MESSIAH MESSAGE JANUARY 2022 - Messiah Lutheran Church
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JANUARY 2022
MESSIAH MESSAGE
Love God. Love People. Serve Others.
Church Mouse
The Church is lled with mice! (Thank goodness not literally) As the
colder months settle in, there are bound to be a few of our rodent
friends scurrying inside to keep warm. I rest easy believing that we’re
a place that welcomes all parts of God’s creation, yes, even the pests.
When there’s an over abundance of mice, then we can worry.
Traditionally, the idea of a “church mouse” describes dedicated members
that y under the radar. The mice that aren’t looking for recognition or
praise. These folks keep the church operating smoothly. Make no mistake,
the church is grateful for and indebted to these mice. However, the problem
with too many mice is that their roles become irreplaceable. Initially, one might
think it’s a positive quality to be irreplaceable, but not if the church is trying to be sustainable. No
task in the church should be yours alone, everyone should know that you’re doing that task, and you
should always be equipping someone else to ful ll that task. The “church mouse” mentality leads to an
under-appreciative culture, which creates burnout.
Most church mice are well-intended and hardworking. In the name of humility, they desire to go
unnoticed. This can be counterproductive in the long run because if we never communicate why we do
what we do, then we cannot expect people to want to do what we do. When we ask the question
“why,” the answer almost always describes our love for God and the church. It’s not about promoting
ourselves, but pointing to the glory of God for all that we do.
This is not only true for Messiah, but the larger church as well. Christianity is not a given. No one is born
knowing the value of Christ, it must be taught. In order for the church to grow, we must intentionally
take ourselves out of the position of superiority. We must become listeners, teachers, and equippers.
The thing about growth is that it cannot come without change. Making yourself replaceable involves
allowing room for people to do things di erently. If we become overly attached to seeing things done a
certain way, then it sucks the life right out of the task at hand for the next person. In my experience,
people don’t want to do things someone else’s way, they want to do it their way. For the sake of
viability, we must allow them room to evolve.
The church is a community lled with people asking questions, not providing answers. Spiritual growth
and a faith that evolves is a necessity. The Bible is a reference point for meaningful discussion, not an
answer key. Society is becoming too sophisticated to be indoctrinated. People must be persuaded,
convinced, and allowed room to grow. Ultimately, it is God that works through the hearts of people, but
we can do our part by demonstrating that Christ has real world implications for how we live, love, and
serve.
Avoiding the mouse trap,
Pr. Lucas McSurley,
Email: pastor@messiahlutheran.cc
Cell: 937-725-5587
Blog: revre ections.com
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Messiah Message
At a Glance...
“Conversations” Gathering - Thur, Jan. 13 at 10am
Chicken Paprikash Meal - Sat, Jan. 15 from 4pm-6pm
Mission Plan Discussions - Sun, Jan. 16 & Jan. 23 at 11am
Youth Activity - Sun, Jan. 16 from 11am-4pm
MKL Day of Service Mon, Jan. 17 from 9am-4pm
Serving at the Food Bank - Sat, Jan. 22 from 8:30am-11am
Annual Congregational Meeting - Sun, Jan. 30 at 11am
Recurring Ministries
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
8am - Serving at
10am - Warm-up 10am - Bible 11:00am - Women’s 8am - Men’s
Green Good Neighbors 9am - Learning
Portage Lakes Study *Social Hall Brunch Bunch Bible Study
9am - Property
Hour *Social Hall
*2nd Thursday, *3rd Saturday, FLC
6:30 pm Children Maintenance
Rose Villa - Lunch
9am - Choir
of Alcoholics 10am - Bible Study *Sanctuary
*Online 6pm - Steps Beyond
7pm - Boy
10am - Conversations 10am - Worship
Scouts Gathering
7pm - Venturing
*Sanctuary
Crew
Grief Support Group
* 1st Wed. of month
6pm - AA
Conversations Annual Congregational Meeting
Join us after Worship on Sunday, January 30th.
It’s new and for you! What is this? It’s a We will approve the proposed Mission Spending
time to enjoy yourself in conversation with Plan for 2022, Council leaders will share
friends… even some you haven’t met yet. committee reports, and Pastor will lead us in an
It’s for women, men… people. If you are a,” exercise that focuses on evangelism. Be on the
people”, you qualify. It will be fun! Just two lookout for the 2021 Ministry Review to be sent
rules #1. No politics #2 no religion. If you out in mid-January.
want to defend your favorite food … have
at it.
When? We’re moving to a Thursday
morning, beginning Thursday January 13, Chicken
from 10am-11am. We meet right here at
Messiah. Who to blame or contact: Darryl
Kinion 406-551-3812
Paprikash
Saturday, January 15th
4:00pm-6:00pm
$12 adults / $8 children
Take-Out Available!
Giving Tree
Thank you for giving a Poinsettia Thank you to all that gave to Green Good Neighbors:
Hines, Dianne
Beth Haas: Memory of Rosemary Cooper Hunter, Linda & Emilee
Terri Lilly: Memory of Loved Ones Jesko, Shair
Keasling, Karen
Becky Pataki: Birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Kepler, Barb
David Popowitch: For all Mankind Lilly, Teri
Irma Studer: Memory of Tyler Studer Ludrosky Family
McMillen, Jan & Jack
Popowitch, Dave
You all made Messiah’s Sanctuary look Sanders Family
Spears, Don & Sue
stunning this Christmas!
Tait, Karen & Ray & Friends
Wagner, Kathy & Bill
COVID-19 Update
Messiah leadership has been paying close attention to the local COVID-19
numbers and we routinely reexamine what protocols are in the best
interest of both our physical and spiritual health. While cases continue to
climb, your vaccination plays a key role in the severity of your illness. So,
please get vaccinated and politely encourage those around you to do the
same.
If you’re not feeling comfortable about Worshiping with us in-person,
know that you have the complete support of Messiah leadership. Though
it takes some getting used to, we strive to include those participating online.
There are many di erent ways to connect with the community and it’s connectivity that fosters
community, not physical presence. You can still experience the power of God’s presence, even if you
aren’t able to be with everyone together on Sunday. It may be easier to experience Christ while
gathered together, but I’m certain that Holy Spirit is not bound by walls or milage. If you are someone
who is engaging online, how can the church better connect with you? Please email/call/txt Pastor Lucas
to help address this question.
Tornado Relief
Our Northeast Ohio Synod voted to send $10,000 to our
regional siblings a ected by the disastrous tornadoes of
this past week. We have chosen to donate to the
Indiana-Kentucky Disaster Response, but encourage you
to contribute to wherever you feel called to do so. We
continue to keep those who have been a ected by this
devastation in our thoughts and prayers.
Mission Spending Cookie Sunday
Serving on Plan Discussions
January 9th
Saturday, Stick around after @ 11:00am
January 22nd worship and chat with
a council member on
the 16th and 23rd
about the proposed
8:30am budget for 2022. We’ll
- vote to approve the YOUTH
spending plan at our
11:00am annual congregational
meeting on January
ACTIVITY
30th.
New Office Hours! Sunday,
Beginning in January, Messiah will have new regular o ce hours. January 16th
As always, Pastor is available 24/7 by appointment.
11am-4pm
MON, TUES, WED, THURS, 8am - 4pm
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Pastor’s Continuing Education
MLK Day of Service Pastor Lucas is now
serving as St. Luke’s
On January 17th, stop by Messiah Chaplin. Worship is
and lend a hand cleaning, held Wednesday
organizing, and prepping our mornings at 10am.
Messiah folks are
space for the remodeling project welcome to join
ahead. There’s tons of work to be Pastor if you’d enjoy
done! building relationship
with the residents.
Co ee Collection
As always, Messiah continues to collect coffee for Haven of
Rest. Don’t forget to bring coffee with you on Sunday
or drop it in Gathering Grounds during of ce hours.
ALIVE Festival
Our youth group ran into too many scheduling con icts to attend
Grief Support the National Youth Gathering this summer, so ALIVE will hopefully
serve as a life-giving alternative. The festival date is July 14-17,
Group 2022. Please notify Pastor Lucas if you are interested in
attending.
Otherwise
known as “Not Brunch Bunch WMLC
By Choice,” we
will meet on the The women of Messiah’s next meeting will be Thursday,
rst Wednesday January 13 at 11:00am in the Social Hall.
of each month at
5:30pm. We are Men’s Bible Study
all grieving and
seeking closure We will meet in the Family Life Center on Saturday, January
in. Join us 22 at 8am. We’d love to welcome you to our conversation
January 5th. and fellowship. Please connect with Mark Ludrosky with
further questions.
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What is the vision for the Family Life Center
and how is going to help us welcome new
people into our Worship community?
Community
Great Question! Recreation
1. Hire a Director of Community Engagement Center
to help us fully utilize the space.
If you see “Community
2. Fill the space year-round, everyday, with Recreation Center” on
events that live into Messiah’s mission. Host media publications,
events that naturally play into our member’s In-progress know that it’s the same
interests and increases the foot traffic in our
building. space. The words
“Family Life” are just
3. Build meaningful relationships with community That’s where vague enough to not
members that attend our events. you come in! know what that means.
4. Invite our new friends to attend Worship with us! Evangelism
5. Continue to live and love in a Christ-centered
community!
Amen!
Breakfast with Santa
Our rst community meal with D&M Grill was a success! We
served 99 meals and were able to shoot some fantastic photos
for advertising purposes. Be on the lookout for the next event
and getting the word out about the delicious food is going to
be key. While you’re making friends with our guests, be sure to
let them know about Worship!
For questions regarding the CRC, contact
Shelly Kadilak
email: engage@messiahlutheran.cc
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Remodeling Council Meeting
Messiah Goes Messiah Lutheran Church
In August, our o ce backed Dec 19, 2021
up with rain water, so we
Paperles
are using an insurance Devotion - Pastor
By the end of rst quarter of
claim to replace the Treasurer/Generosity - Carl & Je
2022, Messiah plans to be - Capital Campaign for 2022 a list
damaged carpet. Soon, all
100% paperless. No bulletins, of repairs and updates is being
the blue carpet will be gone.
no paper cups, gathered.
with LED - Review 2022 budget proposal,
While we are replacing the due to congregation by Jan.16
lighting.
blue carpet, council - Performance reviews are due.
decided to remove the - Council passes the motion to
spend 8,500 for wallpaper
wallpaper and paint the
Church Is God removal and painting of the old
walls. Be on the lookout for
Social Hall.
small projects to get
Council Calling - New ooring will be installed.
involved with.
You? Most of the cost is covered by our
insurance claim.
Lastly, we’re painting the
Social Hall and helping it President's Report - Kirk
become additional rental - Council member transitions will
be happening soon.
space that looks - Annual Congregational meeting
presentable. We hope that Jan 30th
these projects simply build
Community Engagement - Shelly
some momentum, so if - Budget Investment items/
you’re looking to get We are looking for 3 people to step Increase Marketing Budget
involved with labor, funding, onto Church Council for 2022. - Chicken Paprikash Dinner Jan
or ideas, please be in 15th and Valentines Dinner in Feb
communication with Pastor Worship- Patty
Lucas or our Property THANK YOU! - We will be combining Usher/
Committee chair person, Greeter roles.
Leading us through a global - Increase advertising for next
Jack McMillen.
pandemic, increased staf ng, a new year’s Christmas Concert.
roof, and so many other things, Social - Laura
Messiah is fortunate for Kirk - Christmas Tags went well.
Capital Campaign - Adopt a family went well.
Altrichter’s leadership as Council
Over 2022, Council - Diaper Ministry 2022 times and
President. We are also thankful for dates to follow
leadership plans to initiate a
Patty Ondecker’s role serving as the Fellowship - Mark
campaign to fund a new Air
Conditioning Unit for the committee chair for Worship & - Daryl is hosting “Conversations”,
Music. We’ve had one vacant seat for has moved to Thursday’s at 10 am
Sanctuary. Our old one unit
was unreliable this past a couple years now, so we hope that Property - Jack
Summer. Beyond an AC unit, you’re prayerfully considering - Mounted key drop box for one-
time renters has been added.
we’re hoping to replace the serving as a congregational leader.
wallpaper in the Sanctuary, Discipleship - Kelly
remodel the choir room, and - Meeting time for High School
bathrooms. We’re Leadership Advance students in 2022.
anticipating a goal of raising Evangelism - Becky
On Sunday, February 27th, - Attendance sheets will start
$100,000. We’re in the early
Messiah’s Council Leadership again in January or February.
stages of planning, so be on
will have an extended
the lookout for more details Pastor’s Report
gathering where we focus on - Ministry reviews due
to come. This will be one of
setting an overarching goal - Leadership Advance on Sun,
the major topics at our
for the year ahead. It will be Feb 27
annual congregational
an exciting day together!
meeting in January. Lord's Prayer
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Worship Readings
Worship Attendance JANUARY
November 2 - 1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14
2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
HAPPY
7 - 49 online
14 - 51 online
74 in-person
52 in-person
Gospel: John 1: 1-18
9 - 1st Reading: Isiah 43:1-7
BIRTHDAY!
21 - 60 online 51 in-person
28 - 53 online 42 in-person 2nd Reading: Acts 8:14-17
Gospel: Luke 3:15-22
December 16 - 1st Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5 JANUARY
5 - 41 online 58 in-person 2nd Reading: 1st Corin. 12:1-11 1 Bill Verble
12 - 34 online 61 in-person Gospel: Mark John 2:1-11
19 - 56 online 76 in-person 3 Amy Cincurak
24 - 74 online 50 in-person 23- 1st Reading: Nehem. 8:1-3;5-6;8-10 4 Matt MacDonald
26 - 109 online 28 in-person 2nd Reading: 1st Corin. 12-12-31a
5 Stacy Whitesel
Gospel: Luke 4:14-21
6 Vikki Schmiedel
30 - 1st Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 9 Samuel Cope
2nd Reading 1st Corin. 13:1-13 14 Jenna Robbins
15 Terri Lilly
18 Heather Bennettt
Messiah Lutheran Church Finances January - November 2021 21 Tammy Schrader
Income Expense Income - Expense
22 Terri Shroyer
Income is $500 less than budget w/o $8,300 Insurance payment Pledges are behind, offset by higher
$250,000 rental income and higher non-pledged. 26 Alison McCloskey
Expense is $300 over budget. Pastor's Insurance, Admin, and Flowers are under, but Utilities and
Dale Huston
Outreach are over. Balance is $800 deficit vs budget.
Julie Johnson
$224,300 $224,300
30 Amanda MacDonald
$217,800
$210,000
Diane Feeman
$205,100 $204,700
$200,000
Anniversaries
$150,000
JANUARY
28 Karen & Ray Tait
$100,000
What is Pastor
Reading This Month?
Lean on Me: Finding
Intentional, Vulnerable, and
Consistent Community by
Anne Marie Miller
$50,000
Freeing Jesus by Diana
Butler Bass
$12,700
$5,300 How to Heal our Divides by
$0
Brian McLaren
$0
Year To Date Actual Year To Date Budget Annual Budget
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