Pastor Tami's eNote - January 26, 2024
Dear Messiah Family,
Better is a single day in your courtyards than a thousand days anywhere else! I would prefer to stand outside the entrance of my God’s house than live comfortably in the tents of the wicked! The Lord is a sun and shield; God is favor and glory. The Lord gives—doesn’t withhold!—good things to those who walk with integrity. Lord of heavenly forces, those who trust in you are truly happy! Psalm 84:10-12
I miss the sun. While I appreciate the milder winter and less snow, my soul is longing for some sunshine. My sister, Maria, lives in Seattle and it’s beautiful (as is evident by the picture below) but it only has about 150 sunny days a year. I could never live there. I need more sunshine in my life. My weather app tells me that we may get a peek at the sun on SUNday. Hang in there. It’s coming!
Did you know that sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D in our body? We need sunlight for healthy bones among many other benefits that come from this necessity in our physical being. Sunlight also is a natural antidepressant that promotes the production of serotonin in the brain. Long periods of darkness or ever overcast weather is proven to cause depression in many people, so it is scientifically proven that human beings need sunlight physically and mentally.
So what about spiritually? God is our sun and shield who gives us grace and glory. We need to live in the Light of God’s love to be spiritually healthy as well. Scripture tells us that those who live by God’s grace will be filled with inexpressible joy and indescribable peace that comes from an unseen source. When we stand in the sunlight, we do not try to produce Vitamin D. It just naturally occurs benefiting our body. Serotonin automatically is made in our brain without a second thought. I believe that as we spend more time in God’s light we experience a change in our life internally that changes the external outcomes in our life. God is more powerful than the rays of the sun. God is more majestic than a sunrise or sunset. God’s love radiates a warmth that is felt in our innermost being touching our heart and healing our lives. May you find time to bask in the light of God’s love today.
Did you know that sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D in our body? We need sunlight for healthy bones among many other benefits that come from this necessity in our physical being. Sunlight also is a natural antidepressant that promotes the production of serotonin in the brain. Long periods of darkness or ever overcast weather is proven to cause depression in many people, so it is scientifically proven that human beings need sunlight physically and mentally.
So what about spiritually? God is our sun and shield who gives us grace and glory. We need to live in the Light of God’s love to be spiritually healthy as well. Scripture tells us that those who live by God’s grace will be filled with inexpressible joy and indescribable peace that comes from an unseen source. When we stand in the sunlight, we do not try to produce Vitamin D. It just naturally occurs benefiting our body. Serotonin automatically is made in our brain without a second thought. I believe that as we spend more time in God’s light we experience a change in our life internally that changes the external outcomes in our life. God is more powerful than the rays of the sun. God is more majestic than a sunrise or sunset. God’s love radiates a warmth that is felt in our innermost being touching our heart and healing our lives. May you find time to bask in the light of God’s love today.
This Sunday
We welcome Rev. Cynthia Williams, our District Superintendent (and Bethany and my boss!) as our guest preacher. Rev. Williams has served as DS in the River Valley District for six years, Associate Pastor at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, and Director of Congregational Life at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Paul. I know you'll be blessed by her message as she continues this series with a message titled Live the Questions. She’ll help us see how our journey of growing in Christ requires that we rest in the deeper questions of life and trust God in due season to bring forth the answers.
We also welcome back the 29:11 International Exchange Choir at both services and also between services for a concert in Heritage Hall. 29:11 International Exchange is a music ministry based in South Africa and the United States. Their mission is to facilitate hope and reconciliation through music, cross-cultural relationships, and individual artist development. They believe by recognizing that each of us is worthy of understanding and love, we can bridge the ideological, racial, and socio-economic gaps that divide us, and live together as citizens of the world. For more information on the 29:11 International Exchange, click here.
It is going to be another great day of worship at Messiah Church. I hope you’ll plan to join us in person if you are in town or online by clicking on the button below.
We welcome Rev. Cynthia Williams, our District Superintendent (and Bethany and my boss!) as our guest preacher. Rev. Williams has served as DS in the River Valley District for six years, Associate Pastor at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, and Director of Congregational Life at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Paul. I know you'll be blessed by her message as she continues this series with a message titled Live the Questions. She’ll help us see how our journey of growing in Christ requires that we rest in the deeper questions of life and trust God in due season to bring forth the answers.
We also welcome back the 29:11 International Exchange Choir at both services and also between services for a concert in Heritage Hall. 29:11 International Exchange is a music ministry based in South Africa and the United States. Their mission is to facilitate hope and reconciliation through music, cross-cultural relationships, and individual artist development. They believe by recognizing that each of us is worthy of understanding and love, we can bridge the ideological, racial, and socio-economic gaps that divide us, and live together as citizens of the world. For more information on the 29:11 International Exchange, click here.
It is going to be another great day of worship at Messiah Church. I hope you’ll plan to join us in person if you are in town or online by clicking on the button below.
Student Kits Shipped!
I received an email yesterday from Midwest Missions letting us know that on January 9th, the 500 student kits we packed last fall were shipped to Food for the Poor. Our 500 kits were part of a large container of 5,600 kits that weighed 16,380 lbs and valued at $89,600.
Food For The Poor serves Latin American and Caribbean countries. Every year, they preposition disaster relief supplies in nine countries: Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, and St. Lucia.
Thank you to our Missions Team for arranging for this service project. Thanks also to those who packed the kits and/or made donations to cover the cost. Messiah Church, you continue to share the love in practical and impactful ways. Thank you for being a church that answers the call to share the love of Christ by helping others. You make me proud to be one of your pastors!
I received an email yesterday from Midwest Missions letting us know that on January 9th, the 500 student kits we packed last fall were shipped to Food for the Poor. Our 500 kits were part of a large container of 5,600 kits that weighed 16,380 lbs and valued at $89,600.
Food For The Poor serves Latin American and Caribbean countries. Every year, they preposition disaster relief supplies in nine countries: Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, and St. Lucia.
Thank you to our Missions Team for arranging for this service project. Thanks also to those who packed the kits and/or made donations to cover the cost. Messiah Church, you continue to share the love in practical and impactful ways. Thank you for being a church that answers the call to share the love of Christ by helping others. You make me proud to be one of your pastors!
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. |
| Join Us! In-Person & Online Worship Sundays Live @ 8:30 am - Organ & Choir Live @ 10:30 am - Praise Band and On Demand anytime! |
Posted in eNote from Pastor Tami