Here's this week's MGN (Messiah's Good News) from Amy Teawalt.

We believe in the good news of Jesus that we see all around us and we want to share that good news with you! And for more information about:

• Scout troops that meet at Messiah Church, click here.
• KID Street Milestone Ministry Information, contact Kari Stern, our Director of Children and Family Ministry at kstern@messiahchurch.org.
• Wizard of Oz Ticket sales, click here.
• Becoming a Wizard of Oz Sponsor, click here or contact Joy Ann Harmon, show director, at jharmon@messiahchurch.org. 
• Helping behind the scenes during the Wizard of Oz shows, contact Joy Ann Harmon, show director, at jharmon@messiahchurch.org.

To submit your own Good News we can share, email a photo or video and a short description to info@messiahchurch.org.

Dear Messiah Family,

This is going to be a longer than usual eNote today because I took a week off last week and there is much going on around Messiah Church. Last week, I was in San Diego visiting my mother. We had a wonderful time visiting and getting a lot personal and business matters accomplished for her. As an added bonus, we were able to have several dinners with my siblings who live in the area. (Here’s one picture to share with you.) Messiah family, I am so grateful to be part of a church that understands and supports their clergy and staff having time away to renew and refresh their relationships as well as our souls. Thank you.

This Sunday

I will conclude this series with a message titled Doubt and the Existence of God. Having faith does not mean we do not have doubt and having doubts or questions about your faith does not make you a bad Christian. We all have doubts and that’s okay because doubt can lead to a deeper faith. When wrestled with honestly, doubt can help us examine our faith carefully and ask questions like “Does God really exist?” How would you answer that question? I look forward to sharing with you just three of the reasons why I believe in God.

This is also Scout Sunday, a day each year when we honor scouts of Troops 3570 and 5570 and Cub Scout Pack 388. It is also an opportunity for them to say thank you, Messiah Church for your support. The scouts will participate in a processional, be recognized for their good deeds as well as assist in greeting guests at the front door, ushering, reading scripture, and giving testimonies. I hope you’ll plan to join us for this special day of worship and community at Messiah Church.

We also continue with the second session of our speaker series, Honoring our Differences. The last session was so well attended with (60+) that we are moving this one to Heritage Hall beginning at 9:35 am with coffee and treats. This week’s topic; Why Racial Justice & Diversity? Do we, as a church, understand the barriers to racial justice and equity that exist in our own communities? Are we aware of our own, often subconscious, biases toward other races and ethnicities? In this session, speaker Kevin Ward, Executive Director of Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, will help us examine subconscious beliefs and behaviors that may keep us from being inclusive and welcoming to persons of color. I look forward to hearing Kevin’s presentation.

Ash Wednesday
Can you believe that the Lenten season is upon us? Next Wednesday, February 14, we’ll gather for Ash Wednesday worship. We’ll begin the evening with an optional, free soup supper will be served in Heritage Hall from 5:30-6:15 pm. Everyone is welcome - no RSVP needed. The worship service begins at 6:30p and is designed for all ages to foster reflection and response as we begin the Lenten season. Guided by scripture and song, this worship experience prepares us for the next 40 days "in the desert" and will remind us that, in every season, God is still God and there is a reason to worship. This blended worship experience provides space for contemplation and prayer; an opportunity to pause, reflect, and turn our minds and hearts back to God.

This worship service will be offered in person and live streamed. In-person worship will include interactive prayer stations for all ages.

Oz Sponsorship

The opening night of The Wizard of Oz is just five weeks away. The actors, directors, set and costume designers, musicians and ticket team have been hard at work since last December to be ready to take you to the merry old land of Oz. This production is an essential part of our community outreach and the life of our church. If you’d like to make a financial gift to offset production costs, either as an individual or a business, donors will be listed in the show program or may chose to donate anonymously. To become an Oz Sponsor: Click here to donate online or drop a gift in the mail or in  the church office. Please make checks payable to Messiah Church. In the memo, indicate “Oz Sponsor” AND your name or business as you would like printed in the show program OR write "Anonymous."

New Online Giving Platform

Finally, if you currently have scheduled recurring gifts to Messiah Church with Vanco you should have received an email this week from Phil Weiler, our Director of Operations, letting you know that that we are transitioning to a new giving platform called Subsplash Giving and explaining how to make the change in your giving from Vanco to Subsplash.

Our hope is that this will offer a more accessible and streamlined experience both for those who give online, and for our finance team. This giving platform will also work seamlessly with a new Messiah Church app, which is coming very soon. We're making the final adjustments on the app now, and I'm excited to share more about that with you by the end of this month.

In addition, if you'd like to start a recurring gift (or make a one-time gift to Messiah) using our new platform, you can do so here. We are thankful for your ongoing and generous support of the ministries of Messiah Church.

Whew, that was a lot of information to share. Thank you for sticking with me. I am grateful to be a part of a faith community that is so active in sharing the love of Jesus with the world.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.

Here's this week's MGN (Messiah's Good News) from Amy Teawalt.

We believe in the good news of Jesus that we see all around us and we want to share that good news with you! And for more information about:

• Scout Sunday - February 11, 2024, click here. 
• KID Street, click here.
• Messiah Youth and Confirmation at Messiah, click here.
• Joining the Chancel Choir, contact our Chancel Choir Director, Andrew Beard - AndrewFischerBeard@gmail.com.   
• Becoming a Wizard of Oz Sponsor, click here or contact Joy Ann Harmon, show director, at jharmon@messiahchurch.org. 
• Donations needed for the Wizard of Oz, click here (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the list).

To submit your own Good News we can share, email a photo or video and a short description to info@messiahchurch.org.

Dear Messiah Family,

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.

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.

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!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.

Here's this week's ATM (All Things Messiah) announcements from Adam Lundgren.

And for more information on:
* The 29:11 International Exchange, click here.
* Scout Sunday - February 11, 2024, click here.
* B.I.N.G.O. Night at Messiah - February 9, 2024, click here.
* Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Worship, click here. 
* The Wizard of Oz, click here. Ticket sales coming soon!

Dear Messiah Family,

This reflection from author, Kate Bowler, came across my desk a few days ago. It touched my heart so I want to share it with you. I think we can always use a reminder of how much we are loved by God.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
— Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

Think back. Was there a time and place where you have felt truly beloved? I mean, downright cherished? Those are precious and good moments. Sometimes it’s the feeling of your dog or cat deciding you have hung the moon, or at least put dinner out in a dish. A child that hugs you around the waist. A friend’s irrational interest in the specifics of your day. (Is any Tuesday really that interesting? Probably not, but I’m not complaining.) It could be an anniversary celebration, a graduation moment, or the feeling of someone squeezing your hand. We forget these moments quickly, but they are crucial. If we forget what it feels like to be loved, we may not remember how to be loved by God too.

Let’s try.

God, it has taken a while to see it,
clouded as these days have been
with a vague sense of unease,
gradually coming to my awareness
that I need to feel your love.
Not generally. Not for the whole world.
But for the specific, particular me
that is here, now.
(Though it feels embarrassing to say so.)
But aren’t we all at the center
of our own stories?
As heroes, villains, winners, losers,
or whatever fits the plot of the day?
God, rewind this story back
to the beginning,
when my eyes opened and, newborn,
I came into this world wholly loved.
You loved me.
Not for anything I had done,
but simply because.
And here, though my vision is blurry,
I do know what love feels like.
And that is life to me.
So remind me, again, God,
how the world spins and the winds change
and the oceans churn and not a single fact
tells a different story than your love for me.

This Sunday

I’ll continue in this series on doubt with a message titled Is Heaven Real? Nearly every religion throughout history has had some sense of an afterlife. Jesus’ promise to us is that there is something after this life and that when our time in this world is over, he’s coming back to take us home. I believe this is a topic that we all think about from time to time. I look forward to sharing my message with you as well as a couple of near death stories. I hope you'll plan to attend worship either in person or online here.

Charge Conference

Messiah Church has been awarded an $8,000 "Investing in Congregations" grant from the Minnesota Annual Conference to support our efforts around becoming a more diverse and inclusive faith community. This grant will fund our Honoring our Differences speaker series as well as provide funding for leadership development opportunities. A Charge Conference for the purpose of approving this grant agreement will be held next Sunday, January 28 at 10 am in the church office. Pastor Dick Ellis will be presiding - all members of Messiah are welcome to attend and vote.

A Thank You!

In my eNote last week, I shared a thank you from Bloom for your support of the Totes for Hope ministry to Bloom. Today, I have another thank you to share with you from Imara.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.

Here's this week's MGN (Messiah's Good News) from Amy Teawalt.

We believe in the good news of Jesus that we see all around us and we want to share that good news with you! And for more information about:

• KID Street Serving opportunities, contact our Director of Children & Family Ministry, Kari Stern – kstern@messiahchurch.org.
• Ways to make an impact locally and around the world, click here.
• Joining a Faith Group at Messiah, click here.
• Donations needed for the Wizard of Oz, click here (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the list).

To submit your own Good News we can share, email a photo or video and a short description to info@messiahchurch.org.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.

Dear Messiah Family,

Have I told you lately how proud I am to be one of your pastors? We set large goals for this year’s Christmas offering. We were hoping to come together to fund a fence for the Imara gardens to keep out those pesky elephants and monkeys as well as fund the Totes for Hope mini-food shelf (a ministry of Messiah Church) allowing our Bloom families to get a quick meal or a few basic supplies onsite and when they need it. Our goal was $15,000 for each. Once again, Messiah Church, you far exceed the goals. Imara received $29,300 and Totes for Hope received $27,608. Thank you for being a faith community that shines the light of Christ so brightly into this world making it a better and brighter place for so many.

This Sunday

Doubts. Everyone has them. I know I do. Do you? Do you ever wonder, Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Does God really love me? Is there a heaven? So for the next six weeks, come join us and let’s wrestle with doubt together.

Pastor Bethany Nelson begins this new six-part series with a message titled Doubt and the Existence of God. Having faith does not mean we do not have doubt. We all have doubts and that’s okay because doubt can lead to a deeper faith. Honest doubt can help us examine our faith carefully and ask, “are the things I believe really trustworthy?”

I was really looking forward to sharing this first message in the series with you but I have been down all week with flu-like symptoms so Pastor Bethany will be stepping in last minute to preach for me. I am so thankful to have a colleague like her who is not only very capable but also understanding and supportive. I look forward to joining you in worship online.

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. 

January Topic: Why Does Messiah have an Inclusion Statement?

The first session will be held on Sunday, January 14 in Lakeside East (lower level) at 9:35 am with coffee and treats to discuss: What is inclusion and why is it important for a faith community? Isn’t it enough to just say “Everyone is Welcome Here”? In this session, Pastor Brian Hacklander (Messiah’s Pastor of Congregational Care) and Holly Rice (a member of our Diversity & Inclusion Team) will help us understand the reasons for inclusion and diversity in churches. We’ll discuss what the Bible says about inclusion, the barriers and benefits to being a more inclusive church, and you’ll learn the meaning of the terms diversity, inclusion, equity, equality, BIPOC, and DEI. Childcare is being provided and no RSVP is needed. Click here to learn more about the upcoming speakers in this series. I am very proud of the work our team has done to plan and arrange for this series. I hope you'll plan to us in person. We are looking into making these session available online in the future. If that is something that you would be interested in, I'd like to hear from you. Just respond to this email. 

Family News

This past Wednesday, Messiah member, Bob Anderson entered the Church Triumphant. Bob and Janet joined Messiah in 2006 along with several others from Brunswick UMC. Bob had the gift of helping. He was always so welcoming with his big smile. He was a good listener and willing to do whatever was needed. Bob was an important member of our Messiah Church family and will never be forgotten. A private Celebration of Life service will be held at a later day. Please join me in holding Janet and her family in your prayers for God’s peace and comfort. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Dear Messiah Family,

What a beautiful celebration of Christmas it was at each of our candlelight services as we witnessed light pushing back the darkness. We saw 697 in-person worshipers and 1,105 of you joined us online for a total attendance of 1,802.Thank you to all who helped make this remarkable night of worship happen.

This Sunday

We celebrate the last worship service of 2023 with our regularly scheduled worship times of 8:30am and 10:30am. The final day of the year finds many of us reflecting on the past and looking ahead to the future. We’ll gather under the promises of God, and renew our commitment to leading lives of witness and love with a message from Pastor Bethany titled Fresh Start. I hope you will plan to join us in person or  online here.

End of Year Giving

As the year is nearing an end, we also want to THANK YOU for the important difference you make at Messiah Church through your generosity and giving. I’m so proud of your generosity. If you have not had a chance to complete your 2023 pledge, it is not too late to do so. 
To make a year-end gift to the 2023 General Operating budget or the special Christmas Offering, you can do so today here.
All gifts must be made prior to 11:59 pm on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, to be tax deductible in the current year. If you have questions, contact Phil Weiler in the church office (763-473-6968) or stop by the office at 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447 through noon on Friday, Dec. 29 or in person on Sunday morning.

The Work of Christmas

As we leave 2023 behind and look forward into the new year, I share with you this blessing of “The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, educator, and civil rights leader. It's a tradition for me to revisit this poem at the start of each new year as a reminder of what the vision for Christ’s mission looks like.

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.

I invite you to share this message with the people you love. Maybe you read it out loud with those you will gather with for the New Year celebration. Maybe find one person who will receive inspiration in its sentiment. Most importantly, let’s share this message by the way that we live.

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Dear Messiah Family,

Christmas is about relationships. That first Christmas, God entered into human existence by putting on flesh and living among us, with hopes that humanity could see and understand who God is. God wants a relationship with us all. God comes to us all, knocking on the door to our hearts, seeking entry into our lives. God knows what God can do for us and with us. I hope you will have an opportunity to worship with us at some point on Sunday and give thanks for what God would do for us all.

Christmas Offering
It has long been our tradition at Messiah Church to give away our entire Christmas offering. Our mission team selected two of our mission partners as recipients of this year’s offering, Totes for Hope and Imara International:

Totes for Hope is a food shelf ministry of Messiah Church to help minimize food insecurity for Bloom Early Learning & Child Care families, located right here at Messiah. Started in 2018, this self-select food shelf is available throughout the week, all year long, allowing families to take what food they need, when they need it. Your Christmas Offering fully funds purchasing food for this program.

Imara International, one of Messiah Church’s covenant mission partners, is a US-based nonprofit working in Kenya to provide an opportunity for teenage mothers to earn a high school degree and learn marketable skills to support themselves and their children. Infants and children who are part of the Imara family are provided healthcare and early childhood education. Imara’s program is structured to teach life-sustaining skills that build strong families and communities while breaking the cycle of poverty. Your Christmas Offering will provide funds to build a fence to protect their garden crops from the elephants and monkeys, as Imara works to become self-sustaining.
If you'd like to participate in the 2023 Christmas Offering, you can do that here. 

Year-End Giving
To those of you who have completed your pledge for 2023, thank you. If you haven’t finished yet or if you want to make an additional gift to the church, remember that to be applied to 2023 taxes, your gifts must be physically received or postmarked by December 31.

And finally...
 From our entire staff and some of our wonderful volunteers, may you experience the hope, peace, joy, and love that came to earth in our Savior’s birth. Merry Christmas!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Dear Messiah Family,
I love our Messiah community! If you’ve been in our building on a weekday, no doubt you have been greeted by our eQuality associates. eQuality is a Minneapolis-based program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Messiah Church is this group’s home base where they provide us light cleaning services as well as opportunities for them to interact with our community. They are a beloved part of our Messiah family.

A few years ago, when I led the Thursday morning Women’s Faith Group, one of our eQuality associates would regularly sneak into the small kitchen area of the Fireside Room, while our class was in session, and quietly help herself to a cup of coffee. After a while, it was decided that instead of her having to sneak a cup of coffee, we’d make her her very own cup. Well, that has grown over time and now, each Thursday, the associates and our staff share in a Coffee Party. Heather prepares the coffee and all of our office staff take turns providing snacks. Here’s a picture of yesterday’s Coffee Party. I am not sure who enjoys this time more, the associates or our staff!

This Sunday
We continue in our Advent sermon series where we are looking at the life and ministry of Jesus’s cousin, John the Baptist, who came to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. Still today, John’s story can help us prepare our hearts to receive Christ anew in our hearts. This week’s message is titled The Fruit of Repentance. Pastor Bethany will help us explore the ministry of John the Baptist, which proclaimed baptism for the forgiveness of sins and a call to action, bearing fruit worthy of repentance.

We will also be receiving new members at both services this Sunday, bringing our total new members this year to 30. I am excited to introduce them to you. The Holy Spirit is at work at Messiah Church. I am honored to be one of your pastors in this vibrant and growing faith community.

Christmas Eve Worship, December 24
 As you know, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year. So, on Sunday morning, December 24, there will be no in person worship services. Our morning worship can be found online in our On Demand Library here or if your prefer the podcast version, you can find that here. Stay snuggled in your jammies, grab a cup of coffee and join us for a 30 minute worship service that will help us prepare our hearts for the Gift of Christmas. And then plan to join us for an in person/online worship later that day. A full menu of our Christmas worship services can be found here. These are my favorite services of the year and I look forward to celebrating the Best Gift ever with all of you!

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

Here's this week's MGN (Messiah's Good News) from Amy Teawalt.

We believe in the good news of Jesus that we see all around us and we want to share that good news with you! And for more information about:

*  Scout troops that meet at Messiah Church, click here. 

* Our Christmas Eve Services, click here.

To submit your own Good News we can share, email a photo or video and a short description to info@messiahchurch.org.

Dear Messiah Family,
Last Sunday afternoon, the church building came to life with sounds, sights and tastes of the season during our Fa La La Family Fun Festival. Over 200 guests shared in games, crafts, caroling, all topped off with a delicious warm soup and freshly baked bread supper. I am so grateful for our Director of Community Engagement, Heather Felt’s masterful project management skills as well as her grace and flexibility. She built a great team of servants who helped extend welcoming Messiah hospitality to our guests. I am so grateful to all who served. Here’s a few pictures from the day.

This Sunday
I will continue in our Advent sermon series with a message titled God is Gracious. By looking at the birth of John, we’ll see how while we can never have certainty in life, we can have faith and trust. And when our faith is well-placed, our doubts or questions can lead us to a deeper faith in our most gracious God.
Also, this Sunday, you’re invited to the last Discover Messiah gathering for the year. This is an opportunity to learn more about Messiah Church, your pastors, what it means to become a member of Messiah Church and how to get connected. We’ll gather this Sunday, December 10 at 11:45 am in the Fireside Room (on the lower level). Even if you are not "new," if you have never attended a Discover Messiah, you are invited! Lunch will be provided - please RSVP to Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org or (763) 473-6968 ext. 114
It's going to be another great day of worshiping our Lord! I hope you will join me in worship – in-person or online.

A Service of Healing and Hope
The gaiety of the holiday season has a way of emphasizing day-to-day struggles with grief, depression, anxiety, and fear. I invite you to join us tomorrow, December 9 at 2 pm for a service of comfort, hope, and healing. You can expect music that will lift the soul, prayers that comfort, solitude that soothes, and a message of hope and healing from our Pastor of Congregational Care, Brian Hacklander. Perhaps you know someone who is struggling. Invite them to come with you or come alone. You can attend in person or online live at MessiahChurch.org/live. A fellowship time with warm beverages and treats will follow.

Family News
Long time Messiah Church member, Gary Ruckdaschel entered the Church Triumphant on November 29, 2023. Gary passed very peacefully with his wife, Nancy and niece, Lisa beside him. Gary and Nancy joined Messiah in 2000. Gary was an important member of our Messiah Church family and will never be forgotten. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, December 21 at 1p with a visitation beginning at noon. Please hold Nancy and her family in your prayers for God’s peace and comfort. 

In Christ's love,
Pastor Tami

Tami Luckhardt
Messiah Church Senior Pastor
(763) 473-6968 ext. 103
tluckhardt@messiahchurch.org

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!

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.

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.

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 Christ's Love,

Tami Luckhardt
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.

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.

Thank you to all who participated in the auditions for our Spring 2024 production of The Wizard of Oz. Congratulations to our cast!

Performances will run March 15-17 and 22-23, 2024

The Wizard of Oz Cast*

Dorothy: Amy Teawalt
Scarecrow: Ed Miska (Understudy: Kari Brunsting)
Tin Man: Max Richter (Understudy: Andy Dahl)
Lion: Jesse Carlson
Wicked Witch of the West: Sami Tierney (Understudy: Jane Gossard)
Glinda the Good Witch: Amy Madson
Professor/Wizard of Oz: Dave Eckenrode
Uncle Henry: Alan Dewey
Aunt Em: Denise Lutgen

Dancing & Singing Trees: Kari Brunsting, Kari Stern, Joanna Zawislak
Poppies: Marissa Brunsting, Cassie Dols, Sloan Gagne, Ainsley Nemitz, Keira Richards, Annabel Thompson

Munchkins
  Mayor of Munchkin Land: Jane Gossard
  Coroner of Munchkin Land: Andy Dahl
  Barrister of Munchkin Land: Kari Stern
  Munchkins: (adults) Katie Carlson, Andy Dahl, Alan Dewey, Dave Eckenrode, Brody Frei, Felicity Gallaty, Laurie Guy, Mark Guy, Lorie Hoekstra, Paul Hoekstra, Denise Lutgen, Mary Jo Morales, Emma Petry, Sydney Schroeder, Paul Stone, Sherry Wilhelm, Joanna Zawislak; (children) Emma Baker, Kaia Brunsting, Tryg Decker, Leo Funk, Sloan Gagne, Elizabeth Gossard, Gus LaFrance, David Madson, Ruth Madson, Abigail Myers, Annabel Thompson, Zoey Zawislak

Emerald City Ozians
  Beauticians for Dorothy: Kari Brunsting, Laurie Guy, Denise Lutgen
  Beauticians for Scarecrow: Lorie Hoekstra, Ruth Madson, Joanna Zawislak
  Polishers for Tin Man: Andy Dahl, Jane Gossard, Paul Hoekstra
  Manicurists for Lion: Katie Carlson, Kari Stern, Zoey Zawislak
  Emerald City Guard: TBA
  Ozians: (adults) Katie Carlson, Alan Dewey, Brody Frei, Felicity Gallaty, Mark Guy, Mary Jo Morales, Emma Petry, Sydney Schroeder, Paul Stone; (children) Emma Baker, Kaia Brunsting, Tryg Decker, Leo Funk, Elizabeth Gossard, Gus LaFrance, Ruth Madson, Abigail Myers, Annabel Thompson

Witch’s Guards (Winkies): Alan Dewey, Brody Frei, Paul Hoekstra
Flying Monkey Captain: Emma Petry
Flying Monkeys: Kaia Brunsting, Tryg Decker, Elizabeth Gossard, Gus LaFrance, David Madson

*All roles were cast based on audition performance and communicated conflicts. Additional emerging conflicts will impact the final role.

Upcoming Dates
Please see your email each day for next steps and upcoming important dates.

Costume Fitting: Thursday, October 12 @ 6-8 pm OR Saturday, October 14 @ 10 am-12 pm. Please come on one of these dates.

Rehearsals: Begin Tuesday, January 2, 2024 @ 6:30 pm and will follow a Monday & Tuesday evening (6:30-9 pm), Saturday morning (with kids; 9 am-1 pm) schedule. Please check your email for details.

Show Tickets: Available in January 2024.

Contact Joy Ann Harmon, The Wizard of Oz Director, at jharmon@messiahchurch.org with questions.

The Wizard of Oz is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Watch this weekly video to see all the good news happening at Messiah Church! We believe in the good news of Jesus that we see all around us and we want to share that good news with you:

And for more information on:

• To watch the recording of our October 1 Garden Paver Dedication, click here.
• Our Kindergarten through 5th grade KID Street Milestone events, contact Kari Stern, Director of Children and Family Ministry, at kstern@messiahchurch.org.
• Our October Make a Difference Days, click here.
• Our Spring 2024 musical The Wizard of Oz, contact Joy Ann Harmon, Oz Director, at jharmon@messiahchurch.org.

To submit your own Good News we can share, email a photo or video and a short description to info@messiahchurch.org.

Stay up-to-date with our weekly Coming Up @ Messiah news. You’ll find info on what to expect this Sunday, upcoming event dates and registration links, ways to make an impact around Messiah and our community, and tons of other useful information. Would you like this emailed right to your inbox on Thursdays? Click here to subscribe.