January 2, 2009

Dear Messiah Congregation,
Yesterday, I took down the 2008 calendar in our kitchen and replaced it with a 2009 calendar. Before throwing out the old calendar, I spent a few minutes paging through the past year, recalling the significant happenings from our lives in 2008. The calendar marked events in our children’s lives, birthdays, trips taken, dinners hosted in our homes, certain appointments, deadlines to be met. Some were joy filled moments and others were stress filled. Some I would like to relive and others I would be glad to forget. In those few minutes of reflection, I thanked God for each day and how God was present. Some days I reached out for God, knowing that I needed what God offers. Other days, I think God was reaching out for me as I relied more on my wants than God’s.

January 1 is not just another day. It provides a much needed moment to take an account of my life. I am a different person than I was a year ago. Some would say that’s a good thing, while others maybe not! Our experiences change us when we allow ourselves to live fully and completely into each day. Now it is 2009. I cannot even imagine how I will be changed by the experiences of 2009 and that’s probably a good thing. So, for today, I focus on the blessings that I carry with me into this new year. I count among my blessings our faith community of Messiah Church. To be surrounded by people who are committed to coming alongside others and lifting others up, makes all the difference in my eagerness to move into another new year of ministry together.

In this week’s email, I will cover the following:
1. Christmas Eve attendance, offering results, and Thank You
2. Join me in Bible study
3. Two exciting ministry opportunities
4. Final update on 2009 stewardship campaign

1. Christmas Eve attendance, offering results, and Thank You
We had five beautiful and inspiring worship services on Christmas Eve. We counted 1159 in attendance, up slightly over last year’s attendance. We had first time visitors with us in each service. One visitor came to me after one of the services, took my hand, put her other hand over her heart, and with tears in her eyes said, “I needed to be here. This touched me.” Thank you for the way you made room for our many guests and made them feel important.

Each Christmas we take a special offering for missions. This year we provided ways to support children locally, provide flood relief nationally, and support children internationally. We received $7747 which is 5% more than you gave a year ago. In addition to this, you also supported Peter Larson with thousands of dollars to provide housing assistance in this community through Interfaith Outreach. Peter set an ambitious goal of raising $70,000 to support 125 families. He exceeded his goal, raising $90,000! I am proud of you, Messiah Church, and of your generosity and your heart for families in poverty.

Finally, I want to thank each of you who helped make Christmas Eve happen this year. There were nearly two hundred children and adults who sang, played, ushered, greeted, served dinner, worked the nursery, and cleaned up between services. Each of you gave your time and gifts by serving and as a result you were used by God to touch hundreds of people, many of whom do not normally attend church.

2. Join me in Bible study
The best-selling book of all time is the Bible. It is not necessarily the best read book and even when we read it we are not always sure what it means. I will offer a Bible study beginning Tuesday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. It will be an opportunity to read the Bible and to dig deeper into what the words mean in order to discover God’s Word for our lives. We will meet weekly and read daily. There are two barriers that keep many of us from a regular practice of reading scripture: finding the time and staying motivated. If you will find the time, we will help each other stay motivated and discover how the Bible is a living book with a message that will make a difference in the way we live. If you are interested and have not responded already, simply reply to this email.

3. Two exciting ministry opportunities
There are two ministry opportunities beginning this month. Our second series of Financial Peace University classes will begin with an orientation session at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8. The classes begin January 22. Child care is provided. Last fall, 28 persons completed this course. Everyone learned skills and received information that is empowering them to make healthy financial decisions. Most indicated they were able to save more and reduce debt. Cost of materials is $100. Click here for additional information, a brief video overview and registration.

The newest ministry at Messiah is Network 24/7. It will meet January 13 (the second Tuesday of each month) at 7:00-9:00 a.m. and will be coordinated by Jean Paulsen-Lepley. With the ever-growing number of persons joining the ranks of employment transition, Jean felt a need, through a Networking Group, to help provide an opportunity for people in transition to help each other through networking. This ministry will offer those in transition an opportunity to meet and connect with others and to create a meeting place of encouragement where those who have connections in the workplace connect with those who do not. You will find tools, friends and connections for your journey; and when employed, will hopefully return to help others make connections to keep the "pay it forward" concept going. If you can help make connections at the Networking meetings or if you would like to help coordinate this group, please plan to attend the meeting by registering or e-mailing Jean at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

4. Final update on 2009 stewardship campaign
I want to give you a final update on our 2009 Stewardship Campaign. I am appreciative of your faithfulness in fulfilling the commitments you made when you joined the church, and, more than that, of your commitment to Christ and his work through our church. As of last weekend we have received 319 commitment cards. 27 are new commitments. That’s great news! Of those who made commitments a year ago, 53% committed the same amount, 28% increased their amount, and 18% reduced their amount. Overall, we have received fewer commitments than a year ago with an amount that is 8% less than a year ago. When we consider the economic challenges that many are facing this may not be surprising. If you have yet to return a commitment card or make your pledge for 2009, I’d like to encourage you to do so at this time. We will be finalizing our budget in the next few weeks, which you will then be voting on at our Church Conference on January 25. Click on this link to make your commitment online. Again, thank you for your faithfulness in your tithes and offering and in supporting God’s work through our church.

I’m looking forward to this weekend as Pastor Carrie preaches on the story of the wise men and how God calls us at certain times in our lives to change direction. I hope you can join us.

In Christ’s love,
Steve Richards

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