October 17, 2008

Dear Messiah Congregation,
Last weekend, I had an opportunity to participate in what has become our annual Great Day of Service. I was part of a small group that went to Asbury United Methodist Church in Minneapolis to clean their kitchen in order for that church to continue serving a free meal each week to their neighborhood. Since Saturdays are usually the day I finish writing my sermon, I had to rearrange my week but I was not entirely successful in getting the sermon written before Saturday. However, by the grace of God, the sermon was written through the mission experience. I want to describe that for you this Sunday. I will be continuing a series of messages - Faith Works - based on a faith that works. The book of James reminds us that faith without works is dead.

One of the things I am proudest of is the way so many of you are involved in serving others. You are allowing God to use you so that God’s purposes can be fulfilled through you. When that happens, it is an amazing blessing to those who are served, to this church, and to you. I value all the leadership provided by Evie Severyn and the Mission Team that made so many opportunities possible. Thank you to everyone who was able to serve last weekend. Your schedule may have prevented you from participating, but I hope you will seek out another opportunity when you will let God use you. And if you were able to participate, look for another opportunity. The vision for this church invites every one of us into the world to serve as the hands, feet and voice of Jesus Christ to a hurting and broken world. I am honored to be a pastor of a congregation that takes this seriously. Thank you.

In this week’s email, I will cover the following:
1. Congregational Survey
2. Moving forward
3. Changing Lives
4. Email Devotion

1. Congregational Survey
Our Church Council is in the process of setting key goals for our congregation in 2009. One of the ways of seeing where we are is by inviting you to help us see where you are. We are using a congregational survey that is 100% anonymous and confidential. Thank you if you have already taken time to complete it. If not, it may take 15 minutes – but you will have helped your church. Either click on the link or cut and paste into your Internet browser. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2bn8Pp0uB5f8qYFfsWWZidg_3d_3d

2. Moving Forward
In recent weeks, our church leadership has taken seriously the economic uncertainties that our nation and world are facing. Although it is not entirely clear how each of us will be impacted by all of this, there will be an impact. The timing has given our leadership an opportunity to discuss the merits of continuing the building plans. I have heard from some of you who have advised me to delay and others who have advised me to proceed. What does God want from us? What does God want to do through us? In my sermon last Sunday, I addressed what God offers us in times like this. If you missed that message, you can find a copy on our church website (http://messiahchurch.org/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=143). Even in the best of times, hearing the answers to these two questions are not simple and immediate. We have taken time to listen and to seek consensus. Meanwhile all of the approvals by the city, county, and lending institutions are completed. The building contractor is awaiting the building permit that will come any day. We have decided to move forward. We have a separate mailing that will be sent on Monday that offers details. Look for that.

3. Changing Lives
One of the greatest joys in my position as your senior pastor is hearing from you how God is working in your life. We have a gifted church staff. This week when we met together, I asked where God had been at work in the past week. Let me share three: 1) An older adult who in a conversation with another older adult where she lives was able to lead that person to Christ. 2) Ten young adults spent last weekend in Iowa working for an older adult couple whose home was almost completely destroyed by the flooding months ago. Most of our nation has moved on but this church still showed up. It wasn’t just the home repairs but the faith of ten young adults that helped to repair the faith and hope of this older adult couple. 3) A third grader who received a Bible from you last Sunday in worship. Every day this week, he has been reading the gospel of Mark to his family. He has been blessed and now he is blessing his family and as a result this church is being blessed.

4. Email Devotion
On weeks that I do not send out this eNote, I write and send a short devotion. About a third of you receive the devotion. So that I am not cluttering your inbox with more email than you can read, to receive the devotion you must request it. Just reply to this and next week you will receive the devotion. If you already receive it, you don’t need to reply. I only mention this because some have asked if I have thought about sending out a devotion. I have, and I do.

For many of you, the MEA school holiday has extended your weekend. Hopefully, part of your weekend will include being outdoors. I hope you can also be in worship.

In Christ’s love,

Steve
www.messiahchurch.org

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