February 26th Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
As we conclude the first full week of Lent, we pray that this time of prayer and meditation on Jesus Christ's sufferings and death "For Us" proves fruitful for your life of faith, even as it brings Holy Week and Easter Sunday closer by the day.
There are so many upcoming opportunities for worship, education, outreach, fellowship and service in this holy season. We hope that you'll take advantage of them - and invite a friend!
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.
Lent Midweek Services of Prayer continue on Wednesdays through March 25th at 11:00 am & 7:00 pm. This year's Lenten midweek theme is "For Us", retelling how Jesus' lived, died and rose again so that we might become like Him! Lenten suppers will be held on those Wednesdays in our Fellowship Hall at 6:00 pm; check the weekly announcements for details.
Our Holy Week service schedule is as follows:
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd – Divine Service at 7:00 pm.
Good Friday, April 3rd – Chief Service at 11:00 am; Service of Darkness (Tenebrae) at 7:00 pm.
Easter Sunday, April 5th - identical Divine Services at 7:30 & 10:00 am. There will be no Sunday School or Bible Class on Easter Sunday.
Livestreams of our Sunday, Wednesday night and Holy Week 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: Law & Gospel continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am, led by Shirley Hoese. Click here for a sample.
CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:45 am, discussing the book Come and Be Filled: Feasting with Jesus in His Word by Kristopher R. Whitby. Click here for a sample.
MARCH NEWSLETTER PLUS WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our March 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!
We encourage members and regular visitors over 18 to participate in our Congregational Survey no later than Sunday, March 1st. Click here to take the survey.
Building Your Financial House Saturday, March 7th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Free, with lunch included! You'll learn about laying down financial foundations, eliminating debt, building wealth, strategizing for retirement and protecting your assets. Whether you're starting your career, in your prime earning years, planning retirement or already retired, this workshop is for you! To register, call the church office or sign up at our Welcome Center.
Lenten Prayer Breakfast Saturday, March 14th at 9:30 am. Fellowship, a delicious breakfast, and a meaningful service of Corporate Confession and Absolution as we turn our hearts toward Holy Week. Sign up at the Welcome Center.
Easter Flowers are available to pre-order. Sign up at the Welcome Center by Sunday, March 15th.
NEW! Sign up to make Palm Crosses on Saturday, March 21st at 9:00 am, or to participate in The Stripping of the Altar on Maundy Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00 pm. Sign up at the Welcome Center or contact the church office.
Family Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 28th at 10:00 am, sponsored by our Board of Outreach. Sign up to volunteer or donate items at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class. Flyers to share with families you know are available at the Welcome Center, too!
Yours in Christ, RIck Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (IN THE MARCH NEWSLETTER)
'Fasting during Lent reminds us that, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Even as it is a good practice to set aside some sort of physical nourishment, remember there should never be a fast from the Lord, or His Word. Instead, Lent encourages us to lean even more on Him, His Word, His promises. All of course leading to Holy Week, where we are reminded that nothing here on earth can save us from death. Turning from the world to the Lord, we then join Peter in saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Even as you fast this Lent, I encourage you to feast on the Word, on His promises, on His love for you, now and always, Amen.'
HYMN OF THE MONTH: A LAMB GOES UNCOMPLAINING FORTH
Our March Hymn of the Month (with one stanza per Sunday sung after the offering, leading to a full rendition as the Hymn of the Day on Palm Sunday) is “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth” (LSB 438), written by the German Lutheran hymnwriting team of Paul Gerhardt (pastor and poet) and Johann Crueger (organist, composer and hymnal editor). First published in 1647, near the end of the Thirty Years War that devastated Germany, it’s a deep, emotional contemplation of God’s love in offering Christ for our sins: setting the scene of sacrifice, imagining the dialogue between Father & Son, then responding with praise of this divine love and anticipation of our union with the Lord in heaven.We hope that you enjoy hearing this rich hymn (sung by a mass choir in India) at the video link below, then singing and learning it by heart in the weeks to come!