May 1 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

April was a fast moving, busy month!  We hope that these reminders of upcoming opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful as we begin the month of May and continue the season of Easter. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

Our Sunday schedule of worship and classes continues on May 7, 14 & 21, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

From Sunday, May 28th (Memorial Day weekend – also the day of Pentecost) through Sunday, September 3rd (Labor Day weekend), there will be one worship service held at 10:00 am, with Bible Class beforehand at9:00 am. The Sunday morning service will be livestreamed as usual; Sunday School will be in recess for the summer beginning on May 28th. Monday night services will also be held from Monday, June 5th through Monday, August 28th at 7:00 pm. 

During the week:

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesday mornings, led by Pastor Twietmeyer.  CARES begins at 9:30 am.


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
(Details in our weekly announcements)

  • Congratulations to our young people who have successfully completed First Communion and Catechism classes! We look forward to welcoming our children to the Lord’s altar and our youth into confirmed membership as part of the Divine Services next Sunday, May 7th at 8:30 am (First Communion) and 11:00 am (Confirmation). A reception sponsored by our Parish Services Guild will take place after the 11:00 am service in the fellowship hall.  (Click here to find out more about the rites of First Communion & Confirmation.)

  • The deadline for updating information for our new phone directory is Monday, May 8th; if you have not received update forms in your church mailbox, please contact the office.

  • Parish Service Guild meeting and Spring Potluck Thursday, May 11th at 12 noon.

  • On Thursday, May 18th, we will gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford (310 E Division St NE) to celebrate The Ascension of Our Lord. A meal will be served at 6:00 pm, followed by the Divine Service at 7:00 pm; Pastor Jason Peterson will preside over the service, and Pastor Twietmeyer will preach the sermon. We invite you to rejoice in the proclamation of God’s Word, in the sound of our combined choirs and in the gift of our Lord’s body and blood as we worship Him together!

  • On Monday-Friday, June 19th - 23rd from 9:00 to 11:45 am, Messiah will hold our annual Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme is God’s Living Water: Covered in Jesus’ Grace!  Kids age 4 as of August 1st through grade 6 are invited to join us for lessons, music, crafts, snacks, activities and more!   Can you help with VBS this year? Sign up at the Welcome Center, contact Steve Ledbetter (our 2023 VBS Director) or go online to volunteer at vbsmate.com/messiahgr2023 (click on the blue “Become a volunteer” button). You can also register children or grandchildren online by clicking on the blue “Register your child” button.  A VBS Staff Training Day for all group and activity leaders and helpers is set for Saturday, May 13th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.



MAY NEWSLETTER
Our May 2023 newsletter is now available online, with more on the above items and much more!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD (from Pastor Twietmeyer's newsletter article):
"It is good to remember that we must distinguish between the Law of God and the Gospel of God, while at the same time we must not boil either of these words down into mere caricatures. When we learn the Law of God in its particulars, we are curbed from sin, led to repentance, and trained in Holy living. When we learn the Gospel of God in its particulars we see clear evidence of God’s work in our lives to bring us grace and mercy. In other words, God has so much more to say to you than 'you’re a sinner, but I love you anyway.' Thank God for this! There is a depth and complexity to the relationship between man and God. And so, we can rejoice that we will continue to grow in grace and truth for as many days as the Lord gives us."

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

April 13th Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

Isn't it great that Easter is a season of the church year, not just a Sunday?  We continue to celebrate God's astonishing gifts given us through Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection for the next six weeks!  We hope that these reminders of upcoming opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful as you do so.  


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

Our regular Sunday schedule of worship and classes continues with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the April newsletter)

  • Spring Clean-Up sponsored by the Board of Trustees on Saturday, April 22nd from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Contact Carol Mushong to volunteer.

  • Lutheran Women's Missionary League Spring Rally on Saturday, April 29th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids.  Sign up at the Welcome Center by Friday, April 21st.

  • Secret Prayer Pals Spring Gathering on Sunday, April 30th at 6:00 pm.  Contact Deb Krueger with any questions!

  • NEW!  Ascension Day Service Thursday, May 18th at 7:00 pm.  This annual joint service with our sister congregation, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church of Rockford, will be held at Saint Peter's (310 E Division St NE in Rockford).  More details coming!


LOOKING AHEAD 
So what is the rest of this Easter season all about?  The Gospels appointed for the next six Sundays tell the tale:

  • Jesus appears to the disciples and Thomas (John 20:19-31, April 16th)

  • Jesus appears to His disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35, April 23rd)

  • Jesus is our Good Shepherd (John 10:1-10, April 30th)

  • Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:1-14, May 7th)

  • "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15-21, May 14th)

  • Jesus prays for His disciples (John 17:1-11, May 21st)

All this and more awaits us in the coming weeks of worship.  Thanks be to our heavenly Father that, in the risen Christ, God is for us!  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, may we live in Christ's peace and joy, doing His will and serving our neighbors in His love. 


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

March 28 Update

The great and holy week of our Lord Jesus Christ is almost here!  We hope that these reminders of upcoming opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful as we move from March to April. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

Our regular Sunday schedule of worship and classes continues on April 2, 16, 23 and 30, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

Special Holy Week services will be held as follows:

  • Maundy Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 pm.  This service will be livestreamed.

  • Good Friday, April 7th at 11:00 am & 7:00 pm.  The 7:00 pm service will be livestreamed.

  • Services on Easter Sunday, April 9th will be held at 7:30 & 10:30 am; the 10:30 am service will be livestreamed.  The annual Easter Breakfast will be held between services, with proceeds going to Messiah's Food Pantry.  There will be no Sunday School or Bible Class on Easter Sunday.

During the week:

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesday mornings, led by Pastor Twietmeyer.  CARES will begin at 9:30 am on April 5th, returning to the start time of 9:45 am on April 12th, 19th and 26th.


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
(Details in our weekly announcements andin the April newsletter)

  • NEW!  Making Palm Crosses this Saturday, April 1st at 9:30 am, sponsored by the Altar Guild. Sign up at the Welcome Center.

  • NEW!  Lutherans in Fellowship Together meeting this coming Sunday, April 2nd after the 11 am service.  The group will plan upcoming events and prepare goodie bags for our Easter Egg Hunt.

  • NEW!  Stripping of the Altar Maundy Thursday, April 6th, sponsored by the Altar Guild.  Sign up to help with the closing ceremony of this worship service at the Welcome Center.

  • Messiah's annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, is set for Saturday, April 8th at 10 am.  Families attending are strongly encouraged to RSVP online by Friday, April 7th at www.messiahgr.org/events/2023-easter-eggs.  We need plenty of volunteers (sign up at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class) to help with:

    • Set-up

    • Registration

    • Greeting and guiding families

    • Scattering eggs

    • Monitoring the egg hunt

    • Distributing goodie bags

    • Clean-up

  • NEW!  Spring Clean-Up sponsored by the Board of Trustees on Saturday, April 22nd from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Watch for more details!

  • NEW!  Lutheran Women's Missionary League Spring Rally on Saturday, April 29th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids.  Sign up at the Welcome Center by Friday, April 21st.

  • NEW!  Secret Prayer Pals Spring Gathering on the evening of Sunday, April 30th.  Watch for more details!


APRIL NEWSLETTER
Our April 2023 newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety.  A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD (from Pastor Twietmeyer's newsletter article on spiritual warfare):
"In the Bible, the fools are those separated from the Wisdom of God – those who cannot see the truth, those who are blind. Jesus uses this word, in the Gospel of Luke, to describe the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who are unable to recognize their risen savior. And in this, the master strategy of the Devil unfolds. His goal is to cloud your vision of the risen Christ – to make you blind, deaf, and dumb to the salvation won for you on the Cross."

"But God will have none of this. Refusing to sit idly by, His Holy One, His champion, has already fought the one battle that counted. In the fullness of time, God sent not just a prophet or a messenger, but his own Son into the race of men to redeem them. The combat was fierce, and at first there appeared to be only one casualty: Jesus. But the Devil celebrated too early and did not anticipate the pit trap that he had just fallen into. For Jesus was born under the law, and so, his perfect death now accomplished victory and redeemed mankind, those under the law ..."

"The only words in the air at the altar of God are the triumph songs of the new Jerusalem, the faithful baptized, the children of God:Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." 

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

March 14 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

This Thursday marks the halfway point of the Lenten season;  we hope that these reminders of upcoming opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful for you. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

Our Sunday schedule of worship and classes continues, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

During the week:

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues, led by Pastor Twietmeyer.  During Lent (see below), the Wednesday morning study begins promptly at 9:30 am.

  • Lenten Midweek services continue on Wednesdays at 11:00 am (Matins) & 7:00 pm (Vespers) through March 29th.  The 7:00 pm service will be livestreamed as above.

  • Special Holy Week services will be held as follows:

    • Maundy Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 pm.  This service will be livestreamed.

    • Good Friday, April 7th at 11:00 am & 7:00 pm.  The 7:00 pm service will be livestreamed.

    • Services on Easter Sunday, April 9th will be held at 7:30 & 10:30 am; the 10:30 am service will be livestreamed.  The annual Easter Breakfast is scheduled for between services.



WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the March newsletter)

  • Lenten Prayer Breakfast this Saturday, March 18th at 9:30 am.  Sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office.

  • The Board of Elders will hold a Fish Fry on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall, before the evening's Lenten service. 

  • Our annual Spiritual Growth Seminar Saturday, March 25th.  The Rev. Dr. Paul Grime, Dean of Spiritual Formation and the Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana will be our keynote speaker on the topic Praying with Boldness and Humility. Click here for complete information & an online RSVP form; you can also sign up at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class.  Please RSVP or sign up by Monday, March 20th!

  • Messiah's annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, is set for Saturday, April 8th at 10 am.  Sign-ups for volunteers and donation, along with publicity materials for you to share, are now available at the Welcome Center.  Advance RSVPs from families are strongly encouraged; families can click here to sign up by Friday, April 7th.



LOOKING AHEAD:
During the Sundays in Lent still to come, the Lord promises Isaiah that He will turn darkness into light and Jesus heals a man born blind; the Lord shows Ezekiel the valley of dry bones revived by His Word and Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead; and crowds follow the Son of God to see, hear, ridicule and finally crucify Him.  In all this Christ humbles Himself for our sake, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!

And there's more!  Our Wednesday services explore what all this means: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:1-11); through His obedience, we are made righteous in His Father's sight (Romans 5:12-21) and His Holy Spirit sets us free from sin and death (Romans 8:1-17).  We pray that, awed by our Lord's amazing love, you'll join us to hear this Good News again, rejoicing in God's saving gifts and praising Him for His grace and mercy!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Special Ash Wednesday Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Given the current weather forecast predicting a mixture of snow, sleet and ice, we have decided to hold one Ash Wednesday service tomorrow, February 22nd at 11:00 am.  The 7 pm service and the Senior Choir rehearsal scheduled for tomorrow evening have been cancelled.   Notice of this schedule change will also be posted on WOOD and WZZM tomorrow morning.

We are making this call and notifying you this far in advance to give as many of you as possible the chance to attend worship tomorrow.  We hope that, your schedule permitting, you will be able to join us at 11:00 am to begin this season of self-denial, humble repentance for our sin and special devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.

We plan to resume our regular midweek Lenten service schedule at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm next Wednesday, March 1st.  Thanks for your patience and understanding.

 

Yours in Christ,


Pastor Andrew Twietmeyer
Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

February 16th Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

On the verge of Epiphany's end and Lent's beginning, we hope that these reminders of opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:
Our Sunday schedule of worship and classes continues, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at


During the week:

  • LifeLight: 1st & 2nd Peter continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am.  Watch for an upcoming announcement regarding a spring LifeLight class (to be held on Wednesday nights after Easter).

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues, based on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow and led by Pastor Twietmeyer.  During Lent (see below), the study will begin promptly at the new time of 9:30 am.

  • Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd.  Lenten Midweek services (Divine Service on Ash Wednesday, Matins & Vespers thereafter), will be held Wednesdays at 11:00 am & 7:00 pm from February 22nd through March 29th.  The 7:00 pm service will be livestreamed as above.



WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the February newsletter)

  • NEW!  Messiah's new Life Team will volunteer at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids on Friday, March 3rd from 10:00 am to 12 noon.  Sign up at the Welcome Center or contact Elizabeth Twietmeyer.

  • NEW!  Family Game Night sponsored by Lutherans in Fellowship Together on Saturday, March 11th from 5:00 - 7:30 pm. Join us here at church for fun and fellowship! Bring your favorite game and a snack to share. Invite a friend!

  • NEW!  Lenten Prayer Breakfast Saturday, March 18th at 9:30 am.  Sign up at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class.

  • The Board of Elders will hold a Fish Fry on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall, before the evening's Lenten service. (Apologies for the mistaken date given in previous updates.)

  • Our annual Spiritual Growth Seminar, Saturday, March 25th.  The focus of this year's Seminar is Prayer. The Rev. Dr. Paul Grime, Dean of Spiritual Formation and the Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana, will be our guest speaker.  His keynote sessions will focus on the theme, "Is God Listening?".  Registration information coming very soon.

  • NEW!  Messiah's annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, is set for Saturday, April 8th at 10 am.  Volunteer sign-ups and more information coming soon.


LOOKING AHEAD:
On the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, God reveals His majesty to Moses in flame, shrouded in a mysterious cloud, ultimately preparing Moses to receive the Law of God.  Peter, James & John also bear witness to Jesus’ majesty on the Mount of Transfiguration.  But of paramount importance is not just the glorious appearance of Jesus but the revelation of something more sure — His prophetic Word.  This is the very Word that demands our listening, inspires our believing, & confirms our confessions. (Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9) 

May our remembrance of our Baptism, our hearing of God's Word and our reception of our Lord's Body & Blood prepare us for the coming Lententide, so that in turn we may come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast of Jesus' resurrection in sincerity and truth!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

January 30 update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

The first month of 2023 has gone by quickly!  As we get ready for February, we hope that these reminders of opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service will be helpful. 


SUNDAY WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:
Our schedule of worship, Sunday School and Bible Class continues, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING:
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the February newsletter)

  • LifeLight: 1st & 2nd Peter continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, focusing on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.  

  • Our monthly Lutheran Confessions Study continues on Thursday, February 2nd.  On that 40th day after Christmas, we'll celebrate the festival of The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord, with Divine Service at 10:00 am immediately followed by the study.

  • Our biweekly Bowling League continues on Sunday, February 5th and 19th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes.  Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • Our Parish Services Guild's next monthly meeting is set for Thursday, February 9th, starting with social time at 12:30 pm.

  • NEW!  Lutherans in Fellowship Together's next event is serving for families staying at Butterworth Hospital's Renucci Hospitality House on Friday, February 10th. Contact Dave and Tammy Ahrens for details.

  • NEW!  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd.

    • Lenten Midweek services (Divine Service on Ash Wednesday, Matins & Vespers thereafter), will be held Wednesdays at 11:00 am & 7 pm from February 22nd through March 29th.

    • The Board of Elders will hold a Fish Fry on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

  • NEW! Our annual Spiritual Growth Seminar is set for Saturday, March 25th.  The focus of this year's Seminar is Prayer. The Rev. Dr. Paul Grime, Dean of Spiritual Formation and the Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana, will be our guest speaker.  His keynote sessions will focus on the theme, "Is God Listening?".  More information coming soon ...


FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
Our February 2023 newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD (from Pastor's February newsletter article):
"How much of what we say, do, think, and desire would change if the concept that we were purchased by God was central to our worldview? For Mary, the purification ritual that she went through was a reminder that God had purchased and won her from the devil by means of the blood that would be shed by her son. So it was for every descendent of Abraham living under the Levitical code."

"But we do not live under that code anymore. All those signs have been fulfilled in Christ. Instead, you have a different reminder, the reminder of the Holy Cross. This is why I encourage you to make the sign of the Holy Cross upon yourself every day, as a reminder that you have been purchased and won by God. For it was upon a wooden cross that God paid for your salvation. It was by the blood of God that you have been redeemed."

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

January 12 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Blessed New Year -- and a blessed season of Epiphany to all of you!  


SUNDAY WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:
Our regular schedule of worship, Sunday School and Bible Class has resumed, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed at


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the January newsletter)

  • The annual Parish Leadership Workshop is this Saturday, January 14th.  Continental Breakfast starts at 8:30 am, followed by the Workshop at 9:00 am.  All officers, members of boards, officers of auxiliaries and other congregational leaders are encouraged to attend.

  • NEW!  LIFT (Lutherans in Fellowship Together) meets to plan upcoming fellowship & service events this Sunday, January 15th after the 11:00 am service.

  • LifeLight: 1st & 2nd Peter begins Tuesday, January 17th at 10:30 am.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) has resumed on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, continuing the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • National Lutheran Schools Week is January 22nd-28th; our preschool children will be our guest choir on Sunday, January 22nd at the 11:00 am service!

  • NEW!  Our Savior Lutheran Church presents a Life Sunday Soup and Salad Lunch on Sunday, January 22nd at 1:00 pm.  Vicki DeGrazier from the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Rapids will be the guest speaker. RSVP to carla32133@gmail.com or 586 383-5167.  

  • Our biweekly Bowling League continues on Sunday, January 22nd at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes.  Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.


LOOKING AHEAD 
In the season of Epiphany, beyond the coming of the wise men and His baptism in the Jordan River, the light of Jesus dispels darkness wherever His Gospel is preached in sincerity and truth.  His Word illuminates the power of the cross, uniting believers in the one Christian faith.  To follow another besides Jesus would be complete folly; His call to repentance and invitation to follow Him resulted in an immediate response from Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John -- and it still does so today!   When believers are in the company of Christ Jesus through Word and Sacrament, we see with the eyes of faith that through Him demons are defeated and diseases healed, for in Him the almighty power and limitless mercy of God is unconstrained.  May we all grow together in Him, living out the truth, openness, reconciliation and mercy He brings throughout the coming year!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Ron Krueger, 1941-2023

Update: Ron's funeral will be held at Messiah this coming Tuesday, January 10th at 11 am, with visitation beginning at 10 am and a luncheon following the service.  Click for Ron’s online obituary. -- MLC

Dear brothers and sisters at Messiah,

Our brother in Christ Ron Krueger was called home to be with our Lord on January 3, 2023, at the age of 81.  Ron and his late wife JoAnne joined our fellowship in 1999.  After JoAnne's passing in 2009, Ron continued to attend worship regularly until illness prevented him from doing so.  Once homebound, he was grateful for faithful visits by his pastor and other members of Messiah (including a December 2022 visit from Christmas carolers).

We mourn with Ron's family and friends; but we also rejoice that Ron is free from his earthly sufferings, and is now in the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ, awaiting the resurrection of the body on the last day.

Ron's funeral arrangements are pending; we will update you and provide a link to his online obituary when we have full information.  

Please keep all those who knew and loved Ron in your prayers in the coming days; feel free to use the prayer below as a model.

O God of grace and mercy, we give thanks for Your loving-kindness shown to Ron and to all Your servants who, having finished their course in faith, now rest from their labors.  Give to Ron's family and to all who mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in Your loving care that, casting all their sorrow on You, they may know the consolation of Your love.  Receive our thanks for Ron and for all the blessings You bestowed on him in this earthly life. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with him we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.  Amen.

Yours in Christ,

Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church

December 31 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

As the 12 days of Christmas continue and 2022 comes to a close, we hope that this update helps you look ahead to the new year!


CHRISTMAS SEASON SERVICES

  • Our remaining Christmas services are scheduled as follows:

    • New Year's Day Divine Service, Sunday, January 1st at 10:00 am.  There will be no Sunday School or Bible Class.

    • Our second annual joint Epiphany Divine Service at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford, Friday, January 6th, 2023 at 7:00 pm.  Chili supper beforehand at 6:00 pm; bring a dish to pass!

Please note that the New Year's Day service is scheduled to be livestreamed at:


SUNDAY WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

  • Our regular schedule of worship, Sunday School and Bible Class will resume on Sunday, January 8th, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed as above.

  • Bible Class is also livestreamed at www.messiahgr.org/adult-bible-class.


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the January newsletter)

  • The church office will be closed on Monday, January 2nd.

  • Senior Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00 pm.  That evening, we will meet at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rockford to practice our joint anthems for the Epiphany Divine Service!  Rehearsals at Messiah will start up again on Wednesday, January 11th at 7:00 pm.

  • New Member Welcome Sunday is January 8th!  New members who have joined since 2021 will be welcomed publicly in each service, with a Welcome Potluck in the Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 am service; please bring a dish to pass.

  • Our biweekly Bowling League resumes on Sunday, January 8th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes.  Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • LifeLight: 1st & 2nd Peter begins Tuesday, January 10th at 10:30 am.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume on Wednesday, January 11th at 9:30 am, continuing the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • The annual Parish Leadership Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 14th.  Continental Breakfast starts at 8:30 am, followed by the Workshop at 9:00 am.

  • National Lutheran Schools Week is January 22nd-28th; our preschool children will be our guest choir on Sunday, January 22nd at the 11:00 am service!

JANUARY NEWSLETTER
Our January 2023 newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD (from Pastor's January newsletter article):
 St. Paul gives us great comfort: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This teaches us that when a Christian resolves to do good, the growth is given by God. In order to accomplish our resolves, we pray! We implore God almighty to carry out the good that we wish to do! Therefore, this new year, it behooves all Christians to pray fervently to God that he send to us a spirit of resolve. A blessed New Year to all of you!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

December 19 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

A (fairly) short, sweet update this time around; we hope that this list of opportunities for worship, devotion, fellowship and service will be helpful as we all prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! 


ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES

  • Our final Advent midweek services will be this Wednesday, December 21st at 11:00 am (Matins) and 7:00 pm (Evening Prayer).

  • Christmas services are scheduled as follows:

    • Christmas Eve Divine Service, this Saturday, December 24th at 3:00 pm.

    • Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service, this Saturday, December 24th at 7:00 pm.

    • Christmas Day Divine Service, Sunday, December 25th at 10:00 am.  There will be no Sunday School or Bible Class.

    • New Year's Day Divine Service, Sunday, January 1st at 10:00 am.  There will be no Sunday School or Bible Class.

    • Our second annual joint Epiphany Divine Service at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford, Friday, January 6th, 2023 at 7:00 pm.  Supper beforehand at 6:00 pm!

Please note that the December 21st evening service, the 7:00 pm Christmas Eve service and the Christmas & New Year's Day services are scheduled to be livestreamed at:


SUNDAY WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

  • Our regular schedule of worship, Sunday School and Bible Class will resume on Sunday, January 8th, with the Divine Service at 8:30 and 11:00 am, and Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  11:00 am services are scheduled to be livestreamed as above.

  • Bible Class is also livestreamed at www.messiahgr.org/adult-bible-class.


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the upcoming January newsletter)

  • The church office will be closed on Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd.

  • Senior Choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00 pm.  We will meet at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rockford to practice our joint anthems for the Epiphany Divine Service!

  • New Member Welcome Sunday is January 8th!  New members since 2021 will be welcomed publicly in each service, with a Welcome Potluck in the Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 am service.

  • Our biweekly Bowling League resumes on Sunday, January 8th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes.  Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • LifeLight: 1st & 2nd Peter begins Tuesday, January 10th at 10:30 am.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume on Wednesday, January 11th at 9:30 am, continuing the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • The annual Parish Leadership Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 14th.  Continental Breakfast starts at 8:30 am, followed by the Workshop at 9:00 am.


LOOKING AHEAD
In the festive days to come, we pray that Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior came among us in great humility, may sanctify you with the light of His blessing and set you free from all sin.  We pray that Jesus Christ, whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love.  We pray that you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at His second Advent may be rewarded with eternal life.  And we pray that the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you this Christmas and forever.  Amen!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Steve Kaminski, 1966-2022

Dear brothers and sisters at Messiah,

Our brother in Christ Steven Kaminski was called home to be with our Lord on December 12, 2022, at the age of 56.  Steve, his wife Kristen and their children Noelle and Eli became members of Messiah in 2019.  In addition to faithfully attending worship, Steve served on Messiah's Board of Education and Board of Elders.

We mourn with Steve's family (including his in-laws Larry & Marijo Pataniczek, who are also members of Messiah) and friends in the aftermath of his sudden and unexpected passing.  But we also rejoice that Steve is free from his earthly sufferings, and is now in the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ, awaiting the resurrection of the body on the last day.

Steve's funeral service will be held at Messiah this Friday, December 16th at 11 am, with visitation beforehand and a luncheon following.  Visitation will also be held this Thursday, December 15th, 2022 from 5 to 8 pm at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel (1833 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505).  Click here to view Steve's obituary online.

Please keep Kristen, Noelle, Eli, Larry & Marijo and all those who knew and loved Steve in your prayers in the coming days; feel free to use the prayer below as a model.

O Lord God, by the sudden death of Steven, You have shown that Your thoughts are not our thoughts nor Your ways our ways. We thank You for the blessings of body and soul that You bestowed on our departed brother. Comfort the members of his family who mourn his death, and assist us ever to prepare for Your final summons when we will depart and be with Christ in blessedness and glory; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Yours in Christ,

Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church

Ida Krampe, 1925-2022

Dear brothers and sisters at Messiah,

Our sister in Christ Ida Krampe was called home to be with our Lord on December 6, 2022, at the age of 97. Ida was a long-time member of Messiah; she and her late husband Ray joined our fellowship in 1966. After Ray's passing in 2006, Ida continued to attend worship regularly until illness and age prevented her from doing so. Once homebound, she was grateful for faithful visits by her pastor and by other members of Messiah (including annual visits from Christmas carolers)

We mourn with Ida's family and friends; but we also rejoice that Ida is free from her earthly sufferings, and is now in the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ, awaiting the resurrection of the body on the last day.

Ida's funeral service will be held at Messiah this coming Saturday, December 10th at 11 am; there will be visitation one hour before the service at 10 am, and a luncheon following. Ida's complete online obituary is now available at Reyers North Valley Chapel's website.

Please keep all those who knew and loved Ida in your prayers in the coming days; feel free to use the prayer below as a model.

O God of grace and mercy, we give thanks for Your loving-kindness shown to Ida and to all Your servants who, having finished their course in faith, now rest from their labors. Give to Ida's family and to all who mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in Your loving care that, casting all their sorrow on You, they may know the consolation of Your love. Receive our thanks for Ida and for all the blessings You bestowed on her in this earthly life. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with her we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Yours in Christ,

Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church

November 29 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Advent is here!  We hope that our list of opportunities for worship, devotion, fellowship and service will be helpful as all of us prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.


SUNDAY WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:


ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES

  • Advent midweek services will be held:

    • Wednesday, November 30th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

    • Wednesday, December 7th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

    • Wednesday, December 14th at 11:00 am. (See below for information about the evening service on December 14th.)

    • Wednesday, December 21st at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

  • Other special Advent and Christmas services will be held as follows:

    • Preschool Christmas Program, Thursday, December 8th at 6:30 pm.

    • Christmas Reflections (Lessons and Carols), Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 pm. Cider and cookies following!

    • Advent Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, December 17th at 9:30 am.

    • Christmas Eve Divine Service, Saturday, December 24th at 3:00 pm.

    • Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service, Saturday, December 24th at 7:00 pm.

    • Christmas Day Divine Service, Sunday, December 25th at 10:00 am.

    • New Year's Day Divine Service, Sunday, January 1st, 2023 at 10:00 am.

    • Epiphany Divine Service at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford, Friday, January 6th, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Supper beforehand at 6:00 pm!

Please note that the Wednesday evening services, the 7:00 pm Christmas Eve service and the Christmas & New Year's Day services are scheduled to be livestreamed as above.


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the December newsletter)

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, focusing on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow. CARES will not meet on December 21st and 28th.

  • Our biweekly Bowling League continues on Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes. Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • Christmas Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild. this Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Contact Barb Brinkman, Sherry Troutwine, Deb Krueger or Tammy Ahrens if you'd like to help!

  • Christmas Caroling to Messiah's homebound members and others on Saturday, December 10th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, with a potluck supper following. Sign-up sheets are now available at the Welcome Center and in Adult Bible Class.


DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
Our December newsletter is now available online! Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that:

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center. We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members. If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


FROM DEACONESS DORIS KAYSER
"Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I hope this finds you well and enjoying this wonderful Christmas season. I want to give you an update, as I still consider us family!!"

"I am settling in nicely after my move to Arkansas. I keep busy with church activities at Pastor Emil Woerner’s church, Friends in Christ Lutheran Church in Bryant, Arkansas. I joined a local orchestra, the Saline Symphony Orchestra, in which I play my clarinet. We will perform a Christmas Concert on December 10th. I also joined the Arkansas Choral Society. We will perform Handel’s Messiah on December 2nd. I always enjoy being musically active!!"

"In July, I saw a new infectious disease specialist in Washington, D.C. at the Jemsek Specialty Clinic. The diagnosis is Lyme Borreliosis Complex. I’m currently on an oral treatment regimen; remission is possible, but it may take 1-2 years to get rid of the infection. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be treated at this clinic, and for the people at my new church that have helped to clean my apartment and do some grocery shopping for me. And mostly, I’m very thankful the Lord brought Emil into my life!!"

"My 96-year-old Dad is doing pretty well in Caledonia. It’ll be one year this year (November 21st) that Mom went to be with Jesus. Dad enjoys time with nearby family and many friends. Izzy, his cat, also helps with the loneliness. Lord willing, my dad plans to visit us in Arkansas in the spring."

"I miss all of you at Messiah and wish you a very merry Christmas! May our Lord Jesus Christ be ever present with you this Christmas Season!! Thanks be to God!!"


Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

November 15 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

After a bit of a lull in the early part of this month, we hope that this list of opportunities for worship, devotion, fellowship and service (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look to the busy weeks ahead. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the November newsletter)

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, focusing on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow. CARES will not meet on Wednesday, November 23rd.

  • Potluck and Annual Voters' Meeting Sunday, November 20th following the 11 am service. The agenda includes election of officers & board members, approval of the 2023 budget and more.

  • Thanksgiving Eve Divine Service Wednesday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm. Held at Messiah, this will be a joint Thanksgiving Eve service with our brothers & sisters of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford.

  • Advent begins on Sunday, November 27th! Advent midweek services will be held on

    • Wednesday, November 30th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

    • Wednesday, December 7th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.

    • Wednesday, December 14th at 11:00 am. (Our annual service of Lessons and Carols, Christmas Relfections, will also be held on the 14th at 7:00 pm, with desserts following.)

    • Wednesday, December 21st at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm

  • Our biweekly Bowling League continues on Sunday, November 27th and Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes. Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • Christmas Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

  • NEW! Preschool Christmas Program Thursday, December 8th at 6:30 pm.

  • NEW! Christmas Caroling to Messiah's homebound members and others on Saturday, December 10th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, with a potluck supper following. Sign-up sheets are now available at the Welcome Center and in Adult Bible Class.

  • NEW! Advent Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 17th at 9:30 am. Sign-up sheets are now available at the Welcome Center and in Adult Bible Class.


LOOKING AHEAD:
November 20th is the Last Sunday of the Church Year -- previously known in our circles as Christ the King Sunday or the Sunday of the Fulfillment. It might seem odd that the final Gospel in our year of readings from Luke focuses on -- the crucifixion of Jesus?!? But then, with the confession of faith from the dying thief, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom," and Jesus' reply from the cross, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise,” the reason becomes clear. Christ our King's gloryis His cross, where He fulfills His promises -- and makes peace between us and His Father by His blood!

On November 23rd we pause for Thanksgiving Eve, where we cry with the ten lepers, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us," returning to our Lord's house to praise Him for His undeserved goodness. I hope you plan to join the members of St. Peter-Rockford and Messiahat Messiahfor this special Divine Service.

Then, it's Advent! As we begin these four weeks of reflection, penitence and patient joy, look for Christ'sfirstcoming at Christmas, Hissecondcoming on the Last Day, and Hisconstantcoming into our hearts by Word and Sacrament throughout our readings and hymns. Our midweek services of Matins and Evening Prayer will hone in on the appointed Old Testament reading and Psalm for each week, seeing how the psalmists and the prophet Isaiah pointed to Jesus' birth, suffering, death, resurrection and ongoing reign at the Father's right hand -- all undertaken foryou!

Blessings to you all as we feed on the spiritual food our good Shepherd continues to give us in the weeks to come.

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

October 31 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Blessed All Saints Eve (where the word "Halloween" comes from) — and Blessed Reformation Day!  Thanks for your support of last week's Trunk or Treat, which brought 776 guests to our parking lot for an evening of treats, snacks, contests, games and more.  We appreciate the 33 onsite volunteers and the numerous donations which helped make this event happen!

Moving from October to November, we hope that this round-up of opportunities for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead!


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Detailsin our weekly announcements andin the November newsletter)

  • Fall LifeLight classes conclude this month:

    • Prayer on Tuesdays at 10:30 am

    • End Times on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, focusing on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • Our biweekly Bowling League continues on Sunday, November 13th and Sunday, November 27th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes. Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • NEW! Potluck and Annual Voters' Meeting Sunday, November 20th following the 11 am service.

  • Thanksgiving Eve Divine Service Wednesday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm. Held at Messiah, this will be a joint Thanksgiving Eve service with our brothers & sisters of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockford; Pastor Jason Peterson will serve as preacher and the choirs of Messiah and St Peter will provide anthems.

  • NEW! Advent Midweek Services beginning Wednesday, November 30th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. The complete Advent and Christmas service schedule is available in the November newsletter!

  • Christmas Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Saturday, December 3rd.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
Our November newsletter is now available online! Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that:

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center. We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members. If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD [from Pastor's November newsletter article]:
"November is bringing us to the end of the church year and to the doorstep of winter. Even though it is about 75 degrees as I write this, we all know this is not going to last. Our little Indian summer has been a treat, but it would be foolish to imagine winter is not going to happen this year. How much more foolish would it be to imagine that Jesus is not going to return to judge the living and the dead?"

"Therefore, let us turn our hearts to God and renew our devotion to His Word. If we listen to Jesus’ prayer closely, we must admit that the day is drawing near and that there is an onus to our sanctification. Jesus has sent us into the world which is hostile territory. There are no noncombatants. If we wish for our faith to survive in this world, we must take refuge in the sanctuary, the place where His word sanctifies us in truth. This then is the reason we 'go to church.' Our church attendance is not a matter of getting our name on a list or checking off a box on the to-do list. Instead, we attend the Divine Service to be equipped by the armor of God so that we can extinguish the flaming darts that are hurled at us by Satan from all sides. With God’s Word, we need not fear any evil, so let us rejoice in that as the day draws nigh."

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

October 13 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Events come thick and fast for the rest of this month!  As we head into this busy season, we hope that this round-up of opportunities for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the October newsletter)

  • Fall LifeLight classes continue:

    • Prayer on Tuesdays at 10:30 am

    • End Times on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, focusing on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • Harvest Dinner & Bake Sale sponsored by the Parish Services Guild this Sunday, October 16th after the 11:00 am service.

  • Our biweekly Bowling League begins this Sunday, October 16th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes. Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • NEW! Crafting Get-Together next Monday, October 17th at 4:00 pm in the fellowship hall. We'll make crafts for the Christmas Bazaar; no experience necessary!

  • Fall Clean-Up Day sponsored by the Board of Trustees, Saturday, October 22nd from 8:00 am to 12 noon.

  • Lutheran Women's Missionary League Rally at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Greenville, Saturday, October 22nd from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Contact Linda Blain for more information. Items for the LWML Ingathering are being collected in the church foyer through next Thursday, October 20th.

  • NEW! Lutherans in Fellowship Together planning meeting Sunday, October 23rd after the 11:00 am service.

  • Prayer Pals Gathering for all confirmed women Sunday, October 23rd at 6:00 pm. Contact Deb Krueger for more information.

  • Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Board of Outreach on Thursday, October 27th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Candy donations are welcome; you can also sign up at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class to:

    • give out treats from trunks;

    • volunteer for other necessary tasks;

    • donate popcorn or juice pouches for snacks.

  • NEW! All Saints Sunday November 6th. If you'd like us to include your late Christian friends and relatives in the commemoration of the faithful departed, fill out and return the slips available at Messiah's Welcome Center by Sunday, October 30th.

  • NEW! Thanksgiving Eve Divine Service, Wednesday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm.

  • Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild, Saturday, December 3rd.


LOOKING AHEAD

Whew -- it's some schedule around here for the next few weeks, isn't it? We pray that, in the middle of all this enjoyable activity, we continue to focus on the core of our life together at Messiah. This coming Sunday, we hear Jesus promise that God will grant his elect justice -- but when God's Son returns, will He find faith? This haunting question is resoundingly answered in the following weeks, as we consider how our Lord has worked in the lives of His people throughout the ages - Jesus' brother St. James of Jerusalem (commemorated on October 23rd); Martin Luther and the others whose faithful confession and lives sparked the worldwide Lutheran Reformation (on October 30th); and all saints, in this world and the next (on November 6th). Through October and into November, may we gather to draw strength from God's Word and Sacraments, joining with "all the company of heaven" to praise Him for His gift of salvation -- by grace, through faith, given in Scripture and found in Jesus Christ alone!

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

September 29 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Almost October already!  We hope that this round-up of opportunities for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead. 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the October newsletter)

  • Fall LifeLight classes continue:

    • Prayer on Tuesdays at 10:30 am

    • End Times on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:30 am, focusing on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • Every One His Witness, a study/workshop event sponsored by the Board of Outreach, Saturday, October 1st from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Last minute registrations are still welcome; RSVP at Messiah's website or call the church office by Friday.

  • Harvest Dinner & Bake Sale sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Sunday, October 16th after the 11:00 am service.

  • NEW! Our biweekly Bowling League begins Sunday, October 16th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes. Contact Joanne Gillette for more details.

  • NEW! Fall Clean-Up Day sponsored by the Board of Trustees on Saturday, October 22nd from 8:00 am to 12 noon.

  • NEW! Lutheran Women's Missionary League Rally at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Greenville, Saturday, October 22nd from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Sign up at the Welcome Center by Friday, October 14th; contact Linda Blain for more information.

  • NEW! Prayer Pals Gathering for all confirmed women Sunday, October 23rd at 6:00 pm. Contact Deb Krueger for more information.

  • Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Board of Outreach on Thursday, October 27th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Sign up to give out treats from trunks or volunteer for other activities starting this coming Sunday. Candy donations are also welcome.

  • Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Saturday, December 3rd.

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Our October newsletter is now available online! Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that:

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center. We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members. If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD [from Pastor's October newsletter article]:
"The [Old Testament] Feast of Booths [or Tents], therefore, was a feast of promises, both a reflection on the promises kept by God and the promises which are yet to be fulfilled by God. In our day, we can be tempted to cynicism, a distrust of things to come. Perhaps it is because the many promises and hopes of the last 100 years were made on the premises of the progression of humanity. The last few generations put a man on the moon, invented antibiotics, and created the internet. And yet, there are still bad things, and some things have just gotten down right worse. Therefore, when someone comes along offering a hopeful view of the future, we might be tempted to scoff."

"But the Feast of Booths teaches us not to scoff at God. His promises actually carry weight and He has never failed to deliver. Most importantly, God has made due on His greatest promise, the promise of a Messiah. The greater Moses, Jesus, is leading His people. He leads us not up out of Egypt, but out of the tomb. Those who have been baptized into Jesus are given a beautiful vision of the future when we look into the past and see the empty tomb. When the disciples looked up into the heavens as Jesus ascended, they were looking into the future. Where Jesus has gone, there we are going."

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

September 15 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

The first half of September has gone quickly, hasn't it?  We also hope that this round-up of opportunities for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead toward fall! 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING
(Details in our weekly announcements and in the September newsletter)

  • Senior Choir practices have resumed on Wednesday nights. However, next week's practice will be held at a special time, Thursday, September 22 at 7:00 pm. Come and try us out!

  • Fall LifeLight classes have begun:

    • Prayer on Tuesdays at 10:30 am

    • End Times on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume Wednesday, September 21st at 9:30 am. This year the group will focus on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow.

  • Every One His Witness, a study/workshop event sponsored by the Board of Outreach, Saturday, October 1st from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Register in Bible Class, at the Welcome Center, or by RSVPing at Messiah's website.

  • NEW! Harvest Dinner & Bake Sale sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Sunday, October 16th after the 11:00 am service.

  • NEW! Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Board of Outreach on Thursday, October 27th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Sign up to give out treats from trunks or volunteer for other activities starting this coming Sunday. Candy donations are also welcome.

  • Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Saturday, December 3rd.


LOOKING AHEAD:
Pastor and I hope that you'll prayerfully consider joining us for the Every One His Witness workshop on the morning of Saturday, October 1st. We'll begin the day with continental breakfast, followed by a stimulating study on the topic "What Is A Witness?" Then we'll spend the rest of the morning learning how to:

  • Listen to those in our lives who need Christ

  • Ask questions (so we can listen more)

  • Seek a point of connection to Jesus' story

  • Share God's Word (the only thing that can change hearts)

  • Invite - keep the conversation about Jesus going

  • Encourage - follow up and follow through

This workshop will help you share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your friends and neighbors who haven't heard that Good News (or haven't heard it in a while). I look forward to seeing you there!

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

August 29 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

With Labor Day weekend looming, summer heads into its homestretch.  As we look back, we especially thank everyone who helped make yesterday's Community Picnic a resounding success!

We also hope that this round-up of opportunities for worship, devotion and fellowship (including highlighted new events) will be helpful as you look ahead into September and beyond! 


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

  • On Sunday, September 4th (Labor Day weekend), one service will be held at 10:00 am, with Bible Class held beforehand at 9:00 am.  The service will be livestreamed at:

  • Please note that there will be no Monday night service on September 5th (Labor Day weekend).

  • Our fall schedule resumes on Sunday, September 11th: the Divine Service with Holy Communion will be held every week at 8:30 and 11 am on Sundays, with Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:45 am.  The 11:00 am service and Bible Class will continue to be livestreamed as above.

    • A Rally Day Ice Cream Social will be held after the 11:00 am service on Sunday, September 11th, sponsored by the Board of Education.


WHAT'S UP, WHAT'S COMING (Details in our weekly announcements and in the September newsletter)

  • Senior Choir practices resume Wednesday, September 7th at 7:00 pm.

  • NEW!  The Parish Service Guild resumes monthly meetings on Thursday, September 8th.  Fellowship at 12:30 pm followed by business meeting at 1:00 pm.

  • Garage Sale on Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th. 

  • Fall LifeLight classes begin in September as follows:

    • Prayer on Tuesdays, beginning September 13th at 10:30 am.

    • End Times on Wednesdays, beginning September 14th at 6:00 pm.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume Wednesday, September 21st at 9:30 am. This year the group will focus on the book Chosen: A Study of Esther by Donna Snow. 

  • Every One His Witness, a study/workshop event sponsored by the Board of Outreach, Saturday, October 1st from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.  Watch for more details soon!

  • Cookie and Craft Bazaar sponsored by the Parish Services Guild on Saturday, December 3rd. 


SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER:
Our September newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety.  A reminder that:

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD:
The themes of our Scripture readings for Sunday, September 4th have a bracing theme: love the Lord first, last, in time and in eternity!  (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) This commandment intimately connects us to the incalculable blessing of knowing & being known by Jesus. (Luke 14:25-35)  Where there is love for the Lord, life pulsates in joy, obedience & commitment to His Word.  Christians gravitate to other believers whose love is grounded in Christ.  In the face of adversity, love builds up.  In the face of hatred, love boasts of triumph, refreshing the heart, revitalizing faith, comforting with grace. (Philemon 1-21)

It's my hope and prayer, that as we continue to gather around God's Word and Sacraments, the blessing, love and grace of Jesus Christ will continue to take root and grow in each of us and all of us, just as He promises!  May these great gifts from God continue to be yours in the weeks to come.

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

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