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!

The "Friends of Bloom" need your help to fulfill Bloom Early Learning & Child Care classroom wish lists. On Sundays, January 11 and 25, visit the Giving Tree set up in the atrium to see items Bloom teachers would love to have for their classrooms. Each butterfly hanging on the tree lists a classroom item. If you would like to purchase an item, remove the butterfly from the tree and make your donation for that item in one of two ways:

• Online: Visit the Bloom website at www.bloomearlylearning.org and click on "Donate Now." In the comment box, write the name of the item you are purchasing.
• By Check: Make your check payable to Bloom Early Learning & Child Care and write the name of the item you are purchasing in the memo line. Leave your check with one of the "Friends of Bloom" on Sunday morning or drop in the offering box just outside the sanctuary doors.

Can't make it to the Giving Tree in person? Donations are always welcome through the Bloom website at www.bloomearlylearning.org/ways-to-help. For more information on Bloom Early Learning & Child Care, visit www.bloomearlylearning.org. Thank you for blessing the teachers, classrooms, and children at Bloom!

Friends of Bloom is a group of volunteers building connections between Bloom Early Learning & Child Care and Messiah Church. Its primary mission is to support the Bloom staff at the Messiah location. For more information on Friends of Bloom at Messiah, contact Kay S.

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, January 13 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, March 10 and Thursday, April 30.

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.

On Sunday, January 18, join us for a special day of Worship & Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We’ll gather for ONE combined worship service at 9:30 am AND come together to pack meals with Harvest Pack, an organization that addresses food insecurity through meal-packing events. Click here to sign up for a 45-minute shift to pack meals either BEFORE or AFTER worship. We'll have two stations set up — one UPSTAIRS in Heritage Hall and one DOWNSTAIRS in the Lakeside Room. (This event is similar to packing meals at Feed My Starving Children — involves standing and measuring ingredients into bags; some seated jobs are also available). Our goal is to pack 16,500 fortified oatmeal meals that will be distributed to support those in need right here in our community.

Feel free to sign up for more than one shift. (Sign ups help us plan, though walk-ins are also welcome as space permits.) Note: Shifts after worship may be longer than 45 minutes; we will continue until finished — please stay as long as you are able. This is a family-friendly event — children as young as 3 are welcome to participate!

Please note the special worship time and invite others to join us for this meaningful day as we honor Dr. King’s legacy of community, justice, and compassion. Contact Mary Beth M, Messiah Church's Missions Committee Chair, for questions about this event. For more info on Harvest Pack, visit www.harvestpack.org.

John Harmon, Thrive Kenya founder and Messiah Church member, will travel with a team of six to Kenya at the beginning of February for their next mission trip. They are gathering supplies that travel easily to take with them. Can you help? We are collecting:

• Children's clothing - new or gently used for boys & girls in sizes toddler to 18 year olds
• Student backpacks - new or gently used

All donations will be collected through Sunday, February 1 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).

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. They are currently supporting nearly 400 boys and girls, striving to impact these young lives through love, hope, and a path toward stability. For more information on Thrive Kenya, or to make a monetary donation, visit www.thrivekenya.org.

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 and to register.

Registration is open for both of 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.

Donations are down for our local food shelves. Next time you go shopping, pick up something extra to donate to Interfaith Outreach. Most needed items:

• Hearty brand name soup (not condensed varieties) - Progresso, Campbell’s Chunky, etc.
• Canned salmon
• Diced tomatoes
• White rice
• Diapers - size 6
• 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-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 the Interfaith Outreach food shelf, visit www.iocp.org/outreach-services/food-shelf.

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

• Hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair
• White crew socks for men & women
• Men's t shirts
• Shower shoes
• Combs
• For the shelter kitchen (new, unopened, and not expired): mayonnaise, 20 oz containers of sugar/sweetener, napkins, and paper plates

Simpson is currently accepting ONLY these specific items. 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.

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