"Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away; we fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day." Sometimes I've joked that this hymn verse must have been written about Detroit sports teams -- but really, it's about how quickly the days of our life go by. (More about the hymn below.) As September keeps moving forward day by day, I hope you find these latest updates helpful.
PASTORAL VACANCY/CALL PROCESS UPDATE
As announced last Sunday, we have received our pastoral call list from the Michigan District-LCMS. Please keep our Call Committee members (Tammy Ahrens, Mark Altemann, Gina Griffis, secretary Kristen Kaminski, Melanie Kirchhoff, Michael Kutch, chairman Ken Martin, Peter Tessin and me) in your prayers as they begin their work. The Call Committee will provide regular updates on their progress in the coming weeks.
A reminder that our vacancy pastor, Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford is in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am. You can also contact Pastor Peterson by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am. (Keep watching for information about Sunday School.) Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at
Our website www.messiahgr.org
Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/messiahgr.
Bulletins formatted for use with our livestream are available for downloading and/or printing at home. These are posted at least two days before each service at www.messiahgr.org/worship-resources
Readings and hymns for each service are also listed in the informational note found on the same web pages as our livestreams.
Bible Class is also livestreamed at www.messiahgr.org/adult-bible-class.
Thanks to Pastor James Blain for leading our Divine Services and Bible classes on September 24th and October 1st.
WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
Our weekly announcements andmonthly newsletter have details on these upcoming events:
The fall session of LifeLight: Galatians/Philippians/Colossians continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am. Dwight Anderson and Shirley Hoese are team teaching this 9-session course. Copies of the study guide are now available; learn more about the course by clicking here.
Church/Preschool Movie Night this Friday, September 15th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Church and preschool families are invited to a special free showing of The Lion King. Bring beach chairs or blankets for a "drive-in" experience; popcorn will be provided.
Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family visit for our Mission Festival this coming Sunday, September 17th. Join us for Bible Class, the Divine Service and a festive potluck (bring a dish to pass). A freewill offering will also be taken to further support the Mahlburgs' ongoing ministry; if you prefer to write a check, make it payable to LCMS World Mission and write "Mahlburg/Sri Lanka Support" on the memo line.
NEW! CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume on Wednesday, October 4th at 9:45 am. CARES will be reading and discussing the book God’s Provision in a Wilderness World by Lindsey Hausch. Click here for a book sample.
Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Adult Children is set for Saturday, October 7th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Join us for this free video-based workshop sponsored by the Board of Outreach. Register at the Welcome Center, in Bible Class, on our website (click here) or by calling the office.
Harvest Dinner sponsored by the Parish Service Guild Sunday, October 15th after the Divine Service.
NEW! Our annual Fall Clean-Up Day, sponsored by the Board of Trustees, is set for Saturday, October 21st. Watch for more details.
NEW! Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Beginning this coming Sunday, you can sign up to volunteer or to donate goodies for this community event!
LOOKING AHEAD
Back in 1719, when Isaac Watts published the hymn I quoted, he titled it "Man Frail and God Eternal"; we know it today as "O God, Our Help in Ages Past", number 733 in Lutheran Service Book.
Watts was paraphrasing Psalm 90 (the only Psalm written by Moses), applying it to the tumultuous times he lived in. His native country of England was rattled by rumors of war abroad, economic uncertainty, political upheaval and ceaseless religious & cultural controversy. Sound familiar?
In this hymn, Watts did what all faithful heirs of heaven do: he centered his hope not in earthly tranquility, but in the promises of God. Our heavenly Father has continually helped His people to endure and bear witness in ages past, most of all through Jesus' suffering & death. Because of the Holy Spirit at work through Word & Sacrament, God's unchanging nature and power, and all the promises He has kept for us, we can sing confidently with Watts (and with our fellow Christians of the last 300 years from around the world):
"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!"
Yours in Christ,
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant