April 30 Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
First, an update: we apologize for the technical difficulties with our livestream in recent weeks. As of today, we have checked & tested the entire system; solved problems with software updates, computer feeds & internet connections; and successfully run a trial stream, with clear audio & video coming through on multiple devices. Livestreaming will resume this coming Sunday; thanks for your feedback and your patience with us as we worked through these challenges. Our goal is to ensure that our livestream works for those unable to attend our services in person.
Heading toward May, we're getting ready to conclude the festival half of the church year and enter the Time of the Church. In addition to weekly worship, opportunities for education, fellowship, outreach and service continue.
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Our regular Sunday schedule:
Divine Service at 10:00 am.
Bible Class at 9:00 am. On Sunday, May 3rd we begin the Bible study "Christ Is Risen Indeed", based on 1 Corinthians 15. This is the official study of this summer's upcoming Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod convention.
Sunday School for children PreK and up after worship, starting about 11:15 am.
Livestreams of our Sunday services (see our opening paragraph) 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
Our joint Ascension Day Divine Service with St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rockford will be held Thursday, May 14th at 7:00 pm at Messiah. A potluck dinner with ham as the main course will be served at 6:00 pm that evening in the fellowship hall. This service will also be livestreamed.
Monday night Divine Services will also be held from June 1st through August 31st at 7:00 pm.
MAY NEWSLETTER PLUS WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our May 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!
Preschool Yard Signs are now available for you to display in your neighborhood; sign them out at the Welcome Center.
Spring Clean Up Day this Saturday, May 2nd from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon, sponsored by the Board of Trustees. Contact Carol Mushong for details.
NEW! Preschool Year End Program Wednesday, May 13th at 9:00 am in the sanctuary. A Year End Preschool Picnic will be held at our pavilion/playground area later that day, starting at 5:30 pm.
Fraud Prevention Seminar Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 to 11:30 am, sponsored by the Board of Outreach. This valuable discussion will be led by an FBI Agent. Contact Kim Black for details; sign up at the Welcome Center or by clicking here.
Spiritual Growth Seminar - “The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Growth,” presented by Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, on Saturday, May 30th. Sign-up at the Welcome Center or by clicking here.
NEW! Vacation Bible School: Tropical Trek Monday - Thursday, June 22nd - 25th from 9:00 am to 11:45 am. Register kids (age 4 as of August 1st through entering grade 6) now at www.vbsmate.com/messiahgr2026. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and donate key items, too; contact Steve Dengler for details!
NEW! West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts Tuesday, August 11th. Picnic supper at church, followed by the game at LMCU Ballpark. More details coming soon!
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant
FROM PASTOR ERIC (IN THE MAY NEWSLETTER)
"Christ is the firstborn from the dead. We, as many as believe, are His younger siblings in this sense. We will rise to a new life like His. We will live with Him, in His kingdom. Death will have as a great a hold on us, as it has on Him, that is to say, none at all. And all of this can be seen in the life of the church. Many times, the world has declared us dead, but remember the words of Gamaliel in Acts 5, “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” Well, the church is not dead. Many times the world has tried to bury it, we endure. And this is not on account of our own works, our own power, our own skill, but only on account of the work of God, working through His church, to bring light and life to the nations. You are a new people, part of a new creation, you are immortal, all on account of the love and work of Christ for you. How can we not cry out to heaven itself, Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen."