Lent
Wednesday evening Lent services continue at 7:00pm with the ‘Return to the Lord’ series. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will also be held on Holy Week at 7:00pm. There will be both an 8:30am and 11:00am service on Easter morning, April 4th. The services will be streamed and available through the church website (messiahlutheranholt.org) or directly from YouTube (youtube.com – search Messiah Lutheran Holt). Whether in person or watching at home, please take time during Lent on Sunday morning and again midweek to: “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” Joel 2:13. 
Youth at Messiah
Youth Group is continuing to meet at 10:45 on Sunday mornings. February 21 we began meeting in person in the Youth Room again with face masks required. Updates will be posted on the Youth at Messiah Facebook page. Please contact Erin with any questions. 
A reminder for folks attending in person:
Thank you! 
Youth Group Birthday Bags for the Holt Community Food Bank
The Youth Group delivered several "birthday bags" to the Holt Community Food bank at the end of 2020. Thank you to the Messiah members who generously provided donations. The youth will continue this ministry during the Spring of 2021. If you would like to donate to this project, please drop off any of the listed items in the laundry basket in the narthex. Please contact Erin House if you have any questions. Donations Requested: gift bags (the size that are just big enough to hold cake mix and frosting), birthday candles, and frosting. 
“Spring Ahead”
Next weekend! It is that time of year again - time to spring ahead an hour now that Daylight Saving Time is beginning! |
Lent Mid-Week Worship: March 10
In the book of Joel, the prophet paints a vivid picture of the coming judgment of God, the day of the Lord. But right in the middle of this frightening portent of judgement, we find a tender invitation from the Lord: “Return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster” (Joel 2:13b). During this season of Lent, we will consider this “call to return,” and how it played out for those who walked alongside Christ during His Passion, and for us today. Sin begets more sin. In this case, Judas’s betrayal brings Jesus before Caiaphas and the Council, where the sin of false witness prevails. What did God actually mean in the Eighth Commandment when He said that you should “not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16)? The false witness in the sham trial was evident, but ours is seldom so. What are the ways that we transgress the commandment? And how does our failure lead us away from God? God calls us to turn from our sin, to look to Him, and to find our rest and identity in Him. When we do, Jesus takes our sins—even our false witness against Him—and offers us forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). © 2020 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®. 
Talking With God, Part 4
We Listen to God It’s an interesting quirk of the English language that the words “listen” and “silent” contain the same letters. We can’t hear God speaking if we are railing and cursing. Do you remember as a child being told, “Go into your room and calm down and then we’ll discuss this”? Prior to ascending into heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) God’s peace is the great gift that allows us to approach Him when our hearts are broken, when we’re faced with seemingly impossible choices, when we’ve made a mess and don’t know how to fix it. God’s peace is what allows us to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” When we are convinced God is not listening to us, we need to remove the barrier that keeps us from hearing Him by first asking for a peaceful heart—a heart that is open to His direction. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21) – The Prayer Initiative Team |
Sign up for the Email Announcements
The weekly announcements are sent out in an email every week. If you do not receive it and wish to subscribe, just click here and enter the email address where you want to receive the announcements.
The weekly announcements are sent out in an email every week. If you do not receive it and wish to subscribe, just click here and enter the email address where you want to receive the announcements.
Deadline for Bulletin Submissions
If you have submissions for either the weekly or the e-mail bulletin, please provide the information to the church office no later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Thank you.
If you have submissions for either the weekly or the e-mail bulletin, please provide the information to the church office no later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Thank you.
Monthly Calendar and Room Usage
Our monthly calendar only highlights ministry events here at Messiah, but there are many other groups and individuals who use our facilities throughout the week. If you would like to hold a meeting or event at the church building, please contact Pam in the church office (517-694-1280 or office@messiahlutheranholt.org) to make sure that the space you would like to use is not already reserved. Thank you!
Our monthly calendar only highlights ministry events here at Messiah, but there are many other groups and individuals who use our facilities throughout the week. If you would like to hold a meeting or event at the church building, please contact Pam in the church office (517-694-1280 or office@messiahlutheranholt.org) to make sure that the space you would like to use is not already reserved. Thank you!
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Pastoral Care
Please contact the office for an appointment. If you have something that needs to be brought to an elder's attention, please call them at their number as listed in Messiah's Directory. |
Altar Flowers
If you wish to dedicate flowers for an occasion or just want to be able to take home some color on a Sunday, take a look at the flower chart near the main entrance. There are many openings available between now and the end of the year. |
There are now multiple ways to give to Messiah through our website.
You may use the black Donate button at the bottom of the page to give through Kindrid or
the yellow button below to give using PayPal. Also, giving to Messiah is available through text (serviced by Kindrid).
Please text 'Donate' to 517-210-0900 and follow the link provided.
Thank you for continuing to support the ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church.
You may use the black Donate button at the bottom of the page to give through Kindrid or
the yellow button below to give using PayPal. Also, giving to Messiah is available through text (serviced by Kindrid).
Please text 'Donate' to 517-210-0900 and follow the link provided.
Thank you for continuing to support the ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church.