March 29 Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
It's not too late to attend our Spiritual Growth Seminar tomorrow - Saturday, May 30th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Call the office and leave a message or RSVP online to let us know you're coming - or simply be there! We're convinced that everyone who attends this seminar by Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez will better understand and rejoice in the Holy Spirit’s ongoing power & presence in our lives. It would be great to see you tomorrow! (Also, you can purchase Dr. Sanchez's book Sculptor Spirit for 40 percent off with free economy shipping by using the code IVP4026 at this link.)
The opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service continue through June: check them out below.
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Our regular Sunday schedule:
Divine Service at 10:00 am.
Bible Class at 9:00 am. We continue 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 is in recess for the summer.)
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
Monday night Divine Services will also be held from June 1st through August 31st at 7:00 pm.
WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our June 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!
NEW! Online Women's Reading Group: A Feast of Fine Things begins Sunday, June 7th. The group will read Parents and Children by Charlotte Mason over the summer. Particpants are also welcome to post favorite Scriptures, poetry, quotes, art, pictures and music. Contact Allison Black for details about the Band app, group participation and answers to your questions!
NEW! We'll recognize our high school graduates after the service on Sunday, June 14th; a Hot Dog and Ice Cream Social will also follow immediately!
Vacation Bible School: Tropical TrekMonday - Thursday, June 22nd - 5th 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 supplies, too - we have over 55 children already registered! Contact Steve Dengler for details.
VBS Staff Training will be held Saturday, June 13th from 9:00 to 11:00 am.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts Tuesday, August 11th. We’ll gather at the church pavilion for a picnic supper at 5:00 pm, then drive or carpool to LMCU Ballpark to watch the Whitecaps play the Lansing Lugnuts at 6:35 pm. We have a block of tickets reserved; cost will be $16 per ticket (payable by cash or check; contact Kurt Veitengruber for details). Parking will be $10 per car at the ballpark, which is a cashless venue. Signup at the welcome center or online by Sunday, June 28th.
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (IN THE JUNE NEWSLETTER)
"There is much to gain in studying the lives of the many heroes of the faith . . . [first,] we should be vigilant in what we believe, teach, and confess, not only to our children, but to each other. Do we value Christ’s forgiveness? Do we truly value the gifts we receive in the Word of God, from the font, from the table? Do we praise the Lord with our voices? Do we love one another, truly? Do we serve in our various vocations, or in other words, do we still follow Christ beyond these church walls? When we worry, when we fear, when we doubt, where do we turn? The world watches us, and if they see us react just like them, speak just like them, act just like the world acts, we should not wonder why many in the church run for the hills.
And second, do we believe Christ’s love and forgiveness, the very things that keep us together in the church, our highest treasures . . . can bring [those who have wandered from the faith] back? Because [the apostle] John sure seemed to . . . An old man had nothing else to offer youth but Christ’s love and forgiveness, and he believed it was not just enough; it was everything . . . one wonders what kind of effect this experience would have had on [other youth] . . .To be assured of that total forgiveness, to be surrounded by that selfless love, to have a home just waiting for you.
John sets a high bar, in how strong his trust was in Christ, to forgive, to love, to redeem even as unruly young man as this. And John was willing to ride into unknown and potentially stressful situations to share that love. Which brings me to Vacation Bible School … a lot of work to be done, and a whole host of children ready, willing, and eager to hear of Christ, His forgiveness, His love for them. If you have not already, please do think about volunteering, there are many different ways to serve these children from our congregation, and from the community around us. And it does make a difference. There are of course all the things they will do and participate in, which are wonderful, and help share the good news of Christ, but they will also see that this matters to you. That you care about this message, and that because it means something to you, everything to you, you want to share it with them, and that they are worth your time, your talents, and your energy. Please prayerfully consider this unique opportunity, to share the love of Christ with these children. Amen."