Messiah is a church of compassion and community outreach, supporting local, national, and global missions. From serving at the local food shelf to traveling to developing countries, we serve through mission — and there is a place for you to get involved!

This spring, April 17-23, 2027, Messiah is planning a mission trip to Re-Member — our 9th trip! Re-Member is a nonprofit organization that works with the Oglala Lakota Nation on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Volunteers complete home improvement projects, work in the community gardens, and immerse themselves in Lakota culture. For more information about Re-Member and the impact volunteers have there, visit www.re-member.org. The cost for this trip is $800/person. If you are interested in this mission trip opportunity, please contact Peggy R by Thursday, October 29. 

Christmas Shoeboxes (in partnership with Spirit Lake Ministry Center) are packed with love for children on reservations in the Dakotas and Minnesota who might not otherwise receive a holiday gift. On these reservations, up to 70% of the children would not receive gifts if not for this program and your generosity. This Christmas, Messiah Church will be supporting this ministry. Can you help?

To start, get a shoebox (or two) and wrap the top and bottom of the box separately with holiday paper — some pre-wrapped boxes are available in the Messiah atrium. OR pack your gift in a clear plastic shoebox — plastic boxes do not need to be wrapped, but can be decorated (with stickers, fabric, paint, etc.). Then click here for a list of suggested gifts. Start with a “wow” toy, then fill in with other smaller age-appropriate gifts. When the box is full, secure it with a rubber band and attach a label to the top identifying the age and gender of who would enjoy the gift. Click here to download printable shoebox labels.

Gift-filled boxes are due back to Messiah by Sunday, November 8, so they can be delivered to children in time for Christmas. OR purchase gift cards to Target, Walmart, or Michaels, and Messiah volunteers will shop and pack shoeboxes for you! Leave gift card donations in the church office by Sunday, November 1. Gift cards and filled shoeboxes can be dropped off at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm).

Questions? Stop by the table in the atrium on Sunday mornings or contact Pam L. For more information about Spirit Lake Ministry, visit www.SpiritLakeMinistryCenter.org.

In late November, a team from Messiah Church is traveling to Imara International in Kenya. Help share the joy of Christmas with the moms and children at Imara House by donating holiday gifts and needed supplies for our team to deliver in person. We'd love your help filling their stockings! Click here to sign up to purchase specific items. (Because luggage space is limited, please sign up and donate only the items and quantities listed.)

All donations will be collected through Sunday, November 15 and can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9 am-4 pm). Thank you for helping make Christmas a little brighter for these moms and children while supporting our travelers on their journey!

Imara International provides education and life-skills training for Kenyan teenage mothers, along with early childhood education for their children, helping families build brighter futures. For more information about Imara International, visit www.ImaraInternational.org.

Next time you go shopping, pick up something extra to donate to Interfaith Outreach and ICA, our local food shelves. Most needed items this week:

• Juice boxes
• Cereal
• Canned chicken
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Paper grocery bags (for onsite shoppers and deliveries)

We are always collecting food shelf donations in the round marked bins just inside the front doors at Messiah — drop off on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). OR drop off your donation directly at Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth) during their donation hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 am-5 pm; or ICA (11588 K-Tel Dr, Minnetonka) during their donation hours: Mondays 10 am-6:30 pm, Tuesdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-3:30 pm, Thursdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Fridays 10 am-12 pm, and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (1st & 3rd Saturdays only). For more information on the Interfaith Outreach food shelf, visit www.iocp.org/outreach-services/food-shelf. For more information on the ICA food shelf, visit www.icafoodshelf.org.

Can you help with some much-needed items for Simpson Shelter? Current needs include:

• Men’s t-shirts (new - sizes S, M, L, XXL)
• Women’s sports bras (sizes 36, 38, 40, 42, 44)
• Shaving cream
• Razors
• Hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair
• Nail care kits
• Q-tips
• Baby oil
• Mouthwash (no alcohol)

Tips for Simpson Shelter donations:

• Simpson is currently accepting ONLY these specific items
• All items must be new, unused, and unopened
• Simpson cannot accept clothing such as jeans, shirts, coats, and shoes. Underwear and socks in NEW condition are welcome.
• Personal-sized/travel toiletries are welcome. Full sized items are too heavy for guests to carry.

Donations can be purchased from their Amazon Wish List and delivered directly to the shelter, or dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org.

Messiah’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is seeking knitters and crocheters to make handmade shawls that the Congregational Care Team will distribute to those they serve through prayer, care, visits, and compassionate support. Whether you’ve made many before or haven’t had the chance to make one yet, we would love to put your hands and creative gifts to work. Yarn and an easy to follow pattern for knitting or crocheting is provided. If you are interested in learning more or getting started, please contact Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org.

Several bright yellow collection bins are now available in the church atrium for recycling plastic bags and bubble wrap — a new permanent part of our Creation Care Ministry. Bring in your clean plastic shopping bags from Target, Walmart, grocery stores, and similar retailers, as well as bubble wrap. (Please note: At this time we cannot accept trash bags, bread bags, or newspaper bags.) Your donations will be put to good use: many of the collected bags will be transformed into plarn (plastic yarn) and woven into sleeping mats, while the rest will be responsibly recycled. Thank you for being part of this important work and for helping us care for the world God entrusted to us. 

Did you get a new pair of eyeglasses? Great! You can donate your gently used ones to the Lions Club of Wayzata! They are known throughout the world for their work to improve the lives of the visually impaired and to help prevent future blindness. Over one billion people worldwide live with a vision impairment that can be prevented or corrected. When you donate used prescription glasses (including sunglasses) to the Lions Club of Wayzata, you will be making a difference in the lives of many! Glasses and eyeglass case donations can be dropped off in the marked bucket in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). Click here for more information on this program.

Got books? Did you know there are Little Free Libraries in the parking lots at Messiah and Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth)? The library at Interfaith Outreach is maintained by Messiah members Phil & Sue Zietlow, and they are especially in need of children’s books to add to that library! Children’s book donations (in good condition) can be dropped off in the marked location in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm), or email Sue Z to schedule a pick-up. We’ll be sure to get these books to the Little Free Libraries for local families to enjoy!

Interfaith Outreach is a valuable resource to our community, addressing critical needs of our neighbors. Volunteers are always needed at the food shelf and Resale Select store. Can you help? Current needs include:

• Food Shelf Shopping Assistant
• Resale Select Store Support: Shifts are open Monday-Saturday mornings, afternoons, and evenings
• Resale Select Treasure Hunter: Shifts are open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons
• Donation Door Greeter: Shifts are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning and afternoons

If you are interested in any of these opportunities at Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.volunteerhub.com to sign up online. Sign up for a New Volunteer Meeting to learn about all open volunteer opportunities. Interfaith Outreach is located at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.

Among the many ways to serve our local communities, Messiah Church supports Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCH4H). Opportunities exist in several ways but primarily in the construction of housing for eligible applicants. No special skills are required to participate on a build, just a willingness to serve! Messiah volunteers have been participating in a multiple structure project on Niskanen Circle in Chaska. If you would like to help with this build project, visit tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/lp/chaska. At this link, you can register as a new volunteer and sign up for upcoming serve dates that fit your schedule. (Volunteers must be 16 and up to serve on a build team.) If you have questions regarding TCH4H volunteering, contact Marv K. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org. 

Looking to donate large items (or a large quantity of items) but don’t have a vehicle big enough to transport them? Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore can come to you! All you have to do is request a pickup. For questions about this service, please contact Habitat for Humanity directly at (612) 588-3820 or visit restore.tchabitat.org/donate. Please do not drop off donations at Messiah. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org.

Every week, hundreds of people enter Messiah Church. You can be part of our servant volunteer teams who share God’s love. Here are just a few ministry areas where you might serve:

• Sunday Worship - welcoming guests into worship, reading scripture, arranging flowers, or praying over and tidying the space between services
• Communion Prep - these servants shop for bread and juice, prepare for communion (cube bread and fill cups), and clean up after the service, the first Sunday of each month. You can serve for just the 8:30 or 10:30 service, or prep for both. Training will be provided!
• Sunday Hospitality - greeting guests, serving coffee, and ushering
• Wednesday Hospitality - greet guests attending evening activities
• Kids & Youth - build lasting relationships and nurture the faith of the next generation (background checks and references required)
• Gardens & Grounds - no matter the time of year, lend your green thumb or handy skills toward decorating, maintaining, or organizing our grounds

For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Heather Felt, Director of Community Engagement.

Looking for other opportunities to serve our neighbors? Check out the following organizations:

• Interfaith Outreach food shelf and Resale Select store: www.iocp.org
• Second Harvest Heartland: www.2harvest.org
• Feed My Starving Children: www.fmsc.org
• Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity work sites and ReStore locations: www.tchabitat.org
• Bundles of Love: Meets at Messiah at 6 pm on the first Thursday of each month