Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! We rejoice in this central truth of the faith during the remaining weeks of the Easter season, in our individual lives and through numerous opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service.
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. (Identical Monday night services will also be held from Monday, June 2nd through Monday, August 25th at 7:00 pm.)
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 studying the book Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God's Strength by Deb Burma Wednesdays at 9:45 am. Click here for a sample! CARES will break for the summer following the session on Wednesday, May 7th.
Spring Bible Study continues Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Dan Bohlinger & Pastor Hoese are leading this study on The Lutheran Difference: Angels & Demons. Click here for a sample!
NEW! Our Lutheran Confessions Study returns to its beginnings! You are warmly invited to join us in an engaging study of The Augsburg Confession, beginning Thursday, May 1st at 10:00 am.
NEW! On Thursday, May 29th, 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 Eric 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!
MAY NEWSLETTER PLUS WHAT'S NEW AND NEXT
Our May newsletter is now available online; click here to preview or download it in its entirety. Paper copies of the newsletter are available at our Welcome Center. 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:
Spring Garage Sale Friday, May 2nd from 5:00 to 8:00 pm & Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Pictorial Directory signups continue for appointments on Monday, May 5th. Sign up on Sundays or online; contact Sherry Troutwine for details.
NEW! Bread Baking Bonanza Saturday, May 24th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Space will be limited; sign ups coming soon!
NEW! Vacation Bible School: Epic Australian Adventure Monday - Friday, June 16th - 20th from 9:00 am to 11:45 am. Register kids (age 4 as of August 1st through entering grade 6) beginning Thursday, May 1st at www.vbsmate.com/messiahgr2025. Volunteer training is set for Saturday, May 17th from 9:00 to 11:00 am; contact Steve Ledbetter for details.
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (FROM THE MAY NEWSLETTER):
"One empty tomb later, and the whole story suddenly changes tone. Death does not have the last word, forgiveness is poured out, good news proclaimed, hope made secure, and everywhere Christ goes, joy takes root. As we hear the story anew, year after year, we are reminded that this is not just something that happened to Christ, but that this is His promise to us, and all who believe. Our stories all end the same way, not in death, but in life. Wherever we happen to be along the way, through the ups and downs and everything in between, we know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to put it."
"However, especially in the midst of a particular devastating low point, the promise of Easter can seem a long way off, or maybe we even lose sight of it altogether. Recall then the worlds of the angels at the tomb, ‘Remember!’ Recall then the appearances of Christ to His people, and the scriptures written for us, for our benefit, that we may believe. Remember that, 'Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!’ is not always a cry of joyful triumph, but sometimes of defiance. Defiance in the face of sin, defiance in the face of Satan, defiance in the face of death. Defiance in the face of all that plagues us on this side of heaven, and hope in the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come, Amen."
