MESSIAH MESSAGE Love God. Love People. Serve Others - Messiah Lutheran Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MARCH 2022
MESSIAH MESSAGE Love God. Love People. Serve Others.
Couch Covers
I do not understand plastic couch covers! My apologizes if you use them, it’s never my intention to
o end. I suppose they help your couch last longer, which will likely save you money overtime, but isn’t
comfort the whole point of a couch? A worn-out couch usually means that a family has enjoyed
watching TV, playing board games, and being together. I know plenty of parents and grandparents that
would do anything for a worn-out couch. If the value of being frugal outweighs functionality and
usefulness, then we’re woefully misguided. Believe it or not, I’ve heard, “Pastor, we shouldn’t be using
the Church equipment so much because then we will have to replace it sooner.” While coming from a
well-intended place, I politely shared my goal to wear-out every inch of this Church.
One of my favorite leadership quotes originated from Peter Drucker, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
Living together in a loving community that grows and thrives requires putting in a ton of e ort from
everyone involved. Unfortunately though, all the time in the world and the best strategy ever concocted
does not guarantee success. Culture is the di erence maker. Some people never think twice about the
silliness of putting on a plastic couch cover. They don’t think twice because it has become a part of their
culture. Similar behaviors exist everywhere in the Church. A locked door is clearly unwelcoming, having
no name tags is unwelcoming, denying someone’s identity or calling it sinful, is clearly unwelcoming.
These individually small behaviors and mentalities accumulate into an unwelcoming culture overtime. My
grandmother was the sweetest person on earth, I just never felt comfortable on her couch.
Culture is so di cult to create because it can sometimes take years to cultivate a generous and
welcoming environment. Even one hurtful behavior, or one toxic mentality can ripple through a
community. It can take months, sometimes years, for someone to decide they trust a worship
community enough to o cially join them. Often, all it takes is one passive aggressive comment to never
see those newcomers again. As a church, not only must we have love understood, we must have it
mastered. If you’re wondering what that means, that’s why Jesus taught us how to love before heading
to the Cross.
Loving like Christ is a tall order, I know. Make no mistake, I say and do things that I regret all the time.
We all make mistakes. The tricky part comes from not being able identify when we’re being hurtful or
unwelcoming. I’m more interested in our willingness to seek forgiveness once the mistake has been
realized. So, what is a Christian culture? We give everyone the bene t of the doubt. We are quick to seek
and extend forgiveness. Hospitality comes natural. Generosity is our way of life. Love is our message.
Christ is our saving grace when we inevitably mess up.
Within a Christ-centered culture, there are no couch covers. In our community, we are pulling up a
footrest, pouring a drink, and xing a meal. If a guest spills and makes a mess on our couch, then we
reply “I needed a new one anyway.” Heck… I may even spill on the couch myself and consider it apart of
the decor. Nothing about faith is neat and tidy. A messy church is a used church. We’re not here to x
anyone, or to set anyone straight. We are here to say, “we’re sinners too, come join us!”
Making a mess,
Pr. Lucas Mcsurley
Email: pastor@messiahlutheran.cc
Cell: 937-725-5587
Blog: revre ections.com
ff
fl
ffi
ffi
fi
ff
fi
ff
fi
Messiah Message
At a Glance...
Fall Prevention Program - Thurs, Feb. 17 - Mar. 24 at 12pm
Ash Wednesday - Wed, Mar. 2 at 7pm
Lenten Soup Supper - Wed, Mar. 9 - April 6 at 6pm
Fish Fry - Mar. 11 from 4pm-7pm
Community Expo - Sat. April 2 from 10am-4pm
Youth Bread Making - Sun, April 3 from 11am-2pm
Church Clean Up - Sun, April 10 from 11am-2pm
Cooking Class - Mon, April 11 from 6-7:30pm
Good Friday - April 15 at 7pm
Easter Potluck Breakfast - Sun, April 17 at 9am
Church Movie Night “Father Stu” - Wed, April 20 at 7pm
Pub Theology - Thurs, May 5 at 7pm
Messiah’s Constitutional Convention - Sun, May 15 at 11am
Memorial Wall Fundraiser - Sun, May 29 at 11am
Memorial Day Parade - Mon, May 30 at 9am
Recurring Ministries *All recurring Messiah ministries have resumed gathering in-person!
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
10am - Warm-up 10am - Bible 8am - Serving at 11:00am - Women’s 8am - Men’s 9am - Learning
Portage Lakes Green Good Neighbors Brunch Bunch Bible Study Hour *Social Hall
Study *Social Hall
9am - Property *2nd Thursday *3rd Saturday
6:30pm Children Maintenance 10am - Conversations
9am - Choir
of Alcoholics Gathering *Sanctuary
12pm - AA
6pm - Steps Beyond 10am - Worship
7:00 Boy Scouts 5:30pm Grief
*Sanctuary
Support
* 1st of the month
6pm - AA
Fall Prevention Program
March 2nd
Thursdays from February 17th - March 24
@ 12pm.
@ 7:00pm
Fish Fry
Friday, March 11th Sunday
from 4pm-7pm. April 10
Fried or broiled fish, fries or potatoes O’Brien,
plus Cole slaw for $15. Take out option available. 11am-2pm
Youth Bread
Making
VETERANS YOGA
Sunday, April 3rd
From 11am-2pm
New Church Office Hours!
Be on the lookout for the MON, TUES, WED, THURS, 8am - 4pm
next day/time.
Monday
April 11th
Lenten Wednesday
Join us Wednesday nights at 6:00pm during
From Lent for a brief Worship, soup supper,
6-7:30pm and meaningful discussion. You’re
invited to sign up to provide soup in the
narthex. There is no doubt about it, hybrid
Led by ministry is here to stay. Together, we will
D&M Grill discuss ways to take advantage of this new
ministry context as we move forward.
Good Friday Soup - 6pm
Gather for a Discussion - 6:30pm
April 15 Worship of Worship - 7pm (finished by 7:30pm)
@ 7pm darkness as our
Choir carries us
through the
EASTER SUNDAY
heaviness of the
Cross.
WORSHIP
APRIL 17 @ 10:00am
Bring your family with you on Easter Sunday! Together,
we’ll enjoy a pot-luck style breakfast at 9am!
Community Easter Egg Hunt!
Saturday, April 16 Hunts, games, snacks,
From 1-3pm egg Decorating, and FUN!
Messiah’s new AED has arrived. It is
located outside the women’s restroom
heading into the Recreation Center. Be
Conversations
on the lookout for a training session for This is for you! What is it? It’s a time
whoever is interested in being certi ed.
Several folks mentioned that they to enjoy yourself in conversation
would be willing to help nancially with friends… even some you
support this e ort, some have given haven’t met yet. It’s for women,
already. Our next step is to purchase
pediatric pads for the machine. “Thank men… people. If you are a,
you” to all who made this happen! “people”, you qualify. It will be fun!
Just two rules #1. No politics #2 no
religion. If you want to defend your
Pastor Lucas would love to have a favorite food … have at it.
couple people from Messiah join him
for Worship at St. Luke’s Wednesday
mornings at 11am. The residents are When? Thursday from 10am-11am.
in real need of love and care. It can We meet right here at Messiah.
be as simple as sitting with them.
Let Pastor know if you’re interested Who to blame or contact: Darryl
in serving in this way. Kinion 406-551-3812.
Grief Support Brunch Bunch Men’s Bible Study
Group WMLC We will meet in the Family Life
The women of Center on Saturday, March 19 at
Otherwise known 8am. We’d love to welcome you
Messiah’s next meeting
as “Not By for breakfast and fellowship.
will be Thursday,
Choice,” we will Please connect with Mark
March 10 at 11:00am
meet on the rst Ludrosky with further questions.
in the Social Hall.
Wednesday of
each month at
5:30pm. We are
all grieving. We
are all seeking
closure and Shine Our Light Campaign
ways to process. Council leadership has plans to initiate
a campaign to shine our light! At our
Co ee Collection Council’s Leadership Advance, we
focused on our goal to welcome new
As always, Messiah folks, which involves making sure our
continues to collect coffee outdoor facility is as welcoming as it
for Haven of Rest. Don’t can be. Thus, we’re adding lights! Be
forget to bring coffee with you on on the lookout for more information
Sunday or drop it in Gathering
about raising funds to add lighting
Grounds during of ce hours.
around the parking lot and building.
We’re also planning to add new
ALIVE Festival
lighting in the Community Rec Center.
Our youth group ran into too many Lighting not only makes our space more
scheduling con icts to attend the
National Youth Gathering this summer, so inviting, it keeps our members and guests safe. In addition to
ALIVE will hopefully serve as a life-giving lighting, we’re hoping to repair our Air Conditioning Unit in
alternative. The festival date is July the Sanctuary. We also are preparing a long-term solution to
14-17, 2022. Please notify Pastor Lucas our parking lot. We’re anticipating a goal of raising
if you are interested in attending. $150,000. More details soon!
ff
ff
fl
fi
fi
fi
fi
What are we calling that … ? Parking Lot Announcement
One of the most important aspects of
From Family Life Center to Community Rec Center. developing a welcoming culture is to cut
down as many “insider” habits as
From Old Social Hall to Social Hall. possible. Whenever you’re here, please
refrain from parking behind the church
From O ce to Gathering Grounds. building. It may seem petty, but we
always want our space to be bustling
From Space Between O ces to Donation Station. with people!
Walking Track
It’s important that Messiah is both presentable and useful.
One direction we are exploring is the scrap tire grant
program, which offers funding to create scrap tire
processing and manufacturing. 100% matched funds are
available. A walking track may gain some traction. Are you
interested in getting involved or learning more?
Parade! Monday, May 30th
Messiah’s Military
Service Wall & Memorial
Join us on Sunday, May 29 after Worship.
We are holding a fundraiser event for our
memorial wall (located outside by the
memorial garden) and our member service
wall (located inside on the wall leading into
the Community Rec Center). You’re invited
to add a name of a loved one outside, and if
they are/were a member of Messiah, they
will get a picture hung indoors. On Sunday
the 29th, we will hear a courageous life
story from a veteran and enjoy a light lunch
together. In your email, and through the
Church O ce, you will receive a form that
asks for the service member’s information.
To incorporate Messiah’s mission into this event, we
Tune into Q&A with Pastor and Shelly as
we explore social, theological, and everyday are hoping to have our members represent each of our
issues related to faith. Currently, this can outreach ministry partners at the Expo. Connect with
only be found on our Facebook page, Shelly Kadilak to get involved!
though we have bigger plans.
ffi
ffi
ffi
Remodeling
Leadership Advance
Get EXCITED! We have painted the hallway walls! Piggybacking Messiah Lutheran Church
on an insurance claim, we are replacing all the blue carpet. Also, February 27, 2022
we are painting the Social Hall and helping it become additional
rental space that looks presentable. We hope that this builds Devotion - Pastor
some momentum for other projects, so if you’re looking to get Council Orientation
involved with labor, funding, or have ideas, please be in - Commitment
communication with Pastor Lucas and our Property Committee. - Function
- Responsibilities
Assigned Council Positions
Sunday, May 15 - Mark, Vice President
- Beth, Worship & Music
at 11:00am Constitutional - Diane, Social
- Discipleship, Jim
Every few years, it’s important Convention
Constitutional Adjustments
for Messiah to come together
and make sure our Church Treasurer/Generosity - Carl & Je
Constitution still applies to our - Solidifying process for giving
context. Some adaptations President's Report - Laura
are mundane and - Igniting Mutual Ministry
straightforward, others have to do with shifting an emphasis in
structural architectural. Join us as we hold a vote. You will Fellowship - Mark
receive a detailed list of constitutional adjustments soon. If you’d - Cookie Sunday every week
like a full Constitution, one can be provided to you. Property - Jack
- Painting has begun
- CRC lights
Cookie Sunday Discipleship - Kelly
- Easter Egg Hunt
March 13th @ 11:00am Pastor
- Setting calendar earlier
Beginning on March 27th, we’ll begin having Cookie Sunday every
week after Worship. Some of our ministry groups will each take a Goal Setting
Sunday to provide cookies (or snacks). Fellowship is more important - Invest in making our outdoor
now than ever! space more welcoming with new
lighting.
Schedule:
Lord's Prayer
1st Sunday - Youth & Choir
2nd Sunday - Women’s Group
3rd Sunday - Men’s Bible Study
4th Sunday - Adult Sunday School &
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
5th Sunday - Council & Pastor
New Fiscal Year
Carl & Sandy work tirelessly for Messiah, putting in hours of
service. In an e ort to alleviate some pressure in January, we’re
hoping to shift the Church scal year to run from July 1 - June 30.
This will also give the congregation an extended opportunity to
respond to the Proposed Mission Spending Plan (budget). For now,
we’re just experimenting and more details will unfold overtime.
ff
fi
ff
Church
Movie Night!
Father Stu
Wednesday, April 20
@ 7:00pm
RSVP with Pastor Lucas
Beginning in May, join Pastor
Lucas on the rst Thursday of
every month at 7pm! We’ll
gather at Caston & Main to
wrestle with theology and
Learning Series enjoy a beverage!
Gender & Sexuality
Sundays @ 9am Youth Fitness
March 10, 17, 24 @ 5pm
June 12 - July 31 Ages 10-13,
In-person & Zoom (RSVP for a Zoom invitation).
A Church that does not address the current issues of its
time is an irrelevant Church. Together, we will listen to one
another, grow, and share our ideas on how Jesus might
respond to our evolving world.
SUMMER SERMON SERIES
Each sermon from June through July will explore
the story of the Prodigal Son from the perspective
of each character. By the end, we will know by heart
Luke 15:11-32.
June 12 - The Pharisees & Scribes
June 19 - The Younger Son
June 26 - The Father
July 3 - The Older Son
July 10 - The Farmer
July 17 - The Slaves
July 24 - The Prostitutes
July 31 - The Friends
fi
Chart Interpretation
This congregational survey was only completed by 28 representatives, so it only serves as a
snapshot. Nothing about the results are particularly surprising. The topics of these questions explore
congregational life, worship life, and stewardship. Meaningful relationships are what the Church is
o ering the world. As all relationships go, you get out of them what you put into them. With that said,
if there is something Messiah can be doing to make connection easier, please pass those ideas along.
This survey should not have used “always” and “never” because absolutions are never fully accurate.
ff
Worship Attendance Worship Readings HAPPY
January
March BIRTHDAY!
6 - 1st Reading: Deut. 26:1-11
2 - 122 online 28 in-person 2nd Reading: Romans 10:8b-13 MARCH
9 - 132 online 32 in-person Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
4 Randy Reed
16 - 68 online 31 in-person
13 - 1st Reading: Genesis 15:1-12;17-18 Don Cincurak
23 - 52 online 25 in-person
2nd Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1
9 Marlene McCloskey
Gospel: Luke 13:31-35
February Eric Johnson
20 - 1st Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9
11 Lynda Seiler
6 - 65 online 44 in-person 2nd Reading: 1st Corinth.10:1-13
13 - 103 online 51 in-person Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 14 Melissa MacDonald
20 - 55 online 40 in-person Matt Sanders
27 - 49 online 40 in-person 27- 1st Reading: Joshua 5:16-21
2nd Reading: 2nd Cor. 3:12-4:2 15 Bill Schmiedel
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3;11b-32 21 Lynda Farkas
24 Diane Ward
26 Audrey Johnson
Messiah Lutheran Church Finances January 2022
Income Expense Income - Expense 27 Sallie Petrak
Income is $800 less vs budget. Primarily, Building Rental fell short. 29 David France
$400,000 Expense is $500 under budget. Primarily, Salary increases not paid until Shandell Mooney
after congregational mtg.
Balance is $300 deficit vs budget.
x $350,000
$350,000 $350,000 Anniversaries
MARCH
11 Tom & Kay Becker
$300,000 19 Clayton & Janis Hughes
20 Stephen & Dianne Hines
$250,000 Messiah Goes
Paperless
$200,000
By the end of first quarter of
2022, Messiah plans to be
100% paperless. No bulletins,
no paper
$150,000 cups, with LED
lighting.
$100,000
What is Pastor Reading
This Month?
$50,000
Portraits of Peace: Searching
$22,000 $22,500
for Hope in a Divided America
$17,700 $18,500
by John Noltner
$0
$0
($4,300)
Voices Long Silenced: Women
($4,000)
Biblical Interpreters Through
the Centuries by Joy
($50,000) Schroeder & Marion Ann Taylor
Year To Date Actual Year To Date Budget Annual BudgetYou can also read
