Dear Messiah Family,
Happy Arbor Day! As we are spending time this April remembering our special responsibility to be good caretakers for God’s great creation, Arbor Day offers us some great inspiration. Here’s a little history of how Arbor Day began.
As pioneers began moving into the Nebraska Territory in the 1800’s, the lack of trees was felt deeply. Not only did the new residents miss the trees they left behind, they were also left without the trees they needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun. In 1872, newspaper editor, J. Sterling Morton proposed a tree planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day.” Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It is estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on that first Arbor Day. Today, all 50 states and communities around the globe celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday in April by planting trees for a greener tomorrow. If you have the opportunity to plant a tree, awesome! (We’re going to wait until the rain stops to plant ours.) If you can’t plant a tree, you might want to take this opportunity to spend a moment in prayer thanking God for this great gift. Here’s a beautiful picture Evie sent me this morning in celebration of this day. It was taken in Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest near Rotorura, New Zealand this past November.
This Sunday
Pastor Bethany will continue our creation care sermon series with a message titled Facing Creation’s Brokenness. Humanity’s sin and brokenness has had devastating effects on the world for which we are called to care. As earth’s stewards, living into our resurrection hope involves reckoning with our failures and working for the freedom of all creation, human and nonhuman alike. I hope you will plan to join us as we delve into scripture to understand how the renewed life Jesus offers shapes our responsibility to care for our environment and all its inhabitants.
We will also be commissioning John Harmon as he prepares to go back to Kenya to continue his work with Thrive Kenya. This will be our second mission team commissioning in two weeks. Our 15 member mission team to Re-Member leaves tomorrow, April 27, for their week of service on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Please join me in praying for all these folks as they serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
It’s going to be another great day of worshiping our amazing Creator God. I hope you will plan to join us in person or online.
Worship Live Worship On Demand
Mother’s Day
One Worship Service at 9:30a!
Folks often ask if we might have a day when we gather the entire Messiah family in one place at the same time for worship. So, in response to that request, on Mother’s Day, May 12, we will gather all together for one worship service at 9:30a. (Not 8:30a. Not 10:30a. 9:30a!) It’ll be a day to pack the sanctuary as we celebrate our mothers and mother-like figures in our lives. Our music teams will both be leading us in worship with a blend of traditional hymns and organ music along with the praise songs lead by The Way Band. So, save the date! It is my hope that you will be able to join us in person for this great day of worship and celebration.
My Leave
With just a little over two weeks left before my renewal leave begins, I thought I’d say a little more about that today. Let me begin by saying how very grateful I am to be a part of a denomination that encourages their clergy’s health and well-being, as well as for Messiah’s Servant Steering Team and talented and dedicated staff that support this leave and make it possible for me to take time away with peace of mind and total confidence that all will be well. You are in excellent care with Pastor Bethany and Pastor Brian while I am away. My last day with you will be Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day and I will return on August 1.
During my time away, Jerry and I have lots of plans to be with family, ride our bikes, walk our dog, read for fun and travel. Here’s just a few highlights. My mother will be here in May for our daughter, Emily’s, graduation from the University of Minnesota with her Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner. Our daughter, Elizabeth is also graduating that week from The Master’s Institute with a mini MDiv degree so to further pursue pastoral commissioning at her church, Hosanna Church in Lakeville. We will spend some time with Jerry’s father in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area and take a short trip to Mackinaw Island. But our big adventure will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in Hawaii in July. This is the same week that our niece is getting married there and lots of extended family will be gathering together near the second half of our trip.
I will miss you all while I am away but look forward to hearing all the wonderful stories of the vibrant life and ministry of Messiah Church when I return.
Stay dry today. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
In Christ’s love,
Please Pray with Me
God of Love, we give you thanks and praise for your steadfast mercy, love and grace. Through faith, we trust that you are with us in all of life’s transitions and change. We trust in your goodness and know that with each ending comes new beginnings. So, come, Holy Spirit, come. Guide, strengthen, and encourage us on the journey that lies before our Messiah Church family. It’s the assurance of your unfailing love which enables us to trust you in every season of life. May your Word dwell in us richly, your peace rule in us powerfully, and may your glory be our main passion and greatest delight. In the powerful and precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.Join Us on Sunday
Worship In Person: Join us in the building at 8:30 am for our Traditions service or 10:30 am for our Journey contemporary service.
Worship Online: Join us online for the live stream of our Traditions service at 8:30 am and Journey contemporary worship service at 10:30 am CT every Sunday morning. Prior Sunday broadcasts are available on demand all week at your convenience.