Messiah Lutheran Church

Order of Worship: October 11

COVID-19 Worship Practices

Pastor's Message

“Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Lutheran Book of Worship, Setting One Offertory Prayer

Dear Messiah and St. Stephen’s family,

The offertory prayer printed above from the Lutheran Book of Worship has been formative for my faith. There is a cadence and rhythm to this prayer that my home congregation instinctively knew as we recited the prayer together before Holy Communion. This prayer has also formed my understanding of Christian stewardship. Everything is a gift from God. We are stewards of everything that God has entrusted to our care. This includes our bodies, the time in each day, and our material possessions. Stewardship is a daily act of worship, expressing the faith God has given us and a way of growing in relationship with God. Stewardship is about all of life--about giving ourselves to God, and using all that God has given us in grateful ways. Stewardship is the way of life for people who belong to God.

The current pandemic has challenged my stewardship in all aspects of life—finding new ways of nurturing relationships with friends and family near and far; in-person pastoral visits changed to electronic Zoom meetings or phone conversations through windows; and discovering new ways of daily living thru social distancing guidelines.

Yet, in the midst of this pandemic, the God of abundance continues to bless us and lead us to wisely steward everything that God has entrusted to us. As congregations we will continue to share God’s bounteous gifts and manage them for the best promotion of God’s purposes in the world. It is in grateful response to God and through faith in Jesus Christ that we steward the gifts of God to renew and bless the entire creation!

Peace be with you!
Pastor Steven

Messiah Church Monthly Messenger: September

Messiah Lutheran Church Picture Book

Volunteer for Saturday Suppers Sign-up

COVID-19 Response*

With the outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and around the world, our church and its leaders continue to minister to its members, to those who are hurting and searching for peace, and to those in need. You can help the ministries of the ELCA by supporting your local congregation and making a gift to the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Your donation will provide funds to the ministries of the ELCA most in need and best positioned to help. This includes our congregations as well as local and churchwide ministries capable of reaching and assisting those in need. Additional resources for congregations and members regarding worship, stewardship and assistance programs are available at ELCA.org/PublicHealth.

*Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “Re: [Seeds Monthly] Churches responding to COVID-19 .” Message to Laura Gregory. 23 April 2020. Email.

Youth / Faith Formation

Faith Lens Meetings
11:30 am, 2^nd Sunday of every month

This program is designed for middle/high school aged youth who want the challenge of connecting world events with the Bible & their faith. We will gather at a new location (spacious enough for us to comply with social distancing guidelins) for each meeting.

Faith 5 Meetings
Every Sunday at 7:00-7:45 pm via Zoom

This program is designed for all ages, and will include times of guided discussion and prayer.

Discussion:
*Highs for the week
*Lows for the week
*A Bible verse & how that verse relates to us
Prayer:
*Pray for One Another
*Bless One Another

We’re looking into ways to keep our youth connected during these difficult times. Please contact Pastor Steven, Father John, or Courtney Berg if you have any questions or concerns, or would like ideas on faith practices you could use at home.

See what is happening at
Messiah!

Messiah Lutheran Church Sunday Service: 8:30AM

See what is happening at Messiah!

Messiah Lutheran Church Sunday Service: 8:30AM

See what is happening at
Messiah!