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Who We Are
Gathering Sunday morning for worship at 7:45AM, 9:00AM or 11:00AM is the heartbeat of our community. It is here that we experience the worship of God, know the Lordship of Christ, and refresh ourselves with the renewal of the Holy Spirit. The early Sunday service is a simple one: traditional morning prayer, scripture readings, a sermon, a confession of faith, and communion. Our later services are a lively mixture: the same prayers, readings, sermon, confession and communion, but mixed with music --traditional and contemporary, participative and engaging. The Alpha program, an 11-week introduction to Christianity, is now in its eleventh session at Messiah. Through eating together, watching a video presentation, and talking in small groups, participants explore the basics of the Christian faith. House groups, small groups of six to twelve people meeting in people's homes, offer a weekly time of renewal and nurture through Bible study, worship and sharing. |
Messiah's healing team is a blessing to the entire community in its Sunday morning ministry, in its education sessions and by offering special programs and prayer appointments. The healing team's work is being extended through a parish nurse program that does monthly blood pressure screenings and referrals.
The Good Shepherd Program, a Montessori-based approach, provides a gracious environment for pre-schoolers and elementary-age children to explore God's love, care and work on Sunday mornings. Led by trained teachers, children work with hand-crafted materials --materials that illustrate Bible stories, enhance worship or speak to one's relationship with God. Children are also equipped at Messiah's Great Adventure Club, a week in July devoted to a high-energy examination of the power of God through study, prayer, play and song.
David Langille has energized and overhauled Messiah youth ministry. Young people at Messiah and developing Christ-based relationships, deeping their faith and being challenged in their Sunday night meetings, retreats and mission trips.
Crossroads Community: A group of Messiah members founded this ministry and it now involves folks from other churches as well. They live together and work along with other volunteers from their neighborhood and Messiah to offer prayer, presence, worship and service in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul. Their primary visible ministry is providing a Vacation Bible school/Great Adventure Club-type program for 8-10 Wednesday evenings during the summer.
Messiah's partnership with Haiti is being furthered through financial contributions and ongoing connections. Two Messiah Good Shepard teachers are training Haitian leaders in the program we use here.
God's call to us at Messiah to "gather, grow and go" is an invitation to build his community, his city, and his kingdom.
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