Make an Impact

You Can Make an Impact!

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!

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. And 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.
Give to Second Mile Offering
Meet Our Covenant Partners
Meet Our Community Partners

Christmas Offering: IOCP and UMCOR

Each year, Messiah Church selects two organizations to receive our special Christmas Offering. Your 2024 Christmas Offering is a gift to IOCP (Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners) and UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief):

Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) is a human service nonprofit that strengthens our Plymouth community by meeting basic needs and equipping families and individuals for ongoing stability. IOCP delivers integrated services that address the basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing, while also connecting people to strengthening services such as affordable housing, quality childcare, and employment. For more information on IOCP, visit iocp.org.

UMCOR, the humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church, helps Methodists and churches engage in global ministry to those in need. They assist victims of natural and human-caused disasters in the US and internationally as a source of help and hope. They provide relief, response, and even long-term recovery grants when communities are overwhelmed and unable to recover on their own. UMCOR’s Promise: 100% of ALL donations go directly to disaster relief efforts. For more information on UMCOR, visit umcmission.org.

You can support these organizations throughout December with a monetary donation, by donating much needed items, and/or by volunteering:
  • Give! Give online by selecting “Christmas Offering,” or by mailing a check (indicate “Christmas Offering” in the memo) to: Messiah Church, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. Our goal is to collect $24,000 for these ministries. Gifts are distributed evenly, unless designated otherwise.
  • Donate! We are collecting new socks and underwear for Interfaith Outreach. Every donation is appreciated, but especially needed are: children’s socks & underwear (all sizes); men’s underwear (S, M, L); women’s underwear (XS, S, M, L); women’s socks (all sizes); and women’s bras (XS, S, M). Donations will be collected through Sunday, December 29. Items 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).
  • Volunteer! 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. Visit iocp.volunteerhub.com to sign up for a New Volunteer Meeting to learn more. Interfaith Outreach is located across from Messiah at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth.

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 Tuesday, January 14, 2025 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.

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! 

Support our Local Food Shelves

Next time you go shopping, pick up something extra to donate to Interfaith Outreach and ICA. Most needed items:
  • 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 location in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-5 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:
  • 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:
  • 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:

  • 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.

Other Serving Opportunities

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

Missions Team

Bethany Nelson
Associate Pastor

Mary Beth Mazzocchi
Missions Co-Chair

Linda Seaton
Missions Co-Chair

Jess Baker
Secretary

Kevin Bowman
At-Large

Shirley Buehler
At-Large

Lorie Hoekstra
At-Large

Jon Kehberg
At-Large

Pam Lundgren
At-Large

Darcy Weldy
At-Large

Questions about Missions at Messiah? Contact Linda Seaton, Missions Co-Chair.

Contact Linda

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