September 30 Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
September went quickly, didn't it? And October will be just as action-packed, with numerous opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service on the way!
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with Divine Service at 10:00 am on Sundays. Bible Class continues beforehand at 9:00 am with the Paul Maier video study Jesus: Legend or Lord. 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
LifeLight continues this week with these ongoing studies:
Lifelight Foundations: Parables, led by Shirley Hoese, Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am.. Click here to view a sample.
LifeLight: Selected Psalms, led by Dan Bohlinger & Pastor Hoese, Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm. Click here to view a sample.
The Board of Outreach presents Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Adult Children this Saturday, October 4th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please sign up by this Wednesday, October 1st at the Welcome Center, by calling the church office, or at our website.
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.
NEW! All Saints Sunday is November 2nd. To include your Christian loved ones and friends in our annual Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, fill out and return the slips found on the Welcome Center beginning this coming Sunday.
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER PLUS WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our October 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 the newsletter and announcements regularly for updates on the events listed below and more!
Senior Choir continues weekly practices on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. And our Rhythm & Singers group returns soon, rehearsing after choir practices on Wednesdays, October 1st and 8th. Contact Rick Krueger if you're interested in either ensemble!
Harvest Dinner, Sunday, October 12th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, presented by the Parish Services Guild. Roast Pork dinner and desserts will be served. Tickets are available on Sunday after church; see any Guild member for details.
Bowling League begins Sunday, October 12th 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.
NEW! Fall Clean-Up Day sponsored by the Board of Trustees Saturday, October 18th from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
NEW! Lutheran Women's Missionary League Rally Saturday, October 18th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rockford. Contact Linda Blain for details; register at the Welcome Center or by email by Friday, October 10th.
Prayer Pals Revealing Night, Sunday, October 19th. Contact Deb Krueger for more details.
Trunk or Treat, Thursday, October 30th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, sponsored by the Board of Outreach. Volunteer sign-ups and donation bins are out at the Welcome Center. Treaters and other volunteers, plan to dress up as a creature that God made and called good, or as one of the faithful saints whose lives we read about in His Word!
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (IN THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER)
"Following after the Apostles, and all the church that has gone before us, we are sent out to share the good news. The good news that Christ has overcome the world. The good news that the prince of lies has been defeated. The good news that the Son of God died and rose for each and every man, woman, and child out there. The good news that God loves the whole world, and no one is beyond His mercy and forgiveness. The good news that all of this is ours as a gift from God, received by God given faith, given out of His abundant grace. The good news that the world just cannot understand, but the good news it needs nonetheless. In the face of death, we get to point to the source of all life, the sustainer of all life, the Savior of all life. In a way then, it is simply business as usual for the church. People need Christ, we get to share Him, even as we are sustained and encouraged by His promises, and His presence among us. So, in the midst of a world desperately of God’s grace, we stand and point to Christ, truly what else can we do? Amen."
OCTOBER'S HYMN OF THE MONTH
October’s Hymn of the Month, “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” (Lutheran Service Book655) is a true treasure of the Lutheran Reformation. Originally titled “A Children’s Hymn” when first published in 1543, this text and tune by Martin Luther is a straight-up prayer for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to preserve the Church against its earthly and demonic opponents. As we sing it throughout this month, may our prayers for protection, peace and God's gift of eternal life be all the stronger and all the more fervent.