September 30 Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,
Another summer gives way to autumn; another September gives way to October. Which brings to mind Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever". The last phrase of that verse was quoted by Peter in his first epistle, then became a motto of the Lutheran Reformation 1500 years later. And that Word - the promises of God, fulfilled in His Son Jesus Christ, brought to us today by the Holy Spirit - is what continues to bring us together around Word & Sacrament, for worship, fellowship, education and service!
WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Our regular Sunday schedule:
Divine Service at 10:00 am.
Bible Class at 9:00 am. We continue the video-based series Christianity and the Competition, Topics and discussions in this series are based on recorded presentations by the late Dr. Paul Maier.
Sunday School at 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
CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:45 am, concluding the book Come and Be Filled: Feasting with Jesus in His Word by Kristopher R. Whitby. CARES begins a new book, Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself by Joshua Pfeiffer, soon. Click here for a sample; Watch the author preview it on YouTube here.
LifeLight has resumed with 9-week classes on The Epistle to the Hebrews. Classes are already in progress on Tuesdays at 10:30 am and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. It's not too late to take part! Click here for a sample.
Reformation Sunday is October 25th. We also resume our monthly worship service for the residents of Bishop Hills Assisted Living in Rockford at 3:00 pm that afternoon.
All Saints Sunday is November 1st. To include your Christian loved ones and friends in our annual Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, you fill out and return the slips found on the Welcome Center, starting this coming Sunday through October 25th.
WHAT'S NEW & NEXT
Our October 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!
Family Movie Night this Friday, October 2nd at 6:00 pm, sponsored by the Board of Education. Church and preschool families are invited to watch Follow That Bird "on the big screen" in the fellowship hall We'll start with a Pizza Party at 5:45 am (suggested donation: $10 per family), followed by the movie at 6:15 pm. Bring your own seating (lawn chairs for adults; blankets/pillows for kids - they can wear their PJs, too!). Please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting the church office.
Lutheran Women's Missionary League Sunday is celebrated at Messiah with a door collection for mites for missions this coming Sunday, October 4th. There will be a "Ladies Choice" Hymn Sing to start the service, too.
Harvest Dinner & Bake Sale, Sunday, October 18th after service, sponsored by the Parish Service Guild. A roast pork dinner and desserts will be served. Tickets will be available after church services starting this coming Sunday; see any Guild member for more details.
NEW! Bowling League begins Sunday, October 18th 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 questions, contact Joanne Gillette.
Fall Clean Up Day is coming Saturday, October 24th from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. The Board of Trustees are looking for helpers, young and old, to join us as we clean up our grounds and facility for the holidays. See you there!
NEW! Fall Prayer Pals Sunday, October 25th at 6:00 pm. Bring a small gift for your prayer pal and an appetizer or dessert to share; bite size portions are preferred since we like to try everything. Ladies, if you are not a Prayer Pal yet, please join us! Expect great food and fellowship. If you have questions call Deb Krueger.
Trunk or Treat, Saturday, October 31st at 3:00 pm! Sign up at the Welcome Center to give out treats from your car trunk or help in another capacity! We also encourage donations of bagged, individually wrapped candy for our trunkers to give out, as well as donations of 8 oz water bottles. Thanks in advance for your help!
Yours in Christ, Rick Krueger
FROM PASTOR ERIC (in the October newsletter)
"All the minutes, workbooks, including the resolutions, elections, and so forth [from this summer's Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod convention] are available online, if ever anyone is curious about what in the world actually happens at a synodical convention. Remember this is all very exciting, no yawning! Well, perhaps not that exciting. But it is important. It is all part of our life together, not of the world, but still in it, making sure we do things decently and in good order, all to the furtherment of our mission, sharing the gospel, the good news of Jesus, with a world that is certainly disordered. Amen."
OCTOBER'S HYMN OF THE MONTH
October’s Hymn of the Month will be “The Church’s One Foundation,” Lutheran Service Book 644. One of a set of texts on the Apostles’ Creed published in 1866 by Anglican curate Samuel Stone, the text meditates on “the holy Christian Church; the communion of saints”, especially in the face of challenges raised by unbelief, controversy and persecution. The tune, published in 1864, is by the English musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley, the grandson of Christian poet Charles Wesley who became an organist, professor of music and composer. We hope that you enjoy singing and taking this hymn into your heart this coming month!