Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
As the Easter season continues, we hope this handy summary of opportunites for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead! Details for most events are available in our weekly announcements (available online; click here) and the May newsletter (also available online; click here); otherwise, they'll be in our June newsletter, coming in just a couple of weeks!
WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
NEW! Food Pantry drive during May, sponsored by the Social Ministries Committee. Please bring donations to the designated table in the church foyer.
NEW! Diaper Drive to benefit the Grand Rapids Pregnancy Resource Center, now through Sunday, June 19th. Please bring diapers to the pack-n-play in the church foyer.
Confirmation Sunday, May 15th. We rejoice with Nicholas Mannor, Jack Reickard, Lily Slagter and Carter Vander Tuig and their families, welcoming our confirmands to the Lord's Table in both services.
Couples Night (sponsored by the Board of Education), Saturday, May 21st, 5-7 pm. Sign up at the Welcome Center and bring a snack to share; beverages will be provided. Bunco and more are on the agenda!
Ascension Day Divine Service (hosted at Messiah and joined by 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.
Vacation Bible School Monday-Friday, June 13-17 at 9:00 am. Click here to enroll children or volunteer!
SPRING SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
For the next two Sundays, May 15th and May 22nd, 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.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
Our Sunday schedule will be changing soon! One service will be held at 10:00 am each Sunday, beginning May 29th. Summer Sunday services will be livestreamed as above. Bible Class will also be held each Sunday before the service at 9:00 am. Sunday School will be in recess for the summer.
Beginning Sunday, June 5th, a study of Luther's Large Catechism will follow services at 11:15 am.
Monday night summer services begin on Monday, June 6th at 7:00 pm.
IN THIS SUNDAY'S WORD:
In Christ, all things are made new. Gentiles once spurned from the promises of God are baptized & made recipients of forgiveness & eternal life. They are no longer alien to God. Former things, antiquated caste systems, are null & void. (Acts 11:1-18) New things are imminent. The resurrection of Jesus deprives mourning, crying & dying of their power. (Revelation 21:1-7) The unleashing of the Holy Spirit changes lingering sorrow into joy, ensuring the newness of all things in heaven & on earth. (John 16:12-22)
As our Lord and Savior speaks to His disciples -- and to us! -- in His Word during the coming weeks, may we rejoice in the great gift of His body and blood given in His Supper, and trust in His promise that "I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." (John 16:22b)
Yours in Him,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
