Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
As the Easter season continues, we get closer by the day to celebrating the Ascension of Our Lord and The Day of Pentecost; these festivals wrap up the Church Year's remembrance of Jesus' earthly life and saving work. We hope that these reminders of upcoming opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful for you!
WEEKLY WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Throughout May, we continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays. Bible Class is held beforehand at 9:00 am, as Pastor Eric leads us through Paul's letters to the Corinthians. Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at
Our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/messiahgr
The most recent service is viewable on our website's front page, www.messiahgr.org
In addition to Sunday Bible Class, Dan Bohlinger and Pastor Hoese will continue leading a LifeLightstudy ofJames and Jude on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm throughout May. Click here to learn more about this class.
On Thursday, May 9th, our brothers and sisters in Christ from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford will join us here at Messiah to celebrateThe Ascension of Our Lord! A ham dinner will be served in the fellowship hall at 6:00 pm, followed by the service at 7:00 pm. Pastor Eric will preside, and Pastor Jason Peterson will preach; a joint choir led by St. Peter's retiring music director Julie Busen will provide anthems and musical leadership. The service will also be livestreamed as above.
At their April meeting, the Board of Elders set Messiah’s summer worship schedule. From Sunday, May 26th (Memorial Day weekend) through Sunday, September 1st (Labor Day weekend), we'll continue with the Sunday schedule as above. Monday night services will also be held from Monday, June 3rd through Monday, August 26th at 7:00 pm.
MAY NEWSLETTER - PLUS WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our May newsletter is now online! Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center. We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar
Check the newsletter and our weekly announcements for details on these and other events:
Family Game Night Saturday, May 4th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, sponsored by Lutherans in Fellowship Together. Contact Dave or Tammy Ahrens for details.
The Mother's Day Flower Basket Sale, sponsored by the Board of Outreach and Messiah's Life Team, is now complete! Thanks to all who placed orders; they will be available to pick up at church on Sunday, May 5th. Contact Arlene Mansfield for details. Proceeds will benefit the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids.
Urdu Worship Service Saturday, May 19th at 5:00 pm. Led by Pastor Afzal Masih, this service will be held in the fellowship hall, with a Pakistani meal following. Urdu services are held on the third Saturday of each month; Messiah members and friends are welcome to attend!
Vacation Bible School Monday - Friday, June 24th - 28th from 9:00 to 11:45 am. This year's theme is Celebrate the Savior: Jesus Gives Us Joy! Registration and volunteer sign-ups will begin in May; contact VBS coordinator Steve Ledbetter for details. Click here to register children beginning on May 1st.
Rick Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (FROM THE MAY NEWSLETTER):
We know Christ is the good Shepherd of course, but many times He also refers to His work in terms of gardening, pruning, harvesting and so on. In the beginning that is what creation was, a garden, a paradise, empty of weeds, full of work that was never toilsome, everything grew, everything was full of life, and it will be again. In this hope we get to live, and this hope is what we get to share.
So, although May is a busy month, full of changes, graduations, transition to summer and so forth, including in the church itself, remember in all things Christ is ever leading us closer to Him. And as we listen, as we read His Word, worship together and receive His gifts, pray without ceasing, remember many do not have what we have been given. Who will tell them, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!” if not the church? It’s not that we have to, but we get to, sharing the same faith, hope, and love, that will see us into eternity through our risen Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pastor Eric
