Pastor Tami's eNote - January 12, 2024
Dear Messiah Family,
As we enter fully into Ordinary Time this week, the calendar reminds us that there is nothing ordinary about becoming the people of God. This Monday, January 15, we remember and celebrate the life of preacher and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day offers time both to celebrate of the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement and to reflect and reaffirm of the principles of equality, justice and racial reconciliation for which King stood. I’d like to invite you to join me in viewing the holiday not as a “day off,” but as a “day on” and to do at least one thing to intentionally learn, to spread kindness, and to work to combat racism. If you need ideas of how you might serve in your community, check out this website.
All across the United States, congregations and United Methodist organizations will remember and honor the legacy of Dr. King and recommit themselves to principles of equality and justice. Racism, systematic injustice, poverty and hate still plague our society in many places. As we celebrate the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement under the leadership of Dr. King and others, we can recommit to striving for a world where his dream will be the reality everywhere.
All across the United States, congregations and United Methodist organizations will remember and honor the legacy of Dr. King and recommit themselves to principles of equality and justice. Racism, systematic injustice, poverty and hate still plague our society in many places. As we celebrate the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement under the leadership of Dr. King and others, we can recommit to striving for a world where his dream will be the reality everywhere.
This Sunday
Have you ever struggled with things you’ve read in the Bible? If you read the work of some of the most outspoken atheists, you’ll find that they have and do. Some Christians struggle too. I’ve had a number of you ask, “Why does the God of the Old Testament seem vengeful or cruel?” Others have asked, “Must we take every story literally?” Or, “What do we do about the contradictions in scripture?” Or, “Why did the Bible allow slavery? Teach the subordination of women?”
In my message, Wrestling With the Bible, I’ll answer some of these questions this weekend as we consider the things that trip people up in the Bible, then we’ll focus on what the Bible is and is not. Finally, we’ll look at how we read these challenging passages, and all the beautiful ones, and why, despite the challenging passages, this book is our sacred text through which Christians hear God speak.
I hope you'll plan to attend worship either in person or online here.
Have you ever struggled with things you’ve read in the Bible? If you read the work of some of the most outspoken atheists, you’ll find that they have and do. Some Christians struggle too. I’ve had a number of you ask, “Why does the God of the Old Testament seem vengeful or cruel?” Others have asked, “Must we take every story literally?” Or, “What do we do about the contradictions in scripture?” Or, “Why did the Bible allow slavery? Teach the subordination of women?”
In my message, Wrestling With the Bible, I’ll answer some of these questions this weekend as we consider the things that trip people up in the Bible, then we’ll focus on what the Bible is and is not. Finally, we’ll look at how we read these challenging passages, and all the beautiful ones, and why, despite the challenging passages, this book is our sacred text through which Christians hear God speak.
I hope you'll plan to attend worship either in person or online here.
Honoring Our Differences, A Speaker Series
As we continue to work towards becoming the more inclusive faith community that God calls us to be, I want to be sure you know about a speaker series that our Inclusion and Diversity Team has arranged called Honoring Our Difference. It’s designed to help all of us learn more about this important commitment.
As we continue to work towards becoming the more inclusive faith community that God calls us to be, I want to be sure you know about a speaker series that our Inclusion and Diversity Team has arranged called Honoring Our Difference. It’s designed to help all of us learn more about this important commitment.
This Sunday we kick off our Honoring Our Differences Speaker Series with a presentation by Pastor Brian Hacklander and Holly Rice, a member of our Diversity and Inclusion Team, entitled. Why Does Messiah Church Have a Statement of Inclusion. The presentation begins promptly at 9:35a downstairs in Lakeside East. Coffee and treats will be served downstairs and childcare is available. No reservation is needed. So if you attend the 8:30a I invite you to stay for this. If you are a 10:30a worship attender, I invite you to come early. I am looking forward to hearing what Pastor Brian and Holly have prepared for us. I hope to see you there.
A Thank You!
After hearing about your overwhelming support of Messiah's Totes for Hope ministry in our Christmas Offering to the families of Bloom, Center Director, Mary Olsen sent this note of gratitude that I want to share with you.
After hearing about your overwhelming support of Messiah's Totes for Hope ministry in our Christmas Offering to the families of Bloom, Center Director, Mary Olsen sent this note of gratitude that I want to share with you.
Dear Messiah Family, I wanted to send a quick message of gratitude. It is hard to summarize the message that I want to share with you. I am overjoyed with the wonderful totals from the Christmas offering. Your support for the families of this mission is amazing. I know that we could not provide the nurturing connections and environment for the children, parents, and staff without your support, warm thoughts, and prayers. Your generosity is present in so many ways throughout the school day at Bloom. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and know that we would have many barriers to navigate without the support of the church.
Thank you for thinking of the kiddos, families, and staff! It is an amazing and beautiful environment that Messiah has created and continued to nurture. Mary Olsen
Thank you for thinking of the kiddos, families, and staff! It is an amazing and beautiful environment that Messiah has created and continued to nurture. Mary Olsen
Messiah Church, you are a generous congregation! Your support of our other Christmas offering recipient, Imara International, was just a strong. Thank you for being people who come together to help make this world look more like the kin(g)dom of God.
In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami
Pastor Tami
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. |
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