December 30th Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
Blessed sixth day of Christmas! While the world around us takes some down time, we pray that your heart and mind remains focused on the wondrous birth of Jesus Christ - in the words of the Bethlehem shepherds, "this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." (Luke 2:15b ESV)
In the coming days, we continue our celebration of the twelve days of Christmas and the feast of Epiphany; then our typical schedule of events resumes. More information below!
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) is on break, resuming on Wednesday, January 7th 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.
LifeLight: Law & Gospel on Tuesday, January 20th at 10:30 am. This 9-session Tuesday morning study will be led by Shirley Hoese; contact her to reserve materials. Click here for a sample.
CHRISTMAS & EPIPHANY WORSHIP
Our Christmas service schedule continues as follows:
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. A chili/soup supper will precede the service at 6:00 pm; please sign up at the Welcome Center to bring a side dish (salad) or dessert!
JANUARY NEWSLETTER + WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our January newsletter is now online; click here to view or download a copy. 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!
Bowling League resumes on Sunday, January 4th at 3:00 pm.
Parish Services Guild meets on Thursday, January 8th at 1:00 pm.
Senior Choir weekly practices resume Wednesday, January 14th at 7:00 pm.
NEW! Parish Leadership Workshop Saturday, January 24th (time to be announced). Our focus will be orientation for new and veteran leaders, and reflecting on Messiah's potential futures. Watch for more details soon!
NEW! National Lutheran Schools Week January 25th through February 1st. The week will include:
Preschool Open House Tuesday, January 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
Preschool Children's Choir for our Divine Service on Sunday, February 1st.
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
FROM PASTOR ERIC (in the January newsletter)
"There is an end coming, but it is the end of sin, of death, of Satan and all evil. As for life, life will go on free from all such things, as difficult as that is to imagine. Life, without death, that is what awaits us. The seasons will still turn, but free from all suffering. The days will still pass by, but they will only ever be full of the goodness of God. The cycle of life and death will be replaced by the cycle of life, and life alone. And it will all turn for an eternity.
And at its center, enthroned on high, will sit your Savior. The author of life, the Word made flesh, the Lamb who was slain and now reigns, the beginning and the end; around our God, life will go on in His kingdom for all time, ever new, ever growing, ever perfect, ever full of the love of our Creator and Redeemer. And as for us on this side of the New Heavens and the New Earth, as you switch to that new calendar for 2026 and slowly start again marking off the dates, remember that each day brings us one day closer to Christ’s return, His second Advent, Amen."