Pastor Tami's e-Note - December 1, 2023
Dear Messiah Family,
You are a faithful and generous congregation! November began our 2024 stewardship season and as this morning, there have been 155 Estimate of Giving Cards returned. That includes 25 first time pledgers. That’s incredible! Thank you. Your commitment is your affirmation that you want to be part of what God can do through Messiah Church. If you are a member and have not yet had a chance to submit your Estimate of Giving card, I invite you to do that so that we can begin plan and prioritize what we can do in 2024. You can find a link to that card here.
In other good news, over the past year, 18 adults have made the decision to become members at Messiah Church. That includes 4 Confirmands. We have an additional 11 or so planning to join in December. If you have been considering membership, I invite you to contact Heather Felt (hfelt@messiahchurch.org) for more information before December 6. The Holy Spirit is at work in Messiah Church, as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us… to bring us a future filled with hope!
You are a faithful and generous congregation! November began our 2024 stewardship season and as this morning, there have been 155 Estimate of Giving Cards returned. That includes 25 first time pledgers. That’s incredible! Thank you. Your commitment is your affirmation that you want to be part of what God can do through Messiah Church. If you are a member and have not yet had a chance to submit your Estimate of Giving card, I invite you to do that so that we can begin plan and prioritize what we can do in 2024. You can find a link to that card here.
In other good news, over the past year, 18 adults have made the decision to become members at Messiah Church. That includes 4 Confirmands. We have an additional 11 or so planning to join in December. If you have been considering membership, I invite you to contact Heather Felt (hfelt@messiahchurch.org) for more information before December 6. The Holy Spirit is at work in Messiah Church, as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us… to bring us a future filled with hope!
This Sunday
Advent, a season of waiting and preparation, where we make our hearts and minds ready to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas and receive him anew in our lives and communities. So we begin a new sermon series entitled, Prepare the Way for Christmas. For over 2,000 years, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Pastor Bethany begins this series with a message very appropriately titled, A People Prepared for the Lord.
It is our tradition on the first Sunday of Advent to wear Christmas sweaters to worship. I need to get my Fa La La Llama sweater out of the box in my closet and make sure it’s ready to go. I look forward to seeing all of your sweaters too! It is also a Sunday Funday happening in Heritage Hall between services.
I'm looking forward to the start of Advent and hope you will join me in worship – in-person or online. This is the most wonderful time of the year.
Advent, a season of waiting and preparation, where we make our hearts and minds ready to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas and receive him anew in our lives and communities. So we begin a new sermon series entitled, Prepare the Way for Christmas. For over 2,000 years, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Pastor Bethany begins this series with a message very appropriately titled, A People Prepared for the Lord.
It is our tradition on the first Sunday of Advent to wear Christmas sweaters to worship. I need to get my Fa La La Llama sweater out of the box in my closet and make sure it’s ready to go. I look forward to seeing all of your sweaters too! It is also a Sunday Funday happening in Heritage Hall between services.
I'm looking forward to the start of Advent and hope you will join me in worship – in-person or online. This is the most wonderful time of the year.
Fa La La Family Fun Festival
Ring in the Christmas season this Sunday afternoon for our 3rd Annual Fa La La Family Fun Festival! From 3-6 pm, you, your family, and the entire community are invited to experience the excitement of the season. Join us for cookie decorating, holiday crafts, games, live music and my favorite, the Hot Chocolate Bar! A soup supper served from 4:30-6 pm. There's something fun for everyone at this FREE community holiday event! I hope you’ll take this opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor to experience the warm community of Messiah Church.
Ring in the Christmas season this Sunday afternoon for our 3rd Annual Fa La La Family Fun Festival! From 3-6 pm, you, your family, and the entire community are invited to experience the excitement of the season. Join us for cookie decorating, holiday crafts, games, live music and my favorite, the Hot Chocolate Bar! A soup supper served from 4:30-6 pm. There's something fun for everyone at this FREE community holiday event! I hope you’ll take this opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor to experience the warm community of Messiah Church.
The Servant Steering Team | Messiah's Leadership Team
In 2015, Messiah Church moved from the traditional church leadership model to a One Governance Team model, moving us from four administrative committees (Trustees, Finance, Staff-Parish Relations, and Church Council) to one Servant Steering Team that encapsulates all responsibilities and authority of the previous four separate administrative committees. This model frees up people to do the ministry and mission of the church. It has served Messiah Church well as is evident through our incredible work in ministry and missions in our community and around the world.
As we prepare for the 2024 ministry season, a couple of the Servant Steering Team members have fulfilled their terms. My deepest appreciation to Mary Jenkins (Human Resource rep formerly known as Staff Parish Relations) and Pete Thorp (Interim Chair) for their years of service to Messiah Church. Mary has served this faith community well with her prayers and service and will be rotating off. I have invited Pete to remain on the team for an additional year as an At-Large member and he has agreed to do so.
So three new team members will be added as the Class of 2026. Two will serve as At-Large members and one is specifically to represent Human Resources. The mission of the Servant Steering Team is to help champion the vision of Messiah Church and maintain our focus to reach and grow new disciples. Continuing to serve as your 2024 Servant Steering Team are:
Class of 2024; Kirk Richards (At Large), Phil Zietlow (Operations/Trustee Representative), Brian King (Finance Representative), Pete Thorp (At-Large)
Class of 2025; Linda Munch (At Large), Zachary Sweet (At Large), Lee Haight (At Large) and Eric Dahmer (At Large)
If you might be interested in a conversation about serving on this team, reply to this email. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
In 2015, Messiah Church moved from the traditional church leadership model to a One Governance Team model, moving us from four administrative committees (Trustees, Finance, Staff-Parish Relations, and Church Council) to one Servant Steering Team that encapsulates all responsibilities and authority of the previous four separate administrative committees. This model frees up people to do the ministry and mission of the church. It has served Messiah Church well as is evident through our incredible work in ministry and missions in our community and around the world.
As we prepare for the 2024 ministry season, a couple of the Servant Steering Team members have fulfilled their terms. My deepest appreciation to Mary Jenkins (Human Resource rep formerly known as Staff Parish Relations) and Pete Thorp (Interim Chair) for their years of service to Messiah Church. Mary has served this faith community well with her prayers and service and will be rotating off. I have invited Pete to remain on the team for an additional year as an At-Large member and he has agreed to do so.
So three new team members will be added as the Class of 2026. Two will serve as At-Large members and one is specifically to represent Human Resources. The mission of the Servant Steering Team is to help champion the vision of Messiah Church and maintain our focus to reach and grow new disciples. Continuing to serve as your 2024 Servant Steering Team are:
Class of 2024; Kirk Richards (At Large), Phil Zietlow (Operations/Trustee Representative), Brian King (Finance Representative), Pete Thorp (At-Large)
Class of 2025; Linda Munch (At Large), Zachary Sweet (At Large), Lee Haight (At Large) and Eric Dahmer (At Large)
If you might be interested in a conversation about serving on this team, reply to this email. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
In Christ's Love,
Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org
Please Pray with Me...
God of Love, we give you thanks and praise for your steadfast mercy, love and grace. Through faith, we trust that you are with us in all of life’s transitions and change. We trust in your goodness and know that with each ending comes new beginnings. So, come, Holy Spirit, come. Guide, strengthen, and encourage us on the journey that lies before our Messiah Church family. It’s the assurance of your unfailing love which enables us to trust you in every season of life. May your Word dwell in us richly, your peace rule in us powerfully, and may your glory be our main passion and greatest delight. In the powerful and precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
God of Love, we give you thanks and praise for your steadfast mercy, love and grace. Through faith, we trust that you are with us in all of life’s transitions and change. We trust in your goodness and know that with each ending comes new beginnings. So, come, Holy Spirit, come. Guide, strengthen, and encourage us on the journey that lies before our Messiah Church family. It’s the assurance of your unfailing love which enables us to trust you in every season of life. May your Word dwell in us richly, your peace rule in us powerfully, and may your glory be our main passion and greatest delight. In the powerful and precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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Posted in eNote from Pastor Tami