Support Thrive Kenya
John Harmon, Thrive Kenya founder and Messiah Church member, is traveling to Kenya at the end of August on his next mission trip. He is gathering supplies that travel easily to take with him. Can you help? We are collecting:
All donations will be collected through Sunday, August 10 and can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am–4 pm).
Thrive Kenya rescues abandoned, abused, and orphaned children living in the slums of Kenya. They collaborate with existing children’s homes operated by Kenyans who share the same values and passion for these children. They are currently supporting nearly 400 boys and girls, striving to impact these young lives through love, hope, and a path toward stability. For more information on Thrive Kenya, or to make a monetary donation, visit www.ThriveKenya.org.
- Children's clothing - new or gently used for boys & girls in all sizes, ages babies to 18 year olds
- Student backpacks - new or gently used
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss
- Outdoor activities - deflated soccer balls, jump ropes, Frisbees, etc.
All donations will be collected through Sunday, August 10 and can be dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am–4 pm).
Thrive Kenya rescues abandoned, abused, and orphaned children living in the slums of Kenya. They collaborate with existing children’s homes operated by Kenyans who share the same values and passion for these children. They are currently supporting nearly 400 boys and girls, striving to impact these young lives through love, hope, and a path toward stability. For more information on Thrive Kenya, or to make a monetary donation, visit www.ThriveKenya.org.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Make a difference in the lives of others by giving blood. Please consider donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, August 11 from 12-6 pm in Heritage Hall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “MessiahPlym” to schedule an appointment or click here. Save the date for these upcoming blood drives at Messiah: Monday, October 6.
Did you know that you can give one super-powered blood donation that may have the same impact as two regular donations? This is called a Power Red donation. Click here for more information on being a Power Red donor.
Did you know that you can give one super-powered blood donation that may have the same impact as two regular donations? This is called a Power Red donation. Click here for more information on being a Power Red donor.
BBQ Lunch & Car Wash Fundraiser for Bloom
Stop by the Plymouth Holiday Gas Station (16825 County Rd. 24 - corner of Highway 55 & County Rd. 24 by Hy-Vee), on Thursday, August 14 from 11 am-1 pm to support Bloom Early Learning & Child Care. All proceeds from BBQ lunch combo purchases (burger, brat, or hot dog with chips and a small drink for $5) and car washes ($11 and up) during this time benefit Bloom (located at Messiah Church and Plymouth Presbyterian).
Can't make it to the fundraiser? Donations are always welcome through their website at www.BloomEarlyLearning.org/ways-to-help. For more information on Bloom Early Learning & Child Care, visit www.BloomEarlyLearning.org.
Can't make it to the fundraiser? Donations are always welcome through their website at www.BloomEarlyLearning.org/ways-to-help. For more information on Bloom Early Learning & Child Care, visit www.BloomEarlyLearning.org.
Support our Local Food Shelves
The summer season typically means donations are down for our local food shelves. Next time you go shopping, pick up something extra to donate to Interfaith Outreach and ICA. Most needed items:
We are always collecting food shelf donations in the round marked bins just inside the front doors at Messiah – drop off on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). OR drop off your donation directly at Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth) during their donation hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 am-5 pm; or ICA Food Shelf (11588 K-Tel Dr, Minnetonka) during their donation hours: Mondays 10 am-6:30 pm, Tuesdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-3:30 pm, Thursdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Fridays 10 am-12 pm, and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (1st & 3rd Saturdays only). For more information on the Interfaith Outreach food shelf, visit www.iocp.org/outreach-services/food-shelf. For more information on the ICA food shelf, visit www.icafoodshelf.org.
- Granola bars
- Wheat crackers
- Peanut butter
- Jelly
- Cereal
- Juice
- Baby wipes
- Diapers - especially size 6
- Pull Ups - sizes 3T & 4T
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Hand soap
- Paper grocery bags
We are always collecting food shelf donations in the round marked bins just inside the front doors at Messiah – drop off on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). OR drop off your donation directly at Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth) during their donation hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 am-5 pm; or ICA Food Shelf (11588 K-Tel Dr, Minnetonka) during their donation hours: Mondays 10 am-6:30 pm, Tuesdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9 am-3:30 pm, Thursdays 10 am-3:30 pm, Fridays 10 am-12 pm, and Saturdays 10 am-12 pm (1st & 3rd Saturdays only). For more information on the Interfaith Outreach food shelf, visit www.iocp.org/outreach-services/food-shelf. For more information on the ICA food shelf, visit www.icafoodshelf.org.
Fresh Fruits & Veggies for Bloom
Do you have an abundance of produce from your home garden, CSA basket, or last grocery run? Totes for Hope, the food shelf at Messiah for Bloom Early Learning & Child Care families, would love some fresh fruits & veggies! Fresh produce (homegrown AND store-bought) is an incredible joy to the families who utilize this resource – it flies off the shelf as fast as it's stocked. All sorts of fruits & veggies are welcome in any size donation – bring a handful or a bushel! Donations can be dropped off directly to the Bloom office (feel free to cross through the Messiah Church office to get there) Monday-Thursday 7 am-3 pm. Please do not leave fresh produce in the Messiah atrium.
Totes for Hope is a food shelf ministry of Messiah Church to help minimize food insecurity for Bloom families, located right here at Messiah. This self-select food shelf is available throughout the week, all year long, allowing families to take what food they need, when they need it. Totes for Hope is fully funded by donations.
Totes for Hope is a food shelf ministry of Messiah Church to help minimize food insecurity for Bloom families, located right here at Messiah. This self-select food shelf is available throughout the week, all year long, allowing families to take what food they need, when they need it. Totes for Hope is fully funded by donations.
BYOCT (Bring Your Own Coffee Tumbler)
Every Sunday morning, we generate A LOT of trash with coffee cups during coffee hour after worship. In an effort to reduce our trash and spend less money on disposable cups, we invite you to bring your own coffee tumbler on Sunday mornings. Please be sure your tumbler is labeled with your name, and we’d prefer if it has a lid to prevent spills. Then wash out your tumbler at home & bring it back again next week! Don’t worry, we still have paper cups for guests and regulars who forget. What a difference we could all make in caring for our creation with this small act!
Recycled Eyeglasses Can Give New Life
Did you get a new pair of eyeglasses? Great! You can donate your gently used ones to the Lions Club of Wayzata! They are known throughout the world for their work to improve the lives of the visually impaired and to help prevent future blindness. Over one billion people worldwide live with a vision impairment that can be prevented or corrected. When you donate used prescription glasses (including sunglasses) to the Lions Club of Wayzata, you will be making a difference in the lives of many! Glasses and eyeglass case donations can be dropped off in the marked bucket in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). Click here for more information on this program.
Calling all Knitters & Crocheters
Messiah’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is seeking knitters and crocheters to make handmade shawls that the Congregational Care Team will distribute to those they serve through prayer, care, visits, and compassionate support. Through a grant from Messiah’s Living Ministry Endowment, yarn has been purchased for these shawls. Patterns are available for both knitting and crocheting. If you are interested in learning more or getting started, please contact Heather Felt at hfelt@messiahchurch.org.
Little Free Libraries
Got books? Did you know there are Little Free Libraries in the parking lots at Messiah and Interfaith Outreach (1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth)? The library at Interfaith Outreach is maintained by Messiah members Phil & Sue Zietlow, and they are especially in need of children’s books to add to that library! Children’s book donations (in good condition) can be dropped off in the marked location in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm), or email Sue Z to schedule a pick-up. We’ll be sure to get these books to the Little Free Libraries for local families to enjoy!
Volunteer at Interfaith Outreach
Interfaith Outreach is a valuable resource to our community, addressing critical needs of our neighbors. Volunteers are always needed at the food shelf and Resale Select store. Can you help? Current needs include:
If you are interested in any of these opportunities at Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.volunteerhub.com to sign up online. Sign up for a New Volunteer Meeting to learn about all open volunteer opportunities. Interfaith Outreach is located at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.
- Food Shelf Shopping Assistant
- Resale Select Store Support: Shifts are open Monday-Saturday mornings, afternoons, and evenings
- Resale Select Treasure Hunter: Shifts are open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons
- Donation Door Greeter: Shifts are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning and afternoons
If you are interested in any of these opportunities at Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.volunteerhub.com to sign up online. Sign up for a New Volunteer Meeting to learn about all open volunteer opportunities. Interfaith Outreach is located at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth. For more information on Interfaith Outreach, visit iocp.org.
Ways to Help Simpson Shelter
Can you help with some much-needed items for Simpson Shelter? Current urgent needs include:
Simpson is currently accepting ONLY these specific items. Donations can be purchased from their Amazon Wish List and delivered directly to the shelter, or dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org.
- Umbrellas
- Rain ponchos
- Men’s t-shirts - sizes S-XXXL
- Men's boxers - sizes M and L
- Men's ankle socks
- Women's bras - sizes 40-46
- Travel-sized personal care items (especially body lotion, baby oil, and hair care products for natural, textured, or curly hair)
- For the shelter kitchen (new, unopened, and not expired): mayonnaise, 20 oz containers of sugar/sweetener, napkins, and paper plates
Simpson is currently accepting ONLY these specific items. Donations can be purchased from their Amazon Wish List and delivered directly to the shelter, or dropped off in the marked bin in the atrium at Messiah on Sundays or during church office hours (Monday-Thursday 9 am-4 pm). For more information on Simpson Shelter, visit simpsonhousing.org.
Habitat for Humanity Work Days
Among the many ways to serve our local communities, Messiah Church supports Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCH4H). Opportunities exist in several ways but primarily in the construction of housing for eligible applicants. No special skills are required to participate on a build, just a willingness to serve! Messiah volunteers have been participating in a multiple structure project on Niskanen Circle in Chaska. If you would like to help with this build project, visit tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/lp/chaska. At this link, you can register as a new volunteer and sign up for upcoming serve dates that fit your schedule. (Volunteers must be 16 and up to serve on a build team.) If you have questions regarding TCH4H volunteering, contact Marv K. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org.
Decluttering? Donate to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Looking to donate large items (or a large quantity of items) but don’t have a vehicle big enough to transport them? Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore can come to you! All you have to do is request a pickup. For questions about this service, please contact Habitat for Humanity directly at (612) 588-3820 or visit restore.tchabitat.org/donate. Please do not drop off donations at Messiah. For more information about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, visit www.tchabitat.org.
Serve at Messiah Church
Every week, hundreds of people enter Messiah Church. You can be part of our servant volunteer teams who share God’s love. Here are just a few ministry areas where you might serve:
For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Heather Felt, Director of Community Engagement.
- Sunday Worship - welcoming guests into worship, reading scripture, arranging flowers, or praying over and tidying the space between services
- Communion Prep - these servants shop for bread and juice, prepare for communion (cube bread and fill cups), and clean up after the service, the first Sunday of each month. You can serve for just the 8:30 or 10:30 service, or prep for both. Training will be provided!
- Sunday Hospitality - greeting guests, serving coffee, and ushering
- Wednesday Hospitality - greet guests attending evening activities
- Kids & Youth - build lasting relationships and nurture the faith of the next generation (background checks and references required)
- Gardens & Grounds - no matter the time of year, lend your green thumb or handy skills toward decorating, maintaining, or organizing our grounds
Other Serving Opportunities
Looking for other opportunities to serve our neighbors? Check out the following organizations:
- Interfaith Outreach food shelf and Resale Select store: www.iocp.org
- Second Harvest Heartland: www.2harvest.org
- Feed My Starving Children: www.fmsc.org
- Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity work sites and ReStore locations: www.tchabitat.org
- Bundles of Love: Meets at Messiah at 6 pm on the first Thursday of each month
Missions Team
Bethany Nelson
Associate Pastor
Mary Beth Mazzocchi
Missions Chair
Jess Baker
Secretary
Kevin Bowman
At-Large
Shirley Buehler
At-Large
Lorie Hoekstra
At-Large
Jon Kehberg
At-Large
Pam Lundgren
At-Large
Peggy Russett
At-Large
Linda Seaton
At-Large
Gail Stone
At-Large
Darcy Weldy
At-Large
