On Thursday, May 14th our brothers and sisters in Christ from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rockford will join us here at Messiah to celebrate The Ascension of Our Lord! We’ll have potluck in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00 pm that evening. Ham will be served as the main dish; please bring a side dish or dessert to pass. The Divine Service will follow at 7:00 pm. Pastor Eric Black will preside, and Pastor Jason Peterson will preach; a joint choir led by Rick Krueger and Jeffrey Roland will provide anthems and musical leadership. The service is scheduled to be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/messiahgr, our website and our Facebook page.

Jesus promises to release the power of the Holy Spirit that will sustain the Church as she magnifies the name of Christ, in all wisdom, knowledge & enlightenment. Today, the Church honors Jesus’ ascent into the heavenly realms. In His absence from us, we shall be comforted & sustained by the Spirit of God. In our waiting for Christ’s return, we boldly proclaim repentance & the forgiveness of sins to all nations. (Psalm 110:1, 4–5 & 47:5; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53)