Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
We're on the verge of this summer's final three-day weekend. That means September is almost here -- and that worship, education, fellowship and outreach activities at Messiah resume their typical rhythms in the coming weeks. More below!
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with Divine Service at 10:00 am on Sundays. Bible Class continues beforehand at 9:00 am; we'll begin the Paul Maier video study Jesus: Legend or Lord on Sunday, September 7th. Sunday School will resume Sunday, September 14th at the new time of 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
LifeLight resumes next month! Sign up at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class for:
Lifelight Foundations: Parables, led by Shirley Hoese, Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am beginning September 16th. Click here to view a sample.
LifeLight: Selected Psalms, led by Dan Bohlinger & Pastor Hoese, Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm beginning September 17th. Click here to view a sample.
The LCMS Foundation's Julie Burgess will visit us on Sunday, September 28th, presenting on Estate Planning during the Bible Class hour. You'll also be able to make personal appointments with Julie for later follow-up.
The Board of Outreach presents Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Adult Children on Saturday, October 4th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sign ups are now available at the Welcome Center, in Bible Class or at our website.
NEW! CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) resumes on Wednesday, October 8th 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.
WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
Our September newsletter is now 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/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar. Be sure to check the newsletter and our weekly announcements for info on the events listed below and others:
Sign up now for our monthly Meet and Eat Small Groups at the Welcome Center.
NEW! West Michigan Lutheran School has officially moved to Grace Lutheran Church (150 50th Street SW, Wyoming, MI 49548). Please feel free to join them for weekly chapel on Wednesdays at 11:50 am.
Community Picnic Sunday, September 7th after the Divine Service. We're inviting folks from church, preschool, VBS, area LCMS congregations and our neighborhood to celebrate! The Board of Outreach is organizing a picnic meal (with ice cream provided by the Board of Education), a visit from the Plainfield Township Fire Department, a bounce castle for the kids, carnival games with prizes for all ages, and more! Please sign up to provide side dishes and help run games at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class.
Senior Choir resumes weekly practices Wednesday, September 10th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. (Note the date change from our end-of-July update.) And our Rhythm & Singers group will return this fall as well, rehearsing after choir practices on Wednesdays, October 1st and 8th. Contact Rick Krueger if you're interested in either ensemble!
NEW! Church/Preschool Movie Night Friday, September 26th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We'll watch Curious George, complete with popcorn and the big screen. Mark your calendars and plan to sign up in advance at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class.
And watch for more details on these upcoming events:
Harvest Dinner, Sunday, October 12th, presented by the Parish Services Guild.
Prayer Pals Revealing Night, Sunday, October 19th.
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (IN THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER)
"When we shy away from the reality that Christ Himself has warned us about, that we will suffer for our faith, we do no one any favors. In the secular realm, when a nation forgets how much was sacrificed on their behalf, it does not help anyone, and in fact can lead to some devaluing what they have. In the church, the stakes are clearly far higher. When we forget the martyrs, when we forget the sacrifices that were made in order that we might hear and believe, above all when we forget, or even shy away from, the suffering of Christ, we do ourselves, and our loved ones, no favors.
"This is certainly not the only thing we remember, but there is a place for it in the church, in our art, in our music. A price was paid for our sin, the highest price, the suffering and death of God, of Christ, for our behalf. A price was paid to tell us this good news, from the martyrdom of most of the apostles, to countless others who suffered in many and various ways. These stories, these depictions are not meant to entertain, but to inspire, to encourage, to assure us, and all the faithful, that by the grace of God, the same faith that sustained these heroes of the faith, is our faith as well, our gift from God. They remind us we do not suffer alone; we do not suffer in vain, and that all suffering ultimately comes to an end. All of these stories of suffering for the faith end in victory, in glory, in peace, Good Friday leads to Easter. We too will pass through sin, suffering, and even death, to join Christ in a kingdom free from all of that, a kingdom and a life that only knows beauty. May all art, in all its forms, ever keep this promise before us, and sustain us in the one true faith unto life everlasting, Amen."
SEPTEMBER'S HYMN OF THE MONTH
This month, we bring back another familiar favorite in our tradition -With the Lord Begin Your Task (LSB 869). First published in a German travelers’ handbook from the 1730s, this hymn text encourages Christians to pray, praise and adore Jesus first thing in the morning and throughout the day! Paired with a melody by German pastor Peter Franck, the hymn was brought to America by the founders of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, then translated into English for 1941’sThe Lutheran Hymnal. We pray as you sing this hymn throughout September, its proclamation of our Lord’s comforting presence will sink into your heart and mind, strengthening you for months and years to come.
