MESSIAH MESSAGE - Messiah Lutheran Church
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APRIL 2021 MESSIAH MESSAGE Love God. Love People. Serve Others. Blindspot “A salad with all the vegetables!” That’s my Subway lunch order. More often than I care to admit, I pop over to Subway throughout the week around noon. It can sometimes be a strain on the wallet, and to be honest, the meal is nothing to ride home about. So, what keeps me going back? The answer... Margie. A sweet older woman who wears her sanitation gloves past her elbows. She works the counter nearly everyday during the lunch hour. As she prepares my order, she lets me complain about the struggles that I am going through. On occasion, she’ll tell me about the current drama in her kid’s lives. Mostly though, it’s me venting. Without realizing it, I’ve almost turned my lunch break into therapy. It’s the relationship that we’ve developed that keeps me coming back for a visit. Once the pandemic hit, I stopped going to see Margie for almost a year. Unlike most other relationships, I really didn’t miss Margie. At least, I wasn’t aware that I did. I felt a heavy loss when forced to skip family gatherings. There was a deep hole created not seeing my Messiah family. At some level, that hole still exists. Those losses were di erent because they were obvious and heavily felt. For Margie, however, I wasn’t even aware that I missed our conversations. The rst time I walked into that Subway again, it was like a light switch went on and I suddenly became aware of how meaningful it was to have a nonjudgmental and empathetic listener in my life. Being unaware that something is wrong or missing is an example of a blindspot. Our lives are lled with them. Do you ever feel a perceptually unsettled? It feels like something isn’t right, but on the surface, you have control over everything in front of you. I’ll bet, there’s a blindspot. Blindspots are problems, issues, or concerns that we have that are brought on by an unknown source. What makes them “blind” is only feeling the side e ects while being unaware of the cause. It’s nearly impossible to address a problem when you can’t identity its root. Many may already know this, but spiritual directors, therapists, and pastors never really o er solutions. Rather, we are tools for helping people help themselves. Once you can name it and claim it, only then, are you able to address whatever is causing that uneasy feeling. Blindspots not only exist in our personal lives, but they also exist on a societal level as well. Both as a society, and as individuals, we must ght against the impulse to say “there’s nothing wrong.” Of course there is, we know, because we can observe and experience the side e ects. The sooner that we can be honest about our imperfection, the sooner God can work through us. We can only be transformed into something better through honesty. I’m not suggesting that all our problems will be solved, but trust me, our barriers are much easier to overcome when we are aware of what they are and where they come from. The relationship I have with Margie is how God is calling the church to live. Messiah is a place where we can be open and honest about the struggles of life. Too often, we understand the church as a community of people that already has everything gured out. The church has become the last place anyone would ever talk about sin because, unfortunately, it is most often the church that is rst in line to cast the stone. My sisters and brothers, the time has come for the church to channel our inner Margie. It’s time to listen. We cannot be the balm that the world so desperately needs, helping society identity its blindspots, if we’re not willing to hear what the world is saying. Because we know about the love of Christ, we have so much potential. It is God who will soften our hearts. God will lay down our stones. God will reveal to us a love that is radiant, unending, and lled with Grace. New life for us is just around the corner, I can feel it! With extra ranch! Pr. Lucas McSurley Email: pastor@messiahlutheran.cc Cell: 937-725-5587 Blog: revre ections.com ff fl fi fi fi fi fi ff ff fi ff
Messiah Message At a Glance... Maundy Thursday - April 1 at 7:30pm Good Friday - April 2 at 7:30pm Bird House Crafting - Sun, April 4 at 9am Easter Sunday - April 4 at 10am National Day of Prayer - May 6 Confirmation Sunday - May 23 Memorial Day Parade - Mon, May 31 Serving Food Bank - Sat, June 12 from 8am-11am Living Word Learning Series - Sun, Jun 13 - Aug 29 at 9am VBS - Mon. - Fri, July 26-30 Recurring Ministries Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 10am - Warm-up 10am - Bible 8am - Serving at 11:00am - Women’s 8am - Men’s 9am - Learning Study Green Good Neighbors Portage Lakes *Social Hall Brunch Bunch Bible Study Hour *Social Hall 9am - Property *2nd Thursday, *3rd Saturday, FLC 6:30 pm Children Social Hall Maintenance 9am - Choir of Alcoholics *currently inactive 6pm - Steps Beyond 7pm - Boy 10am - Bible 7pm - Venturing 10am - Worship Scouts Study *Online Crew *Sanctuary 6pm - AA
April 2 Easter Morning Online Bird House Building Join us online or in-person (FLC) on Easter April 4 morning for a spread-out and family orientated bird house crafting event at 9am. April 11 at 11:00am On Zoom & In-person Church Council Thank you to those who brought We have one position still open for our council leadership. Please beauty to our Sanctuary this prayerfully consider if God is calling you to lead our faith family. Easter Sunday! Betty Goodwin - Memory of loved ones Gathering Grounds Beth Haas - We’ve been hard at work Glory of God & memory of loved ones transforming our Office Space into “Gathering Pearl Haefka - Grounds” a place to sip Memory of loved ones coffee and enjoy fellowship on Sunday Brad & Dorothy McGarvey - mornings. It will also Memory of daughter, Lynette be a nice place to Becky Pataki - gather for meetings and social Our Lord & Savior get-togethers. We want this space to feel like it really belongs to the Messiah Sue & Don Spears - community, so if you’re looking for a Memory of loved ones place to grab coffee or hangout throughout the week, consider Gathering Irma Studer - Grounds. Memory of loved ones Sandy & Ray Wolter - Open Sun-Weds, 8am-1pm Memory of loved ones
Memorial Day Parade Con rmation The City of Green is deliberating whether or not it will Mark your calendars for Con rmation proceed with the Memorial Day Parade. If it takes place, Sunday on Pentecost, May 23rd. We Messiah has indicated that we’re excited to participate. missed Luke Ludrosky and Lane The Parade will be held on Monday, May 31st. Keep Mooney’s Con rmation last year, so we watch for details and nalizations to come. have seven Con rmands: Avery Altrichter, Rory Altrichter, Emily Hunter, Jillian Sanders, and Evan Reed. Get Mother’s Ministry pumped to celebrate their accomplishment! Messiah has been collecting diapers for the last few months. Since MOPS began, we have made an intentional e ort to show our support for new and struggling moms in the community. Are you feeling Pentecost called to donate a few diapers as we transform our space into a focus on outreach. There is a need and Sunday Messiah is called to meet it. Thank you for your e ort and donations! Now that generous donors have got the ball rolling, we’re looking forward to launching this ministry very soon. Men’s Bible Study Please inquire about whether we will meet in Easter Drive-thru the Family Life Center on Saturday, April 17th. Together, we socialize and chat about We had a successful day on March 27, passing out a faith-based topic. We’d love to welcome goodie bags to 90 kiddos in the community. Every you to our conversation and fellowship. bag contained the Resurrection story, so we literally Please connect with Mark Ludrosky with further shared the Gospel! questions. Wednesday Morning Bible Study Now that Lent is over, on Wednesday’s at 10am, Pastor Lucas will lead an online Bible study live on Facebook. Mostly, this brief study is an overview from the devotional resource, the Upper Room. Brunch Bunch WMLC Tuesday Morning The women of Messiah’s next meeting will be Bible Study Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 11:00am. After the We are planning to resume in-person Bible meeting we will order pizza from Guiseppe’s and Study on Tuesday April 6th at 10am, enjoy lunch for those who want to stay. All women following Easter. of Messiah are welcome. Leadership Advance Christmas CD Once a year, Messiah’s council meets for an Messiah has put together a holiday CD lled with extended gathering to vision together, planning festive music. You can ll-out a form on the website long-range goals for Messiah. We’ll gather on (www.messiahlutheran.cc) to receive a copy. We’re Sunday, April 25 from 11am-2:30pm. Stay tuned accepting donations that will go towards our music and get excited to hear about our discussions! ministry. fi ff fi fi fi fi fi fi ff
Living Word Learning Series How do Lutherans read Scripture? Together, we’ll explore what it means to understand the Bible as the living, breathing, and inspired Word of God. If God is not done speaking to us, how do we know what God is saying? Come learn, dialogue, and wrestle with tough questions. Typically, we do not gather for a Learning Hour during the Summer, but we’ve had a long enough break. Remaining physically distant in the Family Life Center, we will meet on Sunday mornings at 9am, from June 13 - August 29. Open to all ages, we’ll prioritize youth and adapt the curriculum based on who is present. 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 the Narthex during of ce hours. Thank you for your generosity! Covid Update Although we have returned to in-person Worship on Family Life Center Sundays, Messiah leadership will remain attentive, diligent, and hold safety as our highest priority. You We have begun renting the FLC, making will always be able to join us for Worship online at 10am on Facebook Live or at our website, sure our guests adhere to Covid www.messiahlutheran.cc. Please do not attend if you guidelines. Usually 4-5 nights of the week, feel uncomfortable, if you have been exposed, or feel a small team gathers for basketball. They even the slightest bit abnormal. Other ministries will gather in-person at the discretion of that group and are extremely grateful to use our space. its leaders. Masks must be worn at all times in the church building. Messiah hopes to continue to see our folks receive the vaccine. The sooner this Messiah is scheduled happens, the sooner we can get back to church life to serve at the Food as we prefer it. On our current trajectory, by May, all Bank on June 12 from adults are to be able to receive the vaccine. If you need help signing up, Messiah can get you in touch 8am to 11am. They with someone who can help. have adjusted to make sure volunteers are regularly washing WE CAN DO THIS! hands, wearing masks, For those that are and keeping a comfortable distance. gathering, the better we are at adhering to Save the Date! safety measures, the sooner we can National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis. implement familiar July 24-28, 2022. community practices. ff fi
Easter Greetings Mission Support From the ELCA Presiding Bishop Did you know that ELCA members in more I try to imagine what it must have been like on that rst Easter morning when there wasn’t the knowledge of the than 8,900 congregations in the US give Resurrection. When, instead, it was all about death and approximately $1.7 billion in regular o erings disappointment. And I imagine Mary Magdalene coming annually to support ELCA ministries in their to the tomb in order to care for Jesus’ body, to prepare it local communities and worldwide? When for burial. The story was over. The hope was gone. And members give through their congregations, then someone shows up in the garden, and Mary can’t about 5.5% of that money is shared with the recognize him. Thinking that he’s the gardener, she says, “Sir, tell me where you’ve taken the body so that I may local synod, which then shares a portion with bring it back here.” the national churchwide o ce. Thanks to the faithful and generous support of ELCA Imagine a woman, literally, thinking that she could carry congregations, the Northeastern Ohio Synod the deadweight of a man. All of that grief, the heaviness was able to share $583,865 in direct Mission of that physically as well as spiritually, and just then Support for ELCA churchwide ministries. Jesus speaks her name. “Mary,” he says, and her eyes are open. And she can see Jesus because she has been seen by Jesus. Her name has been called by the risen Lord, and now she is part of the Resurrection story that happens for all of us in baptism. Jesus has called all of us by name and knows every one of us. And we too now are part of the Resurrection story. Her mourning was turned into dancing Happy Easter, dear Church The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton . . ffi ff fi
Endless Possibilities! Messiah Lutheran Church What would you like to see happen with Messiah’s overgrown Council Meeting Agenda backlot? Below are some brainstorming ideas. Whatever we March 28, 2021 do, it’s important to understand our mission as being for the surrounding community. Devotion: Laura Treasurer/Generosity Report: - Looks like we’re a little behind, but Garden nothing to panic about. Our Boy Scouts are already off to a great start! President’s Report: (Kirk) - April’s Council meeting will be our Walking Track extended “advance meeting” April 25, Many times, we’ve seen mothers lunch provided. walking our building while their - Council installation that day in worship as well. kiddos play basketball! Property: Jack (on vacation) - Jennifer, Ray, Bill, and Pastor are Pavilion working hard to transform co ee Picnics and church life go hand-in-hand! room. Flooring was $730. - Painting at least two more handicap parking spots - We have a couple people willing to Playground donate AED,who should get Talk about family-friendly! certi ed, any reason not to move forward? Social: (Laura) Food Forest - A ton of Co ee and Diapers were A low maintenance “let it grow” garden! donated - Continuing to explore Family Promise Fellowship: (Mark) - Planning Spaghetti Dinner for the Fall Solar Panels - Easter birdhouse building Imagine our church helping a neighborhood with energy bills, likely Worship: national media coverage! - Holy week coming up - Slowly incorporating regular liturgy - Covid protocol going well How is the Spirit speaking to you? Discipleship: - Con rmation is May 23rd Let’s get creative! - Vacation Bible School July 26-30 - When to begin Sunday School hour? Evangelism: Military Service Wall - Easter drive thru was success! - Messiah’s calls are now being Messiah is in the early stages of looking forwarded to Pastor into honoring those who have served our country by displaying a military Pastor’s Report: service wall indoors. Eventually, we’ll - Dates he’ll be out of town. add memorial bricks to our garden outside. You will receive an email outlining more details about the wall and Prayer how to add a family member to the wall. THANK YOU to those who have served! fi fi ff ff
Worship Attendance ANNIVERSARIES APRIL 2 Florence Putz February March 3 Don Spear APRIL 7 - 123 online 7 - 109 online 5 Brittany Zager HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! 14 - 116 online 24 in-person 27 Bill & Vikki Schmeidel 9 Allison Hughes 17 - 91 online 14 - 75 online Avery Sanders 10 in-person 29 in-person 21 - 73 online 21 - 90 online 10 Presley Reed 28 in-person 37 in-person 14 Tyler Pellikan 28 -101 online 28 - 71 online 15 Jaclyn Cain 24 in-person 42 in-person 17 Kelly France Ralph Burkey 19 Courtney Bennett Messiah Lutheran Church Finances January - February 2020 20 Seth Stennett Income Expense Income - Expense 23 Kelly Ward $250,000 Jordan Pellikan Income is $12,300 less than budget. 24 Kayla Levers Expense is $500 under budget. Balance is $11,800 deficit vs budget. Erin Jackson $224,300 $224,300 Projected Balance of $19,000 deficit at end of year. 26 Owen Cain 29 Kelly Sanders 30 Bill Freund $200,000 Bob Porter April Readings 4 Isiah 25:6-9 Acts 10:34-43 $150,000 John 20:1-18 11 Acts:4:32-35 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31 18 Acts 3:12-19 $100,000 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 25 Acts 4:5-12 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 $50,000 $45,000 $37,400 $37,900 $32,700 $7,100 $0 $0 ($4,700) Yard Signs ($50,000) Year To Date Actual Year To Date Budget Annual Budget Available in the Church O ce! ffi
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