Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church

Last week's worship. I'm sorry this is so late!

How well Sybil captures the realities in which we live. A prayer for all our parents and students embarking on this year: August 31, 2020 Peace At All Times, In All Places... Now may the Lord of peace, Himself give you peace at all time in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 In these crazy, unpredictable days of learning how to avoid the threat of Covid-19 our senior students especially have had unique decisions to make about going on to school. Our granddaughter, Roxy, was accepted at Oberlin College in Ohio for environmental studies this spring, but the cost for on-line classes and lack of social contact helped her decide to wait a year. But a different offer came to do a 3 month outdoor event in Gunnison, Colorado in the Rockies. She’s so excited about going (you should see her backpack!). Seeing Roxy leave on a 6am plane for Denver is seeing Jennifer and Jim’s youngest and last child leave the nest. I remember when Rob and I drove Jennifer, our last and youngest, 5 hours to St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. We started home again accompanied by the rain and much sadness. About half-way home the sky cleared in the west and the sun came out. Reflected in the east rear-view mirror we could see a double rainbow, assuring us the Loord was with Jen at college and with us as we headed home. That rainbow was so bright! I pray Jennifer and Jim may find a similar empty-nest peace as Roxy leaves. Prayer: Father and Mother God, who could better understand the bittersweet of seeing your child take off into the future? Thank you that you are in charge, and that your grace flows continuously. Amen.

Inspiration for the journey from Sybil: Aug 28, 2020 Keep On Keepin’ On... Now FAITH is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 John Wesley reached a place in his life when he felt he could no longer preach. His spirit sagged, his faith was shriveling up. Before he gave up, however, he went to his spiritual director, Peter Bohler, who told him: Preach faith until you have it, and then because you have it, you will preach faith. C. S. Lewis told his reading audience the same: practice Christianity as if you believe it, and one day it will be true. In the story, The Happy Hypocrite, Max Beerbohm tells of a degenerate man who fell in love with an innocent woman. Because his face showed his past, he was distraught, until at last out of his need and love, he put on a mask to disguise his features, and she fell in love with him. One day, however, a woman from his past, out of malice, said she was going to reveal who he had been. Rather than having another tell his beloved the truth, he decided to do so himself. Pulling off the mask, he was shocked to discover that his face had taken on the features of the mask. Father God, You have made us in Your image. Let Your love shine through, as we learn and practice faith. Thank You. Amen.

Great reminder of God's presence from Sybil: Aug 27, 2020 The Lord is Wit’cha Always ... So the Lord was with Hezekiah, and he was successful in everything he did. II Kings 18:17 I heard a story about a boy from the streets of New York City who worshiped the ground on which Babe Ruth walked. He missed very few of the baseball games that Babe played in. One day the news came that Babe Ruth had suffered a gallbladder attack and needed surgery. As the nurses were wheeling the famous ballplayer to the operating room, the lad burst through the waiting room doors and grabbed the hand of Babe. and said, I’m wit’cha Babe, I’m wit’cha! The next time you feel alone or need the strength to overcome something tempting, remember that God’s promise is: I’m wit’cha! Prayer: Thank You, thank You, thank You, Lord! Let us always be aware of Your presence and Your peace. Amen.

Hope-full words from Sybil: Aug 26, 2020 Abound In Hope... May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 To you who are parents, grandparents, students & non-students: I am a mother of three (ages 14,12,3) and have recently completed my college degree. My last class was Sociology, and the teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish graced every human being. Her last project of the term was called, Smile. The class was asked to go out and smile at three people, then document their reactions. I’m a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally! Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son and I went to McDonald’s one crisp March morning. It was just our way to share special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when suddenly everyone around us began to back away -- and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible dirty body smell. There standing behind me were two poor, homeless men As I looked down at the short gentleman, he was smiling. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance. Good day, he said as he counted the few coins he’s been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend.I realized the second man was mentally challenged, and the reeking man was his preservation. I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. Coffee is all, Miss, because that’s all they could afford, and they just wanted to be warm. Then I really felt a compulsion so great I almost reached out to embrace the man with the blue eyes. That was when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter for two more separate meals. I walked around to the corner table they had chosen, put the tray on the table, and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, God Bless You. I squeezed his hand and said, I believe God is here, working through me to give you both hope. I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope. We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace what we’ve been given were we able to give. That day showed me the pure light of God’s unconditional love! Prayer: Great God of Unconditional Love, help us to love this way ~~ to Your honor and glory! ThankYou! Amen.

Friends of Messiah! Here is your Zoom link to worship for May 3, 2020. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/573579627

Worship for Messiah Lutheran Church, April 26, 2020

Join us for coffee hour after worship this morning! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/367670353

Friends of Messiah, please join us for worship at 10 AM, Sunday April 26. We'd love to see you! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/573579627

Worship for April 19, 2020:

Welcome to worship with Messiah Lutheran Church, this Sunday morning, April 19, 2020, at 10:00!

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. He is risen indeed! Alleluia! https://youtu.be/eWP4UJwZBUs

An Easter Message from our Bishop, John Macholz.