Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
We are now in "the Great and Holy Week" of our Lord Jesus Christ -- the time where we commemorate His suffering and death for our sins, and rejoice in His resurrection, our guarantee of eternal life! We hope this handy summary of opportunites for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look at the rest of April, as well as ahead to May and June. Details for most events are available in our weekly announcements and the April newsletter (now available online; click here); if not, they'll be in our May newsletter, coming soon!
HOLY WEEK (THROUGH APRIL 17TH):
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 as below)
Outdoor Family Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 16th at 10 am. Families can click here to RSVP.
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.)
NEW! Easter Breakfast, Sunday, April 17th at 9 am in the fellowship hall. This will be a full breakfast with a freewill offering taken for Messiah's For Others Fund.
IN THE EASTER SEASON (AND BEYOND):
LIFT Game Night, Friday, April 22nd, 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
Spring Clean-Up Day, Saturday, April 23rd, 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Breakfast will be provided.
Prayer Pals, Sunday, May 1st at 6:00 pm.
NEW! Confirmation Sunday, May 15.
NEW! Ascension Day Divine Service (with the members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford), Thursday, May 26th, 7:00 pm. A supper will be held before the service in the fellowship hall at 6:00 pm.
NEW! The Sunday worship schedule will change for the summer. One service will be held at 10 am beginning Sunday, May 29th, with Bible Class at 9:00 am.
NEW! Monday night summer services begin on Monday, June 6th at 7:00 pm.
NEW! Vacation Bible School Monday-Friday, June 13-17 at 9:00 am. Click here to enroll children or volunteer!
SPRING WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Following Holy Week and Easter Day, Sunday worship and education continue as follows through May 22nd::
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.
FOR YOUR HOLY WEEK DEVOTION:
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle;
Sing the ending of the fray.
Now above the cross, the trophy,
Sound the loud triumphant lay;
Tell how Christ, the world’s redeemer,
As a victim won the day.
Tell how, when at length the fullness
Of th'appointed time was come,
He, the Word, was born of woman,
Left for us His Father’s home,
Blazed the path of true obedience,
Shone as light amidst the gloom.
Thus, with thirty years accomplished,
He went forth from Nazareth,
Destined, dedicated, willing,
Did His work, and met His death;
Like a lamb He humbly yielded
On the cross His dying breath.
Faithful cross, true sign of triumph,
Be for all the noblest tree;
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thine equal be;
Symbol of the world’s redemption,
For the weight that hung on thee!
(Lutheran Service Book 454:1-4)
May our dear Savior's richest blessing be yours this week and every week!
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
