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!

As part of Midwest Mission’s distribution of health care resources, they send medical supplies and equipment to developing countries. There is a great need for items we take for granted. Can you help? We are collecting:

• Walkers
• Wheelchairs
• Crutches
• Canes
• Other orthopedic supplies (walking boots, slings, braces, and knee scooters)

Do you have any of these items that you don't need? Midwest Mission would love to distribute these to those who do! Donations will be collected through Sunday, November 29 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 sends tangible resources to those in need to make a difference in their lives through hope and empowerment — locally & around the world. They are one of eight cooperating depots in the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Supply Network. For more information on Midwest Mission, visit www.midwestmission.org.

Donations of new or gently used (clean, good condition) winter coats are needed at Interfaith Outreach. Each year Interfaith Outreach provides free winter coats to those who need them — adults, children, and seniors — free of charge. They are looking for warm, waterproof styles intended for being outside, especially in adult sizes large-3XL.

Coat donations will be collected through Sunday, November 29 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). 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. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.

Thrive Kenya is excited to begin planning its next mission trip to Kenya, scheduled for February/March 2027. Following the success of the recent mission team, this trip offers another opportunity to witness God's work firsthand, spend time with the 230 children supported through Thrive Kenya, and experience the lasting impact of this ministry in their lives and communities.

Whether you have participated in a mission trip before or are considering your first mission experience, we invite you to learn more about this life-changing opportunity. If you are interested in joining the team or would like additional information for future Thrive Kenya mission opportunities, contact John H, Thrive Kenya founder and Messiah Church member, at john@thrivekenya.org. He'd be happy to answer any questions and to share more about what God is doing through Thrive Kenya.

Thrive Kenya rescues abandoned, abused, and orphaned children living in the slums of Kenya. They collaborate with existing children’s homes operated by Kenyans who share the same values and passion for these children, striving to impact these young lives through love, hope, and a path toward stability. For more information on Thrive Kenya, visit www.thrivekenya.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
• Quick oats oatmeal (large containers, not packets)
• 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