Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Gradual is the bridge between the Old Testament & Epistle lessons in the Divine Service. During Lent, the Gradual comes from Hebrews 12:2:
[O come, let us fix our eyes on] Jesus,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Please join us for the upcoming opportunities to focus on and follow our Savior in 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.
Midweek Prayer Services for Lent will also be held on Wednesdays 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 19th – Gethsemane (Fish Fry at 6:00 pm)
March 26th – The Palace of the High Priest (Hot Dog Supper at 6:00 pm)
April 2nd - The Praetorium before Pilate & Herod (Soup Supper at 6:00 pm)
April 9th - Calvary
This year's Holy Week services will include:
Maundy Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 pm
Good Friday, April 18th at 11:00 am (Chief Service) and 7:00 pm (Service of Darkness)
Easter Sunday, April 20th at 7:30 & 10:00 am
Livestreams of our Sunday, Wednesday night and Holy Week 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 continuing the book Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God's Strength by Deb Burma. Click here for a sample!
WHAT'S NEW AND NEXT
Our March newsletter is available online here. 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 Mother's Day Hanging Basket Sale continues through March! Sponsored by Messiah's Board of Outreach, proceeds will benefit the Grand Rapids Pregnancy Resource Center.
Meijer's Simply Give Campaign supporting North End Community Ministry continues through Saturday, March 29th. Simply Give cards are available at our Welcome Center or Plainfield Meijer checkouts. (this Saturday, March 22nd is a Double Match Day; for every $10 Simply Give card contributed, Meijer will give a contribution of $20, bringing the total to $30 for a customer contribution).
West Michigan Lutheran High School’s Annual Celebrate Fundraiser is this Friday, March 21st from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church. To reserve your tickets, or to donate to this essential campaign, go to the Celebrate2025 website or call the WMLHS office at 616-455-2200.
Pictorial Directory signups continue for appointments on this Friday & Saturday, March 21st-22nd, as well as on 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.
NEW! Your help in preparing for Holy Week and Easter is greatly appreciated! Sign up now at the Welcome Center to:
provide Easter Flowers (sign-up deadline is Tuesday, April 3rd).
make Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday on Saturday, April 12th at 9:00 am.
help with Stripping the Altar for our Maundy Thursday service
volunteer for our Family Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th at 10:00 am.
NEW! Drop off donations for our annual Garage Sale (scheduled for Friday & Saturday, May 2nd & 3rd) by Sunday, April 6th.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Eric & Rick Krueger
A HYMN FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY: I Bind Unto Myself Today, Lutheran Service Book 604. Attributed to Patrick himself (c. 372-466) and set to a traditional Irish tune, this hymn text is a bold confession of the Holy Trinity and of Jesus Christ's saving work. We hope you enjoy and our strengthened in faith by it!
