Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We've turned the corner - we're more than halfway through Lent, and Holy Week and the season of Easter are now in view. We hope this handy summary of opportunites for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead! Details will follow in upcoming bulletins and in the April newsletter (now available online; click here or see below).
THIS COMING WEEK (THROUGH APRIL 3RD):
Lenten Midweek Worship, Wednesday, March 30th, 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. (The evening service will be livestreamed.)
Worship, Sunday School and Bible Class, Sunday, April 3rd.
IN THE COMING WEEKS (APRIL 4TH THROUGH 17TH):
Lenten Midweek Worship, Wednesday, April 6th, 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. (The evening service will be livestreamed.)
Lutheran Women's Missionary League Spring Rally, Saturday, April 9th, 9:30 am at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford.
Making palm crosses, Saturday, April 9th, 1:15 pm.
Palm Sunday worship, Sunday School and Bible Class, April 10th
Holy Thursday service, April 14th, 7 pm (also livestreamed).
Good Friday services, April 15th, 11 am and 7 pm. (Please note the time change from previous years for the daytime service. The evening service will be livestreamed.)
Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 16th at 10 am. Volunteer sign-ups are now available; online registration for families is coming this week!
Easter Sunday services, April 17th, 7:30 and 10:30 am. (Please note the time change. The 10:30 am service will also be livestreamed.)
AFTER EASTER:
NEW EVENT! LIFT Game Night, Friday, April 22nd, 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
NEW EVENT! Spring Clean-Up Day, Saturday, April 23rd, 8:00 am to 12 pm.
NEW EVENT! Prayer Pals, Sunday, May 1st at 6:00 pm.
APRIL NEWSLETTER
Our April newsletter is now available online! Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that:
Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center. We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members. If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.
We also post the newsletter and monthly calendars online at www.messiahgr.org/news.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
With the exception of Easter Sunday (see the notice above), Sunday worship and education continue as follows:
Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am. The 11 am service will be livestreamed at:
Our website www.messiahgr.org
Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/messiahgr.
Sunday School at 9:45 am in the south downstairs classroom.
Bible Class led by Pastor Twietmeyer in the fellowship hall at 9:45 am. Bible class is also livestreamed at www.messiahgr.org/adult-bible-class.
WEEKDAY CLASSES
Our women's CARES group is in recess until this fall; our other weekday education offerings continue during March! You can find more information and samples at www.messiahgr.org/education.
Catechism for all ages, Mondays at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary.
Lifelight: 2 Corinthians, beginning Tuesdays at 10:30 am. Contact Shirley Hoese for further details.
Lifelight: Judges, beginning Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. Contact Dan Bohlinger for further details.
LOOKING AHEAD TO HOLY WEEK
My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me,
Love to the loveless shown
That they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh and die?
Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend! (Lutheran Service Book 420:1 & 7)
May Christ's richest blessing be yours in this holy season,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
