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!

We are looking for a few volunteers to help tend the beautiful gardens located around our church grounds. Would you consider adopting a garden…or helping on a one-time project? Volunteers will adopt an area to weed and trim throughout the summer. No experience needed! For more information, visit the table in the atrium after worship this Sunday, May 17 or contact Phil Weiler, Director of Operations, at pweiler@messiahchurch.org.

Make a difference in the lives of others by giving blood — your donation could save a life! Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood due to accidents, surgeries, or ongoing treatments for illnesses, and your generosity provides hope and healing for patients who depend on it. Consider donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, May 19 from 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “MessiahPlym” to schedule an appointment or click here. Save these dates for other upcoming blood drives at Messiah: Tuesday, July 7; Monday, August 10; and Monday, October 5.

Did you know that you can give one super-powered blood donation that may have the same impact as two regular donations? This is called a Power Red donation. Click here for more information on being a Power Red donor.

Throughout May, we are partnering with Midwest Mission to support two meaningful outreach efforts: providing Bibles for the Jamaican Prison Ministry and collecting gently used (or new) school supplies for children in Honduras.

Bibles for Jamaica: Midwest Mission has been asked to help supply 6,000 Bibles for a prison ministry in Jamaica. Thanks to a generous donation, most of the need is met — but 1,580 more Bibles are still needed. If you have a gently used or new Bible you no longer use, your donation can place God’s Word directly into the hands of someone seeking hope. These Bibles will ship alongside disaster‑relief supplies as Jamaica continues rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa. Click here for more information on this ministry.

School Supplies for Honduras: As the school year ends, many usable supplies are thrown away or left behind. Meanwhile, students in Honduras often lack the most basic tools needed for learning. By donating school supplies in good, working condition, we can help give children the resources they need to learn, grow, and build a brighter future. We are collecting:

• Backpacks
• Pencil cases
• Markers (color, dry erase, or permanent)
• Highlighters
• Pencils
• Pencil sharpeners
• Erasers
• Colored pencils
• Crayons
• Glue
• Scissors
• Spiral or composition notebooks
• Construction paper
• Pens (red, black, blue)
• Rulers
• Compass sets
• Geometry kits

Tips for school supply donations:

• Used items must be clean and fully functional. (If you wouldn’t give it to a loved one, please don’t donate it.)
• Please do not donate broken or worn‑out items, items with missing pieces, or 3‑ring binders.
• New items are welcome too!

Together, we can turn unused Bibles and end‑of‑year school supplies into tools of hope, learning, and transformation for communities in need! Bibles and school supplies will be collected through Sunday, May 31 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).

Midwest Mission is currently in need of more handmade one-handled school bags to keep up with the demand for Student Kits. Whether you’re part of a sewing group, or simply enjoy crafting on your own, this is a meaningful and accessible way to make a difference. Visit www.midwestmission.org/patterns for the pattern and instructions.

If you are not a sewer, you can still contribute by donating fabric. The best fabrics for this project include denim, corduroy, sailcloth, med-heavy drapery, and light upholstery.

Handmade cloth bags will be collected through Sunday, May 31 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). Messiah KID Street kids have packed school supplies in these bags, most of them made by Messiah member Judy J. If you have questions, contact Linda S.

Each summer, Messiah Youth (and adult leaders) have two opportunities to spend a week together serving others:

Youth in grades 7-12 will be serving at STORM Camp in Woodbury (Service To Others in Relational Ministry) July 12-16, 2026. We do two things at STORM Camp: work and worship. Projects include things like painting, yard work, minor construction, and demolition jobs — but we also work to grow in relationships with those we're serving and those we're serving alongside. STORM Camp is a great experience for youth who want to work hard, serve with a small group, make a few friends, and get to know the people you're serving. Click here for more info and to register.

Youth in grades 9-12 are headed to Louisville, KY, for a YouthWorks Mission Trip, July 25- August 1, 2026. We'll be partnering with local organizations to serve children in the community, spend time with the elderly, and/or serve those experiencing homelessness. In the evenings, enjoy time with new community friends and maybe a visit to Waterfront Park or Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. On the way home, we'll spend time at Indiana Beach Amusement Park. The YouthWorks Mission Trip is a great experience for youth who are interested in learning more about what they can do to serve the under-served and contribute to the greater good. Click here for more info.

Registration may still be available for these mission opportunities — for students and adult leaders. For questions or more information about these trips, contact Sami Tierney, Director of Youth and Family Ministry, at stierney@messiahchurch.org.

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

• Canned tuna
• Boxed cereals
• Pasta sauce (jars)
• Sliced pineapple (cans)
• Cat food (wet or dry)
• Cat litter
• 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 Food Shelf (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:

• Women's bras (sizes 32, 34, 36 & 38)
• Women's and men's thermal underwear
• Men's t-shirts (sizes S, M, XXL & XXXL)
• Hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair
• Q-tips
• Nail care kits
• Washcloths
• Pillowcases

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.

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.

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. Through a grant from Messiah’s Living Ministry Endowment, yarn has been purchased for these shawls. Patterns are available for both knitting and crocheting. If you are interested in learning more or getting started, please contact Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org.

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