You Can Make an Impact!
Messiah is a church of compassion and community outreach. Members and friends of Messiah devote their time and talents to support 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!
Messiah Church is committed to supporting several organizations consistently and long-term - these are our Community Partners. In fact, even on your first visit to Messiah, you can make an impact because we will make a donation on your behalf to one of these organizations. We also have two Covenant Mission Partners - organizations that have grown out of Messiah Church, and with which we have ongoing covenants to support with our prayers, presence, and financial giving. Also, each month we collect a special Second Mile Offering to support a specific organization through financial and in-kind donations. Learn more about each of these below.
Second Mile Offering: Snacks for Oakwood Elementary School
Our August & September Second Mile Offering supports purchasing snacks for Oakwood Elementary School. In an ongoing partnership with Wayzata’s Oakwood School, we want to bless them by restocking their snack shelf for fall. Although the school provides lunch, there are many families that lack the resources to provide snacks during the school day. The funds we collect are used to purchase snacks for their students, as we do our part to help minimize food insecurity for children in our community.
You can support Oakwood Elementary School through the end of September with a monetary donation and/or by volunteering at the school:
You can support Oakwood Elementary School through the end of September with a monetary donation and/or by volunteering at the school:
- Give! Give online by selecting “Second Mile Offering,” or by mailing a check (indicate “Oakwood” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. Please no snack donations — our savvy shoppers will make good use of your monetary donation!
- Volunteer! Messiah has a long standing history of supporting Oakwood Elementary School with volunteers for their Literacy Volunteer Program. Consider joining this program for the 2024-25 school year and help improve the reading skills of struggling readers.
Volunteers listen to and support students as they read aloud from books for 20-30 minutes once a week during the school day, November through May. Each volunteer is matched to a single student, with whom they read for the entire school year.
Important upcoming dates:- Wednesday, October 9 (6-7:30 pm) and Monday, October 14 (2-3:30 pm) - Literacy training meeting (optional) at Ridgedale Library
- October/November - Volunteer orientation meetings (optional for returning volunteers; required for new volunteers). Dates & times to be determined.
- Week of November 4 - Reading with students begins
- Week of May 19 - Reading with students ends
Click here to sign up. If you have questions about this program, contact Julie Menk, Volunteer Specialist at Wayzata Schools, at (763) 745-5207 or julie.menk@wayzataschools.org.
Current Opportunities & Needs
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Make a difference in the lives of others by giving blood. Please consider donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, October 7 from 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “MessiahPlym” to schedule an appointment or click here.
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.
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.
BYOCT (Bring Your Own Coffee Tumbler)
Every Sunday morning, we generate A LOT of trash with coffee cups during coffee hour after worship. In an effort to reduce our trash and spend less money on disposable cups, we invite you to bring your own coffee tumbler on Sunday mornings. Please be sure your tumbler is labeled with your name, and we’d prefer if it has a lid to prevent spills. Then wash out your tumbler at home & bring it back again next week! Don’t worry, we still have paper cups for guests and regulars who forget. What a difference we could all make in caring for our creation with this small act!
Fresh Fruits & Veggies Needed at Bloom
Do you have an abundance of produce from your home garden, CSA basket, or last grocery run? Totes for Hope, the food shelf at Messiah for Bloom Early Learning & Child Care families, would love some fresh fruits & veggies! Fresh produce is an incredible joy to the families who utilize this resource – it flies off the shelf as fast as it’s stocked! All sorts of fruits & veggies are welcome in any size donation – bring a handful or a bushel! Donations can be dropped off directly to the Bloom office (feel free to cross through the Messiah Church office to get there) Monday-Thursday 7 am-3 pm. Please do not leave fresh produce in the Messiah atrium.
Totes for Hope is a food shelf ministry of Messiah Church to help minimize food insecurity for Bloom families, located right here at Messiah. 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. Totes for Hope is fully funded by donations.
Totes for Hope is a food shelf ministry of Messiah Church to help minimize food insecurity for Bloom families, located right here at Messiah. 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. Totes for Hope is fully funded by donations.
Support our Local Food Shelves
The summer season typically means donations are down for our local food shelves. Next time you go shopping, pick up something extra to donate to Interfaith Outreach and ICA. Most needed items:
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-5 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.
- Pull-Ups (size 3-4 & 4-5)
- Baby wipes
- Baby diapers (size 3)
- Adult diapers (size XL & 2XL)
- Boxed cereals
- Canned chicken
- Vegetable oil (24 oz. bottles)
- Paper towels
- Can openers
- Reusable grocery bags (new)
- Paper grocery bags
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-5 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.
Calling all Knitters & Crocheters
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.
Little Free Libraries
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 bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm and Friday 9 am-12 pm), or email Sue Z to schedule a porch pick-up. We’ll be sure to get these books to the Little Free Libraries for local families to enjoy!
Volunteer at Interfaith Outreach
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:
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.
- 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.
Ways to Help Simpson Shelter
Can you help with some much-needed items for Simpson Shelter? Current needs include:
Simpson is currently only accepting these specific items. Donations can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm), or email Lavinia P to schedule a contactless pick-up. Lavinia can also answer questions about appropriate items to donate.
Simpson is also looking for groups to make sandwiches in their kitchen. (Food items must be made/assembled at their site and cannot be prepared off site.) Gather a group, or serve individually. To schedule, contact Lavinia.
For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org. Instructions for monetary donations, links for shopping their Amazon Wish List or Target Wish List, and a complete list of current urgent needs can all be found here.
- Men’s boxers and t-shirts
- Women’s bras and briefs
- Hair ties
- Personal care items (especially hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair and baby oil; please no full-size items – travel sized only)
- Ketchup
- Pickles
- Salad dressing (especially Ranch)
- Drink mixes (canister size)
- Sugar/sweetener packets
Simpson is currently only accepting these specific items. Donations can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 pm), or email Lavinia P to schedule a contactless pick-up. Lavinia can also answer questions about appropriate items to donate.
Simpson is also looking for groups to make sandwiches in their kitchen. (Food items must be made/assembled at their site and cannot be prepared off site.) Gather a group, or serve individually. To schedule, contact Lavinia.
For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org. Instructions for monetary donations, links for shopping their Amazon Wish List or Target Wish List, and a complete list of current urgent needs can all be found here.
Habitat for Humanity Work Days
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.
Decluttering? Donate to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore
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.
Serve at Messiah Church
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:
For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Heather Felt, Director of Community Engagement.
- 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
Other Serving Opportunities
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