Messiah will hold its weekly Divine Service on Sunday, September 21st at 10:00 am; the service is scheduled to be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/messiahgr, our website and our Facebook page. Bible Class will be held beforehand at 9:00 am, and weekly Sunday School will be held following the Divine Service, beginning about 11:15 am.

The Scriptures for this commemoration of St. Matthew draw us into the traditional prayer: “Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, & inwardly digest them.” His Word informs the preaching & teaching of prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers. His simple commands stir up an immediate, definitive response. Disciples follow. Sinners respond. Forgiveness & salvation are made known! (Psalm 92:1–5, Matthew 9:13b, c; Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; Ephesians 4:7-16; Matthew 9:9-13)

Messiah will hold its weekly Divine Service on Sunday, September 28th at 10:00 am; the service is scheduled to be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/messiahgr, our website and our Facebook page. Adult Bible Class will be held beforehand at 9:00 am, and children’s Sunday School will be held following the Divine Service, beginning about 11:15 am.

Readings for the Day:

• Psalm 119:73-77: “Let your steadfast love comfort me.”

• Amos 6:1-7: “Woe to you rich!”

• 1 Timothy 6:6-19: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”

• Luke 16:19-31: The rich man & poor Lazarus.

Messiah’s Board of Outreach presents this special event on Saturday, October 4th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Each Christian is called to be a witness by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Every One His Witness events are aimed at helping you be a more faithful and effective witness for the sake of those who do not know Jesus, especially people whom the Lord has already brought into relationship with us in our everyday lives.

This year’s event focuses on one of parents’ and grandparents’ greatest challenges: Witnessing to Dechurched Adult Children. Featured in this video-based seminar are two formerly dechurched LCMS members: Paula Isakson — a pastor’s daughter who founded the ministry Faith Family Reunion — and the Rev. Jonathan Fisk, who now serves as senior pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois. Both share their stories of leaving and finding their way back to the Lutheran faith. LCMS deaconess Heidi Goehmann (currently serving in Ludington, Michigan) is also a featured presenter.

When we witness, we plant and water the seed of God’s Word with the joyful expectation that the Lord will, where it pleases Him, provide the growth. At Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Dechurched Adult Children, you’ll learn about:

• A simple approach to being a witness called LASSIE — Listen, Ask, Seek, Share, Invite, Encourage!

• Finding connecting points between your child’s story and Jesus’ story – the Gospel!

• Having fruitful conversations about Jesus with sons and daughters who have left the faith in which they were raised.

The study will also include in-person discussion led by Pastor Eric Black. There will be no cost for this seminar; materials, continental breakfast (starting at 8:30 am) and lunch will be provided. Please register in advance below, or by calling the church office at 616-363-2553.

Messiah will hold its weekly Divine Service on Sunday, October 5th at 10:00 am; the service is scheduled to be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/messiahgr, our website and our Facebook page. Adult Bible Class will be held beforehand at 9:00 am, and children’s Sunday School will be held following the Divine Service, beginning about 11:15 am.

Traditionally celebrated the first Sunday in October, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday can be celebrated any time. This year’s theme begins a four-year cycle focusing on the LWML Mission Statement — “As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others”. For LWML Sunday 2025 we focus on Proclaiming Christ and Sharing the Gospel.

Everything we do as Lutheran Women in Mission begins with Christ’s message of repentance and forgiveness. The Ascension text of “GO” (Luke 24:44–53) is the mission emphasis for Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday 2025. On Ascension Day, Jesus gave his followers an assignment “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” We, as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, have a responsibility to proclaim the message of Christ, to be that body which proclaims repentance and forgiveness, showing forth the merciful Christ in what we do and say.

As Lutheran Women in Mission we continue to support, encourage and uplift missionaries, and also provide physical support and compassion to all people. It is the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name that motivates us to do this work. All Glory be to Jesus!

Readings for the Day:

• Psalm 67: “Let the people praise you, Lord!”

• Isaiah 62:1-7: The Lord rejoices over His people.

• Romans 10:11-17: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.”

• Luke 24:44-53: “You are witnesses of these things.”