October 26 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

It's been less than a week since our last update - but a lot of what we covered then bears repeating! 

PASTORAL CALL MEETING REMINDER - OCTOBER 29
A reminder that a Special Voters meeting will be held on Sunday, October 29th, following Messiah's 10:00 am service.  At this meeting, the voters will consider recommendations from our Call Committee and work together with them in calling a pastor to be our next shepherd at Messiah. Please contact Dave Ahrens or Ken Martin if you have questions - and continue praying that God will work through us to provide the pastor He has in mind for us, according to His will and timing.

WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  (There's an update on Christian education for our children in the November newsletter, linked below.) Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain and Pastor Daniel Gruenwald for leading our Sunday Divine Services and Bible Classes in October and November.  Our weekday classes continue, too:

Our vacancy pastor, Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, is in Messiah's office on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER (PLUS WHAT'S NEXT)
Our November newsletter is now online! Click here to preview or download it in its entirety.  Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar

Check the newsletter and our weekly announcements for details on these upcoming events:

  • Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, TONIGHT from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, This event will be held indoors due to the weather forecast.

  • Prayer Pals Gathering for all confirmed women this Sunday, October 29th at 6:00 pm.  Contact Debbie Krueger for more information.

  • Altar Guild meets Saturday, November 4th at 9:30 am to plan for the upcoming festival seasons of the Church Year.  Contact Carol Mushong with questions.

  • All Saints Day Sunday, November 5th!  If you'd like us to include your late Christian friends and relatives in the commemoration of the faithful departed, fill out and return the slips available at Messiah's Welcome Center by this Sunday, October 29th.

  • Annual Voters Meeting & Potluck, Sunday, November 19th after the Divine Service.

  • Joint Thanksgiving Eve Divine Service with St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Rockford, Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00 pm at Messiah.

  • Christmas Bazaar & Cookie Walk, sponsored by the Parish Services Guild, Saturday, December 2nd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

  • Advent Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 9th at 9:30 am.


LOOKING AHEAD TO REFORMATION SUNDAY
As Paul writes to the Romans in this coming Sunday's Epistle, the Law leaves us speechless, for it condemns us & holds us accountable to God. By the Law, every sin is unmasked, every sinner declared guilty.But in Christ, by His blood, we receive faith, which justifies us apart from the works of the Law.  Thanks be to God that Christ gives us this Gospel!  By it, sin is forgiven & sinners declared innocent.  This is our freedom in Christ (as He tells us in Sunday's Gospel) proclaimed throughout every nation, tribe, language & people.  I pray that we rejoice together in these blessings this coming Sunday and always!

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

October 20 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Halfway through October, the pace of events here is ramping up! 

PASTORAL VACANCY/CALL PROCESS UPDATE
A Special Voters meeting will be held on Sunday, October 29th, following Messiah's 10:00 am service.  At this meeting, the voters will consider recommendations from our Call Committee and work together with them in calling a pastor to be our next shepherd at Messiah.  Messiah members should have received a separate email with further information; contact Dave Ahrens or Ken Martin if you have questions.  I ask all of you to continue in fervent prayer that God will work through our call process to send us the pastor He has in mind for us, according to His will and His time.

A reminder that our vacancy pastor, Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, is in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  (Watch for an update on Christian Education for our children in the upcoming November newsletter.) Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain and Pastor Daniel Gruenwald for leading our Divine Services and Sunday Bible Classes during the rest of October.  Our weekday classes continue as well:

  • The fall session of LifeLight: Galatians/Philippians/Colossians continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am.  Dwight Anderson and Shirley Hoese are team-teaching this course.  Copies of the study guide are available; learn more about the course by clicking here.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) continues on Wednesdays at 9:45 am.  CARES will be reading and discussing the book God’s Provision in a Wilderness World by Lindsey Hausch.  Click here for a book sample.


WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
Our October newsletterand our weekly announcements have details on these upcoming events:

  • Fall Clean-Up Day, sponsored by the Board of Trustees, this Saturday, October 21st.  We'll be working inside and outside from 8:00 am through 12:00 noon.  It's not late to volunteer!  Contact Carol Mushong if you have questions.

  • Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, Thursday, October 26th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  PLEASE NOTE: We still need many volunteers -- especially to bring their car trunks and help with carnival games --  along with donations of candy and light snacks.  Check out our display at the Welcome Center; you can sign up to help there or in Bible Class!

  • Prayer Pals Gathering for all confirmed women Sunday, October 29th at 6:00 pm.  Contact Debbie Krueger for more information.

  • Altar Guild meets Saturday, November 4th at 9:30 am to plan for the upcoming festival seasons of the Church Year.  Contact Carol Mushong with any questions.

  • All Saints Day will be celebrated Sunday, November 5th!  If you'd like us to include your late Christian friends and relatives in the commemoration of the faithful departed, fill out and return the slips available at Messiah's Welcome Center by Sunday, October 29th.

And look for information on these events that are new to the calendar, coming soon:

  • Annual Voters Meeting & Potluck, Sunday, November 19th after the Divine Service.

  • Joint Thanksgiving Eve Divine Service with St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Rockford, Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00 pm at Messiah.

  • Christmas Bazaar & Cookie Walk, sponsored by the Parish Services Guild, Saturday, December 2nd from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

  • Advent Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 9th at 9:30 am.


LOOKING AHEAD
This past Sunday's Scripture readings already gave hints of the Church Year's approaching end, as we reflected on Jesus' parable of the King's wedding feast from Matthew 21. Over the coming weeks we'll be taking a break from  Christ's Holy Week teachings to consider His work in the lives of His faithful -- Martin Luther and the others whose confession sparked the worldwide Lutheran Reformation (on October 29th); and all saints in this world and the next (on November 5th).  Through October and into November, may we gather to draw strength from God's Word and Sacraments, joining with "all the company of heaven" to praise Him for His gift of salvation -- by grace, through faith, given in Scripture and found in Jesus Christ alone!

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

October 2 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

I'm so grateful to be back with you after a couple of weeks away on vacation; thanks so much for your ongoing support and prayers as the month of October begins! 


PASTORAL VACANCY/CALL PROCESS UPDATE
Last week, our Call Committee met to review the list of candidates we've received from the Michigan District-LCMS and think through upcoming steps in the call process.  The Committee will meet again this week, working to finalize preparations for interviewing candidates.  Please keep the committee members (Tammy Ahrens, Mark Altemann, Gina Griffis, secretary Kristen Kaminski, Melanie Kirchhoff, Michael Kutch, chairman Ken Martin, Peter Tessin and me) in your prayers as we continue!

Also, a reminder that our vacancy pastor, Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford is in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  (Watch for updates on Sunday School as well.) Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain and Pastor Daniel Gruenwald for leading our Divine Services and Sunday Bible Classes in October.  We've got weekday classes and an upcoming workshop too:

  • The fall session of LifeLight: Galatians/Philippians/Colossians continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am.  Dwight Anderson and Shirley Hoese are team teaching this 9-session course.  Copies of the study guide are now available; learn more about the course by clicking here.

  • CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume this Wednesday, October 4th at 9:45 am.  CARES will be reading and discussing the book God’s Provision in a Wilderness World by Lindsey Hausch.  Click here for a book sample.

  • Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Adult Children is set for this Saturday, October 7th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.  There's still time to register for this free video-based workshop sponsored by the Board of Outreach!  Please sign up on our website (click here) or by calling the church office by this Wednesday, October 4th.


OCTOBER NEWSLETTER + WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
Our October newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety.  A reminder that paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  (We continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to receive the newsletter this way, please contact the church office to make arrangements.)  We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.

The newsletter (and our upcoming weekly announcements) have details on these upcoming events:

  • Harvest Dinner & Bake Sale, sponsored by the Parish Service Guild, Sunday, October 15th after the Divine Service.  Join us for a roast pork dinner with all the fixings and more!

  • Our annual Fall Clean-Up Day, sponsored by the Board of Trustees, is set for Saturday, October 21st.  We'll be working inside and outside from 8:00 am through 12:00 noon.  Contact Carol Mushong with questions; sign up to help at the Welcome Center!

  • Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  To volunteer or to donate for this community event, check out our display at the Welcome Center or sign up in Bible Class!

  • NEW!  Prayer Pals Gathering for all confirmed women Sunday, October 29th at 6:00 pm.  Contact Debbie Krueger for more information.

  • NEW!  Altar Guild will meet on Saturday, November 4th at 9:30 am to plan for the upcoming festival seasons of the Church Year.  Contact Carol Mushong with any questions.

  • NEW!  All Saints Day will be celebrated Sunday, November 5th!  If you'd like us to include your late Christian friends and relatives in the commemoration of the faithful departed, fill out and return the slips available at Messiah's Welcome Center by Sunday, October 29th.


LOOKING BOTH WAYS
First, a look back: we were truly blessed to host Pastor Steven Mahlburg, our LCMS missionary to Sri Lanka, for a Mission Sunday celebration on September 17th. I ‘m grateful for the welcome you gave Pastor Mahlburg and his family right before they returned to the mission field!  Your attendance in worship and Bible Class, your time spent with the Mahlburgs at our post-service potluck, and the nearly $1000 you generously donated for their mission of training and supporting native Sri Lankan pastors is deeply appreciated.  (We also continue to support the Mahlburgs with a dedicated percentage of our offerings.)

In the month to come, I pray that all of us look ahead as well -- to the rich gifts of forgiveness and salvation that our heavenly Father gives in every Sunday's Divine Service; to the strength our Baptism into Christ gives us every day to love Him and serve our neighbors; to daily meditation on and study of God's Word, where the Holy Spirit works to increase our faith and love; to the earthly shepherd that we trust our triune God will provide us in His time.  Blessings to all of you as we do so!  

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

September 14 Update

"Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away; we fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day."  Sometimes I've joked that this hymn verse must have been written about Detroit sports teams --  but really, it's about how quickly the days of our life go by. (More about the hymn below.) As September keeps moving forward day by day, I hope you find these latest updates helpful.


PASTORAL VACANCY/CALL PROCESS UPDATE
As announced last Sunday, we have received our pastoral call list from the Michigan District-LCMS.  Please keep our Call Committee members (Tammy Ahrens, Mark Altemann, Gina Griffis, secretary Kristen Kaminski, Melanie Kirchhoff, Michael Kutch, chairman Ken Martin, Peter Tessin and me) in your prayers as they begin their work.  The Call Committee will provide regular updates on their progress in the coming weeks.

A reminder that our vacancy pastor, Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford is in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
We continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  (Keep watching for information about Sunday School.) Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain for leading our Divine Services and Bible classes on September 24th and October 1st.


WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
Our weekly announcements andmonthly newsletter have details on these upcoming events:

  • The fall session of LifeLight: Galatians/Philippians/Colossians continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 am.  Dwight Anderson and Shirley Hoese are team teaching this 9-session course.  Copies of the study guide are now available; learn more about the course by clicking here.

  • Church/Preschool Movie Night this Friday, September 15th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  Church and preschool families are invited to a special free showing of The Lion King.  Bring beach chairs or blankets for a "drive-in" experience; popcorn will be provided.

  • Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family visit for our Mission Festival this coming Sunday, September 17th.  Join us for Bible Class, the Divine Service and a festive potluck (bring a dish to pass).  A freewill offering will also be taken to further support the Mahlburgs' ongoing ministry; if you prefer to write a check, make it payable to LCMS World Mission and write "Mahlburg/Sri Lanka Support" on the memo line.

  • NEW!  CARES (Caring, Active, Reaching, Encouraging Sisters in Christ) will resume on Wednesday, October 4th at 9:45 am.  CARES will be reading and discussing the book God’s Provision in a Wilderness World by Lindsey Hausch.  Click here for a book sample.

  • Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Adult Children is set for Saturday, October 7th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.  Join us for this free video-based workshop sponsored by the Board of Outreach.  Register at the Welcome Center, in Bible Class, on our website (click here) or by calling the office.

  • Harvest Dinner sponsored by the Parish Service Guild Sunday, October 15th after the Divine Service.

  • NEW!  Our annual Fall Clean-Up Day, sponsored by the Board of Trustees, is set for Saturday, October 21st.  Watch for more details.

  • NEW! Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Board of Outreach, will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  Beginning this coming Sunday, you can sign up to volunteer or to donate goodies for this community event!


LOOKING AHEAD
Back in 1719, when Isaac Watts published the hymn I quoted, he titled it "Man Frail and God Eternal"; we know it today as "O God, Our Help in Ages Past", number 733 in Lutheran Service Book.

Watts was paraphrasing Psalm 90 (the only Psalm written by Moses), applying it to the tumultuous times he lived in. His native country of England was rattled by rumors of war abroad, economic uncertainty, political upheaval and ceaseless religious & cultural controversy.  Sound familiar?

In this hymn, Watts did what all faithful heirs of heaven do: he centered his hope not in earthly tranquility, but in the promises of God.  Our heavenly Father has continually helped His people to endure and bear witness in ages past, most of all through Jesus' suffering & death.  Because of the Holy Spirit at work through Word & Sacrament, God's unchanging nature and power, and all the promises He has kept for us, we can sing confidently with Watts (and with our fellow Christians of the last 300 years from around the world):

"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!" 

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

August 29 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

August is almost gone?  It's true - which means September is not far behind!   Plenty of updates follow below.

PASTORAL VACANCY/CALL PROCESS UPDATE
Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford continues to serve as Messiah’s day-to-day vacancy pastor.  He's in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.

Thanks to all those who submitted nominations for our pastoral call list. These nominations have been forwarded to President Davis’ office at the Michigan District. If all goes well, we hope to receive our call list around mid-September.  Thanks as well to the members who have agreed to serve on our Pastoral Call Committee: Tammy Ahrens, Mark Altemann, Gina Griffis, Kristen Kaminski, Melanie Kirchhoff, Rick Krueger, Michael Kutch, Ken Martin and Peter Tessin.

WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Continuing into autumn, there will be one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  Services are scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain for leading our Divine Services and Bible classes during September.


SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER (PLUS WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT)
Our September 2023 newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  (We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to receive the newsletter this way, please contact the church office to make arrangements.)  We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.

The newsletter (and our upcoming weekly announcements) have details on these upcoming events:

  • Last minute donations for our annual Garage Sale? Please bring them by this Thursday, August 31st!  Contact Sandy Hoffman or Lori Kearney to arrange a drop-off outside of office hours.

  • Senior Choir practices resume Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

  • The Garage Sale will be held Friday, September 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm & Saturday, September 9th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Contact Sandy or Lori if you'd like to help!

  • NEW! Ice Cream Social sponsored by the Board of Education Sunday, September 10th after the Divine Service.

  • The fall session of LifeLight: Galatians/Philippians/Colossians begins on Tuesday, September 12th at 10:30 am.  Dwight Anderson and Shirley Hoese will be team teaching this 9-session course.  Copies of the study guide are now available; learn more about the course by clicking here.

  • Church/Preschool Movie Night on Friday, September 15th.  Church and preschool families are invited to a special free showing of The Lion King.  Bring beach chairs or blankets for a "drive-in" experience; popcorn will be provided.

  • Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family will visit for our Mission Festival on Sunday, September 17th.  Join us for Bible Class, the Divine Service and a festive potluck (bring a dish to pass).  A freewill offering will also be taken to further support the Mahlburgs' ongoing ministry.

  • Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Adult Children is set for the morning of Saturday, October 7th.  Join us for this free video-based workshop sponsored by the Board of Outreach.  Register at the Welcome Center, in Bible Class, on our website (click here) or by calling the office.

  • NEW! Harvest Dinner sponsored by the Parish Service Guild Sunday, October 15th after the Divine Service.


LOOKING AHEAD
Last week, I came across an article by the president of our neighboring Indiana District of the LCMS, Pastor Rick Stuckwisch, with an intriguing title: "The Caananite Woman and the Call Process."  I found it encouraging and decided to share it with you!  Some excerpts follow:

The reality is, though, that the Call process can sometimes take a long time – not always, but sometimes. There are congregations that issue multiple Calls, only to have them declined, one after another. That experience is frustrating and discouraging, and it can bring to the surface worries and concerns, such as, “What’s wrong with us?” ... More often than not, there’s nothing “wrong” with the congregation, aside from the common afflictions of sin, death, and the devil, which every congregation bears in this body and life. There was nothing “wrong” with the Canaanite Woman and her request, either, other than the very real need that she faced in the case of her poor beleaguered daughter.

The Lord already knew what He would do for that woman and her daughter, just as He already knows the pastors He will send to each and every congregation of His Church on earth – just the right men at just the right time for the accomplishment of His purposes. Meanwhile, the time He takes to answer the prayers of His people is not without purpose; He’s not taunting or teasing but teaching His people, strengthening them in repentance and faith, and fixing their hope in Him. ...

The example of that woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon is set before us, that we should continue to pray, to call upon the Name of the Lord, to cry out for His mercy, and not to lose heart. We persevere in prayer, not on the basis of what we see or feel on the surface, but by faith in the Word and promises of God. “For He says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

You can click here to read President Stuckwisch's entire article.  In the light of his words, may our Lord strengthen us in faith and in fervent prayer throughout the month to come!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

August 26 Special Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

I hope that all of you are safe and healthy following Thursday night's storms and tornadoes.  If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

I also want to update you regarding how our church buildings and grounds were impacted by the storms. 

  • A good number of older trees and tree limbs on our grounds were felled by the high winds.

  • Our main building is intact and secure, despite minor exterior damage.  The parking lot is clear of any debris or obstacles.

  • Our shed and pavilion were structurally damaged by a fallen tree, and are unsafe to use.

  • The main building was without electricity until early this morning; power has been restored and our HVAC system is up and running.  

  • Phone and Internet service also went out and have not been restored yet. 

  • Assessment and cleanup work will begin on Monday.  Thanks to our Board of Trustees for their rapid response!


This morning, I talked with Pastor Blain and congregational president Dave Ahrens.  We confirmed the following decisions:

  • Tomorrow morning, we will hold Bible Class in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 am and the Divine Service at 10:00 am in the sanctuary as usual.

    • Due to the Internet outage, we will probably not be able to livestream tomorrow's service or Bible Class.

  • Due to the damage to our shed and pavilion, the Community Picnic will be held in our Fellowship Hall at 12:00 noon, following the service. 

    • Set-up volunteers are asked to meet in the fellowship hall foyer tomorrow morning at 8:30 am. 

    • If you volunteered to bring food but can't prepare it due to a power outage, don't worry about it - just come and enjoy what we have!  

  • The funeral service for our sister Esther Maloney will go on as scheduled on Monday, August 28th, with visitation in the church foyer at 10:00 am, the service at 11:00 am, and a lunch in the Fellowship Hall afterwards.

As I practiced for tomorrow's service earlier this morning, the words of a number of the hymns we'll be singing struck me: "Christ is made the sure foundation."  "Built on the Rock the Church shall stand, even when steeples are falling."  "In every high and stormy gale my Anchor holds within the veil."  As we thank our Lord for His protection in recent days, may we continually rely on Him both for eternal salvation through Christ Jesus, and for all we need to support this body and life.  And let us lift all those in need to Him in prayer:

Almighty God, merciful Father, Your thoughts are not our thoughts, Your ways are not our ways.  In Your wisdom You have permitted these disastrous storms to befall us.  We implore You, let not the hearts of Your people despair nor our faith fail us, but sustain and comfort us.  Direct all efforts to attend the injured, console the bereaved and protect the helpless.  Bring hope and healing that we may find relief and restoration; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Yours in Him,
 

Rick Krueger
Parish Assistant

August 15 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Day by day, we move forward in our Lord's love and care -- and things keep happening that we want you to know about! 


PASTORAL VACANCY & CALL PROCESS UPDATE
A reminder that Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford is serving as Messiah’s day-to-day vacancy pastor.  He'll be in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson any time, by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.

Also, a reminder that we're quickly approaching the deadline for adult members to submit names of pastoral candidates that we'll pass along to the Michigan District-LCMS.  If you want to submit a candidate's information but haven't already done so, click here to see our finalized Pastor Profile, and click here for an official nomination form.  All nominations must be returned to the church office by tomorrow - Wednesday, August 16th.   If all goes well, this schedule should put us on track to receive a pastoral call list around four weeks after that deadline.  Thanks to District Facilitator Rev. Randy Johnson and District President David Davis for their recent visits and their ongoing support.


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
For the rest of this month and continuing into the fall, there will be one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  Watch for more information regarding Sunday School coming soon.  Divine Services will also be held through August 28th on Mondays at 7:00 pm. The Sunday service is scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain for leading our Divine Services and Bible classes during the rest of August.


WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
Our August newsletterand our upcoming weekly announcements)have details on these upcoming events:

  • Due to circumstances beyond our control, the final sessions of "Not Choir" scheduled for August 16th, 23rd and 30th have been cancelled.

  • Lutherans in Fellowship Together will meet after the service next Sunday, August 20th to finalize plans for the Community Picnic and plan more fall events.

  • Our annual Community Picnic sponsored by the Board of Outreach will be held on Sunday, August 27th after the Divine Service. Sign up to bring food or help with games in Bible Class or at the Welcome Center.

  • Senior Choir practices resume Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

  • NEW!  A fall session of LifeLight: Galatians/Philippians/Colossians will begin on Tuesday, September 12th at 10:30 am.  Dwight Anderson and Shirley Hoese will be team teaching this 9-session course.  Copies of the study guide will be available soon; learn more about the course  by clicking here.

  • Movie Night on Friday, September 15th.  Church and preschool families are invited to a special showing of The Lion King.  More details to come!

  • Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family will visit Messiah for a Mission Festival on Sunday, September 17th.  Join us for Bible Class, the Divine Service and a festive potluck (bring a dish to pass).  A freewill offering will also be taken to support the Mahlburgs' ongoing ministry.

  • NEW! Every One His Witness: Witnessing to Dechurched Adult Children is set for the morning of Saturday, October 7th.  Join us for this video-based workshop sponsored by the Board of Outreach.  Detailed information is coming later this month.



LOOKING AHEAD
During the rest of August, the Gospel readings for our services show Jesus at His most challenging!  When a Canaanite woman seeks healing for her daughter in Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus' seemingly harsh and unsympathetic reaction gives way to praise of her faith and the granting of her prayer.  And when the Savior abruptly asks His disciples "who do you say that I am?" in Matthew 16:13-20, the faith that Peter confesses on their behalf brings His sure and certain promise that Hell will not prevail against His Church.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, may we echo the woman's cry for mercy and Peter's simple trust in our own prayers, asking our Lord to give us the shepherd we know He has in mind for us and relying on Him to provide all our needs of body and soul as we wait!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Pastoral Call Process Update: August 3, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,
 

Thanks to everyone who attended the August 2nd congregational meeting with our Michigan District-LCMS facilitator, Pastor Randy Johnson.  At this meeting, we reviewed and approved the "Pastor Profile" that Pastor Johnson assembled from our recent self-study interviews and other info we provided.  Click here to view or download our finalized Pastor Profile. 

This means that we are now ready for the next step in the pastoral call process!

From now through Wednesday, August 16th, any adult member of Messiah can nominate any LCMS pastor in good standing for inclusion in the call process.  With possible exceptions for a few limited circumstances, we should receive full information on any candidates we nominate, along with advice from the District President, for consideration by our Call Committee.  Other LCMS pastors which match up well with our Pastor Profile may also be on the call list. 

Click here to download the official Nomination Form and instructions; copies of the Pastor Profile and the Nomination Form are also available now in the church office and at the Welcome Center.  Please return completed Nomination Forms to the yellow box on the Welcome Center or to the church office (in person or by mail) no later than Wednesday, August 16th.  (If you're tech-inclined, you can scan your completed Nomination Form and send it to office@messiahgr.org.)

We will pass along all Nomination Forms to the District as soon as possible after August 16th, so that we receive a pastoral call list as soon as is feasible.

Whether you nominate a man or not, please keep our congregation and our next pastor (whoever he may be) in your prayers.  This prayer from Lutheran Service Book may be helpful:

O Gracious Father, You led Your holy apostles to ordain ministers for the proclamation of Your Word and the faithful administration of the Sacraments of Christ.  Grant to this congregation the guidance of the Holy Spirit to choose a suitable pastor according to Your will, for the blessing of Your Church in this place; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
  
Yours in Him, 


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

P.S. -  a reminder that Rev. David Davis, President of the Michigan District-LCMS, will speak for our Bible Class and lead our Divine Service this coming Sunday, August 6th!

July 27 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

As July winds into August, there's plenty of news to share! 

PASTORAL VACANCY & CALL PROCESS UPDATE
Thanks to Rev. Jason Peterson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford for agreeing to serve as Messiah’s day-to-day vacancy pastor.  Pastor Peterson will be helping us with spiritual care (visitation and counseling), administration and other areas as necessary.  He will be in the office at Messiah on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 11:00 am, beginning on August 1st.  You can also contact Pastor Peterson any time, by phone at 734-645-4353 or by email at revjpeterson@yahoo.com.

Rev. Randy Johnson of the Michigan District-LCMS will return to Messiah for a Special Congregational Meeting on Wednesday, August 2nd at 6:30 pm, to be held in our fellowship hall.  At this meeting, Pastor Johnson will review a draft of our Pastor Profile with us, taking further comments and tweaking it as necessary.  From that point on, the finalized Pastor Profile will be available in the Church Office and at the Welcome Center. From August 3rd through 16th, members will be able to submit names of pastoral candidates for us to pass along to the district.  If all goes well, this schedule should put us on track to receive a pastoral call list around four weeks after the deadline for submitting candidates.  We hope that you can participate in these essential steps toward calling our next pastor!  

Also, don't forget that the president of the Michigan District-LCMS, Rev. David Davis, will be visiting Messiah for a Bible Class presentation and the Divine Service on Sunday, August 6th.


WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE
This August and continuing into the fall, there will be one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am.  Watch for more information regarding Sunday School coming soon.  Divine Services will also be held through August 28th on Mondays at 7:00 pm. The Sunday service is scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastors Daniel Gruenwald, Terry Hoese, David Davis & James Blain for leading our Divine Services and Bible classes in late July and early August.


AUGUST NEWSLETTER (PLUS WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT)
Our August 2023 newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety.  A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.

The newsletter (and upcoming weekly announcements) have further details on these upcoming events:

  • Join me for "Not Choir" on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm on August 16th, 23rd and 30th for conversation, singing tips, skill building and previews of the music for the following weekend.

  • NEW!  Lutherans in Fellowship Together will meet after the service on Sunday, August 20th to finalize plans for  Community Picnic and plan more fall events.

  • Our annual Community Picnic sponsored by the Board of Outreach will be held on Sunday, August 27th after the Divine Service.

  • NEW!  Senior Choir practices resume Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

  • NEW!  Preschool Movie Night Friday, September 15th.  Watch for more details soon!

  • Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family will visit Messiah for a Mission Festival on Sunday, September 17th. 



LOOKING AHEAD
My lead article in the August newsletter zooms in on three questions at the core of a new book from Concordia Publishing House: first, how do we see the Church?  Next, how does Jesus see it?  And finally, how can we see it the way Jesus does?  Here's a taste:

"While we might see the Church as full of unlovable sinners – true, including ourselves! – Jesus sees her as one, a communion of saints, washed by His blood, made pure and blameless.  While we might see the Church as threatened by an unbelieving world – also true! – Jesus sees the Church as holy, faithful and triumphant in Him, already the new creation He has promised with certainty.  And while we easily see the Church as defined by what we do as church members – like any other human organization -- Jesus sees her as unified in Him, defined by what He has already done through His perfect life, death and resurrection."

I hope that you'll read the rest of the article.  And I pray that, as we continue walking together by faith, we continue to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ, knowing that no matter our path to the future, our Lord's hand is leading us and His love is supporting us.

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

July 21 Special Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

A few news items that just couldn't wait until our next regular update:

Pastoral Call Process Update
Thanks to all who were able to attend the self-study interview sessions with Rev. Randy Johnson of the Michigan District-LCMS on July 18th.  A total of 32 members attended the sessions, which resulted in fruitful discussion and plenty of useful particulars.  Pastor Johnson is at work building our congregation's Pastor Profile for the upcoming call process based on the information gathered at these sessions.

Pastor Johnson will return to Messiah for a Special Congregational Meeting on Wednesday, August 2nd at 6:30 pm, to be held in our fellowship hall.  At this meeting, Pastor Johnson will review the Pastor Profile draft with us, taking further comments and tweaking it as necessary.  From that point on, the finalized Pastor Profile will be available in the Church Office and at the Welcome Center.  From August 3rd through 16th, members will be able to submit names of pastoral candidates for us to pass along to the district.  If all goes well, this schedule should put us on track to receive a pastoral call list around four weeks after the deadline for submitting candidates.

We hope that you can participate in these essential steps toward calling our next pastor!  Also, don't forget that the president of the Michigan District-LCMS, Rev. David Davis, will be visiting Messiah for a Bible Class presentation and the Divine Service on Sunday, August 6th.


Preschool News
We are delighted to announce that fellow Messiah member Jeremy Fabris will serve as our preschool's Terrific Threes teacher for the 2023-24 school year.  We look forward to working with Vonda Smestad, Jeremy and the rest of the preschool staff to know Christ and make Him known to our students and their families.  Watch for more info on fall preschool events coming soon!


Worship Service Update
At their July 10th meeting, the Board of Elders approved continuing our current Sunday schedule beyond the summer months: the Divine Service at 10:00 am, with our Education hour beforehand at 9:00 am.   Monday evening services at 7:00 pm will continue through Monday, August 28th.  

The Elders welcome your feedback; please feel free to contact any elder with questions or comments!


Looking Ahead
At this weekend's services, we hear that the Lord of Hosts is the indisputable Redeemer - there is no other!  All creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God, who by grace become God’s adopted heirs.  We are the redeemed, the hope-filled, the ones for whom the Spirit cries out that our weaknesses may not devastate, suffocate, or strangle us.  In Christ, we are forgiven & known as the children of His kingdom, because by His grace we hear His Word & believe!  (Psalm 119:57-64; Isaiah 44:6-8; Romans 8:18-27; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

Yours in Him,
 

Rick Krueger
Parish Assistant

July 13 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

Here's our regular update on services, events, our pastoral call process and more. 

WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE

We continue with one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am; Sunday School is in recess for the summer. Divine Services will also be held through August 28th on Mondays at 7:00 pm. The Sunday service is scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to the pastors bringing us God's Word and feeding us with His Supper in late July:

  • Pastor James Blain (Sunday-Monday, July 16th-17th)

  • Pastor William Lahrman (Sunday, July 23rd)

  • Pastor Jason Peterson (Monday, July 24th).  Pastor Peterson will also lead a session of St. Peter's Monday night Bible Class, The Attributes of God, at Messiah at 6:00 pm that evening.  Learn what’s true about our loving Lord and why it matters for us!

  • Pastor Daniel Gruenwald (Sunday, July 30th)

  • Pastor Terry Hoese (Monday, July 31st)


WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT
The July newsletterand our weekly announcements have further details on these upcoming events:

  • Summer Golf  on Sundays, July 16th and 30th at 3:00 pm at Scott Lake Golf Course. Contact Mark Altemann or Dwight Anderson for more information,

  • "Not Choir” continues!.  Join me on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm  for conversation, singing tips, skill building and previews of the music for the following weekend.  I'll also be leading Bible Class on Sundays, July 23rd and 30th, covering the topic "Sing to the Lord!" 

  • Michigan District-LCMS President Rev. David Davis will visit Messiah on Sunday, August 6th for Bible Class and the Divine Service. See the July newsletter article by congregational president Dave Ahrens for more information. 

  • Our annual Community Picnic sponsored by the Board of Outreach will be held on Sunday, August 27th after the Divine Service.  Starting this coming Sunday, sign up to bring food or help with activities at the Welcome Center or in Bible Class.

  • Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family will visit Messiah for our Mission Festival on Sunday, September 17th. 


LOOKING AHEAD
Our next three Divine Services focus on Jesus' parables of the kingdom of heaven from Matthew 13.  In the parable of the sower (July 16th-17th), we learn how God's Word nourishes our souls; in the parable of the weeds among the wheat (July 23rd-24th), we are reminded that our Lord will deliver us from evil, however long the wait.  And in the parables of the hidden treasure, the pearl of great value and the net (July 30th-31st), we hear how Christ came to seek and save us when we were lost.  Hearing His Word, remembering our Baptism and receiving His Supper, may we bear fruit that yields a plentiful harvest of faith, hope and love!

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Special Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

We thank Rev. Randy Johnson, the Michigan District-LCMS’ West Region Facilitator, and our local Circuit Visitor, Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer of St. James Lutheran Church, for meeting with Messiah's Board of Elders and Church Council last week.  We were grateful for their caring attentiveness to our concerns and their supportive, forthright guidance regarding the best way forward as we move into the pastoral call process.

To help expedite a required Self-Study of our congregation's life, ministry and mission,  Pastor Johnson will return to Messiah to conduct focus group interview sessions on Tuesday, July 18th.  These sessions will be held according to the following schedule:

  • 1:00 pm - Board of Elders (90 minutes)

  • 3:00 pm - Church Council (90 minutes)

  • 6:30 pm - Congregation members (90 minutes)

We hope that you can participate in this essential step toward calling our next pastor!  Please contact Dave Ahrens or me if you have questions about these interview sessions; we will reach out for answers if we don't have them at hand. 

Also, please continue to pray that our Lord would continue to bless Messiah as a congregation, that He will keep us all steadfast in His Word and Sacraments, and that He will send the pastor He already has in mind for us in His time.

Yours in Christ,
 

Rick Krueger
Parish Assistant

June 27 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE

Through Sunday, September 3rd (Labor Day weekend), there will be one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am; Sunday School is in recess. Divine Services will also be held through August 28th on Mondays at 7:00 pm (with the exception of this coming Monday, July 3rd). The Sunday service is scheduled to be livestreamed at

Thanks to Pastor James Blain for leading our Divine Services and Bible classes for the next three weekends.


JULY NEWSLETTER (PLUS WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S NEXT)
Our July 2023 newsletter is now available online!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.

The newsletter (and our weekly announcements) have further details on these upcoming events:

  • Summer Golf  on Sundays July 2nd, 16th and 30th at 3:00 pm at Scott Lake Golf Course. Contact Mark Altemann or Dwight Anderson for more information,

  • "Not Choir” resumes next week.  Join Rick Krueger on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm resuming July 5th for conversation, singing tips, skill building and previews of the music for the following weekend.

  • NEW!  Lutherans in Fellowship Together meet after the service on Sunday, July 9th to plan for August's Community Picnic and fall events.

  • NEW!  Michigan District-LCMS President Rev. David Davis will visit Messiah on Sunday, August 6th.  See the newsletter article by congregational president Dave Ahrens for more information. 

  • Our annual Community Picnic sponsored by the Board of Outreach will be held on Sunday, August 27th after the Divine Service.

  • Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family will visit Messiah for a Mission Festival on Sunday, September 17th. 


LOOKING AHEAD
At congregational president Dave Ahrens' request, I am including an article I wrote for the latest newsletter in its entirety below.

I didn’t expect to be writing this article. For the first time since 1980, a pastor serving at Messiah has accepted a call to another congregation. This is new territory for many of us.

We thank the Lord for Pastor Twietmeyer’s time with us, and we pray for God ‘s blessings on the Twietmeyer family as they relocate to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsdale. But their departure leaves us with unanswered questions and unexpected emotions -- perhaps even uncertainty about the future. My goals here are to let you know about our next steps as we enter the pastoral call process -- and to remind us of the strength, comfort and hope in Christ that Pastor Twietmeyer (like all Messiah’s pastors over the decades) faithfully proclaimed to us.

During a vacancy, Messiah’s Bylaws assign obtaining “interim pastoral supervision and pulpit assistance” to the Board of Elders, working with the Church Council. The Elders have already started on this; I’m glad to report that our brother Pastor Blain will lead most of our Divine Services and Bible Classes for July and August, aided by Pastor Hoese and guest pastors David Davis, Daniel Gruenwald, William Lahrman and Jason Peterson. The Elders’ ongoing task is to arrange regular pastoral leadership for services and classes, as well as “on call” spiritual care when needs arise. We’ll let you know more as arrangements take more definite shape.

Our Bylaws also give the Council the task of forming a Call Committee. A meeting of the Elders and Council with representatives of our church body’s Michigan District is imminent as I write; we’ll learn about the procedures to follow, as well as any changes in the process since we last called a pastor. Once we digest what we’ve learned, we’ll move forward to form a committee and make necessary preparations. Again, as we know more, we’ll share it with you.

Like many denominations, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has seen both more pastoral retirements and fewer men preparing for the Holy Ministry in recent years. Many congregations calling from the field have experienced longer vacancies than they had hoped, and there have been fewer seminarians graduating than congregations requesting them. If we judge our new situation only by what we see around us, we might be tempted to despair. And even if things were “better”, none of us can know for sure when God will send us Messiah’s next pastor.

Let’s all watch out! The devil will use these circumstances to tempt us into denying our Lord’s love and faithfulness. Our sinful nature will take every excuse to complain about anyone we think is “in the way” of getting what we want: Synod, district, other congregations, pastors who might decline our calls, each other -- you name it. And as for the world around us: “well,” we might think, “who cares about a relatively small church on Five Mile Road?”

Brothers and sisters, the Good News isour God cares: “this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3:21–23).

The Good News iswhile we wait for our next pastor, God will give us what we truly need, right here, every week:“faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17)“Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”(Matthew 26:26–28)

The Good News isGod’s Word enables us to die to sin and rise again redeemed, every day:“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”(Romans 6:3–4)

The Good News isGod’s Holy Spirit, working through these means of grace, will give us the power to resist temptation, repent of sin, and care for each other and others:“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:19–24)

My calling as Messiah’s Parish Assistant is to serve you, the people God has brought together around His Word and Sacraments in this congregation. Over the years, I’ve done this primarily by helping and supporting Messiah’s called pastors, as they worked among us to know Christ and make Him known. Hearing the men who proclaim the saving Gospel to us in the months to come, remembering the promise and power of our Baptism daily, and receiving Jesus’ body and blood for forgiveness and strength at every opportunity, I urge us all to rely on our Lord’s gifts, love and support one another as we learn to accept His will, and pray fervently for Him to send us our next pastor in His good time.

Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Al Davis, 1961-2023

Dear brothers and sisters at Messiah,

Our brother in Christ Al Davis was called home to be with our Lord on June 24th, 2023, at the age of 62.  Al, his wife Renee and their children Theodore and C.J. became members of Messiah in 2001.  In addition to faithfully attending worship, Al served on Messiah's Board of Trustees, and as a cook for events like our Advent and Lent prayer breakfasts and our Lenten Fish Fry.

We mourn with Al's family and friends in the aftermath of his sudden and unexpected passing.  But we also rejoice that Al is free from his earthly sufferings, and is now in the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ, awaiting the resurrection of the body on the last day.  Click here to view Al's obituary online.

Visitation will be held this Thursday, June 29th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Reyers North Valley Chapel, 2815 Fuller NE.  Al's funeral service will be held at Messiah this Friday, June 30th at 11:00 am, with visitation beforehand beginning at 10:00 am and a luncheon following the service.  The funeral service will be livestreamed at


Please keep Renee, Theodore, C.J. and all those who knew and loved Al in your prayers in the coming days; feel free to use the prayer below as a model.

O Lord God, by the sudden death of Al, You have shown that Your thoughts are not our thoughts nor Your ways our ways. We thank You for the blessings of body and soul that You bestowed on our departed brother. Comfort the members of his family who mourn his death, and assist us ever to prepare for Your final summons when we will depart and be with Christ in blessedness and glory; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Yours in Christ,

Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church

June 23-26 Special Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

A few special reminders ahead of a busy weekend:

  • Thanks to everyone who has helped to make our 2023 Vacation Bible School such a joy!  We're grateful we've been able to share the message of God's Living Water: Covered in Jesus’ Grace with over 60 children this week. An online VBS photo gallery is now up at www.messiahgr.org/photos.  You're also invited to our VBS Closing Service tomorrow, Friday, June 23rd at 11:15 am.  Can't make it?  We'll also be livestreaming the Closing Service at:

  • Sunday, June 25th at 10:00 am & Monday, June 26th at 7:00 pm will mark Rev. Andrew Twietmeyer’s final services as pastor of Messiah. You're also invited to a Farewell Reception for the Twietmeyer family in the fellowship hall following the service on Sunday the 25th;  light refreshments will be served.

  • Be sure to look for our next regular update (including excerpts from and a link to our July newsletter) sometime on Tuesday, June 27th.

Yours in Christ,
 

Rick Krueger
Parish Assistant

June 7 Special Update

Dear Friends in Christ,

Pastor Twietmeyer has informed us that his final worship services at Messiah will be on Sunday, June 25 at 10:00 am and Monday, June 26 at 7:00 pm.  Worship on those dates will include the rite of Farewell and Godspeed to a Pastor toward the end of the Divine Service.  A farewell reception for Pastor and his family in the fellowship hall following the service on Sunday the 25th is also in the planning stages.  We will share more details with you as they become available.

Please pray for each other and for Messiah as a whole in the days and weeks to come.  Since this past Sunday's announcement by Pastor Twietmeyer, Paul’s encouragement of the saints in Philippi has been my prayer for Messiah as we face the challenges ahead:
 
Philippians 2:1–11
[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
 
Yours in Him,
 
 
Rick Krueger

Parish Assistant
Messiah Lutheran Church

A Message from Messiah's President

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to remind you that Jesus Christ is Lord of all!  And that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28 ESV).

We at Messiah love Pastor Twietmeyer and his family, and are saddened to see him go. We will not only miss his wonderful sermons, his teaching, counsel, and care for our congregation, but his friendship as well.  Questioning why this has happened and feelings of loss and sorrow are normal at a time like this.  But it's also true that, from our limited point of view, we are not able to fully understand why our shepherd has been called away.  Now the Lord is calling us to trust that He will provide for us as a church family.

Just as in other challenging times in Messiah's past, we need to be there for one another and value each other as gifts from God.  We will be tempted with fears about Messiah's future. While these feelings are expected in a grieving process, they are at the same time not helpful moving forward.  As sinful human beings we want to make sense of things in a way that is not always possible on this side of heaven.  In these times we must collectively hold fast to God's promises in the Gospel.  These things we know for certain: that no matter what we are more than conquerors through Christ our Savior (Romans 8:37-39), and that His perfect love casts out our fallen fear and distrust (1 John 4:18).   We must move forward together.  I urge you, brothers and sisters in Christ, to be sensitive to each other’s feelings without giving way to negativity and anger.

The leadership at Messiah will take the necessary steps to ensure that Word and Sacrament ministry will continue at our Church, and that spiritual care will be provided for the hurting and grieving among us.  The Lord will provide!  I love you all. Let us hold to our God-given fellowship and love for one another in these uncertain times for our congregation. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have concerns or needs. 

Going forward, we will do our best to communicate further details as they take shape.  In the meantime, please pray for one another and for our church.  The Word of the Lord endures forever (Isaiah 40:8) and assures us that our prayers will be answered according to His will and timing. God bless you all.
 
In Jesus’ name,
 


Dave Ahrens
President, Messiah Lutheran Church

P.S.  Our dear brother in Christ, Dale Robart, has provided some scriptural references that are especially helpful at this time.  I encourage you to read them, meditate on them and pray on them:

  • Ephesians 4:11-16 (God gives His people shepherds)

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (Our troubles in the light of God's glory)

  • Acts 20:17-28 (Paul's farewell to the elders at Ephesus)

  • Hebrews 13:5-8 (The Lord will never leave or forsake us)

  • Romans 8:28-39 (Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ)

Special Update

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
After four weeks of deliberation and prayer, I have decided to accept the call to serve as Associate Pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale, Michigan. The hope and joy that I have in the opportunity to preach the Gospel in Hillsdale are certainly attended by a deep sadness that I feel in leaving you, the saints who gather to receive the gifts of God at Messiah in Grand Rapids. 
 
At this time, the only thing I wish to express is gratitude. Thank you so much for the love, care, and appreciation that you have shown my family and me in the last two years. Although we part ways now, it is our great confidence that we will be reunited when Christ returns on the last day. Even now, we will always remain united in the bold confession of Christ Jesus, a confession of faith that transcends time and space itself. God bless and keep you in this faith until life everlasting. 
 
It has been my great joy to be your pastor over the last two years. I will very much miss being with you in worship, hearing you sing, and hearing the scriptures with you, but most of all, I will miss seeing you at the altar and giving you the body and blood of our Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.
 
Your brother in Christ,


Pastor Twietmeyer


May 30 Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Messiah,

May gives way to June this week, and the season of Easter gives way to The Time of the Church beginning this coming Sunday!  We hope that the following information will will be helpful as you look ahead. 

WORSHIP AND CLASS SCHEDULE:

From now through Sunday, September 3rd (Labor Day weekend), there will be one Divine Service held at 10:00 am on Sundays, with Bible Class beforehand at 9:00 am; Sunday School is in recess. Monday night Divine Services will also be held from June 5th through August 28th at 7:00 pm (with the exception of Monday, July 3rd). The Sunday service is scheduled to be livestreamed at


WHAT'S NEWS & WHAT'S NEW:
(Details in our weekly announcements and our June newsletter)

  • NEW! Once again, congratulations to our 2023 graduates:

    • Eli Kaminski and Aiden Mannor (high school)

    • Noelle Kaminski, Taylor Trotter and Cooper Tyson (college)

  • NEW! Summer Golf begins on Sunday, June 4th at 3:00 pm at Scott Lake Golf Course. We will play the Par 3 Short Course of 6 holes. Cost is $17 with a golf cart or $11 to walk. Please sign up at the welcome center. (Please be at the course by 2:45 pm). See Mark Altemann or Dwight Anderson for more information.

  • “Not Choir”  begins next week.  Join Rick Krueger on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm beginning June 7th for conversation, singing tips, skill building and previews of the music for the following weekend. Like singing hymns but wish you could do it better?  Wish you could like it?  Love it so much you wish could do it more? Whatever your starting point, “Not Choir” is for you!

  • On Monday-Friday, June 19th - 23rd from 9:00 to 11:45 am, Messiah holds our annual Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme is God’s Living Water: Covered in Jesus’ Grace!  Kids age 4 as of August 1st through grade 6 are invited to join us for lessons, music, crafts, snacks, activities and more!   Can you help with VBS this year? Sign up at the Welcome Center, contact Steve Ledbetter (our VBS Director) or go online to volunteer at vbsmate.com/messiahgr2023 (click on the blue “Become a volunteer” button).  You can also register children or grandchildren online by clicking on the blue “Register your child” button.  

  • NEW!  Our annual Community Picnic sponsored by the Board of Outreach will be held on Sunday, August 27th after the Divine Service.

  • NEW!  Pastor Steven Mahlburg, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod missionary, and his family will visit Messiah for a Mission Festival on Sunday, September 17th. 


JUNE NEWSLETTER
Our June 2023 newsletter is now available online, with more on the above items and much more!  Click here to preview or download it in its entirety. A reminder that: 

  • Paper copies of the newsletter are available for members and guests at the Welcome Center.  We also continue to mail the newsletter to homebound members.  If you want to continue receiving the newsletter, please contact the church office to make arrangements.

  • We also post the newsletter (including monthly calendars) online at www.messiahgr.org/news; calendars are also online separately at www.messiahgr.org/calendar.


LOOKING AHEAD (from Pastor Twietmeyer's newsletter message):
"We are tempted to think that we are missing out on something. The world seems to be having a lot more fun than we are. They have more money, more romance, more things, more fame, more fortune. They have the meat pots and all we seemingly have is this worthless bread. But don’t let the world fool you! You are the rich one! You are the laborer who will be paid the wages of faith. You are the righteous one who will be delivered from Sodom. You are the child of God who has been saved through the Red Sea Waters of your baptism. You are not missing out on anything."

"Repent of your love for the world and replace it with your love for Christ. For Jesus Christ is the only one who truly missed out on something. He was the only one who can truly say that He was slighted. Although He was righteous and knew no sin, He became sin for us. He forsook all that He had and was forsaken on the cross by the Father. If we have the love of Christ in our hearts, then we are truly missing out on nothing. God be praised."
 
Yours in Him,


Rick Krueger, Parish Assistant

Special Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Earlier this week I was informed that I have received a divine call to preach, teach, and administer the sacraments at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsdale Michigan. I want to assure you from the start that I did not seek out this call. I and my family are happy here in Grand Rapids. I must, however, devote myself over the next few weeks to prayer and reflection to in order to discern what to do. I will announce my decision at Messiah on Sunday, June 4th.

In the meantime, I ask you, dear friends, to share your thoughts with me as to what you think would be best, whether that be for me to stay, or for me to go. Your honest thoughts are welcome and will aid me in my decision making. As always, I would be glad to sit down with you, spend some time with you, and hear your thoughts.  Thanks to those of you who attended yesterday's Adult Bible Class; we spent time there talking about the call process and answering frequently asked questions about it.  If you didn't attend, you can click here to view the class on our website for the rest of this week.

 Above all, pray to God almighty that He would raise up Men of God to preach the Word in season and out of season, here and in every place. Pray that there would never be a shortage of the prophetic word of God in our midst. Pray that God would bless our congregations with fidelity to the Truth. 

Given this news, I’ve decided to forgo my vacation plans that are in the bulletin so that I can have the extra time to meet with anyone who wishes to share their thoughts. Please pray for me, pray for our congregation, but also pray for the saints at St. Paul’s in Hillsdale.  Let us all commend ourselves to God our Lord in this, and every matter.
 
The Lord be with you. 
 


Pastor Andrew Twietmeyer

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