November 13th Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
Thanks to everyone who supported our annual Trunk or Treat, where 35 volunteers (staffing 21 trunks and other stations) welcomed a crowd of 500 children, parents, grandparents & caregivers. We truly appreciate your efforts as we continue connecting with our community, motivated by the love of Christ!
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with Divine Service at 10:00 am on Sundays. Bible Class continues beforehand at 9:00 am. Sunday School for children PreK and up is held after worship, starting about 11:15 am.
Livestreams of our Sunday 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) continues on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 am. This women’s book discussion group continues reading Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God’s Strength by Deb Burma; click here for a sample.
Our Thanksgiving Eve Divine Service is set for Wednesday, November 26th at 7:00 pm. We welcome our brothers & sisters in Christ from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford for this joint Divine Service, held at Messiah. Pastor Eric will preside; Rev. Jason Peterson will preach; a joint choir and instrumentalists will provide musical leadership.
Midweek Advent Services begin on Wednesday, December 3rd. Prayer services will be offered at 11:00 am on December 3rd, 10th and 17th, as well as at 7:00 pm on December 3rd; our theme will be The Saints of Advent. Wednesday evening services will also include our Preschool Christmas Service: The ABCs of Christmas on December 10th at 6:30 pm and Christmas Reflections (Lessons and Carols) on December 17th at 7:00 pm.
Our Christmas service schedule will be as follows:
Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service, Wednesday, December 24th at 7:00 pm
Christmas Day Divine Service, Thursday, December 25th at 10:00 am
New Year's Day Divine Service, Thursday, January 1st at 10:00 am
Epiphany Divine Service at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rockford, Tuesday, January 6th at 7:00 pm. This will be a joint service with St. Peter's.
WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our November newsletter is online; click here to preview or download it in its entirety.Paper copies are available at the Welcome Center. We post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) and our weekly announcements online at www.messiahgr.org; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar. Be sure to check these sources regularly for updates on the events listed below and more!
Holiday Basket Donations (of both gift cards & non-perishable food) are being taken through this Sunday, November 16th. Contact Joe & Becky Buss for details.
Annual Voters' Meeting this Sunday, November 16th following the Divine Service. Join us to hear reports & updates, elect officers & board members, and consider the 2026 congregational budget. There'll be a potluck too!
Bowling League continues Sunday, November 23rd and December 7th at 3:00 pm at Northfield Lanes on Plainfield Avenue. We bowl every other Sunday through March; both league members and substitute bowlers are always welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Gillette.
Christmas Bazaar Saturday, December 6th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, sponsored by our Parish Services Guild. If you'd like to help with prep work, volunteer staffing, set-up, clean-up and/or baking cookies for this event, talk to a Guild member. Proceeds support congregational projects and LCMS missions!
Advent Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 13th at 9:30 am. Come for a delicious meal, fellowship and a prayer service. Sign up at the Welcome Center.
NEW! Christmas Caroling, Saturday, December 13th from 3:00 to 6:30 pm, sponsored by the Board of Outreach. We'll carol to homebound members and residents at senior facilities, then return to church for a pizza party. Sign up at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class.
And, one more thing . . .
WEST MICHIGAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL GIVING DAY IS TODAY!
Click on the graphic below to donate! WMLHS' goal for this Giving Day is to have 75 donations of any size. Reaching this goal will enable the school to secure over $10,000 in challenge gifts from several generous supporters!
Yours in Christ, Pastor Eric and Rick Krueger
