Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the next week of the Church Year, we travel from the Transfiguration of Our Lord to Ash Wednesday - from "it is good that we are here" (Luke 9:33) to "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). What is good about this journey? We follow in Jesus' footsteps! Though our praise is muted in the season of Lent, we stil faithfully acclaim the Son of God, who moved steadfastly toward "his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:31), whose glory was ultimately found in His suffering, death & resurrection for us!
Please join us for the opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service listed below.
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
The Divine Service continues weekly at 10:00 am on Sundays. Sunday School & Bible Class are held beforehand at 9:00 am, beginning with a joint opening in the Fellowship Hall.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5th with communion services and the imposition of ashes at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. A Baked Potato Bar & Chili Supper will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 pm, before the evening service.
Midweek Prayer Services will also be held on the following Wednesdays, from March 12th through April 9th at 11:00 am (Matins) and 7:00 pm (Vespers), Each week's services will focus on key events in The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Four Gospels:
March 12th – The Lord’s Supper (BBQ Supper at 6:00 pm)
March 19th – Gethsemane (Fish Fry at 6:00 pm)
March 26th – The Palace of the High Priest
Livestreams of our Sunday & Wednesday night services can be found at
Our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/messiahgr
The most recent livestreamed service is viewable on our website's front page, www.messiahgr.org
CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continue their weekly sessions on Wednesdays at 9:45 am. The group is starting the book Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God's Strength by Deb Burma. Click here for a sample!
LifeLight: Judges, a weekly survey of the Biblical book, continues Tuesdays at 10:30 am. Contact Shirley Hoese for information.
MARCH NEWSLETTER PLUS WHAT'S NEW AND NEXT
Our March newsletter is now online! Click here to view or download it in its entirety. We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) and our weekly announcements online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar. Be sure to check the newsletter and our weekly announcements for more info on the events listed below:
Our 2nd annual Mother's Day Plant Sale begins Sunday, March 2nd! Sponsored by Messiah's Board of Outreach, proceeds will benefit the Grand Rapids Pregnancy Resource Center.
Lutheran Confessions study Thursday, March 6th at 10:00 am, beginning with Matins in the sanctuary.
NEW! Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 9th. Be sure to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday the 8th!
Parish Service Guild Thursday, March 13th at 1:00 pm.
Pictorial Directory signups continue for appointments on Friday-Saturday, March 21st-22nd, along with the newly added dates of Monday-Tuesday, May 5th-6th. Sign up on Sundays or online (details in the newsletter and announcements).
Lenten Prayer Breakfast Saturday, March 29th at 9:30 am.
Yours in Him,
Pastor Eric & Rick Krueger
FROM LCMS PRESIDENT MATTHEW HARRISON
Why did Jesus submit to the suffering and humiliaton that was to come, when He could have easily used His power as the Son of God to save Himself? He submitted to death on the cross because He wanted to save you.
Jesus’ Passion is about intense love — the love He feels for you and for all people. We all need Jesus. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23. Remarkably, the Bible also says Jesus was “delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justificaton” (Romans 4:25). Your sins have been paid for by Jesus. You’ve been declared “not guilty” by God because of Jesus. Believe it and it’s yours.
Lent is a time to pause, to reflect and to be sorry for our sins as we look forward to the joy of Easter morning, when Jesus Christ rose from the dead as victor over sin, death and the devil. This is the remedy for our lives flled with sins and disappointments, hurts and bad consciences. I tell you, in Jesus there is forgiveness and peace. Every day is a new beginning. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
This Lent, I invite you to come hear Jesus’ own forgiving words spoken directly to you and learn more about Christ’s Passion. Bring your questions, your concerns and your worries, and lay them at the feet of the God who loves you so much that He sent His Son to suffer, die and rise again for you!
MARCH'S HYMN OF THE MONTH is Christ, The Life of All the Living , Lutheran Service Book 420. We'll sing selected stanzas of this hymn during each of our Lenten midweek services. Learn more about this hymn and about the season of Lent by listening to the podcast below!
