Divine Service for Sunday, April 18th 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:
The home page of our website www.messiahgr.org
Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/messiahgr.
You can help us get ready and ensure good social distancing by letting us know your plans to attend this Sunday! Please 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
Our Sunday education hour also continues on April 18th at 9:45 am as follows:
Sunday School for children in preschool through grade 2 will be held in the downstairs classroom; children will continue to learn how God Protects His People in Egypt and the Exodus.
The Sunday morning LifeLight class will begin a new study, The Time Between the Testaments, delayed from last week. This study will be led by Randy Gerke in the upstairs classroom.
Adult Bible Class will meet in the sanctuary, continuing our explorations on the book of 1 John, the source of this Easter season's Epistle lessons. We'll see how "the disciple whom Jesus loved" discipled those under his pastoral care, reminding his "dear children" of Christ's light and the Father's unconditional love -- which enables us to love each other! Click here to read 1 John 2:28-3:10; click here for a study guide. This study will also be livestreamed on YouTube, the home page of our website and our Facebook page.
BREAKING NEWS
Trustees Spring Clean-Up
This annual event will be held this Saturday, April 17th from 8 am to 12 noon. The Board of Trustees will provide tools to do mostly outdoor projects and wash interior windows; they can also fit a job to whatever volunteers want to do. We'd love to have a great turnout and get our property ready for Vacation Bible School and other summer activities. Contact Carol Mushong or any Trustee for details!
LWML Spring Rally
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League Rapid Waters Zone will hold their Spring Rally on Saturday, April 24th from 9:30 am to 1:30 am at Bethel Lutheran Church in Howard City. Registration cost is$10, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Pastor Richard Townes will be the key speaker, focusing on his time spent as a military chaplain. The Gifts from the Heart ingathering of personal care items for Helping Hands of Howard City will also be collected. RSVP by Wednesday, April 21 to Barb Brinkman, or to Diane Zahm at DianeZahm@gmail.comor 231-648-6311.
A Good Read
As we anticipate learning whether we will receive a seminary candidate to serve as our pastor in the next couple of weeks, I encourage all of you to click here and read an article about our Synod's pastoral placement process. It helped me understand how many moving parts are involved, and also testifies to the care that those leading the process have for both the candidates and the congregations they'll be called to.
May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless your Easter season, drawing you closer to Him through His life-changing Word!
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
